Who says there's nothing new in classic rock? Surely not the fans of the Cars and the other classic-rock acts that have released their first studio albums in years in 2011 -- and watched them climb the charts and win fan kudos.

Here's just a taste of some of the new albums by classic favorites that dropped in 2011 that you'll want to check out if you haven't yet:

The Cars -- 'Move Like This'

Ric Ocasek's solo career and the death of bassist-singer Benjamin Orr made fans think the Cars had run out of gas. Not so, as 'Move Like This' shows. If anything, the band's first album since 1988 sounds like 'a band picking up a conversation in mid-sentence,' said Rolling Stone.

Although the mighty Stone only gave the album three-and-a-half stars, fans seemingly agreed more with Ultimate Classic Rock's higher rating as shown by the album's debut at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 charts.

Yes -- 'Fly From Here'
Vocalist Jon Anderson is out of commission, but Benoit David took over the front spot when the band recorded 'Fly From Here,' its first studio record since 2001.

The record is short -- only five songs -- but it underscores a long legacy and points to a bright future. Bassist and founding member Chris Squire told Billboard that the album, which charted at No. 36 on Billboard's 200 chart, shows that the band's lineup and sound are solid enough to take them the distance for years to come.

Hot Tuna -- 'Steady as she Goes'
Who would have thought this Jefferson Airplane side project would be going strong four decades after the Airplane landed? 'Steady as She Goes' is the band's first studio album since 1990's 'Pair a Dice Found.'

Founding members and top Tunas Jorma Kaukonen (guitars, vocals) and Jack Casady (bass) were joined by drummer Skoota Warner, mandolin player Barry Mitterhoff and vocalist Teresa Williams for this blues-rock recording.

Gregg Allman -- 'Low Country Blues'

It's difficult to say that Gregg Allman has been on hiatus because he's played everywhere -- in sickness and in health -- with the Allman Brothers Band. Yet 'Low Country Blues' is his first studio release since 'Searching for Simplicity' dropped in 1997.
Too much of a good thing? Not at all. Let's face it, Allman can serve up a heapin' portion of world-weary blues like no other.

Robbie Robertson - 'How To Become Clairvoyant'

Critics loved the rock and blues, the growl and angst that Robbie Robertson dished out on his recently-released studio album, 'How to Become Clairvoyant.' The Band's primary songwriter and guitarist hasn't released an album since 1998's 'Contract for the Underworld of Redboy,' likely because he's been busy scoring films and developing artists.
Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and Robert Randolph are some of the guests that joined Robertson for this, his fifth studio album. It hit No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart.

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