"Passage", released in 1977, would be the last Carpenter album to be relased until "Made In America" in 1981. After this album, both Karen and Richard were spent emotionally and physically and needed a break from the constant touring and studio recording. Richard would go into detox at The Menninger Institute in Topeka, Kansas, to kick prescription sleeping pills, while Karen would cut a solo album with Phil Ramone in New York and begin therapy for her ever deeper descent into anorexia nervosa.

The rock critics of 70's viewed the Carpenters' music as nothing more than sugar sweet filler material, best suited for elevators. While their fans bought their albums at a frantic pace, I believe Richard Carpenter produced "Passage" as an attempt to silence the critics and show that he and Karen could produce more than just "sugar songs for the masses". And so, thus we have "Passage", an album that was made to showcase the diversity of the Carpenter sound. There are some very different non-typical Carpenter songs on this eclectic album. First, there is the 7-plus minute extraterrestrial "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft", then an exploration into Broadway with Karen's lush rendition of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina". Three singles were released from the album, "Occupants", the jazzy "All You Get From Love Is A Love Song", and the jaunty county tune "Sweet Sweet Smile". A Carpenter album would not be complete without a sweet ballad or two, and this album has two: "I Just Fall In Love Again", and "Two Sides".

Again, it is not your typical Carpenter fare, but it certainly holds its own musically, and of course, Karen's vocals are unequalled.

If you are looking for the love ballads that made the Carpenters famous, this album may disappoint you. However, you also may be surprised at the diversity of the Carpenters sound, and appreciate this album for what it is - a change of course for the brother and sister act.

I like the album for its diversity and recommend it to you as well.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig

I was blown away by "Passage" when I bought it the year the Carpenters released it. The songs range from familiar Carpenters' fare to unbelievably different and innovative. Like this album or not, one word that can't be used to describe it is boring.

Even my friends who considered themselves rockers asked me to bring this album along to parties, something quite unusual for teen-agers in the late 1970s. "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" was definitely the most-liked of the songs.

"Passage" is a prime example of Richard's talent as a producer and arranger, and it highlights the versatility of Karen's voice as well as her impeccable ability to make any song or song style her own.

"Passage" also provided me with another one of those times when I found myself scratching my head and wondering what Richard was thinking by not releasing some of the songs as singles, specifically "I Just Fall In Love Again" and, one of my all-time favorite Carpenters ballads, "Two Sides". Each and every time I listen to "Two Sides" I am convinced it would have been a major hit at a time when the duo's commercial success was unfortuantely waning. Karen's voice was arguably never better, and the haunting ending of the tune as well as the length of time Karen holds the last note on the word "goodbye" leaves me wishing the song were not ending.

"Passage" always has been and will remain one of my favorite Carpenters albums.

Although the album peaked at #49 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart, a true signal of their declining commercial popularity, Karen and Richard Caprenter proved with 1977's "Passage" that they could indeed be "hip" and maintain their identity, all the while broadening their artistic palette. With album artwork that is very appealing to the eyes, the music on the record (or, nowadays, the disc) is even moreso candy for the ears - which is, after all, the most important thing.

Kicking off with the funky Michael Franks-penned "B'Wana She No Home," Karen sounds surprisingly sultry, infusing her vocals with a generous dose of sex appeal. Although the lyrics are rather obscure, Karen's delivery and the quirky production carry the tune along nicely.

"Got to peel your eyes for the heat my dear/You got to froth and foam/Got to send away the mad puppeteer/Who seems to think this is home/I want you to speak the English right/I want you to smile and be polite/Say `Bwana she no home/Say `Bwana she no home."

"On the Balcony of Casa Rosada /Don't Cry For Me, Argentina," from Evita, however, sounds spectacular. Although the track is long and grandiose, it does not stick out like a sore thumb in the record. Rather, it makes for an intimate little nook in the middle of the album and adds character to the song selection. And to be sure, Karen sounds a lot better as Eva Peron than Madonna would nearly two decades later.

