Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Close to You is a gentle, polished introduction to the Carpenters’ signature sound. Karen Carpenter’s voice is the obvious centerpiece here, warm, clear, and full of ease, the kind of voice that can make even the simplest lyric sound heartfelt. The title track is the obvious classic, and it is easy to hear why it became their breakthrough hit, with its soft arrangement and perfectly measured delivery. “We’ve Only Just Begun” has that same sense of optimism wrapped in sweetness, and it still holds up as one of their defining songs. The album does dip in places, with a few covers that feel more like filler than essential listening, but even then the arrangements are clean and tasteful. The overall mood is light, romantic, and a little dreamy, which works well but can start to blur together if you take it all in at once. Still, the highlights are strong enough to make it clear why this record launched them into stardom. Close to You may not be flawless, but it captures the Carpenters’ charm and marks the start of their rise as soft pop icons.
Probably not a 4 but close to it
A beautiful album with some great somgs and nice voices. Not much else to say on this one, it just wasn't my favourite giraffe
Holy 70’s, Batman! Double (triple, quadruple?) tracked vocals. Horns! Flutes! But THAT VOICE! It would have been a train wreck otherwise. Maybe I have a soft spot for easy listening.
beautiful
A lovely 70s smooth and easy listening album.
lovely
J - 3/5 Best Track - "(They Long To Be) Close To You"
Honestly, hard to rate. Both sweet and cheesy, and that's entirely the point.
it’s just so sleepy
Schmaltzcore. Sad girl karaoke. But really, Karen Carpenter’s voice breaks my heart in the best way.
Dreamy, loving sounds and lyrics. Classic album. 3.3
two opposites about the carpenters that can be true at the same time: 1) they are vastly overhated for what the music is. of course, karen carpenter's voice is terrific, they have some of the best studio musicians playing on their records, their music is well produced. it's not everyone's bag, but for years and years, this was regarded as some of the worst of the worst pop music to ever be released and it just simply is not even close to that. 2) i feel like there is a cultural correction on the carpenters going on recently and i do feel like it is a vast overcorrection. yeah, their music isn't bad and is over-hated! listen to this album and genuinely tell me this is a great album. there are some great tracks on here, don't get me wrong! 'we've only just begun' and '(they long to be) close to you' are terrific early 70s pop songs! let's not pretend that the rest of this album is mind-blowing! the soft, sleek covers of bacharach and beatles are fine but i wouldn't say an album of soft, toothless wonder bread makes this a terrific listening experience either.
Zoetsappig maar wel leuke oude pop
I think I agree with the hippie's on this one. This album is very bland and overly-sappy. The Carpenters have some hits that I enjoy, but other than the title track, they're all on other albums. Instead we have boring love songs and a shitty "Help" cover.. Favorite track: (They Long To Be) Close To You 2.5/5
The middliest middle of the road music that has ever middled.
Ooh, Mr. Guder is used a sample in some famous rap song... famous whistle. Fun, chill, 70s flower child tracks. Beautiful voice.
This challenge has a lot of music that can be challenging to listen to. There's a lot of "only the cool kids got this" kind of music. Well, The Carpenters are... not that. Sorry, but it's really hard to make a brother & sister contemporary vocal band, directed by their parents, sound very cool. You're just not going to impress many people with your Carpenters record collection. But ok, it's not unpleasant, right? And there are some decent musical performances here and there. Surely, the Burt Bacharach and Hal David compositions memorable and kind of objectively good, for what they are. "Close to You" is good enough to Homer and Marge's song, which I guess counts for something. I'm reaching a bit here to find nice things to say. It's well made and successful and I guess it's significant. But yeah, not really for me. If you want a more interesting alternative, I'd recommend listening to The Free Design.
Very well crafted songs, sung beautifully by the late great Karen Carpenter. Maybe these songs are not for everyone but they were really a top notch pop act of the 70s - two highly talented musician and singer. Overall I prefer a greatest hits compilation from this band because they had some amazing hits on different albums, and their studio albums are not as strong.
Good
Muy tranqui los carpinteros pero no me molesto
No me desagrado pero tampoco me gusto para escucharlo nuevamente, basicamente es la banda sonora de muchas peliculas romanticas o comedia romanticas, así como de teleshows de los 90
Good vocals, good harmonies, a few big songs….. not my cup of tea though. Soft white lounge music is fine just not appealing.
Nice vocals.
Dang forgot about Close To You… shot me right back to adolescence watching The Simpsons. What a great song, even though it’s a cover. It’s weird to listen to an album that is 50/50ish covers to original songs. I’d much rather hear originals. I do enjoy Karen Carpenters voice a lot though so I’ll give it a solid 3.
Classic
😕
Pleasant and relaxing to listen to, but aside from the cover of Close to You, nothing really stood out to me as worth revisiting.
Sounded just fine for something I only want to hear on rewatches of happy gilmore
Maybe this is the apotheosis of the school of "rock" that features Bacharach, Lawrence Welk, Bread, countrypolitan, easy listening, Air Supply, all tending toward emotional catatonia and cheese, lots and lots of extra cheesiness (primarily via the arrangements [compare to Elvis Costello's Bacharach album for how cool/restrained it might be]). It gets weird when it tries to get psychedelic – not talking about the lame (the less said the better about both the Beatles and Hot Rod covers; they get away with stealing from Satie because their fans likely would not have known). There's a David Lynchian weirdness to some of these proceedings and the massive commercial success makes it seem even weirder (plus the clothes and haircuts). Some of the melodies are narcotically sublime opener and title cut, most obviously. Rounding up because one's mom loved but she was not tastemaker, now, was she? One would love to see how some other bands would treat the originals here.
Makes me nostalgic for a time i didn't live in. When popular culture depicts the 70s NY warehouse parties, this is what i actually imagine the music of the decade to be like for most people. 3/5 in context of everything else, but still enjoyed.
