Ticket To Ride [Original recording remastered]

They are still searching for their unique soudn and belnd of vocals on this album. However, it does show that they were talented from the very start!

I bought "Ticket To Ride" at the local "Musicland" a few years ago. After listening to a couple greatest hits albums, I decided it was time I started getting some of their studio efforts. "Ticket To Ride" is obviously the start of the Carpenters' success to come; the album is not quite as polished as some of their later works, but at age 19, Karen Carpenter is absolutely magnificant! With the gift of a perfect pitch, and uncanny innocence to her voice, Karen begins her legacy of getting to the heart of millions with this 1969 album. To this day, Karen Carpenter has the most flawless, beautiful voice of any female singer I've ever heard. Karen's voice, with her older brother Richard's arrangements, voice, and piano/keyboard, created a unique sound that made this pop-rock duo one of the best ever.

The two siblings absolutely melt your heart with their thick, heartfelt, sometimes haunting, harmonizing and they present this in their first track, "Invocation," a purely vocal introduction that pulls you in right away. I love how Karen starts out singing herself, before a burst of haunting harmonizing of her and Richard warm your ears.

My favorite track on the album is one of the more unique tracks; "Your Wonderful Parade." It actually features Richard on vocals, and he really doesn't do a bad job. At the start of the song, Richard takes on the character of a "ringmaster" at a circus, actually speaking out to the fans and presenting them with the song. I love his piano on the song. In high school, Karen used to drum in the marching band, and she brings this skill to the song, drilling forth a flawless array of marching drum-breats alongside the piano. Their exciting chorus comes up with "Stand in line....try to climb.....meet your wife at cocktail time...." a beautiful burst of energy and harmonious chords and vocals. I like how the tone/octave of the song changes from each section.

In speaking of unique songs, check out "All I Can Do," a very haunting, passionate, jazzy, number that delivers a longing which I'm sure many people can relate to. Granted there is not much to the song; it's pretty straight-forward, and definitly pales in comparison to the other songs, but I actually enjoy this track. It's addictive somehow. Again, great harmomies, keyboard work by Richard, and some great, swirling drumming from Karen.

The Carpenters best polished tunes are probably their hit, "Ticket To Ride" (nice Karen drums, longing harmonies, and Karen's voice is fantastic), and the fun, poppy tracks "Don't Be Afraid" (thick, intense, melodic harmonies, great Richard keyboard/piano and fantastic, happy Karen vocals) and "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing" (a lot like "Don't Be Afraid" harmony-wise, but with a rather haunting twist. Features Richard on vocals).

You want a REAL taste of what Karen can do? Listen to "Eve," "Someday," and "All Of My Life;" guarenteed to leave you breathless, and moisten your eyes. Just thinking about these songs brings my heart into my throat. These songs define Karen's vocal gift. All three are emotion-filled, heartfelt, soulful, and passionate. "Eve" is a very sad song, which also has some very stong harmonies from both Karen and Richard. "Someday" is also sad, with a great use of a soft flute, and haunting keyboards/piano (I think), at the beginning. Karen's voice is.....ohhh, how do you describe it? Everything that defines a great female singer! "All Of My Life" is a soft-pop ballad capable of making your soul swell with Karen's heartfelt, longing voice and great harmonies.

There are a few songs I don't care for as much; "Get Together," "Turn Away," and "What's The Use." The way "Get Together" is put together is kind of different, and it kind of lacks polishing; it's not one of the stonger songs. There is kind of a wavy, echo effect to Richard's vocals, which makes it kind of unique, (he is lead vocalist in this song). It is a happy, inspiring pop-rock song though, with some friendly harmonies. "Turn Away" and "What's The Use" both feature Richard on vocals. Both are kind of laid-back; nothing really special about them. They're just straight out soft pop rock songs with good Karen and Richard harmonies, and some nice drums by Karen and piano/keyboards by Richard.

The album ends with "Benediction;" somewhat of a "finale" to their collection of songs. Features mostly harmonious vocals, but leads up to a burst of rich music.

If you are curious about the Carpenters and are not a fan yet, I would suggest listening to some of their greatest hits albums before buying their debut. Granted, their debut is an excellent start to their career, but in order to get a real good feel for the Carpenters legacy, check out their later stuff first. Then definitely buy "Ticket To Ride" for a trip through a magnificant beginning. This way, one can really see how they developed, and appreciate what they offered to us along the way.