"Passage" blew me away.

I was blown away by "Passage" when I bought it the year the Carpenters released it. The songs range from familiar Carpenters' fare to unbelievably different and innovative. Like this album or not, one word that can't be used to describe it is boring.

Even my friends who considered themselves rockers asked me to bring this album along to parties, something quite unusual for teen-agers in the late 1970s. "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" was definitely the most-liked of the songs.

"Passage" is a prime example of Richard's talent as a producer and arranger, and it highlights the versatility of Karen's voice as well as her impeccable ability to make any song or song style her own.

"Passage" also provided me with another one of those times when I found myself scratching my head and wondering what Richard was thinking by not releasing some of the songs as singles, specifically "I Just Fall In Love Again" and, one of my all-time favorite Carpenters ballads, "Two Sides". Each and every time I listen to "Two Sides" I am convinced it would have been a major hit at a time when the duo's commercial success was unfortuantely waning. Karen's voice was arguably never better, and the haunting ending of the tune as well as the length of time Karen holds the last note on the word "goodbye" leaves me wishing the song were not ending.

"Passage" always has been and will remain one of my favorite Carpenters albums.

A CLASSIC IN IT'S OWN WAY

"Passage" initially was not a commercial success, but has gone on to become a CLASSIC of sorts being known as The Carpenters' most diverse and experimental album.
The album opens with a triumph of robust jazz inflections on Michael Franks' "B'wana She No Home". The song was recorded live in the studio, so you get the full effect of the musical jam between Pete Jolly's keyboard and Tom Scott's flute. Tony Peluso adds some ripping guitar riffs throughout the song. Karen's vocal is bold and seductive. This is a style which should have been further investigated by The Carpenters.
The album is full of one highlight after another. There is not one loser on this set. "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" is no exception. Peter Knight (who orchestrated The Moody Blues' "Days Of The Future Passed" album) orchestrated and arranged "Don't Cry For Me Argentina". Karen's reading of the song is flawless, it's as if it was written especially for her to sing. She soars on every note reaching each to perfection. She tells the story as if she lived it herself with a convincing emotional urgency. The Carpenters have recorded the definitive version of this song, they were even televised during the recording which was shown on news stations across the U.S. in 1977.
The album's most exciting moment is "Sweet, Sweet Smile", which was written by Juice Newton (Queen Of Hearts). The song moves along with an infectious upbeat bounce and once again Tony Peluso shines with his guitar chords. It reached #6 on the Country Music Charts in 1978.
"I Just Fall In Love Again" and "Two sides" are the album's ballads. Both are outstanding and should have been released as singles. "Two Sides" is the favorite track on the album according to a voting poll. ...
The album closes with a very unlikely song for The Carpenters to record. It's a space song written by Canadian prog-rock group Klaatu. Klaatu recorded the song using synthesizers, while The Carpenters used all real instruments to create the other worldly effect. Again Peter Knight did the outstanding orchestration and arrangement. "Calling Occupants" was so well recorded that The Carpenters recieved a Grammy nomination for it in the U.S. and it reached the top ten in the U.K. The song opens with guitarist Tony Peluso portraying a confused DJ who is taking a song request from an alien. The song is an amazing work of art all the way through. Leon Russell (author of the songs "Superstar", "A Song For You" and "This Masquerade") provides futuristic keyboard parts and Tony Peluso's fuzz guitar solo just sends you out of this world. But above all is Karen's pristine crystal clear stellar vocal, she's right at home with this offbeat song. Others like Olivia Newton-John or Barbra Striesand would have never been able to pull it off effectively - but Karen Carpenter has a youthful versatility in her voice which is very evident on the album "Passage".
"Passage" may not have reached the top of the charts, but it is a musical triumph and has grown to be recognized a The Carpenters' most daring effort.

An Innovative and Refreshing Album/CD

As all the other reviewers have indicated, Passage was a departure of Karen and Richard. But it showed that they were capable of more than just great love songs. Every track on this CD displays an awesome production and great sound. I noticed that the singles released from this CD did not fare well in the US. They did perform much better in other parts of the world. Calling Occupants was a Top 10 single in both the UK and Australia. However, singles aren't everything. While this CD is not A Song for You or Now and Then, it doesn't try to be. It is unique in both variety and the boundaries which it seeks to stretch. To really enjoy this CD, one needs to listen to it more than once. I agree with a previous reviewer, in that this was the Carpenters Sgt Peppers and Pet Sounds.