Carpenters – Carpenters

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing of this album from the soft pop duo. Carpenters is the third studio album by the Carpenters. Released on May 14, 1971, it was their most successful studio album ever, reaching #2 on the Billboard 200 chart and #12 in the UK. The album contained the hit songs “For All We Know”, “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “Superstar”.

It has been said that the strength of these recordings is what caused Richard Carpenter to ask his sister to front the band for their live performances instead of playing behind the drums. Amongst many fans, the album has simply been referred to as “The Tan Album”, because the original LP cover, complete with overlapping flap, looked like an oversized tan envelope, and is presumably a play on The Beatles' so-called White Album.

The Carpenters produced a distinct soft musical style, combining Karen's contralto vocals with Richard's arranging and composition skills. During their 14-year career, the Carpenters recorded ten albums, along with numerous singles and several television specials. Their career together ended in 1983 following Karen's death from heart failure brought on by complications of anorexia.