Carpenters • Now & Then
A&M Records UIJY-9015
33-RPM 200 g LP
OK, I admit it: I’m a secret fan of some of the Carpenters’ records. I’ve had a regular pressing of Now & Then for years; Yesterday Once More and the melody on side two, and especially the instrumental track Heather on side one are particular guilty pleasures of mine.
Recently remastered and pressed in Japan on 200 g vinyl, Now & Then hasn’t sounded better: bass is warm and deep, and the highs are silky. Karen Carpenter’s voice is wonderfully well captured (what a shame she passed away at only 32), as is the air around the harp on Heather.
While I wouldn’t suggest that Now & Then is an essential part of one’s record collection, I will go as far to say that if you like this album then you owe it to yourself to acquire a copy of this version, although at $50 the entry price is a little steep. That steepness is somewhat offset by the heavy triple gate folded cardboard sleeve, which also includes a lyric sheet.