Actually a pretty good pop album. 3.5/5
Just for popularising (They Long To Be) Close To You, this album deserves its spot in these 1001 albums. It's a good consistent album, even the tracks I didn't enjoy that much still had redeeming qualities and tended to still sound decent in a vacuum. I don't think this is the kind of music I'm going to be drawn to listen to again, but I think from time to time I will come back to the most popular songs here. I mention it a bunch but the vocals on this album are really nice, angelic even. We've Only Just Begun - I love the overlayed vocals and the effect on them, the piano is great and really compliments everything else. Beautiful song in both sound and substance. And yes, we've just begun but this already feels like a highlight. Love Is Surrender - again really enjoying what they do vocally, the horns are super cool too. I'm not great at identifying instruments but the most prominent features of the instrumental here are really enjoyable. Maybe It's You - another really beautiful track, much slower and simpler in ways letting her voice and the lyrics take hold. These songs are almost heavenly in a way. Reason To Believe - I like this but not quite as much as the previous tracks. Also whilst I'm still enjoying what they are doing with the vocals I think it could get a bit boring or even annoying on repeat listens (generally speaking, not just this track). Help - was not expecting a cover of a Beatles song, interesting take on it. Can't say I'd ever take this over the original (it's not close) but I can appreciate the fact it has been made to fit this album and is distinct. (They Long To Be) Close To You - what an iconic song, simple premise but pretty effective. The horns are nice. I have an in built respect for this song because its so known but I do think it's slightly longer than need be, and realising this is where the song came from is kind of surprising, like its good don't get me wrong but how does it become one of the most key love songs ever. Baby It's You - I saw a review on here saying it covers a Beatles song by the same name (technically not their song in the first place but for simplicity sake), it's slightly hard for me to enjoy this when again I just prefer the Beatles version. In it's own right it's pretty good, and again it's quite different other than lyrics but I can't imagine putting this on over The Beatles song. Again her vocals are good. I'll Never Fall In Love Again - A decent track. Cresent Noon - I don't think I really like this slower kind of track from them, it goes on for too long too. Mr. Guder - what an odd song to have following the previous. Much faster paced, strange subject matter to hear here too, I kind of like how it sounds but overall I don't know how to feel about this. I Kept On Loving You - it's nice to have the guy lead the song for variety sake but I think this last stretch of songs is letting the album down a bit honestly, maybe I'm just bored of it. Another song - like her vocals (what a surprise), but most of the song is instrumental, its fine but its too long and found myself just waiting for it to end. Best - We've Only Just Begun, Love Is Surrender, Maybe It's You, (They Long To Be) Close To You Worst - Help, Crescent Noon, Mr. Guder, Another Song
driglost & zerst dänkt, dass sig en klare fall vomne verfehlte mood, doch denn… wie en fels ih de brandig chund er und massiert mer mini ohreläppli: «(They Long To Be) Close To You» – chef's kiss! de rest isch au schön gsi, aber haut mi nöd vom hocker drum sag ich in klassischer schrienermanier 1 bei vom hocker ab = 3 hockerbei für mini schrienereikolleg:inne
Pretty good; sad about Karen. 3/5
I recognize it's great but it's not my cup of tea
It’s like Peter, Paul & Mary…but better and kind of cooler? I grew up hearing “(They Long To Be) Close To You” on some late night infomercial. Do the Carpenters have a Christmas album, going off vibes here but I feel like I’d be in to it. The last song of the album takes a surprising psychedelic rock jazz turn.
Beautiful, Dreamy, Cottage core music for your heart <3
A solid album, soft and gentle in a lot of its sound. Not really my favorite sort, but nothing wrong with it as a work.
Not really my taste but still really good and an amazing album as a whole.
ADAM SANDLER: “The Carpenters are angry?? I mean…” JACK NICHOLSON: “Don’t be naïve, Dave. ‘Close to You’? ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’? Songs of madness and obsession.”
We've Only Just Begun and They Long To Be Close To You are great jams but the rest of the album is just ok. If this were their greatest hits until '73 compilation, now that would get 5 stars.
Karen Carpenter has a great voice, but the music is kinda yawn worthy. A couple of good songs in there, but pretty average overall.
Started strong but the formula played itself out by the end. Love the style though. I'm a sucker for this 70s sound. Far too many lame tracks to get above 3 stars.
close to you is like the greatest love song ever made but other than that this was fairly predictable easy listening sweet stuff
тоже много ремейков. путала я с кем-то карпентеров, другие они чем я думала. напомнили ту немецкую вокалистку (ноль шансов что вспомню имя). норм
The gorgeous tones of Karen Carpenter (mostly!) and some beautiful songs, some killer, some filler!
A few hits, but not a style that has stood the test of time.
I would like to complain to the makers of the "1001 70s Folk Rock Albums by Old Men That You Have To Listen To Before You Die" app I downloaded as there was a girl on this one?
It's got a few moments but then just like over stays it's welcome
A principios de los 70, mientras los adolescentes cool escuchaban punk y proto-heavy metal, la mayoría se inclinaba por grupos pop edulcorados que versionaban canciones populares. Y The Carpenters son uno de los máximos exponentes de este tipo de música. La verdad es que cumple con su cometido: es fácil de escuchar, con una instrumentación y unas armonías muy bonitas, y unas letras que no pueden ofender a nadie. Los dos singles son muy buenos temas, especialmente Close to You, merecidamente una de las canciones pop más conocidas de los 70. Por otro lado, el resto del álbum flojea un poco. La mayoría de canciones son versiones poco inspiradas, sobre todo Help, que es un atentado a la original. Sacarina de la época. Le voy a dar un tres porque también resulta interesante escuchar cómo ha ido evolucionando la música más comercial con el paso del tiempo.
Some nice Burt Bacharach songs, but a little too old and worn out for me.
It's not a bad record, just not amazing, perfectly ok for me, Karen's voice is the stand out driving force of the record, The songs are ok, some standouts and some forgettable
Not quite a fan of the California folk rock sound, but this album is full of undeniable gems. "We've Only Just Begun" and "(They Long to Be) Close to You" are the hits I already knew, and they absolutely deserve that status. Not something I'd come back to, but it did elevate my morning.
Better than I expected it to be, I was worried it was going to be mostly twee bollocks like the title track, but there were bits I liked too.
We’ve Only Just Begun was in a bank commercial and it shows.
The singing is lovely but some of the lyrics were just so painfully cheesy. We've Only Just Begun is very good, but everything else was just okay.
think they're a bit over-hated, I thought it was an enjoyable listen.
A nice listen
Really dragged towards the end but some really good bits in the middle
Cozy pop
Should be 4 but that fussy version of Help is a crime I cannot forgive.
Close to You is a solid album, even if it’s not totally my thing. Karen Carpenter’s voice is undeniable — super smooth and full of emotion — but most of the music just doesn’t hit for me personally. A little too soft and polished for my usual taste. That said, I’ve got to give her props for the covers. Their versions of “Help” and “Reason to Believe” were both really well done — honestly, I think they pulled off the latter better than Rod Stewart did, which I wasn’t expecting.
Very much enjoyed the hits rather than the album but deserves its place on the list.
Michael ceras cover in Superbad was better
have actually never listened to this album full way through before but has some songs i already love on it! it’s such a warm, alive and cozy album! Top 3 3. i’ll never fall in love again 2. we’ve only just begun 1.CLOSE TO YOU (the simpsons movie’s impact on me will never fade)
A fine album. Not that great, not that awful. The cover of Help was... interesting. Mid 3.
It was alright pop stuff with good vocals. 3 stars
A pleasant evening listen with a couple of classics and plenty of cheese.
Um bom álbum para mostrar como o pop evoluiu ao longo das décadas. Close to You traz belas melodias adornadas pela voz doce de Karen Carpenter. Em alguns momentos chega a soar um pouco como a Annie Haslam no Renaissance. Os arranjos são sutis, mas bem trabalhados, com destaque para o uso das cordas. Falta ganchos mais memoráveis e um pouco mais de contraste para transformar Close to You de um disco bom para um disco ótimo.
"Close to You" é um disco bonito. Arranjos simples, com foco no trabalho vocal, as harmonias são demais, tanto em dueto como nas vezes em que a voz da Karen aparece dobrada. Alguns momentos são meio bregas, mas faz parte da estética/época e o caráter "romântico" do álbum. Acho legal quando tem cordas ou aparecem outros instrumentos tipo a flauta em "Mr. Guder". A levada de samba-jazz na bateria em "Love Is Surrender" é outro momento legal.
Vähän oksettavaa söpöstely musaa. Nimikkoraita Close To You on tosi tuttu jostain tai se ylipäätään on vaan tunnettu biisi. Paljon kyllä muitakin biisejä mitkä kuulosti etäisesti tutulta. Parhaat: (They Long To Be) Close To You, Crescent Moon
Good enough.
Close to who? Me? You don’t know me, man. You think because you sit there, looking like a 2025 Tofino couple propositioning me to join their polycule on our sustainable eco-cruise to Haida Gwaii, that you can chat me up? Listen guys, you’re nice, but I’m a married man AND I’m exclusively here to see cool birds and categorize them OH MY GOD IS THAT A BUFFLEHEAD. My comically large flashbulb clicks loudly and blinds them as it ejects into an endangered bird’s nest, setting it ablaze. “Can’t beat the quality of these babies” I say as I pat my camera, totally unaware of my now singed Wellington boots. The Carpenters seem confused and alarmed. I can later be seen yelling “ARE THERE WALRUSES HERE” at the tour guide. Anyway, here are the Carpenters. They do music apparently. We’ve Only Just Begun - Something so deeply sad about this. Not that it’s bad music, but when it came on I just felt like I was actually hallucinating my zany experience and I was actually on a rowboat shrouded in fog in the middle of the ocean. Love is Surrender - You must Surrender (If You Can). Saying somebody must do something (if you can) is very modern. Way ahead of their time. Maybe It’s You - Hoo Boy. This is really saccharine isn’t it? I mean it’s pleasant but man it’s like a cotton candy playground in a gumdrop kingdom. Reason to Believe - YES. Vaguely folk influenced. Lovely harmonies. Vaguely cheat-y lyrics, but god it’s everywhere you turn in media. People just getting bored is literally the cause of all the world’s problems. From hoarding wealth, unsustainable economic growth to adultery. Stop seeking endless expansion. Anyway. Good song. Help - A Beatles Cover that actually really improves in the song. I love what they did with it. (They Long to Be) Close To You - Part 365,914 of how watching “The Simpsons” as a child allowed me to grow into an adult with an acceptable base of knowledge that an adult should possess. The song is decent, but the point of reference makes me smile. The melodies at the close of the song are truly beautiful. Baby It’s You - Took a small break and returned, and I have to say, this song is pretty boring. Well I didn’t have to say it, but I’m a wild card. I’ll Never Fall in Love Again - What do you get when you listen to critically acclaimed albums every day? You get a sense of alienation as you really don’t seem to mesh with the stuff most people gravitate towards. That was the next lyric if the song was allowed to continue. Crescent Noon - Sick song title honestly. Hell yeah. Pretty haunting at points. Not enough to be a classic, but hey. Decent track. Mr. Guder - This has to be the name of a real guy. This isn’t just like “Mrs. Robinson.” Wait is it Mr. Gouda? Listen here, cheese man, leave those robots alone. “You’ve blown your life just playing a game, where no one wins and every one just stays the same” *flute solo*. Well that’s me done. Our lives are akin to hamsters on a wheel. I love my job I love my job I love my job I love my job. Productivity for my company is the most important thing to me. I Kept on Loving You - Don’t trust him, girl. Can’t get over the gaslighter lyrics. I feel like “gaslight” has become the new word that everyone uses to refer to things they don’t like in an argument. It’s like narcissist. Remember when every person who someone didn’t like was a “narcissist?” I love words. Another Song - Is this part of the album? I like it. I mean a funk bassline behind an ominous woodwind solo? Based ending. A cool album. Rain dusted candy floss that may or may not contain trace amounts of psilocybin. Disgustingly sweet at times, but also occasionally morose to the point of tears. Likeable for the most part and definitely something I didn’t mind having on. There were beautiful melodies and even a little bit of a takedown of the dystopian concept of daily brain enslavement that has increased a million fold since this album’s release. I’m writing this via voice to text, as I’m in a little bit of trouble with the good folks at Fish and Wildlife after my photographic faux pas earlier on. They’ve allowed me to dictate most of this in the back of the Ranger. Zip ties be damned. Quiet down back there. Hey I know my rights, pal. Uhh how do you backspace. 3 HIGHLIGHTS: Reason to Believe, Help, (They Long to Be) Close To You, Mr. Guder
This is a very pleasant album that I’ll probably never revisit.
Close To You is an alright album but it is one that i feel is very unnatural to listen to. There are things i like about this album, the music is handled well throughout a lot of the songs and has quite a few moments of genuine beauty, Karen's vocals are well done and fit the songs well and even Richard's vocals in that one track worked rather well for it. My main issue with this album is how unnatural it feels to listen to it and that is entirely due to the pacing. This album does feel overly fast paced at points to the point where i could sometimes forget what song i was on. This is why i like the 4 minute tracks on this album the most because they give the songs time to stretch out their legs. This album isn't bad at all, just a bit difficult for me to get into. Best Song: Crescent Noon Worst Song: Love Is Surrender
This was a pleasant surprise of an album. We've Only Just Begun was just a lovely song. I really liked their cover of the Beatles' "Help". Thought that was a standout along with Close To You, which was featured in the Simpsons after googling where I've heard that song from before. I would put this solidly as a 3. I liked most of the songs here, but none of them really put this at the next tier.
Unable to give this a careful listen, but general impression is that this is some nice easy listening. Decent amount of variation throughout. Really enjoyed the roots/country vibe of Reason To Believe; scratches some sort of an itch for me. Some more folksy stuff in here as well (Mr. Guder). Help is a jam, as is Another Song. I probably won't remember much of this long term, but it has been a nice listen. 3 / 5
We've Only Just Begun is a pretty song. It immediately makes me think of Happy Gilmore and Starsky & Hutch. Solid Beatles cover. Close To You is another one I've heard a bunch. Not my kinda song but another one I need to admit is very pretty. Whoa Mama's Gun by Glass Animals samples Mr. Guder. Also kinda reminds me of Motherboard by Daft Punk. Love finding out these random samples. Some pretty beautiful songs on here and I loved the last song with that flute soloing. Not sure it pushes it past a 3 but its a high one at that.
This is a very pleasant album, but I think that's all it is. It's not trying to break the mould or push any boundaries, but it's very easy to listen to if not a little drab at times. I'm glad I heard it before I died, but I doubt I'll hear it again
Really lovely 70s production and great harmonies. Sometimes leans a little too sweet, but makes up for it with some beautiful songs and that stunner of an album closer
Very sweet
Karen has a beautiful voice but I can't say this is something I'd come back to
I never thought I’d say this, but I’m kinda feelin’ The Carpenters. Exquisite harmonies 👍
en stark trea. gillar hennes röst. påminner mig om weyes blood
Solide Sounds der 70er aber zu wenig Actin.
I can't say I'm too familiar with the Carpenter's work, only that I know the sibling duo by name. The vocal harmonies of both are quite pleasing to listen to, primarily led by the younger sibling, Karen. Sure, it's consistently sappy and saccharine throughout the 38ish minutes, but that doesn't necessarily make it any less enjoyable when viewing from a instrumental and production standpoint as well. The two singles "We've Only Just Begun" and "Close to You" are both especially endearing. Some of the other original compositions hold their own too.
2.8 2x not really my type of music but a few catchy tunes for sure
Dreamy, romantic but sometimes very cynic and realist. Great singing.
It was cool hearing their version of help
2.5 Gotta admit, I didnt hate it . Thought the production was pretty slick and well done. Vocals were good. I wonder if there is a Doc or Bio-pic out there about the Carpenters
If I could describe this album in a word it'd be cute, because this album is very soft & easy on the ears, it's the most pop album I have ever listened to, it's unchallenging, it's a classic 70s record to play as calm, soothing music, at least that's how it felt to me, which isn't a bad thing, hell I enjoyed quite a bit off of here, it's just a very nice record, not particularly my style, but for one time, yeah I enjoyed my time with it.
Not for me
Classic
romanticize the 70s
It is pretty saccharine, I remember playing We've Only Just Begun in my primary school band, and they use Close to You as muzak in the public toilets just up the road. So mixed vibes. But I guess it is a classic of its own type
3.5
Kind of goofy but pleasant enough. Also weird album cover. Looks like a couple’s vacation post.
These are bland pop songs. Yes, she has a lovely voice but thios is way to "Lite FM" for me.
would be elevator music if it didn't have vocals. Some decent harmonies, but overall too boring and schmaltzy for me.
nice, fairly unassuming, very 60s. for some reason was giving me sesame street vibes
Love Karen's voice. I wish there were less ballads and more pep in the tracks.
I wasn't excited to see this one. I thought it'd be bland and white. It is a little bland and quite white, but it has an enjoyable, laidback chillness. The Beatles cover is decent too.
Cute!
It’s hard to listen to the Carpenters and not think about my mom, and rolling my eyes at the radio. Because she loves them, knows every word, was obsessed with them like I’ve been obsessed with lord knows how many bands. Hearing it fresh now, I’m struck by just how fucking good Karen Carpenter’s drumming is, clearing Ringo by a country fucking mile on their cover of “Help”. I’m also struck by how bland Richard’s voice is and how chintzy their song selection is. There’s a ton of depth there, and when they’re really pushing the edges of their musical style it works. But it seemed like they never wanted to push that far. Karen’s the star, obviously - her voice is perfect and her drumming is totally on point while also getting all sorts of fills and crazy combos. She’s so immensely talented, and it feels like they just didn’t have the voices in the room to push outside their comfort zone. Still, the hits are there for a reason, and their arrangements are great. I just wish they had dug a little deeper, like in “Superstar”, instead of always chasing pure pop perfection.
This is what I think of when I think early 70’s music
It’s ok if you like mor music
I hadn't listened to this band before, although I knew them by name, obviously. I started it assuming that I was starting a 38-minute period of my life of blandness and boredom, and that feeling was consolidated with the first songs. But, to be honest, I kind of liked it! The musicianship was good, as was the songwriting. My favorite track was "I'll Never Fall in Love Again". Will listen to it more.
One of the great voices - like having honey poured over you. But it's a bit too saccharine so it's hard to listen to more than one or two tracks at a time.
Fav song: Close To You Karen Carpenter had one of the most amazing voices in the industry. Such a special musician. RIP.
Its mellow and chill and there are a lot of hits. But its really kind of meh. Its two siblings just signing pleasantly together. This is one of those albums that maybe you had to be there to really really appreciate it because I don't see what is so musically amazing for it to win 8 Grammy's. Would I listen again? Sure...but will it go on a playlist, probably not.
This is fine for some Sunday morning, 70's gold, easy listening. But overall not so much my jam. Close to You is a great love song.
It's perfectly pleasant. Clearly talented musicians, and some moments really stick out, but overall it's just kind of mid.
beautiful voices and harmonies. a looot of covers. in general it’s quite nice. i’d classify this as nice easy listening music but nothing that really excites me much. at least not from only having listened to it only once.
Very gentle and easy listening. An easy pioneer for folk music that paved the way in a most traditional way. Nice record.
It was okay, but nothing amazing. Good time, but never gonna listen again
C’est vrai que c’est très très très blanc comme album, pis ça viens d'un gars qui mange sa crème glacée à la vanille avec des biscuits sec à l’avoine
Overly decedent and a bit one note
Ok aikansa levy ja pari coveria. 3/5 mut en ihan ymmärrä miksi listalla.
Solid duo. Prefers "Now & Then."
Karen Carpenter will always be associated with the eating disorder that claimed her too young and brought anorexia to public attention. I remember watching Behind The Music and seeing advertisements for multi-CD collections of the Carpenters or other Time Life compilations of soft rock so some sonic snippets are all that I was exposed to otherwise it was background music. "We've Only Just Begun" is an incredible pop song whose dynamic shift on the chorus is everything. "Love Is Surrender" is bossa nova lite. "Maybe It's You" snare drum, flute, oboe, piano and celeste, chamber pop with a swelling theatrical score. Organ, bass and woodblock, countrified soft rock on Reason To Believe, the harmonies are achingly beautiful. Help, a harpsichord and organ with percussion Beatles cover, not improved despite Karen Carpenter's technically superior vocal ability, it has a Bee Gees style sheen that makes the cover feel unnecessary. "(They Long To Be) Close to You" is the most popular song by The Carpenters, a lament of aching vocals and Hey Jude basic piano, the percussion is great if Karen if responsible for the playing and arrangement, guess it was Hal Blaine. A lot of Burt Bacharach compositions and covers. This version of "Baby It's You" sounds positively restrained compared to the blue-eyed soul of Smith. "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" competently performed. I can't help but wonder what it would have been like for the duo to have artistic control, evidently Karen's controlling mother dictated how her daughter could sing and wanted Karen to record all the drum arrangements herself, but the live performer was not accustomed to the technique required for studio sessions and though she is credited with playing the drums, Hal Blaine also consistently contributed to the Carpenters studio discography. Crescent Noon is an impressive ballad with heartbreaking vocal delivery from Karen, but the background vocals are a bit distracting. Mr. Guder is as irritating as it is startling inventive. "I Kept On Loving You" is a Richard led song that is poppier and less somber. "Another Song" has an intensity absent from other Karen hit singles and ends in an unexpected psychedelic jazz jam.
