Yet another compilation of 'love' songs, as opposed to their better known death metal tunes, by the Carpenter siblings, Karen and Richard. Twenty of their memorable pop classics from the 70s including 'We've Only Just Begun', 'For All We Know', 'Solitaire' and that great party-rocker 'Rainy Days And Mondays'. Also present is '(They Long To Be) Close To You', to give it it's full title, which made far more sense when crooned by Rick Moranis to his school-teacher wife in the film 'Parenthood'.

Drummer and vocalist Karen Carpenter finally succumbed to the effects of her eating disorders in 1983 but the legacy of and love for this group has not diminished over the years. Personally I always thought that their lyrics were a little harsh ("Every sha-la-la-la, every wo-o-wo-o, still shines") but their music was great to dance to. Seriously though, if these songs make you smile then grab this. If they make you laugh, then seek out 'If I Were A Carpenter', the tribute album of Carpenter's songs as interpreted by Sonic Youth and others.

Stephen "Sugar" Segerman

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