Perhaps they were middle of the road.perhaps they lacked street cred but that is immaterial,the Carpenters made some great albums and this is one of them from the syrupy"Sing""(the weakest track on the album) to the wonderful reprise of "Yesterday oncve more" this is Karen and Richard doing what they were most well known for singing and playing.
Karen never sounding better,she had a wonderful honey soaked voice,and Richards beautiful arrangements shine through,there is also a sixties radio spoof featuring "Fun fun fun""/the end of the worldetc but the best track on the album is definately"This Masquerade" a superb song that really shows them at the top of their game,this is even better than George Bensons version,and that was excellent.
The production is extremely good,and the cover is a great reflection of mid sixties America.so,sit back and listen and relax,close your eyes and imagine its "Yesterday once more"

The medley on this is just great to strum along to on your guitar.
You either love the Carpenters or hate them. The review in 'Music Scene' magazine when the LP was first released bemoaned the fact that youngsters would grow up thinking these cover versions of rock and roll classics to be the originals. no one could have foreseen the advent of nostalgia CDs so you can buy the original versions-Bobby Vee etc and compare.