Elsewhere, "Two Sides" and "I Just Fall In Love Again" are both standout performances that validate a listen to "Passage" for any casual Carpenters fan. The latter is an urgent, syrupy ballad buoyed by top-notch orchestration and an 80's-esque electric guitar solo with a song structure that allows Karen to work her magic like no one else ever could. She shines just as brightly on the former, which articulates the conflict of emotions that marks the bittersweet end of a relationship.

"But there's two sides/There's another side of me/There's the one you think you live with/The one you never see/It's never really lived/But it's never really died/It's never really made it/But it's tried."

Of course, there are also the three single releases. The jazz-fused "All You Get From Love Is a Love Song" has an incredibly catchy rhythm and flow, and, combined with Karen's absolutely uplifting and smile-inducing vocals in the chorus, makes the fact that it only peaked at #35 on Billboard's Pop Singles chart a true head-scratcher.

Furthermore, "Sweet, Sweet Smile" is an unpretentious, fun-loving little ditty that crossed over to the country charts, and understandably so with its rustic banjo and steel guitar chords. Their cover of Klaatu's "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" may sound ridiculous all these years later, definitely sounding like it dates to the mid 70's, but regardless is a fun listen and unique way to bring the record to a close. Also, the extraterrestrial that answers Karen's call sounds quite a bit like John Lennon. How's that for entertainment? That track peaked at #32 on Billboard's Pop Singles chart.

Overall, "Passage" is a solid, underrated record; a true gem in the Carpenter's catalogue. Although "Man Smart, Woman Smarter" is near-intolerable, all the rest of the tracks are quite the opposite, making for a short, but sweet, listen.

As all the other reviewers have indicated, Passage was a departure of Karen and Richard. But it showed that they were capable of more than just great love songs. Every track on this CD displays an awesome production and great sound. I noticed that the singles released from this CD did not fare well in the US. They did perform much better in other parts of the world. Calling Occupants was a Top 10 single in both the UK and Australia. However, singles aren't everything. While this CD is not A Song for You or Now and Then, it doesn't try to be. It is unique in both variety and the boundaries which it seeks to stretch. To really enjoy this CD, one needs to listen to it more than once. I agree with a previous reviewer, in that this was the Carpenters Sgt Peppers and Pet Sounds.

Being old enough to remember this album when it was first released, I had the album on vinyl and later cd, then it went out of print. A lot of people don't even remember the album was indeed released on cd in 1986. I never liked the mastering of this disc and the remaster does do it some justice, although it's still not as well remastered and sonically enhanced as the other re-releases. That aside, this album is one of my guilty pleasures. I've bucked horns with other Carpenters fans about this album and one thing is abundantly clear, this body of work is not a favorite. It was too much a turn away from their earlier work and the established fans were not ready for it. The Carpenters recorded a jazz rock piece penned by the talented Michael Franks, the song titled "B'wana She No Home," a tune that explains a master-servant problem, some people cried "racist." Next up an attempt to capture the upbeat sound of the disco seventies gave us "All You Get From Love Is A Love Song" which was an irresistable hit, "Sweet Sweet Smile" introduced us to upcoming star Juice Newton, "Calling Occupants" showcased Richards arranging and comic ability, he alone was the alien "voices" multiplied by the Carpenters trademark vocal overdubbing. In later remixes Richard would add an echo to Karen's voice as well as a "doubling effect" on the final verse. Two songs find us in Carpenters territory, probably added to ensure listeners that their trademark sound would never be comprimised and for the simple fact Karen's vocals were perfect. "Two Sides" and "I Just Fall In Love Again" are those two tunes. Anne Murray would cover "Fall In Love" but never reach the majestic reading made by Karen. Karen was full aware the soviet anthem "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" would raise eyebrows but listen to her performance. I feel it is just as commanding as "Superstar." Harry Belefonte usually stands on his own, not many people have the stones to cover his work, but the Carpenters did. This is the one tune you have to be in the mood for. Trying to interpret all the layers of instruments will give you listening fatigue. Weird vocal snatches, a cuckoo clock, sounds of a plane crash, it's too much but when you're ready for it, it's a blast. The album cover itself gives a idea of what you're in for, the crazy colors and notes on a music bar, the cover design and the music defies the mark of time. Don't tell anybody you like this album, it's our secret.