Various: If I Were A Carpenter CD Track Listing

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Various If I Were A Carpenter (1994)
Originally Released September 13, 1994\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Released among a bevy of tribute albums toasting the likes of Charles Mingus and Neil Young, If I Were a Carpenter registers as one of the best of the lot, with spot-on performances of Carpenters classics from the '70s. Unlike many tribute collections, this CD gets it right most of the time, thanks to a lineup of artists suited to the duo's wide-screen pop mix. Matthew Sweet, the Cranberries, Sheryl Crow, Grant Lee Buffalo, and Cracker deliver the most straightforward interpretations here, informing the likes of "Solitaire" and "We've Only Just Begun" with the same amount of moody tenderness that made the originals so effective. On the other end of the spectrum, Sonic Youth gives "Superstar" a nicely claustrophobic and feedback-addled turn, while Bettie Severt brings its Neil Young-inspired guitar attack to bear on "For All We Know." On other fronts, Shonen Knife and Babes in Toyland contribute giddy lo-fi readings and Dishwalla and 4 Non Blondes go in for brooding swagger. Finally, American Music Club and Redd Kross get special mention for their tailored-made and respective helpings of despair and dreamy '70s sensibility on "Goodbye to Love" and "Yesterday Once More." And, while being impressed by the sheer range and originality of these interpretations, listeners will also discover the overlooked songwriting talents of Paul Williams, Roger Nichols, Leon Russell, Neil Sedaka, and Richard Carpenter. A must for the post-punk-savvy Carpenters fan. -- Stephen Cook\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nAudio arsenic, January 12, 2005 \nReviewer: Carpenters fan (the left coast)\nCalling 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. \n\nTrust me -- those giving it high scores in here are those who switched the radio station whenever Karen's voice graced the speakers. \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\n10 years old and still goin' strong!, December 17, 2004 \nReviewer: Bonnie Gee "reading is hot" (Brookline, MA United States)\nThere 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. \n\nHowever, 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! \n\nI 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. \n\nAmerican 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. \n\nShonen 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. \n\nSonic 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. \n\nThe 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. \n\nBettie 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. \n\nDiswalla "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. \n\nSheryl 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. \n\nJohnette 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? \n\nRed 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. \n\nBabes 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. \n\nCracker "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? \n\nMatthew 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. \n\n4 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. \n\nGrant 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. \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nLike the Carpenters, Love the Compilation, November 17, 2004 \nReviewer: Mark Gurley (Davidson, NC USA)\nA fairly original concept when conceived (1994), catchy Carpenters tunes covered by alternative bands (I like both). A few tracks here are misses ---- "Goodbye to Love" by American Music Club,(a disappointing cover of a great song) and the worst by far is Cracker doing "Rainy Days and Mondays". THE BEST OF THE BUNCH: "Top of the World" by Shonen Knife (hated the original), "Solitaire" by Sheryl Crow, Red Kross, Grant Lee Buffalo and Sonic Youth. MY FAVORITE: "Hurting Each Other" featuring the powerful vocals of Concrete Blonde's Johnette Napilitano!!! Take these tunes for what they are and you'll enjoy this collection. \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nI THINK I'M GONNA BE SICK, May 20, 2004\nReviewer: Mary M. Petrelli (Lake Stevens, WA USA)\nThis album is without a doubt the most repulsive thing I have ever heard. These poorly executed renditions of Carpenters songs blatantly spit on the memory of one of the greatest singers who ever lived. Shame on anyone who had anything to do with this travesty that calls itself a tribute! If you loved The Carpenters and were thinking of buying this album because you thought it would do justice to their legacy, don't bother. Hearing the butchery of their music will only break your heart, or make you so angry you can't see straight. If you've always hated The Carpenters and enjoy making fun of them, then, by all means, buy this album and revel in its awfulness, get out your guitar or your kazoo or whatever, learn the songs, and see if you can possibly perform them any worse than the artists on this album do. (Odds are pretty good you can't.) And, if you have an eating disorder and wish to get better, don't buy this album; once you hear it you'll probably never eat again. The only place this album belongs is in a landfill.\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nNot a sorry attempt to "copy" Karen's unique sound, December 4, 2003\nReviewer: "pattynrobh" (San Antonio, TX)\nThis album is what a tribute album should be. Most tribute albums are just newer artists singing a "copy" of the original. This album is a pleasant surprise because it is 90's bands performing the songs in a new style. Sure, there are some weak covers (I did not care for Cracker's version of "Rainy Days and Mondays") but most are AWESOME! My personal favorite is Dishwalla's version of "It's Going To Take Some Time", Sheryl Crow's "Solitaire", and Redd Kross's "Yesterday Once More". The other songs are well done as well. Shonen Knife's cover of "Top of The World" is a lot of fun. \nTo be honest I do not see any other way a tribute to the Carpenters could have been done. There is no way to copy Karen's unique and haunting voice so the best way to honor her memory (besides listening to her recordings) is to bring her's and Richard's music to the younger generation.\nI do not think the artists that participated meant any disrespect to the Carpenters music. They simply wanted to show that The Carpenters music doesn't have to be for our parents' ears!\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nWhy do flies suddenly appear every time this album's near?, August 25, 2000\nReviewer: Steven K. Smith (Lake Stevens, WA)\nI'll tell you why...because the thing is a fetid piece of garbage! It's hard to believe that Richard Carpenter and A&M Records gave this mess the green light, or that such a parody of his and his late sister's work would be put out as a TRIBUTE! The thing starts off badly with "Goodbye to Love" sung like an acid trip dirge, then gets worse with an Asian pidgin-English sendup of "Top of the World" that sounds like the seventies flop group "Pink Lady" attempting a comeback. The rest of the album is as bad or nearly so, with only the Michael Sweet rendition of "Let Me Be the One" earning a passing grade. Only those who hated The Carpenters will find this thing worth the effort (as a sick joke), while their fans will be begging the used-CD store to take it off their hands for a buck. Avoid this travesty at all costs!\n\nHalf.com Album Notes\nProducers include: Joe Chiccarelli, American Music Club, Page Porrazzo, Sonic Youth, Stephen Street.\n\nEngineers include: Tracy Chisolm, Noriya Maekawa, Wataru Sakamoto.\n\nThe luxury of being a pop act in the 1990s is in retreading the paths of history until all seems new again. A perfect example is the Carpenters' tribute, IF I WERE A CARPENTER, which gives bands more likely to succeed on the college charts a chance to revel in their pop leanings, but still seem alternative.When Sonic Youth paid their respects to Karen Carpenter on GOO, the reverence side-stepped all urges to be tongue-in-cheek. Now a full Carpenters' tribute album shows that the Carpenters' success was not only on the Billboard charts, but in the hearts of closet pop fans everywhere.An unlikely gathering of current rockers pay homage to these seventies heroes. Sonic Youth's acoustic yet warped rendition of "Superstar" and Shonen Knife's manic "Top Of The World" stray the furthest from the originals, but still bring fond memories to anyone who listened to pop radio during the 70s. Not all self-indulgent and redundant, IF I WERE A CARPENTER plays like this generations's Show And Tell, with today's alternative stars showing off their childhood record collections with youthful glee.
This rock cd contains 14 tracks and runs 54min 14sec.
Freedb: b30cb40e
Buy: from Amazon.com

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