Customer Reviews

Singles 1969-73

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I was not even born when most of these songs were recorded, but I have always secretly liked many of the Carpenters' songs(even though I knew it was totally "uncool" to do so!) For a long time, I wished that I had a "best of" album of the Carpenters' songs. Lo and behold! I recently came across this album. Feeling slightly dorky, I bought it. Well, I was really glad that I did! Karen Carpenter's voice is beautiful -- she really does sound like an angel. Some of the songs do have a bit 70's sap to them ("Sing"), but many others are very moving ("Goodbye to Love," and "Yesterday Once More"). Karen's voice will hold you spellbound, as if she is the only one in the room. It's slightly eerie to hear her voice, knowing that she is not alive, because this recording is so vibrant. A great CD to add to your collection.

I grew up in the Seventies and mostly could not (and still can't) stand most of the music that I grew up with. The mid-to-late '70s were the times of sappy, banal pop; pompous, overblown arena and prog rock; and last and certainly least, the dreaded DISCO. But some of it climbed out of mediocrity -- or worse -- and actually became timeless. The Carpenters' songs are examples of this. While my friends in high school would have ridiculed me at the time if I had proclaimed myself a big Carpenters fan, secretly I have never lost my affection for most of these songs. "Close To You" and "We've Only Just Begun" are simply perfect soft-pop ballads, and they're more than that. They have permanently ingrained themselves into our American consciousness, and that is no small achievement. Karen's voice was magic, and the layered harmonies are the type of thing that nobody bothers to attempt anymore. And for all of you oh-so-tragically-hip people that feel! compelled to write snide, sarcastic put-downs that they erroneously consider to be clever: Hey, it's OK to like punk, heavy metal, country, jazz, gospel, classical, swing, techno AND soft-pop like the Carpenters. I do. And my diverse record collection is the better for it.

No female singer could ever sing like Keren Carpenter does. Her voice is really beautiful like an angel's voice. I can really listen to Carpenters album all day, and doesn't get bored. I really like this album because (as I mentioned before) of Keren voice and Richard's arrangement.

In my youth, I was a great fan of the heavy metal music scene. I was into Ozzy, Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Led Zeppelin; but I harbored a dark secret which would had made me an outcast among my peers. Yes,mama... I wanted to grow up to be a Carpenter!!!

This album is amazing. I listen to it periodically, and it fills my soul with energy. How can anyone not like "Superstar";"Rainy Days and Mondays"; or "Close to You" on one album. Karen Carpenter's vocals are so haunting, no one will be able to resist buying this album after listening to one song!

What can I say about Karen Carpenter that has not already been said. She is soulful, genuine; Her voice touches you and sings for you; you alone. Their music remains timeless, like Karen herself and her mysterious darkness. Who was it that said ,only the blessed die young.

Now this is one trippy, existential album! Wow, I guess I can't say I actually like it, but checking it out you sense the vacuum of Richard and Karen's worldview. From it you see the roadsign arrows: one way points to empty, nominded valium melancholy, a shopping mall nightmare of consumer zombies. The other points to the _only way out_: the blaze and fury of the metal jihad. But hey, seriously, this is a psychotic album. Goes well with molded jello salad, heavy doses of barbiturates and old Albert Camus books with small print, read under the dim glow of a 5 watt desk lamp at 4 in the morning. God bless Karen and Richard. God rest Karen's soul. This is some twisted genius that stares directly into the abyss. Yikes!

Karen can sing like a bird and Richard can play like there was no tomarrow!

Just a suggestion if you are mesmerized by Karen's voice and have an adjustable record player; turn the speed down good and slow and you will find the songs (especially on this album!) are twice as good.