...and rerevive a bit thanks to an unexpected encounter with a cover version I wasn't aware of until now -- "I Won't Last a Day Without You" redone as "Greatest Hits of [heart symbol]" on Star Pimp's 1993 album Seraphim 280Z. Really nice version -- straightforward singing, heavily distorted demi-Sonic Youth grunge arrangement -- and somehow sidesteps the early nineties Carpenters cult attitude a bit (admittedly the retitling and lack of writing credits helps...).
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 13 December 2007 16:54 (5 years ago) Permalink
I did not know, until a few minutes ago, that "Hurting Each Other" is a Walker Brothers song.
― PJ Miller, Thursday, 13 December 2007 17:55 (5 years ago) Permalink
Remodeling problems
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 17 February 2008 00:53 (5 years ago) Permalink
Ugh.
I've been meaning to revisit them since Richard Hell and others told all those stories about Bob Quine listening to Carpenters records over and over to figure out what Joe Osborn was doing.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Sunday, 17 February 2008 01:09 (5 years ago) Permalink
In 1974, Rolling Stone magazine reported that a stalker had driven up and down the avenue's short cul-de-sac looking for Karen. "I guess the Downey police are good -- that was the end of the story," Konjoyan said.
justice, san gabriel valley style
― gershy, Sunday, 17 February 2008 02:53 (5 years ago) Permalink
Anyone see the two Carpenters' shows/concerts on BBC4? The one from, I assume, 1970 was great... apart from when they let one of their band sing a song, a totally early 70s kind of thing to do but I really wish they hadn't. The one from 1976 was dire: Richard plays a bit of classical music; Richard and the guys in the band do a Spike Jones version of "Close to You"(!); Karen does wacky percussion solo. Truly appalling!
I always remember my mum never liked them, specifically because she thought there was something a bit weird and creepy about Richard. Hmmmmm.
― Tom D., Tuesday, 15 July 2008 12:22 (4 years ago) Permalink
Yeah, I saw the first one. It was ace. She looked wrong wrong wrong on a drum kit though.
― gnarly sceptre, Tuesday, 15 July 2008 12:24 (4 years ago) Permalink
She was a great drummer!
― Tom D., Tuesday, 15 July 2008 12:31 (4 years ago) Permalink
You have to remember that a seldom-mentioned early influence on Richard Carpenter was Frank Zappa...
― Dingbod Kesterson, Tuesday, 15 July 2008 12:33 (4 years ago) Permalink
Oh yeah, I knew that. Actually Karen was coming over a bit Ruth Underwood in that 1976 concert.
― Tom D., Tuesday, 15 July 2008 12:34 (4 years ago) Permalink
Basically a perfect band. There is somethings so indescribable about their music.
― I know, right?, Wednesday, 13 August 2008 23:29 (4 years ago) Permalink
I cried while listening to "let me be the one" for the first time :'(
could you recommend me other 'overlooked' songs by them? thanks.
― dan138zig (Durrr Durrr Durrrrrr), Wednesday, 24 December 2008 01:20 (4 years ago) Permalink
is "a song for you" overlooked? if so, that.
― buzza, Wednesday, 24 December 2008 01:22 (4 years ago) Permalink
Goodbye to Love melts your face off in the end, doesn't it?
― ❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉Plaxico❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉❉ (I know, right?), Monday, 11 May 2009 02:21 (4 years ago) Permalink
for some reason i'm really feeling "i won't last a day without you" these days. no particular reason. just a catchy tune. i like the big crescendo at "...and there's no getting over that rainbow."
also been thinking about the line in "rainy days and mondays," "what i've got they used to call the blues..." i can't decide if it's beautifully clumsy or just, you know, accurate. do they really not call it the "blues" anymore?
― amateurist, Wednesday, 21 October 2009 17:24 (3 years ago) Permalink
good thing he got over that
― amateurist, Wednesday, 21 October 2009 17:29 (3 years ago) Permalink
Gold looks reasonable enough.
i picked up a mint copy of Gold on vinyl (with shiny gold embossed cover) for 50p a few weeks ago.
truly magical.
― mark e, Wednesday, 21 October 2009 17:59 (3 years ago) Permalink
um, so, I know Jut1n B0nd and dated his current beau for a bit, but we stopped seeing each other right after he said he was going to make me a tape of the most essential Carpenters tracks...
so, i can get an idea from this thread, but i'm wondering: what is their most psychedelic shit? cuz i remember him playing some CRAZY-sounding, haunting psych stuff for me.
― pounding beats of worship (the table is the table), Sunday, 8 August 2010 20:33 (2 years ago) Permalink
Uh, the guitar solo in 'Goodbye To Love?'
― Fruitless and Pansy Free (Dr. Joseph A. Ofalt), Sunday, 8 August 2010 21:21 (2 years ago) Permalink
I've never any heard crazy psychedelic Carpenters, but this one has a jazz/almost Stereolab vibe:
― All 10 songs permeate the organs (Dan Peterson), Monday, 9 August 2010 22:27 (2 years ago) Permalink
My thoughts on one of the Carpenters' best and most underrated albums.
― Here he is with the classic "Poème Électronique." Good track (Marcello Carlin), Saturday, 18 February 2012 16:55 (1 year ago) Permalink
> I've never any heard crazy psychedelic Carpenters, but this one has a jazz/almost Stereolab vibe
Wow that track is rad! Great mixtape fodder.
And check out this Richard Carpenter-penned tune from their early days - Richard on piano, Karen on drums. More than merely a jazz vibe on this one; it's straight-out jazz.
― Lee626, Monday, 20 February 2012 01:11 (1 year ago) Permalink
Nice one Marcello. I don't necessarily agree with you on each point (to me Desperado and Solitaire are, along with Love Me For What I Am, the highlights of the album, but it's tremendous that you wrote that.
― everything, Monday, 20 February 2012 05:21 (1 year ago) Permalink
― cosi fan whitford (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Monday, 14 May 2012 08:06 (1 year ago) Permalink
this is a pretty weird record
the harmonized vocals on I Can Dream Can't I are def too syrupy
― Roger Barfing (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 14 May 2012 17:31 (1 year ago) Permalink