ABBA or The Carpenters?

salvo · 11-14-2017, 10:45 PM

I do appreciate both a lot, but I'd have to go with ABBA. Though, I'm also probably more familiar with ABBA's catalogue than I am with The Carpenter's. Maybe I should change that, but until then...

I went through an ABBA phase a few summers ago. Their cheese is a given, but those melodies make up for everything.

mattrixs · 12-21-2025, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubber soul

I'm not crazy about either one.

OccultHawk · 11-13-2017, 05:59 PM

The Carpenters are considerably better.

11-13-2017, 06:34 PM

I voted Abba because I actually know some of their songs. Probably should know some Carpenter's but I'm blank.

Floydy · 11-13-2017, 07:37 PM

Both extremely well-produced, second to none.
Abba's songs were much better compositions and I prefer cheese to sugar, so yes it's Abba for this listener.

Lisnaholic · 11-13-2017, 08:12 PM

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:-

Quote:

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando
.....

Can you hear the drums Fernando?
Do you still recall the frightful night we crossed the Rio Grande?
I can see it in your eyes
How proud you were to fight for freedom in this land

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:-

Quote:

Shining like the sun
(Sup--per Troup--per)
Smiling, having fun
(Sup--per Troup--per)

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

rubber soul · 11-14-2017, 05:48 AM

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.

Trollheart · 11-14-2017, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubber soul

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...

bob_32_116 · 11-29-2021, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubber soul

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.

"Superstar", as youj probably know, was written by Leon Russell. Prior to my hearing the Carpenters' version, therre was a version out by Australian singer Colleen Hewett. Her voce is nowhere near as good as Karen Carpenter's, but she absolutely put heart and soul into it. When I eventually heard the Carpenters' version, Karen sounded insipid by comparison.

**Frownland** · 11-14-2017, 11:27 AM

I only like one of the carpenters.

View Poll Results: ABBA or The Carpenters?
ABBA	11	55.00%
The Carpenters	9	45.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll

11-13-2017, 05:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,006	The Carpenters are considerably better. __________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html

11-14-2017, 11:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	I only like one of the carpenters. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

11-14-2017, 10:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
salvo Groupie Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 17	I do appreciate both a lot, but I'd have to go with ABBA. Though, I'm also probably more familiar with ABBA's catalogue than I am with The Carpenter's. Maybe I should change that, but until then... I went through an ABBA phase a few summers ago. Their cheese is a given, but those melodies make up for everything.

11-13-2017, 06:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
MicShazam Guest Posts: n/a	I voted Abba because I actually know some of their songs. Probably should know some Carpenter's but I'm blank.

11-13-2017, 07:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Floydy Music Addict Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hull, U.K. Posts: 129	Both extremely well-produced, second to none. Abba's songs were much better compositions and I prefer cheese to sugar, so yes it's Abba for this listener.