Passage - THE CARPENTERS***

B'Wama She No Home/All You Get From Love Is A Love Song/I Just Fall In Love Again/On The Balcony Of The Casa Rosada-Don't Cry For Me Argentina/Sweet Sweet Smile/Two Sides/Man Smart Woman Smarter/Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft

With Passage The Carpenters attempted to move in a new direction by introducing some more innovative tracks. A good example was the very untypical UK top ten hit single Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft. (US:49 UK:12)

“Passage is by no means perfect, but thanks to good arrangements and singing, it always sounds great even in the parts where the songs are a bit flaky, and sounds really great when the songs are up to scratch.”

“Rather a disappointment for a record that was presented at the time as The Carpenters' most daring, innovative and surprising. I really don't like the pomposity of some parts of this record although the more classic pop stylings yield some nice listening moments.” “For all its flaws, this album contains some absolute gems. Karen's singing and Richard's arranging were also at their usual height of perfection and, although I don't like some of the songs, they sound wonderful.”

“With record sales slipping from their last two albums, The Carpenters tried to go into a new musical direction. This is apparent with the first song, Bwana She No Home and the classic Man Smart Woman Smarter. Fortunately, these songs are not the highlights on this interesting album. The standouts are Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft, taken right from the Star Wars craze, and Don't Cry For Me Argentina the best version I have heard.”

“The album has some nice singing but I recall how disappointed I was at the change of style. However, Karen's fabulous voice is still worth a listen.”

“Only The Carpenters can combine pop, opera, a touch of country and aliens all on one album and make it work. Karen lulls us with her interpretation of Evita on this classic release. She simply sounds terrific singing this great operatic extravaganza. She also adds a little country flavour with the song Sweet Sweet Smile. The LP ends with the lengthy Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft, very appropriate for modern times with the alien phenomena in full swing.”