Cute
Beautiful voice and some stone cold classics on hear. Not a go to album but I would happily listen again.
I love the Carpenters, and some of my favorites are on this album, but even I thought this was a bit too much, too sappy.
This is very wholesome which made me sad in knowing the story of the siblings. On the other hand looking at it musically, while it is wholesome and has an emotional value to me, it remains simply nice. Sometimes I think the cuteness of them as a story outshines their music musically. Nevertheless there are several really nice songs on this album and it certainly pulls on the heartstrings. Being direct and realistic the album is OK with shining moments. Add this to the whole backstory of The Carpenters and it is definitely worth listening to and reading about, but outside a couple of super-hits, it is ultimately in the "satisfactory" range.
I get why many think this is corny, but it works for me.
Sugary sweet vocals with a touch of latent sadness for Karen Carpenter.
Close to You is the second album from the Carpenters, the brother/sister duo that made "soft rock" pop songs. Their songs are build around Karen Carpenter's strong, contralto voice, and her brother Richard's harmonizing and arranging. The album was an international success, and helped the Carpenters become one of the best selling artists of all times. The album includes "Close to You," and "We've only Just Begun," the first two of the pair's hit singles, and a cover of the Beatles' "Help." These are pretty, melodic songs that have become fixtures on "easy listening" playlists.
Good, easy listening
2,5
Me gustan los Carpenters, los descubrí con el recopilatorio de homenaje de los 90 al mismo tiempo que un documental de su vida y triste final, ahí conocí la existencia de la anorexia. Love is surrender, I kept on loving you y Close to you.
Karen Carpenter is always a joy. 3.5 stars.
Karen Carpenter is obviously an incredible tragic talent. Nothing but admiration for her musicality at such a young age. This album is pretty run of the mill and polished. A bit too smooth and especially with the cover songs, things sound a bit forced. Not my favorite by any means, but not bad at all.
I'd have gone 2.5, it's ok but not my taste
Never heard this before. Mellow rock is a guilty pleasure of mine. But The Carpenters definitely puts that to the test. Lots of famous songs on here, but the arrangements bring more cringes than chills. This version of "Never Fall in Love Again" does work for me, though. Karen Carpenter has a beautiful voice and just a heartbreaking life story. Despite my misgivings of the arrangements I'm still going to give this 3 stars.
Amazing voice, though not my cup of tea. Had a strong urge to watch reruns of Love, American Style after listening to "I Kept on Loving You"...
Really smooth pop that has its charm but not all the songs are interesting
Room 1408 ruined this for me.
It was okay. A few classics, but most easily forgettable to me. Last song I was just waiting to end and hoped it was the last
Was okay
Karen’s the GOAT, a lot of classic tunes here
Surprised by how much I was enjoying this until the last three songs. It's like they padded out the album with dreck because they just had to be near 40 minutes. Last track is actually called "another song"... Example #3847 of solid curation being the most important element to making a quality record.
po esse trouxe memórias descer a avenida do contorno de noitinha no saudoso ford ka com close to you torando na também saudosa good times FM (dependendo do dia com tradução feita pelo locutor) era uma aventura enfim, álbum mais good times FM da história, bão demais
Lovely album of twinkling, soft focus vocal pop with arrangements that feature flutes, strings and horns. “(They Long to Be) Close to You” is the big hit. It’s a great song, beautifully produced and performed. It’s one of those songs I’ve heard in movie montages without ever thinking about who performed it. I love the extended outro to the song. The cover of The Beatles’ “Help!” was nice too. (Wow, this jazz rock freak out on the last track is a surprise!)
Very pretty album by one of the most underrated bands of all time. "(They Long To Be) Close to You" is probably their best song, and is so synonymous for me with romance, love, and all things mushy and sweet. It's also in so many movies too I think? "Why do birds suddenly appear Every time you are near? Just like me, they long to be Close to you" That's just really sweet. Nice tracks and great performances. I saw that they can be described as "airy" and "light" and that is very apt to me. You aren't going to get much tension (unless it's wrapped in some super clean textures) but there's something pleasant throughout that keeps it super listenable.
Decent.
This is all very pleasant, peaceful and all the arrangements seem effortless. They even manage to not screw up a cover of Help!
Some class tracks, and a nice easy listen on the train this morning 3/5
Karen Carpenter, as another punter on here noted, is the best Carpenter since Jesus. Great drummer and superb voice. Love that. Most songs here are pretty sappy but I still enjoyed it more than expected.
Road rage impossible if you listen to this while driving
Some well known classics, the rest of just not for me
Mellow vibe
Nice
Where was that jazz flute the whole time? This is some classic late 60's/70's music. A lot of it melded together but I wouldn't call it hard to listen to or unenjoyable. (They Long To Be) Close To You, and Another Song were my favorites and I thought the rest were okay. I was leaning towards a 2 but that jazz flute solo at the end raises the score for me.
The slow and saccharine songs are excruciating, and I don’t care for Richard as lead, but “Close to You” is buoyed by the hits (though I think I can only stand them because they are so well-known) and a great cover of the Beatles’ “Help.” It was also interesting to discover that The Carpenters recorded “Reason to Believe” before Rod Stewart. Neither are the original, and I still prefer Stewart’s version, but its familiarity made it another of the more tolerable songs on the album. “Crescent Moon” also showed that slow and moody, with Karen singing lower, is so much better than the too-sweet love songs. The real stand-out, though, was “Mr. Guder.” I can’t explain why I like it (maybe the whimsy?), but it was delightful.
This album is fine, it just happens to be full of really overplayed songs
A bit corny perhaps but I enjoy it, reminds me of days gone by
I like the Carpenters fine. Not the most exciting album, but inoffensive and a nice background to my morning.
Solid collection of pop standards. Nothing I would consider definitive though
I cannot believe the number of awards this won at the Grammy's, jeez. The 70s were a different time, man. Many of these are not original songs. Of course, I already knew "(They Long to Be) Close to You" and recognized other artists' versions of some of the other songs. Karen had a lovely voice and it's a shame what happened to her. This easy listening adult pop thing is NOT my bag, though.
It's got some great songs on here, and I can see why they were so popular, but it's just not my jam.
3/5 Some amazing songs on this album
Karen Carpenters story is tragic, she was clearly a very talented drummer and a lovely voice. A shame she died so young. It's a lovely album, It's just quite bland, background music I wasn't drawn in at all.
