A posthumous offering

"Lovelines" was released years after Karen's death, but it still contains wonderful memories, as well as some songs that had not been released on a Carpenters album up to that point. Without question, the supreme song on this disc is "You're The One." This song was actually recorded during the same sessions as were the songs from the "Passage" album. Evidently, the producers of the album wanted an even number of songs on that album, (8) and it came down to a literal flip of the coin to decide that "I just fall In Love Again" would be on that album instead of "You're The One." Amazingly, it took a long, long time for this song to be released. But there are many songs to Carpenters fans which may be unfamiliar to them, so, if you decide to get this, enjoy.

Absolutely Phenomenal

Each time that I purchase a Carpenters CD I always look for the songs that were either never released as singles or just never released at all. Each time that I find these songs, I am overcome with such a deep sense of loss that it aches. What a sad thing that we will never again get new music from "that voice." Discovering these songs has temporarily filled the void with new and unheard songs to enjoy. Cuts like "The Uninvited Guest" and "Kiss me the Way..." sound as if they were recorded yesterday. "You're the One" is so instrumentally lush that it is the perfect vehicle for Karen's angelic delivery. I could go on and on but you'll have to buy it and see for yourselves.

Some of their most beautiful work

Without a doubt this CD contains some of Karen's finest work, the best being Where Do I Go From Here. Also of high quality is her solo, If I Had You (which has top 20 hit written all over it), You're the One and The Uninvited Guest.

Amazing to think that by 1979 there were more than a dozen un released gems which could have made up an album in 1979 while Richard was ill.

SOPHISTICATED CARPENTRY

Succinctly stated, it is difficult for me to believe that any true fan of The Carpenters' music could fail to appreciate this offering. While this collection contains several slow ballads, they are offset by a couple of uptempo numbers that bop a bit harder than one is accustomed to hearing on a Carpenters record, and I feel that the album strikes a nice balance with its sequencing.



Four of the songs on this 1989 release were culled from Karen's (then unreleased) solo project produced by Phil Ramone, and they have occasionally been unfairly criticized as being a foray into "disco." Nothing here can be called disco in its basest sense (meaning rhythmically monotonous, banal dance music) but rather, it is finely polished, primarily horn-propelled, bouncy pop; all of it heightened in quality by some rather intricate arrangements and of course, that slightly smokey-edged, melancholy-tinged voice that was Karen Carpenter's art. Yes, the Ramone produced cuts stretch Karen into previously unexplored territory and the same "purists" who called out the dogs when Richard Carpenter released 'Goodbye To Love' with its electric guitar solo would likely balk at this "danceable sin" as well. But the fan who didn't feel the need to keep this gifted artist in a creative straitjacket will simply smile and tap their toes!



The album bogs down a little with the too draggy standard, 'When I Fall In Love' and 'You're The One', and with the unremarkable (except for its time signature changes) closer 'Little Girl Blue', but most of the ballads are comprised of beautifully lilting melodies that infiltrate the listener's mind only after multiple playings. The ears don't always "get it" all at once, but given enough time, you'll find yourself humming these tunes just as you would some of those radio hits that The Carpenters produced in the 1970's. A perfect example is 'SLOW DANCE', which initially struck me as being not much more than filler, but with multiple spinnings emerged as my favorite track - a wonderful showcase for the huskier timbre of Karen's uniquely sultry voice.



Nothing on this album is going to make you forget about 'We've Only Just Begun' and 'Superstar' any time too soon. Nevertheless, LOVELINES is a stylish affair (indicated by the classy black & white portrait on the cover) with 12 songs that - in terms of vocal arrangement, lyric content, and instrumentation - surpass in sophistication earlier hits such as 'Sing' and 'Close To You.' I feel confident in saying that purchasing LOVELINES and then exercising a little patience with it will pay off nicely for most fans of this great pop duo. I really love the album, and with the exception of their greatest hits collection, SINGLES 1969-1981, this is the Carpenters' cd that I most frequently listen to. Need I say more?

The Carpenters sing it again

This CD is somewhat a recycling of songs from other albums. Many of the songs on this CD were on albums that had not been released at the time of this CD's release. Since then, "Made in America" and "Passages" have been released on CD. Also, many songs were from Karen's solo album that was not released until years after this one. Her album was on the shelf for years!

Now that those "lost" albums have already been released, is there any reason to buy this album? Actually, yes. Sure, you can find these songs on different CD's but there is one song in particular that I want to discuss. "If I Had You" was Karen's subtle disco-flavored song from her solo project. The song has a nice arrangement. This version is not the same one as on her solo album, though. Nor is it the same one that is on their boxed set "From the Top."

Lovelines' "If I Had You" has a different ending. All the others fade off. This one has a really neat ending. This is why I would recommend this album to you. The other songs ont eh album deserve honorable mention but I feel that "If I Had You" is the highlight of the album.

Because some of the songs are from Karen's solo project, this technically isn't a complete Carpenters album. Several songs from her solo album are on this CD. Her smooth vocals continue to tug on heartstrings when you listen to this CD. Heartbreak and romance are the themes on this CD.

Highlights: The Uninvited Guest, When I Fall in Love, Remember When Lovin' Took All Night, Honolulu City Lights, If I Had You.

What an amazing missing recordings!!

Should have been released way back then.... "You're The One" would have made it to the no. 1!