I remember growing up in the early seventies, heading into a record store with dark glasses on, looking both ways to ensure no one that I knew saw me go in to buy this Carpenters LP. Their unfortunate, sqeaky clean promo image was at its height; and I didn't want to called uncool or something even less flattering. "If only they listened to Karen's smoldering, melancholy vocals on Superstar, Rainy Days and Mondays and One Love," I thought, "perhaps they would see the light. Perhaps they would hear what I hear: an almost unbearable sadness, yearning and longing that pierces the heart; such pathos and poignance not heard since Patsy Cline."

Years after Karen died, as with many great artists, her vocals (and Richard's arrangements) were finally beginning to be appreciated. A diverse range of singers from Chrissie Hynde to Sheryl Crow to Matthew Sweet were singing Karen and Richard's praises. I was finally vindicated; I could remove my sunglasses, go into a record store and not be ashamed to say I wanted to buy a Carpenters album.

This superb collection is a showcase for Karen's extraordinary vocals. She clearly put her heart and soul into her singing. She has left us with a treasure chest full of mournful, soulfully sung tunes which we can now proudly place beside the likes of Edith Piaf and Patsy Cline. Karen belongs in their company.

Known as the "Tan album" by Carpenter enthusiasts, the simply named "Carpenters" sets the tone and standard for all Carpenters music to follow.

Released in 1971, "Carpenters" contains five huge hits that were played over and over again on top-40 AM radio; I know this because I heard the songs myself and fell in love with them! Just a teen at the time, I could relate emotionally to the Carpenters music and lyrics. The "Tan album" was a big hit for Richard and Karen Carpenter. Richard's unique musical arrangements frame Karen's pitch-perfect vocals in such a way that the blend is absolutely heavenly.

Starting with the soulfully mournful "Rainy Days and Mondays", the album has no dull moments. Richard Carpenter displays his vocal talents in two songs, "Saturday" and "Drucilla Penny", and although both songs are lively and pleasing, the album clearly excels when Karen rich voice is highlighted. Her voice is so lovely, clear, and expressively distinctive, your ears will thank you for the treat! Karen is superb in "Let Me Be The One", "For all We Know" and "Bacharach Medley" where she sings a pleasing rendition of five Burt Bacharach standards. Karen also shines in two other little known songs, "(A Place to) Hideaway", and "One Love"; both have become personal favorites of mine. Had the two been released as singles in the ballad driven music of the early 1970's, both would have been top-40 hits. Again, enough praise cannot be expressed for Karen's heartfelt rendering of these songs and others.

Two other songs must be mentioned and praised. The mega-hit, "Superstar" is fourth on the playlist of this album. Although other vocal artists have tried to record this mournful song, Karen sets the standard with her recording. It is a song to treasure because of Karen's vocal perfection and interpretation. No one else even comes close to Karen's effort. Closing out the album is the tear-jerker, "Sometimes". Richard's arrangement of this song begins with almost a minute and 30 seconds of piano instrumental, with Karen then beginning her expressive vocal. Anyone not touched to the soul by this song probably does not have a soul to touch! I guarantee you will listen to it again and again, and you will examine your own heartfelt feelings and your personal relationships as well. It is that influential a song. The words were written by Henry Mancini's daughter, Felice Mancini, and put to music by Mancini. You won't forget it.

I own all the Carpenter albums, but I return again and again to the "Tan album" for its simple muscial purity and satisfying sound. It is a must for all Carpenter fans.

Jim (Konedog4) Koenig

Karen and Richard Carpenter scored a huge goal with their self-titled album, Carpenters. Karen could sing so well that when she sang you truly felt that she was singing only to you and just for you; the vulnerability and passion in her voice made her singing instantly very special to hear. Richard's ability to sing and play the music also enhanced their performance greatly. The quality of the sound is very good; and the artwork recreates the original record album cover when this was released on vinyl all those years ago. This is truly a must-have for fans of Carpenters.

"Rainy Days And Mondays" starts the album off with one of their greatest hits ever. The piano arrangement is extremely pretty; and Karen sings her heart out. Her voice, clear as a bell, makes this ballad shine and Richard does a superb job playing the music to this song. "Rainy Days And Mondays" is also a huge highlight of this CD; and I think you'll like it very much if you haven't heard it before. In addition, there's also "Let Me Be The One;" Karen delivers this with panache; she handles complicated key modulations and tempo changes like the pro she always was! Karen's voice is in excellent form on "Let me Be The One" and I could never tire of this tune! "(A Place To) Hide Away" has a very sensitive arrangement; I really enjoy that piano playing and Karen never sings a superfluous note!

"For All We Know" captures all the emotions people feel when the commit to each other or have a formal wedding ceremony; there is the joy of being united forever mixed with the doubt about the future being perfectly rosy and without any strife. Karen delivers this with heart and soul; and the melody is charming. "Superstar" is a touching, mellow torch song that never ceases to move me greatly when I hear it; just about anyone who has truly loved and lost can identify with this angst in this ballad. "Superstar" is also one of the biggest hits ever for Karen and Richard Carpenter. "Drusilla Penny" seems to have some sort of harpsichord in the arrangement; I haven't heard this in so many years but it comes back to me rather quickly because of the power of this number.

There's a great medley of tunes by Bacharach and David: "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/Do You Know The Way To San Jose." This is a lush medley with lots to enjoy and I always smile when I hear this medley. The CD ends with Richard and Karen performing "Sometimes;" this is yet another sensitive ballad that highlights just how talented this duo really was.

Carpenters is a great album and one of the strongest by Karen and Richard Carpenter. Their fans will love this and it's an excellent starter CD for newcomers to the artistry of Karen and Richard Carpenter.

Although it's a brief album even by 1971 standards, it should be said that every song on this 3rd LP by the Carpenters is wonderful. "Rainy Days and Mondays" and "Sometimes" bookend the work perfectly. In with melancholy, out with melancholy, just the way a Carpenters album should be! Three big hits on this one: "Rainy Days...", "Superstar", and my favorite, "For All We Know". Two wonderful tracks with Richard singing lead: "Druscilla Penny" which is one man's inquiry as to what makes a rock and roll groupie a rock and roll groupie; and "Saturday" which is so catchy that everytime I listen to this CD, I find myself with that song in my head for the rest of the day! "Penny" is a little dated, but that only adds to its' nostalgic early 70s charm. There are several other standout cuts including the "Bacharach/David Medley" which show's Richard Carpenter's arranging genius and "Sometimes" an amazingly beautiful and sentimental Henry Mancini tune. I would like to comment briefly on two other reviews of this album: The Richard Carpenter cuts are really no more dated than Burt Bacharach songs of the period, yet Burt's tunes are revered as classics.

The Carpenters third album from 1971, simply called "Carpenters," contains some of Karen and Richard's best work yet. Full of hits, this album has got to be one of the more popular albums from this magnificant duo. It is probably my second favorite album behind "Close To You," although the two are basically tied for #1 in my opinion.

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.