Karen had such a great voice ans so easily recognisable. The Carpenters songs are timeless and this is a really good album except for their cover of 'Help!' (Even worse than Bananarama). For me though The Carpenters are radio music and not something I would choose to listen to a whole album of.
Amazing album cover by Hipgnosis, one of their best!
This is 70s pop feel good music! It doesn’t annoy me but it also doesn’t excite me too much. Close to you is a great and sweet song that has also been used in the newest Joker movie (not a movie recommendation)
Classic early 70s AM Gold
Karen’s (RIP) voice is beautiful but after a while, the album feels too sweet. The tracks are undeniably catchy, but they lean so far into easy-listening territory that I found myself wanting a bit more edge. One track that really stood out for me was ‘Mr. Guder.’ It caught my attention with its anti-establishment undertones, and I appreciated how it subtly critiqued conformity in a way that felt unexpected from the clean cut duo. Overall, the album is pleasant, and there are some interesting tracks, but after a while, I found myself craving something with a little more heaviness. Side note: Following this album I listened to If I Were A Carpenter for some brilliant Carpenters covers by various artists.
I didn’t like the mix on this at all. It sounded so thin, like it was ran through an AM radio. Songs were all pretty forgettable, besides Close To You, which I heard everywhere growing up. The 70s were such a strange time for pop music.
Well, it's only just begun, and all the hits were gone. Very nice voice by the brother and sister from the band, but the album was quite underwhelming. Other than catchy opening song, there is nothing to write about.
Really not my type of music but there was some good stuff on here. The latter part of the album was more fun.
Милый альбом группы, которая нравилась мне в детстве. Вчера случилось интересное совпадение: мне попался этот альбом, и в этот же день самая известная песня из альбома была во втором Джокере. Лучшая песня - Carpenters - (They Long to Be) Close to You.
solid good vibes
Not really my style of music, but unoffensive in the background.
Nice but a bit wishy washy. 2.5
Listened Before? N Wheeeww. This is some 70's elevator shit right here. It's fine, it's just not my cup of tea. Karen Carpenter had quite the voice, though. I didn't hate the album, it just put me to sleep. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Close To You
As much as you can't really criticise punk for sounding loud and aggressive, you can't really criticise The Carpenters for sounding sacharine and sickly sweet: it just is what it is. And Karen Carpenter possess a lovely, highly distinctive voice. It's good that records like this have made the list, just for sheer variety. I'd say the Carpenters would be Marge Simpson's favourite artist (and probably one my mum's favourite as well). Delicate and rather sweet music for delicate and rather sweet people.
Aww, this was rather lovely!
I do like the few songs by The Carpenters that I've heard in the past, but they're very delicate, and I wasn't in a particularly delicate mood this morning. Despite that, their version of Close To You is a classic. Help was a curiosity, and I enjoyed the quite out-of-place jam at the end of Another Song. I also just read up on the life of Karen. What a sad end she had :(
I don't mind the Carpenters in small amounts but this was verging on an overdose of artificial sweetener. I did enjoy track 1, their cover of Help! and the Bacharach tune. Almost a 4
It is with begrudging hesitation that I give this one 3 stars. I really, really, don't like it ... but ... it is flawlessly produced and the album and the duo has clearly been influential. It is an album that I had only known through ironic mockery, and I think that is where it will remain for me.
It’s alright, she has a nice voice. Really old music almost show-tuney.
good pop vibes
Karen Carpenter had such an angelic voice! This album really shows that voice off, too. All of the music here is incredibly mellow and very easy going pop with some subtle orchestral-type backing. It is an incredible melodic match for Karen's vocals and allows those vocals to shine through. That said, the music doesn't feel "one note"; there's a lot of variety on display here within the vocal pop genre.
Very comforting and nice to listen to. Also unexpectedly groovy in some places. Didn’t realise they had a Beatles cover on here too so that was interesting to hear. V funny how the Simpsons movie brought Close To You to another surge in popularity and introduced a lot of young people to it. Now most people associate it with the movie haha
It’s a solid 3.5 smooth so smooth. Great tunesmith and Karen was just a great vocalist
I started this album kicking and screaming, but by the end, I was holding hands and singing kumbaya with The Carpenters. I’ve been converted.
Some classic love songs on here. Little to mellow and slow but vocals are top notch. Rounding down but on anothet day I would round up.
Soft cheese.
Beautiful, beach boys-y sound and that sort of happy-go-luckiness. Close to you, baby it's you and maybe it's you are the favourites. Gentle listening, great for the train - solid 3.3.
Very early childhood memories.
This is where I need to mention that Karen Carpenter is an incredible drummer. Also this first song started as a jingle for a bank commercial. You gotta be pretty hard up for a hit if ur swiping from a bank commercial.
A bit too goody two shoes for my book. But can Karen sing or what?!
Close To You is a marvellous song. To pretend otherwise is nonsense and shows a profound lack of understanding of what makes a great, simple song. But that sound is unbelievably cloying when stretched over an album. Crescent Noon features a more dramatic arrangement (Scott Walker esque if he dialled it back a bit) and Karen has a terrific voice. So split the difference and call it a generous 3
3.5★. Some nice harmonies, and of course Karen's voice is quite heavenly—without being in love with its own beauty, crucially.
yysy没啥记忆点，还是昨日重现吧
Kauniisti laulettu. Hyviä eheitä kappaleita, jokainen on yksilönsä vaikka soundi on hyvin yhtenäinen. Mukava (!) välillä kuulla huilusoolo, samoin aikansa kuvana hammond (?). Tosi folk. Help-cover on turha, samoin lopun jazz-numero (hyi!!! Pilasi lopun…)
Karen ‘s voice is gorgeous. And I once had a blond blue-eyed baby boy that I carried in my arms and sang “Close To You” to daily. So I have a bit of a sentimental bias. But even so, too much sweet is not good for you. I also have to wonder if this is the Carpenters’ best album. There are so many clunkers. Guess I just need to find out if they have a greatest hits album!
It's just really nice music with a very beautiful voice.
2/3
This is a very pleasant album. Lots of familiar songs that I typically associate with another artist, but nothing wrong with these versions. Slight coincidence that I happened to see the Simpsons movie last week... Such a simple elegance to Karen's singing that makes it so easy to listen to. Not something that really holds up to modern radio standards, but that's getting to be a compliment these days. Good Sunday afternoon album. Favorite track "Close to you" 3/5
We’ve Only Just Begun is s banger.
Cheesy in a good way.
Some undeniably great songs, and Karen C’s voice is gorgeous, but the production is too sugary in spots.
Great vocals but a little sickeningly sweet at times. Karens singing on “Close to You” is magical
A nice pop record that makes you feel good
Soppy
++: Another Song +: We've Only Just Begun, Love Is Surrender, Maybe It's You, I'll Never Fall in Love Again, Mr. Guder, Crescent Noon, I Kept On Loving You +-: Reason to Believe, Help, (They Long to Be) Close to You, Baby It's You 7,3/10
It was an album. I just don't know how I would describe it to someone, because it does not stick out.
