OCASEK: ‘PARADISE’ LOST

“THIS SIDE OF PARADISE.” Ric Ocasek. Geffen. Cars leader Ric Ocasek has cultivated an image as an enigmatic figure, but he’s a full-fledged mystery when it comes to his solo records, turning out drab, remarkably unadventurous pieces that could often pass for Cars tunes. Like 1983’s “Beatitude,” “Paradise” makes one wonder (1) why Ocasek bothered to release this sub-par LP and (2) why it’s not simply a sub-par Cars album.

After all, at least one Cars member (keyboardist Greg Hawkes) contributes to every track. And four members of the quintet play on “True to You,” probably the album’s most perky, melodic and, of course, Cars-like number. Gee, Ric, good to see you’re using this solo opportunity to stretch out and experiment with different styles and musicians.

But the disappointment deepens when he does collaborate with outside artists and misuses their talents--like featuring guitarist Tom Verlaine on “P.F.J.,” a chugging, minimalist exercise that never takes off.

Ocasek’s oddball lyrics may keep you listening the first time through, but “Paradise” rarely transcends dreamy noodling, or at best Cars retreads. Is this really the same avant-rock Ric Ocasek who’s produced records by adventurous outfits like Bad Brains and Suicide?