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A Kind of Hush
Carpenters
A Kind of Hush
Genres: Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

Japanese only SHM paper sleeve pressing. The SHM-CD [Super High Material CD] format features enhanced audio quality through the use of a special polycarbonate plastic. Using a process developed by JVC and Universal Music J...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Carpenters
Title: A Kind of Hush
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Universal Japan/Zoom
Release Date: 9/1/2009
Album Type: Import
Genres: Pop, Rock
Styles: Soft Rock, Oldies, Vocal Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1

Synopsis

Album Description
Japanese only SHM paper sleeve pressing. The SHM-CD [Super High Material CD] format features enhanced audio quality through the use of a special polycarbonate plastic. Using a process developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan discovered through the joint companies' research into LCD display manufacturing SHM-CDs feature improved transparency on the data side of the disc allowing for more accurate reading of CD data by the CD player laser head. SHM-CD format CDs are fully compatible with standard CD players. 2009.

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CD Reviews

Kind of gorgeousness.
bobby morrow | United Kingdom | 11/01/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Carpenters' 1976 album was perhaps the last one before things really started to go wrong. Karen's illness and a punishing touring schedule had taken their toll and after 1977's experimental 'Passage' album, recordings and appearances became far more erratic.



There was a feeling of disappointment around the release of AKOH. Even Richard Carpenter has said he didn't think the album was strong enough. The 2 singles, the title track and the beautiful 'I Need To Be In Love' underperformed on the charts, adding fuel to the suggestion that the Carpenters were 'over'.



Of course, fate would prove that the duo were on borrowed time though no-one could have anticipated how things would end...



33 years on, AKOH remains a lovely album. Yes, I'm reviewing it taking into account how few more releases were to come. Had Karen not died and they carried on recording, perhaps this album wouldn't be as an important part of their back catalogue?

But, lovely it is. Lasting just under 34 minutes, there's not a bad track on it. The highlight for me is Randy Edelman's 'You', a simply magnificent song featuring one of Karens best ever vocals, IMO. To this day, UK DJ Terry Wogan regularly plays it on his Radio 2 show. No wonder.



Jackie De Shannon's 'Boat To Sail' is another standout. Karen sounds beautifully relaxed here. You could really lose yourself in her voice. 'Sandy', written by Richard and John Bettis is enchanting too and the duo's take on 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do' is great fun nodding it's head to the 'Now And Then' album.



Only 'Goofus' missteps. It's not bad, it just doesn't sound like it belongs here and I have to say also that I've always preferred Barry Manilow's version of 'Can't Smile Without You' to theirs.



So, AKOH is definitely worth your attention. It's not as good as 'Horizon', by any means but it's a uniformly strong collection and it goes without saying that Karen's voice is simply flawless.



The edition I'm reviewing is the 2009 Japanese SHM-CD. Beautifully packaged in a mini-LP sleeve containing the original inner along with lyrics in English and Japanese and even a card featuring the original vinyl record label! Now, SHM-CD. Is there any difference? Well, to my ears, not much! This CD features the 1998 master that's domestically available for far less than this costs, but if you want as close as a representation of the LP as possible and you're not short of a bob or too, this SHM-CD (indeed all the Carpenters albums are available in this format and are fabulous) is worth getting. At the end of the day, though, the album should be heard whatever format you choose."