Eh. It's fine. It's kind of like the 1970s equivalent of that Norah Jones album I got earlier. It's perfectly fine, but it doesn't really stand out. Both of the singers are solid. I do like Karen Carpenter's singing more though. The instrumental sounds are also fairly decent. A bit samey, but it's not too big of a problem, especially since the sound is good. The writing is perfectly fine as well. This album is one that I can see someone either loving or hating. Except me of course. I'm in the middle. I think it's alright, but I can see why others don't like it that much. 3/5.
3+ Herkkää, hempeää ja hiljaista.
Very nice stuff, never gonna listen to it again.
Surprisingly, this really didn't do it for me. The songs I liked were, of course, fantastic, even the ones I was not previously familiar with. But the covers ("Reason to Believe," "Help," and to a lesser extent "Baby It's You" and "I'll Never Fall in Love Again") were just bad.
She had a great voice. AM radio 1970.
Interesting for vocal pop, very 70s
This is entirely beautiful. Lovey dovey euphoria of perfect happy romance world. Didn’t need the “Help” cover and most of the other covers didn’t need to be included either. Points off as well for the songs being a little samsies, but otherwise, pure bliss. 3/5
This was more interesting than I thought it would be, but there are only so many songs about falling in love with each other I can take on an album. After the Help cover, I pretty much just felt "We got it already".
Great vocals, but not my cup of tea. Music to make one sad.
Karen's voice is just lovely, no doubt about it. Very clean, talented arrangements. But it's just kinda boring overall to me. If I'm ever in the mood to drink a conservative amount of wine with a reasonable amount of friends at a scenic location with pleasant weather, I'll probably pop this album on in the background.
5/10
It's sappy and "dated" but there's certainly some appealing, guilty pleasure type stuff here. Overall it isn't great and some of the songs are dull dull dull but I didn't exactly dislike the experience.
Lovely, soothing, beautifully sung and produced pop song, with Just a couple of skippable songs. Standout tracks: Close to you & the surprisingly funky Another song.
I do love me some Carpenters
3.5
Classic 70’s rock album,
This is the whitest music I've ever heard. It's so...... Beige. Like salted cardboard. Easy listening for sure, but my fuck is it ever bland. Like.... This is the lame shit that white suburban parents listened to. I will say, their cover of The Beatles song Help is pretty solid. (They Long to Be) Close to You reminds me of a Simpsons episode where Marge installs a new Doorbell that plays that jingle but it gets stuck on and keeps looping over and over. Why do birds.... Suddenly appear... Fuck that album was boring. I had to listen to it in spurts throughout the day so I didn't fall asleep at work. Favourite songs: Reason to Believe, Help, Love Is Surrender, We've Only Just Begun, I Kept on Loving You Least favourite songs: (They Long to Be) Close to You, Another Song, 3/5
Good
Her voice is beautiful. Very traditional sounding warm pop from the time but it was a hit for a reason. The amount of covers is always a bit surprising on a big album but they weren't huge song writers.
There are some hits here and some odd covers. Pretty good arrangements. Everything sounds fine, but it's like the music version pastel. Like the equivalent of when they shoot film through a lens with Vaseline on it to soften the look. I wish the production was a little crisper.
Fine enough, so 70s - nothing too crazy
It doesn't get more easy listening than this.
At first, I was surprised at all the negative reviews, but as the album went on, I understood. The main thought I had while listening was "oh god, this will be showing up in my spotify playlists now". Nevertheless, I finished it and cannot categorize it as completely unlistenable. More like: boring and derivative. Would rate it 2.5
Pure '70s musical valium. The breathiness in the first moments of "Only Just Begun" reads like a musical effect to make one have a laugh about the lame '70s, until one's irony radar dips and one realizes this was exactly what one's mother would have loved about this back then. On the plus side of the ledger, there is Karen's pure voice, the lounge-y Bacharach feel, and the near chamber-pop vibes of several cuts. There is an odd but undeniable earworm-y quality of "Close To You" and the groovy jam-band effect of the closer, which suggests where they might have gone. Indeed, the last 2:28 of the record actually sounds cool and very much in a far-out '70s kind of way; this is music one could get high to, if any Carpenters' fans did such. To be clear, this is hard to credit musically; the covers are particuarly embarrasing, even downgrading on a curve to the low standards of the reason. Rod Stewart's "Reason to Believe" is forever ruined after hearing this version and could have Lennon/McCartney got a restraining order for "Help"? Yikes. Still, one's glad this was included on tihs list and that the editors valued mass appeal. That is a factor to be assessed, but wonder where the line should be drawn – if the Carpenters merit hearing, why not similar broadly popular acts of that and adjacent eras, often hocked via ads run during the worst sort of reruns and mail-order fulfillment – Neil Diamond, say, or Zamfir (master of the pan flute), or Boxcar Willie or Slim Whitman? Their making the world safe for Air Supply is more bug than feature, it must be said. And one must decide if music one's parents love is a merit or a demerit.
When I was younger, I never liked the carpenters music, I felt it was of a different generation. Having listened to it now with the benefit of age and musical maturity I get it a little more and appreciate for its time. It was quite different and forward sounding. It's a shame that Karen Carpenter had so many issues, maybe that's what makes them who they are today but it would have been interesting to see how her music would have developed. Has she lived on.
The "Help" song confused me a bit but I double-checked and the Beatles had released it 5 years before this album came out, so yes.. had to check, just in case I was wrong. Overall, decent album, nice little background vibes, nothing too exciting.
In retrospect this album is a really good example of the shifting culture between the 1960s and 1970s. While folk was in due to people like Bob Dylan and the Mamas and the Papas, the Carpenters seemed to put a chill pop aesthetic over top of it. The album seems to usher in the new age of 70s folk. Overall, it's an enjoyable album, but I don't think I need to revisit every song. Best Songs: Reason to Believe, Help, (They Long To Be) Close To You Worst Songs: Love Is Surrender, I Kept On Loving You,
Too depressing. Although beautiful
Not really my sort of thing - however i didnt expect to like it at all yet a good few songs were really nice and soft, good listen.
the 70's version of Drake. it's nice, easy listening songs that are mostly forgettable. great if you just want "generic 70's pop", which i mean sometimes is the vibe.
The Carpenters make me question everything about music. I can’t think of a scenario where putting this album on would be appropriate. But then when I think of most other albums I can’t think of it either. They are obviously loved and talented, but gotta say a lil bit dull.
Not good. Not bad. Perfectly bland.
Lovely songs. Close to You is an absolute masterpiece
sickly sweet and more enjoyable than i expected.
It's very happy....im not very happy. Its probably too nice and airy fairy for me. However she has a lovely voice even if his isn't and it's probably fine to listen too if you aren't dead inside.
