Disco de Carpenters: “Horizon [Remaster]”

Even though I consider HORIZON to be a solid, unforgettable Carpenters' album, I hardly ever listen to it, not because I don't like it, but because this album is often painful emotionally. With the exception of the breezy, (almost) happy "Please Mr. Postman" most of the songs attack your heart and leave you incredibly sad. Part of that, of course, has to do with Karen Carpenter's tragic death and the temptation to "read" into the feelings we think she must have been experiencing during her struggle with anorexia nervosa. The gloomy cover (perhaps a response to criticism of their previously "cheesy" album photos) certainly doesn't help.

"Love Me for What I Am" can especially pull at the listener because it eerily echoes what many women with eating disorders go through: a non-verbal plea to be accepted and loved for who they want to be, not who they SHOULD be. I am probably guilty of reading WAY TOO much into this track, but I can't shake the idea that this song resonated with Karen more than some of the other ones. "Solitaire," while an incredibly beautiful song, doesn't share the same intensity. I remember reading years ago that Karen didn't particularly care for this Neil Sedaka-penned song.

The sadness also seeps into songs you would think would be perkier ("Happy" and "Only Yesterday" are both supposed to be about the transformation of successful love yet hang wearily in the air.) One of the great things about Karen's voice was how it automatically lent dignity to even the most silly of songs (this applies to later albums such as "Made in America" and "Voice of the Heart"). Her great legacy includes the talent she had for giving layer (and sometimes irony) to each song she recorded. No other Carpenters album illustrates just how great and mature Karen was as a vocalist AND that, given more time and credit from harsh critics, she would have been known more for being a classy, first-rate singer than for being the victim of a devastating disease.

(sidenote: Personal favorites of mine include the delightfully pensive "I Can Dream, Can't I?" and the touching, sincere cover of "Desperado.")

Although this 1975 LP marked a downturn in the Carpenters US success, I believe it's one of their best albums. When it came out much was made by critics of the brevity of the piece. This one can't deny. At 10 tracks, 2 of which, the opening 'Aurora' and closing 'Eventide', are only about 90 seconds long each, the whole CD lasts just 34 minutes.

But it is a magnificent 34 minutes! Including the 2 huge singles 'Please Mr Postman' and 'Only Yesterday' along with flawless versions of 'Desperado' and 'Solitaire', both unknown to my young self then, but 36 years later they remain the definitive interpretations.

I don't know if it was some king of studio wizardry but the production here is exceptionally brilliant and I've never heard Karen sing better. She really does sound like she's singing right in your ear and anyone hearing this album could not fail to appreciate her as one of the finest vocalists of all time. Even on relatively unknown songs like '(I'm Caught Between) Goodbye And I Love You', 'Happy' and 'Love Me For What I Am' the quality never slips and the Carps rendition of 'I Can Dream Can't I', my mother's favourite song of theirs, is simply breathtaking.

Richard Carpenter has since said he didn't feel the album was up to par at the time. I have to respectfully disagree with him and for me, this is perhaps my favourite Carpenters album ever. The production, harmonies and songs are just sublime and if you've never heard it, you are really missing a treat...

I'm reviewing the fancy Japanese SHM CD MLPS 2009 edition of 'Horizon' which is just stuffed with treats. You can hardly fit them in the perfectly replicated 'flip-top' mini LP sleeve! The master is the 1998 one, which is excellent, but it doesn't matter what format you get 'Horizon' on, it's total beauty will always shine through.

After a break from recording in 1974, Karen and Richard returned to the studio for their 6th studio album with new material. Opening with the simple "Aurora", this album takes you on a journey through several wonderful songs. "Only Yesterday", the group's #4 and last top ten hit, is clearly the standout song, although the group's reading of the Eagles' "Desperado" deserves to be heard, along with their #1 smash, "Please Mr. Postman." "I Can Dream, Can't I" is pretty, but seems to drag. The single, "Solitaire", is one of the group's most "welldone" songs, blending Karen's longing voice to a great lyric and enhancing strings. "Solitaire" went to #17 on the charts. "Happy" is a good little tune, and so is "Goodbye and I Love You," but clearly, the most underrated song on this album is "Love Me for What I Am." This song rocks! From start to finish, this album is breathtaking, and it is one superb journey through several notable songs.

All of the others that have reviewed this CD have given it great marks. I have to concur, so much that it deserves to be put on a pedestal. One of the great things about rediscovering the Carpenters music was finding all of the songs that weren't released as singles. Songs like "(I'm Caught Between)Goodbye and I Love You" typify this. Listening to this album one could be fooled into thinking that it was recorded "Only Yesterday." It has certainly withstood the test of time and will continue to do so for generations to come. Thanks Richard!!

The Carpenters cd HORIZON is easily there best work ever.Karen carpenter shows her awesome dynamic range on this album.With fast songs only yesterday and the oldie please mr.postman karen simply rolls!!And yes theres always the perfect Carpenter signature ballads.With her brother richard`s amazing arrangements we explore the famous dark side of Karen with the song desperado.All the ballads on here are magnificently done.Karen`s voice reaches its peak in this mid 1970 classic cd!Truely the brtother -sister duo in prime time!If your gonna own a Carpenters CD,this is the one to have!!!