Brother-sister duo The Carpenters’ self-titled third release, “Carpenters”, is a feel-good piece reminiscent of a bike ride on a cool, crisp day in autumn.  Blending a 60s hippie vibe with a few of the glam-pop elements the early 70s were known for, the album offers us a chance to escape the realities of today, allowing us to revisit a time when the world appeared to be a little kinder.

The album is brimming with love ballads.  From “Rainy Days and Mondays” to “Superstar”, Karen Carpenter’s voice is almost perfect in every way, providing a buttery, nostalgic sound akin to a pop Ella Fitzgerald.  She exudes emotion from start to finish, creating brilliant, original songs and breathing new life into every cover on this album.  Each song is composed by her brother, Richard.

String sections and breezy hooks support every track on the album, and the overall album is smooth from start to finish.  However, the album tends to rely on its standouts to carry the listening experience.  A few songs, like “Saturday”, feel like outtakes thrown into the final release by accident in hopes the listener doesn’t notice.

Richard steps in for vocals on a few tracks, and although he’s not nearly as proficient as his sister, songs like the Beatlesque “Druscilla Penny” are some of the most fun to be had with early 70s music.  Replacing the strings and keys with outright goofy harpsichord melodies may seem out of place at times, but overall, the album is endearing throughout.

Although “Carpenters” is plagued by filler, its highlights (namely “Superstar”, “Rainy Days and Mondays”, and “Bacharach/David Medley”) elevate it far beyond its contemporaries.  Creating an air of fun from start to finish and remaining consistent throughout, it’s an outstanding album and remains a true classic even 50 years later.

Overall Rating:  7/10

Fav Track:  Superstar