The softest of soft rock. So tepid they deserve kudos for the audacity.
Beautiful vocals. Not something I’d choose to listen to, thinking “I’m familiar with The Carpenters, and her tragic death”. I never really listened. What surprised me … the studio musicians. The sax, and the jazzy flute. Not a fan of the cover of Help. This album absolutely is one that brings back the nostalgia and feel for an era.
Exactly as schmaltzy as you think it might be. High quality shmaltz, but despite that voice, it all sounds strangely bloodless Easy listening for stepford wives
Pleasantly surprised to be honest! Smooth vibes, recognized a few songs, enjoyed it even though this isnt the style of music I would normally seek out.
Alright
The album is oozing with a mid-70s vibe.
meh once again, not impressed
Wasn’t a fan then and not a fan now.
I feel like this album is THE perfect example of "nothing special but innofensive". Like, I really have absolutely nothing interesting to say about this album, positive or negative. It was perfectly fine, easy to listen to. But nothing really grabbed me or stood out to me as being particularly good. Music doesn't get more average than this.
Meh
Not bad.
this album was alright, it was a bit boring in places and i found some songs to be too sappy but besides that there’s nothing really bad about it. i don’t have a strong opinion.
Pretty cool to listen while cleaning the house
Ez 3.
Uplifting and enjoyable 3.5
Not bad
Ok
Correctos.
Karen Carpenter - such a wonderful voice! Loves the album
This was unexpectedly pretty great. Seemed like they were ahead of the times
I wish this did more for me; but it really doesn't. The title track is pretty iconic, I really like the way the chorus comes back in one more time when you think it's done. Other than that, the record is enjoyable yet pretty forgettable, sadly. Pretty solid 3 stars.
Great, calm, powerful album
70s adult contemporary is not an especially beloved genre for me, and many of these songs suffer from the curse of sameness. But there’s no denying the power of Karen Carpenter’s warm lovely voice, which especially shines on “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Crescent Noon.”
3/5?
We’ve Only Just Begun is a great opening track and (They Long To Be) Close To You is a banger, but the Help cover doesn’t add anything to the original and the rest are just ok at best
Classic MOR glurge. But that's quality glurge, mind.
OMG that voice. Karen and Dianna Ross were what I, as a kid, imagined that angels sounded like. I like that Richard still wasn't convinced that Karen was THAT much better at singing. (Imagine if Finneas INSISTED that Billie sing backup on two or three songs per album?) Still, the music is SO sickening sweet. You start to become convinced you can listen to it and then Help! (Who in God's name listened to Karen singing Richard's songs and thought, "you know, I'm not convinced these two can carry an album's worth of material.)
Delightful album. Karen Carpenter has a wonderful voice. İt takes me back to the bio-pic starring Hilary Swank. Good times. Not overly thought provoking just a nice listen.
Lots of classics on this one. Not a Carpenters fan per se, but this is the one to listen to if you are.
Cheesy album photo and music. Not my kind of thing. But can't deny it's quite good.
The album took a dark turn. The woman's voice is good but the first song is not enough to elevate the album above mid range.
Karen has a very nice voice, but some songs sound a bit repetitive and same-y. Overall enjoyable though
I think their biggest strength is Karen Carpenter's voice. It's very smooth. It's too bad it's sometimes drowned out by the "backing" vocals. The last song had a very cool outro.
This is dreamy. The Carpenters were at an early stage where there was no expectation to deliver a conveyor belt of pure pop hits. They had the space to experiment. And woh - Close to You is an album of experimentation. Reason to Believe is even better than Rod's version. High praise indeed. Close to You as a song is both slush and lush. Mr. Guder is BONKERS. They don't make them like this anymore. Nope.
I like how it got a little psychedelic on that last song, just for the last 90 seconds or so. Basically saying, we sing sweet songs, but we also like drugs sometimes. Ironically, Karen Carpenter died of an overdose at 33 in 1983- there were early signs.
I needed this.
Her voice is pure sunshine.
I remember this one as a tape we used to have in the car!
Good. Classic Album. Easy listening. Nothing mind-blowing for me though.
Much like Costello, I've been familiar with The Carpenters but never knew much about them. I didn't realize they were siblings or that Karen Carpenter died at 32 due to anorexia. Close to You and We've Only Just Begun are American staples. While they wrote some of their own songs, they also adapted music from The Beatles (Help!), Tim Hardin (Reason to Believe) and several Burt Bacharach songs. This was just okay. It's a product of its time. I'd be okay listening to it while I rode an elevator.
This was a lovely listen. I knew a few of the Carpenter's songs, but there were certainly more I didn't know. I don't see myself throwing this album on at home to "jam" to or in the car alone, but there is a time and place for this kind of love ballad-style music.
Correctos.
The breakthrough record of the Carpenters, one of the biggest American pop acts of the early 70s. With influences from folk, country, soul, and bossa nova, it's everything Adult Contemporary stood for to provide easy listening. Beautiful vocals on top of lovely fine orchestral arrangements. Very commercial, with many forgettable tracks, but there are several highlights on here. Especially "Close to You", one of my favorite pop songs of the 70s (absolutely love the harmonious back vocals and harp). There are only a few skippable tracks. Even some of the less memorable deep cuts like "I Kept On Loving You" kept me engaged with catchy hooks and peculiar instruments. Favorites: We've Only Just Begun, Reason to Believe, Close to You, Mr. Gruder
Passes the “pleasant to listen to” test, but that’s about it. Nothing stuck out or excelled, so I can’t go higher than 3
Enjoyed Karen's voice overall. Some good versions of some tracks, but overall very syrupy. I hadn't realised her story was so tragic.
An OK album, the sound really date it, but its not offensive on the ears, could happily have this playing in the background whilst I was doing stuff. Also loved the beetles cover
Never properly listened to We’ve Only Just Begun and my god, what a banger. Some beautiful lyrics there and throughout the album and a beautiful voice. Sounds a bit 70s cliche but I’m sure it was new and innovative at the time. Gotta respect Bacharach, he really wrote some bangers. Loved the first songs, the rest were good too but not as good as the opening track.
a pretty solid 3 stars from me - def 'easy listening' but def really good. Fantastic vocals and interesting instrumentation and arrangements and production. The cover of Help could prob have been left off. Love the Burt Bacharach covers though and also the Reason To Believe cover.
Pretty decent classic songs
These were great. She’s got a wonderful voice. The cover of Help wasn’t my favorite though.
the Shins got it here!
I didn't know this was where 'Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear' is from. Neat
Average album in my opinion. Very heartfelt and maybe that’s why I’m salty about it. Overall good just not something I would listen to again
Gentle and sedate, and some all-time classic songs on here - We've Only Just Begun, Close To You - but not my bag
Correctos.
Pleasant but lacking depth or purpose