 "fantastic CD" | 2008-07-06 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1YHW79KQHOB9R |
| This is a great CD, you know the words to all the songs yet they have that little bit of uniqueness about the artist singing it. |
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| "Great Modern Sound for Old Classics!" | 2008-06-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3LX8XP61I43O6 |
| This is a modern and upbeat remake of some old great Carpenters classics. Even if you never heard the Carpenters music, you can still appreciate the sound; and if you are a Carpenters fan then you are in for a real treat. Sonic Youth, Sheryl Crow, 4 Non-Blondes...are just a few of the great artists you can find. Check out the tracks "Top of The World" and "Bless the Beast and the Children". What I really like the most is that this CD is one of the very few that I can enjoy with my 53 year old mom driving with me in my car. For me the songs are hip and have a great rock/alternative sound while staying true to the original versions and yet for someone my mom's age, she enjoys the new sounds of old classics that bring back memories for her as well. Overall, this CD is a great mix bag of some notable 90's artists covering the Carpenters classics. |
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| "something to enjoy" | 2008-05-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1NV35NL30YMBQ |
| I have been fortunate enough to have owned this wonderful recording since it was released many years ago. I wanted to share this great music with friends and was very pleased to find it on AMAZON. These are timeless songs that one can really relate to concerning LOVE's ups-n-downs. Open your heart and sing your favorites. Every SHA LA LA LA, every song is inspiring...SOOOO FINE.. |
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 "Buy this cd for one reason SONIC YOUTH" | 2008-02-29 |
| - Reviewed By harristina1 |
| i have had this cd forever! the only 2 songs worth anything are the cranberries and the sonic youth cover.the Superstar cover is magic! i have since found the cd again and put on the old sony headphones and rediscovered this track, listen to it and discover what this band has done! i truely believe this song should have won a gramy or something, the layers of sound are amazing! i give the carpenters credit for writing great songs and i give sonic youth high grades for turning a great song into a masterpiece of emotion and sound! |
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| "Awesome Twist on the Carpenters!" | 2008-02-11 |
| - Reviewed By jibrima |
This album has been one of my favorites for years. The interpretations are unique, yet familiar to the ear, and are very enjoyable! Only one or two "stinkers", but I give it 5 Stars for the strong remainder!
Whether you're already familiar with the Carpenters or just starting to check out their work, this is a great alternative tribute! |
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| "One of my all-time favorite CDs." | 2007-09-03 |
| - Reviewed By jdobrian |
I've been a huge Carpenters fan ever since they came on the scene. Lots of people like me seem to be offended by this album, as though it were some sort of sacrilege. It's not. It's just different--very different--interpretations of the Carpenters' familiar songs; I'm sure there was no malice intended.
Most of the covers are just plain fun--particularly Shonen Knife's "On Top Of The World," which I think is the best cut. Dolores O'Riordan's "t'ick as Paddy's head" Oirish accent is perfect for "Close To You," and so is the super-simple arrangement. "Let Me Be The One" is another of my favorites--but I like every cut on this CD. |
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 "Mediocre at best!" | 2007-07-30 |
| - Reviewed By chenchomelo |
Although I tried hard to find some substance in this "tribute" album, such task turned out to be almost impossible. Only 4 songs can actually be called that, a song. The other "attempts" should be cast into the smelly cesspool whence they came! The 4 songs I'm refering to are:
Superstar: Sonic Youth stayed true to their roots and delivered a mournfool version of Superstar with some electric guitar-fueled fills for good measure.
Calling occupants... Babes in Toyland don't complicate themselves and just rock this once slow-paced journey through space.
Close to you: The Cranberries do what they do best and it shows. O'Riordan sprinkles this song with her particular style and you can tell that it's all about the atmosphere to the Cranberries.
Solitaire: Although I'm not such a great fan of Sheryl Crow, you can tell she dedicated some time to the song's arrangements (unlike most of the other bands) and that dedication went a long way.
Hurting each other could also make the cut since these guys at least try to make ends meet.
Now, for to the other tunes...
My guess is that these B-side or beta-bands just hopped on the tribute album to get their names across the table 'cause no talent or style is to be found on these tracks. Let's take Cracker for example (Crack-head would be a more suitable name), is he on drugs or just half-way asleep during this song?? Laziness permeates this once majestic song and I'm considering undertaking therapy to erase the post-traumatic stressed this song caused me.
Shonen Knife should take English 101 before embarking on the complicated task of covering a Carpenters song. The approach they took is also mediocre and lacks character.
Since I have more important things to do than to talk about bands with no talent, I'll take my leave here. Listen to this album under your own risk! Stay away from this album and stick to the originals! |
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 "A mixed bag, but there are some real gems!" | 2006-11-09 |
| - Reviewed By User: A12VFH59ZRYW6E |
The sonic youth version of "Superstar" is so creepy! I love it! The male vocals do more justice to the lyrics of this song.
The dishwalla version of "It's gonna take some time" will get in your skull and not let go...Much better than the original. (Except for Karen's angelic voice of course).
Shonen Knifes version of "On top of the world" isn't very good, but It'll make you laugh to hear them sing this song with their japanese twist ....
