For many, Ric Ocasek and Ben Orr are new wave personified, and it is nearly impossible to picture either doing any other style of music. But before the duo rose to prominence with the hit-making machine the Cars, they were members of an obscure folk outfit called Milkwood. Ocasek and Orr (who at the time went by their original last names, Otcasek and Orzechowski) had been in bands together since the '60s, but it wasn't until the early '70s that they were in a band that achieved any substantial recognition, resulting in Milkwood signing to the Paramount record label. Judging by the sound of their one and only release together, 1972's How's the Weather, the group (which featured a third member, Jas Goodkind) was heavily influenced by such outfits as Crosby, Stills, Nash Young and America. When the album sunk without a trace shortly after release, Milkwood disbanded, as Ocasek and Orr decided to return to their original love, rock roll, and subsequently formed one of the most successful rock bands of the late '70s/early '80s. Although there has been talk over the years of How's the Weather being reissued, the long out of print album has yet to have ever been released as a CD. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi