Close to You

This album cover gives me anxiety.

Kind of goes in one ear and out the other.

Okay, I get the need to include the Carpenters in the book. The duo of Karen and Richard Carpenter was one of the most prolific groups in the pantheon of easy-listening music. That much is evident on their second record, Close to You, with songs characterized by Richard's classically trained keyboard playing, Karen's subtle percussion, and the two of them harmonizing their vocals impeccably well. I was genuinely amused by how nuanced Karen's vocal performance was close to the mic, which is likely why she sang most of the tunes. Though not to be outshone by her sister, Richard did a superb job taking the lead on the jaunty harpsichord-driven "I Kept on Loving You". Not to mention, there are a few well-inspired renditions, such as their takes on The Beatles' "Help" and Dionne Warwick's "I'll Never Fall in Love Again".

Granted, this album is cheesy to a fault, as many songs follow a pattern to the Carpenters' brand of breezy soft pop, largely centered around the ins and outs of relationships, with few exceptions. Those exceptions would be The Beatles' "Help", about the band's rise to success, and Richard's original tune "Mr. Guder" about the grind of everyday work life, inspired by the siblings' old boss at Disneyland who fired them for playing contemporary songs when they worked at the park. It's certainly a poignant song with a cool background story, but that's a rarity on here.

I wouldn't say this record was mindblowing overall. But, I can comfortably say I had a good time with the Carpenters' Close to You. Of course, it sucks to say that the Carpenters' story would end tragically, with the death of Karen due to anorexia, spurred on by the pressures of fame. It's not a pleasant note to go out on, but at the very least, she and her brother left their mark on history with these songs together.

Close To You really gets to me. I'm totally conflicted. On one side, it's undeniably amazing pop, and Karen Carpenter's voice? Seriously beautiful, haunting, and warm. The harmonies and melodies are just so soothing, especially on the hits. And there are even some cool moments where they try something different, like "Mr. Guder" or "Another Song," which are pretty cool.

But then, it's also *so* sugary and overdone. It's like elevator muzak on repeat, too safe and bland. The music just suffocates any edge, especially their "Help!" cover, which is a disaster. So yeah, it's a frustrating listen, a testament to a great voice trapped in some seriously boring 70s arrangements.

Also, while I'm here, Karen Carpenter was a killer drummer, top 5 of all time, but here she's been caged and forced to sing... Damn shame

Honestly think I'm preferring A Song For You.

This one really only has (They Long to Be) Close To You as far as stuff that really interests me. Everything else is fine, but not really doing much for me. Too easy listening.

Tuneful but a bit boring

This is dreary and boring and it sounds like the kind of music people listen to if they call their wife "mother." It sounds like the kind of music people listen to if they wear bonnets and ankle-length denim dresses and make their own clothes and have a couple sister wives.

2.33

They're SIBLINGS?! Why so many love duets? Very Folgers.

Anyway, here's another tragic death I didn't know about 'til now. Thanks a lot, album project. At least we'll always have this hilariously dated album cover. The singing and harmony is good, but it is also very old sounding, and not in a peppy 50s way, but a sleepy 60s way. 'Love is Surrender' is a little bit nefarious. I like that the saxophone is played by a Mr. Jim Horn. Our second go-around for 'Reason to Believe' (previously: Rod Stewart), but it sure didn't make an impression on me either time. Probably our second go-around for 'Help' (no exclamation here, for shame), and I don't like this version one bit. Sounds like a Casio keyboarded demo track.(However, it did reveal to me the Beatles' US "picture sleeve" for 'Help'-the-single where they are wearing funny outfits at the beach, and I enjoyed that very much.)

'(They Long to Be) Close to You' is great. Why do I like this one so much? Ah, of course, it was in the classic Simpsons episode "The Way We Was". (Also a plot device in the 1989 film..... Parenthood. Parenthood mention #5!?) It's a sweet song though. Even if it's about siblings.

This whole album really evoked being in a dark, empty department store in 1994. Of course that implies they're playing the hits from 2001 in dark department stores now, but that can't be right. Maybe I'll do some field work on this, since I just read that "Ames is in the process of a comeback, with the plan to reopen 35 stores starting in June 2026"! Sorry, I got a little off track here, but that's because the album is so boring. The small bit of pep on 'I'll Never Fall in Love Again' made me sit up real straight though. Easy Listening is the correct genre for this. Another group where I thought they had a "the" in their name but apparently don't. (That makes #10 after Beastie Boys, Pretenders, Pet Shop Boys, Beatles, Talking Heads, Eagles, Pixies, Cocteau Twins, & Fugees!)

Highlights: '(They Long to Be) Close to You', the song title 'Crescent Noon', 'Mr. Guder' (initially the title, but actually the song's relatively catchy also. Lil flute and acapella, plus silly lyrics!)

Mrs Buttersworth : syrup :: the carpenters : folk

Close To You is an alright album but it is one that i feel is very unnatural to listen to. There are things i like about this album, the music is handled well throughout a lot of the songs and has quite a few moments of genuine beauty, Karen's vocals are well done and fit the songs well and even Richard's vocals in that one track worked rather well for it. My main issue with this album is how unnatural it feels to listen to it and that is entirely due to the pacing. This album does feel overly fast paced at points to the point where i could sometimes forget what song i was on. This is why i like the 4 minute tracks on this album the most because they give the songs time to stretch out their legs. This album isn't bad at all, just a bit difficult for me to get into.
Best Song: Crescent Noon
Worst Song: Love Is Surrender

Gorgeous vocals and beautiful instrumentation. This album is a perfect mix of upbeat and melancholy.

Me gustan los Carpenters, los descubrí con el recopilatorio de homenaje de los 90 al mismo tiempo que un documental de su vida y triste final, ahí conocí la existencia de la anorexia. Love is surrender, I kept on loving you y Close to you.

Very early childhood memories.

Karen ‘s voice is gorgeous. And I once had a blond blue-eyed baby boy that I carried in my arms and sang “Close To You” to daily. So I have a bit of a sentimental bias. But even so, too much sweet is not good for you.
I also have to wonder if this is the Carpenters’ best album. There are so many clunkers. Guess I just need to find out if they have a greatest hits album!