"Your Rove put me....On the of the word"!
The Cranberies do an admirable job with "Close to you". Just like the dishwalla tune, the orchestration is much more interesting than the original, but you still miss Karen's voice.
Tracks 8 & 13 are the worst. Uggh...I just skip over them!
The rest are all pretty good too! Give it a listen.
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 "Audio arsenic" | 2005-01-12 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3630X55P3BELG |
Calling this mess a tribute to the Carpenters is like calling pop wines a tribute to grapes. What a sick joke. It plays far more like a parody than anything else and should be avoided like the plague.
Trust me -- those giving it high scores in here are those who switched the radio station whenever Karen's voice graced the speakers. |
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| "10 years old and still goin' strong!" | 2004-12-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: A36WK5FS1NE9QL |
There was a rush of tribute albums in the 90s-after all the "alternative" sound was a money-maker; kitsch was in full glory; and the 70s were BACK.
However, as an actual fan of the Carpenters, I truly enjoy this compilation. I agree with other reviewers that it should be listened to as an album. There are, without a doubt, some weak songs here, but the intro song "Goodbye to Love" flows beautifully into the ending song "We've Only Just Begun"-despair to hope-the very opposite of Karen Carpenter's life!
I bought this CD in my teens (like when it ACTUALLY came out) and I just pulled out tonight to listen to during some painful exam studying. Its hard for me to describe what it is I like so much about this CD, so I'll take it song by song.
American Music Club "Goodbye to Love" With its heavy organ, almost church-like ambience, a very somber take on a pop melody. The male singer almost intones the lyrics rather than sings, adding to the spiritual despair of the track.
Shonen Knife "Top of the World" Then BAM! Next song by the Japanese lady trio Knife takes on the world! Such incredible energy with a bizaree almost country guitar twang, it has a riot mosh pit feel mixed with Beach Boys California vibrations.
Sonic Youth "Superstar" I really prefer this Alt-Gods' take on this song. They extended the song to over 4 minutes (the original sounds like Chipmunks compared to this version). The atmospheric feedback and sonic layers add to the grand feeling of fanaticism and extreme lonliness. One of their best songs.
The Cranberries "Close to You" The Crans play it safe with their version-very light, fluffy, with an almost folk-like vocal thanks to the non-American female lead singer. The crashing drums add some urgency. A tie between this version and the original.
Bettie Serveet "For All We Know" Bettie plays it a little TOO safe on this track. Rather bland, without the change ups and revving guitars she's known for on her own material.
Diswalla "It's going to Take Some Time" UGH! Lets say that I burned this CD-this track would never EVER make it. But other reviewers seem to enjoy it! So to each their own. Yuck.
Sheryl Crow "Solitaire" Crow has a more alto range like Karen did, and her expert guitar playing and re-arrangement is amazing. Crow somehow makes it totally her song-a real sun-soaked Western feel permeates this song-but totally stays true to the melancholy Karen portrayed in the original. Amazing.
Johnette Napoliton "Hurting Each Other" This is probably one of the songs that you are most likely to sing out in cheesy way while driving to a concert. A deep raspy voiced duet, it is almost earnest (like early Dolly Parton), but somehow... it works?
Red Kross "Yesterday Once More" The use of trumpets and vinyl sound effects truly echoes the super-pop feeling of the 70s. I alternate between this one being my favorite...and not. The piano makes the sugary sweetness go down with ease.
Babes in Toyland "Calling Occupants" WOW. It is fitting that an alto voiced female singer that also plays the drum while singing would do this OUT of this world track (no pun intended). I have no idea why the Carpenters did this song in the first place. It is truly unique and bizarre song complete with alien and human dialouge. The heavy drums and creepy wailing guitars flesh out this track-you may find this on repeat for a while to try to understand it. Awesome.
Cracker "Rainy Days and Mondays" Now, Cracker is bland. And so 90s. But here he does good. Nice sweet, swelling arrangements and a beautiful mix of melancholy and fragile hope in his vocals. I find myself singing this while doing dishes?
Matthew Sweet "Let Me Be the One" Now, this song was absolutely perfect for Matthew to perform. He is the epitomy of 90s alterna-rock infused and directly influenced by 70s power pop (like what Lenny Kravitz is to 70s guitar rock). His incredibly sweet smooth voice has an urgency in it with some great guitar change-ups. A great little melody.
4 Non Blondes "Bless the Beasts ..." I really REALLY don't care for this song. BUt I also don't like the original song either and I don't think 4 Non Blondes do anything interesting with it. Blah.
Grant Lee Buffalo "We've ONly Just Begun" This is the kind of song that you wish Elliot Smith could have covered. Or Lou Reed. Either post-modern heartache or tounge-in-cheek earnesty would have been great. BUT this version does the original a GREAT justice. His voice is perfect-and he avoids the wedding/lounge singer potential with grace. A popular wedding song, it is so earnest and beautiful and yet still has that finger snapping 70s swing. Its hope is so overwhelming that my cold heart melts. All I can thing of are happy couples smiling running into a sunset after leaving a ski lodge-yet it works~truly respectful cover.
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