Music Banter - ABBA or The Carpenters?

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- - ABBA or The Carpenters? (https://www.musicbanter.com/general-music/90625-abba-carpenters.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neapolitan (Post 1894181)

Why not? How can you resists Karen's critically acclaimed voice? Both bands lead the charts in the 70s. What an amazing decade for music. Besides the 2000s what other decade can you find Acid Folk and Post Punk? ...but the 70s!

Don't get me wrong. I love the 70s. I grew up in the 70s. But, with the exception of a couple songs, I just wasn't into the Carpenters, Sing, sing a song? Give me a break.

And, actually I don't hate ABBA, and Waterloo and SOS aren't all that bad (though please don't see them do SOS on TV; it predates the Village People).

It's just that I'm not much of an MOR guy. Then again I do admit I like You Light Up My Life for some perverted reason. It mixes in well with Anarchy in the UK :laughing:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic (Post 1894204)

As Neapolitan says, Karen Carpenter had a great voice, and afaik most Carpenter songs were about everyday matters like love, etc

ABBA on the other hand have several counts against them imo. Firstly, a friend of mine liked them so I heard them much more often than I would've liked. Secondly they were unremittingly cheerful, and thirdly, they must've run out of things to say about Sweden, because lyrically they ventured into territory in which they were hopelessly unconvincing, e.g. Fernando:-

To hear them singing about fighting for freedom by the banks of the Rio Grande is just laughable to me. And while they did write another song that was about the altogether grittier and more honest topic of tour burn-out in Glasgow, the song is so upbeat that the angst might pass you by: this happy little gem, for instance, (which repeats about five times in the song) is something you can quickly tire of:-

So, yeah, Carpenters, with their wistful ballads, are suddenly looking pretty good. More plaintive, less pop - good for you, Karen!

Seriously, Lisna? ABBA should have been restricted to singing about their home country? I thought "Fernando" was a good song. It's not meant to be taken seriously. After all, Iron Maiden were hardly at Passchendale, and Lizzy didn't actually see Hitler at the Maginot Line. Doesn't make those songs any less excellent. What about "The Winner Takes It All"? "Name of the Game"? "Dancing Queen"? Come on: ABBA weren't meant to be serious - most of the time - they were just a fun band.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubber soul (Post 1894256)

That's cool: Karen was a goddess but not everyone would have been into the lightweight, poppy sound of the Carpenters. Personally I think they were great, but I loved ABBA too. Have you heard "Goodbye to Love"? Worth it just for the solo at the end...

Actually Goodbye To Love is one of the few Carpenters songs I like. That and maybe Superstar. I can't get into much else though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubber soul (Post 1894269)

Actually Goodbye To Love is one of the few Carpenters songs I like. That and maybe Superstar. I can't get into much else though.

Weird. That was going to be the next one I suggested. Well, maybe these...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart (Post 1894266)

Seriously, Lisna? ABBA should have been restricted to singing about their home country?

^ Well, you're quite right, that comment about Sweden was uncalled for. It was just little a rhetorical flourish that I should've resisted because it's completely unfair. Sorry.

Quote:

I thought "Fernando" was a good song. It's not meant to be taken seriously. After all, Iron Maiden were hardly at Passchendale, and Lizzy didn't actually see Hitler at the Maginot Line. Doesn't make those songs any less excellent. What about "The Winner Takes It All"? "Name of the Game"? "Dancing Queen"? Come on: ABBA weren't meant to be serious - most of the time - they were just a fun band.

^ I guess I'm too grumpy, too earnest to enjoy many fun bands and, although I've never really thought it through, perhaps I expect too much in terms of plausability too. I prefer it when an artist's songs meshes with their stage persona in a way that allows for what someone once called "the willing suspension of disbelief." Abba's "Fernando" just doesn't do it for me I'm afraid.

I only like one of the carpenters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland (Post 1894377)

I only like one of the carpenters.

Let me guess which one ... :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Texas Boy

I'm going with ABBA.

I picked ABBA also .....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dude111 (Post 1894573)

I picked ABBA also .....

You can't be awesome without an avvy...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubber soul (Post 1894256)

Sing, Sing a Song would be an absolutely disaster, if it was redeemed by Karen Carpenters' voice. I always thought of myself as middle of the road, cause I don't like Metal and I don't care for Pop ... but that being said there are a few rare exceptions.

In the very beginning in the group's career they were still searching for their identity, how to dress, and I don't think ABBA was any more outrageous than any other UK Glam Rock band, or Pop artist like Elton John, or even early 70s Funk bands in America. And Funk bands got more wild with their wardrobe as the 70s went on e.g. Earth, Wind & Fire. The Village People were sorta tame in comparison.

Waterloo