The hallmarks of old-fashioned rock ‘n' roll—like Buddy Holly's sweetly irresistible melodies, or Tommy James & The Shondells' nimble organ-and-guitar interplay—form the heart of The Cars' catchy sound. The glam stomp of T. Rex and Slade informs their punchy, speaker-shredding tone; at the same time, the twinkling synths of Kraftwerk and Brian Eno run through their work like an underground stream.