Carpenters - Carpenters

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Free Music Notes for Carpenters

Free Music Review: Timeless Hits
Hit: 5 Stars

My all time favorite Carpenters' song resides on "Carpenters," which is "Rainy Days And Mondays." Also present on this album is a song my dad used to play while he was in the service in the early 70's; "Superstar," which has got to be a close second favorite behind RDAM. "Rainy Days And Mondays" is a song about feeling blue, and finding someone who loves you during that time. Karen's silky, flawless voice is easy-going, beautiful, and flawless. My favorite part of the song is towards the end where the sound/octave of the song changes, Karen's voice coasts higher, and the rich melodic harmonies of she and Richard embrace the song with intensity not once, but twice! I love Richard's keyboard, and the use of the harmonica adds a nice touch to the song. "Superstar" is an awesome song to say the least. It has a fantastic beat from Karen, and some of the best melodic harmonies from both of them that seem to groove along and go with the flow of the beat. I love the use of the horns and the tamborine.

My other favorite song is the Karen-beat-filled track, "Let Me Be The One." Karen's drumming is superb on this track, and her voice is out of this world. Karen's voice is also out of this world on the emotion-filled ballads, "(A Place To) Hideaway," and "One Love." As with earlier ballads in which she has taken the ultimate spotlight, these songs are very heartfelt and she indeed sings right from the heart and soul. Karen has a way of making her voice one with the theme of the songs she sings, and making us feel the emotion from it. Karen is such a gift to song!

There are two Richard-vocal tracks on this album; "Saturday," and "Druscilla Penny." Richard doesn't do too bad, but both are not very strong songs. They are just simple little poppy ditties if you will. Check out the piano/harpsichord (I'm not sure) effect on "Druscilla Penny."

Along with "Rainy Days And Mondays" and "Superstar," this album also spawned another hit; "For All We Know." I think it appeared on the movie called "Lovers And Other Strangers" or something like that. It is a soft, beautiful ballad that is easy-going and flowing. There is a great use of the melodic clarinet in this song (or the oboe; I always get the two mixed up). Karen's voice is velvety smooth. Although not one of my favorite songs, it is still nice to listen to.

The Carpenters present us with a medly of Bacharach/David songs toward the end of the album. I am not a huge fan of medlies on albums, so I can't say that I enjoy this part of the album, but it's not bad. The medly consists of: "Knowing When To Leave," "Make It Easy On Yourself," ("There's) Always Something There To Remind Me," "I'll Never Fall In Love Again," "Walk On By," and "Do You Know The Way To San Jose." All are basically quick little excerpts but the way they blend them all together so they fade into one another is very well done. I especially like the harmonies on "Walk On By," the way Karen sings rapidly on "Knowing When To Leave," and her beautiful vocals on "Do You Know The Way To San Jose." I also enjoyed hearing a quick sped-up version excerpt of "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" which was from their album "Close To You."

The album ends with a very short and absolutely beautiful piece by Karen and Richard called "Sometimes." It features gorgeous, soft piano work by Richard at the beginning, followed by Karen's sweet, soft, innocent voice, melodically speaking to the heart about refelecting on people who mean so much. It is the perfect ending to this gem of an album.

If you are not familiar with the Carpenters, but want to buy a Carpenters studio album, I would strongly suggest this album or their 1970 gem, "Close To You." Heck, get both!! They define the Carpenters signature sound.

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