The Carpenters: The Singles 1969-1981 (Remastered)

iTunes Review

In their own wholesome way, the Carpenters were as seductive as any pop act of their era. Karen Carpenter’s creamy vocals blended purity with a throb of desire; Richard’s arrangements combined sumptuous harmonies with orchestral touches to distinctive effect. The Carpenters were consummate singles artists, and while undeniably designed for mass appeal, there’s an exalted quality to their hits — the romantic pang heard in “Superstar,” “For All We Know,” and “Goodbye to Love” transcends sensuality. Karen’s serene singing makes the marital bliss of “We’ve Only Just Begun” sound rare, even spiritual. She can rhapsodize about a beau in “Top of the World,” wallow in the blues in “Rainy Days and Mondays,” and grapple with angst in “Hurting Each Other” with equal poise. Musically, the duo drew upon Tin Pan Alley, Nashville-style country and Hollywood film scores for input. At their most inspired, the Carpenters seem a world unto themselves, immune to the hip upheavals around them, pursuing a sound of poignant sweetness tinged with yearning. It’s a kind of music that’s never been duplicated and remains a pleasure to hear.