Search - Jude Cole :: Start the Car

Who's Gonna Drive You Home?

Tim Brough | Springfield, PA United States | 11/02/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After the pleasant pop of "A View From Third Street," Jude Cole shifted gears to a more heartland rock sound. Nowhere is that more evident than the disc's title song lead-off, a combination of Springsteen/Mellencamp that rocks harder than anything from his previous two albums. I remember this album coming out just as I received a job transfer from Los Angeles to Nashville, TN, and it was a mainstay in my CD player through the three day drive.The solid rock snap-to of the title track was just the kind of kick I needed to get a day on the road started. To this day, I can pull out the polished heartbreak of "Tell The Truth" ("let's start it over, or call it over...") the sad sack story of "First Your Money" and the been-there, done-that world weariness of "A Place in the Line" and I can instantly retrace my steps on I-10 and I-40.So to say that I enjoy this disc even now is a correct assessment. It holds a cherished spot in my library next to other albums of the period by John Mellencamp, Del Amitri and Tom Petty. The production of James Newton Howard is also a standout, and again brings touches of Elton John to this disc. Highly recommended for those who thought "Third Street" wasn't rootsy enough."

My Desert Island CD

David Johnson | 10/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I won't go so far as to compare Jude Cole with the Beatles, but you'd better hear this disc. How does this guy come up with this many top notch pop songs? I've been listening to it since the year it was released and I never tire of it. Truly an overlooked masterpiece."

One of the 90's best

John Mason | Grand Rapids, MI | 05/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jude Cole is one of the most under-rated artists of the last few decades. START THE CAR is one of those albums that the more you listen to it, the more important it becomes to your music collection. There just isn't a weak song on the entire album. From the obvious radio appeal of the title track and "Just Another Night", the wonderful simplicity building to full blown production of "The Open Road", the lyrical depth of "Tell the Truth" (how this song doesn't become a AC format smash totally escapes me), the guitars turned loose on "It Comes Around", to the autobiographical story-telling in "Right There Now" and "Place in the Line", all the songs are solid. Then factor in Mr. Cole played everything except drums and keyboards, and...uh...can you say "talent"? This is one that will not gather dust in your CD holder."