[.ca] Love Makes the World

From Amazon.com:
After more than a decade of writing Top 40 hits tied to everything from dance-floor action ("The Loco-Motion") to reflections of growing listeners' concerns ("Goin' Back," "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?"), Carole King broke out as a solo singer-songwriter with 1971's Tapestry. That album served as both articulate soft rock and tasteful background sound, ultimately spending more than 300 weeks on Billboard's chart. While Love Makes the World, her return to recording after a seven-year absence, doesn't match that classic's depth, it does offer comfort to many listeners. Whether revisiting her early-'60s catalog (the terrific "Oh No Not My Baby") or plumbing adult confusion ("I Wasn't Gonna Fall in Love"), she sticks with mostly low-key, piano-led arrangements that avoid the bombast of much latter-day grown-up radio fare. One song as forthright as "It's Too Late" would've given Love more weight, but King's trademark ever-so-slight rasp hints at a sensibility that remains grounded nonetheless. --Rickey Wright

SOME OF CAROLE KING'S MOST PROLIFIC MATERIAL:
Carole King has had long absences in the past from recording. Rarely though does any artist hope to make a return to the music scene after an 8-year hiatus with a compilation of recordings as strong and prolific as the material found on "Love Makes The World." With this album King perfectly and eloquently blends elements of hip-hop, rock, pop and classical with lyrics exploring issues of romantic love, friendship and self-confidence while never veering too far from her intimate, definitive style. Her piano playing as always is confident and beautiful and her vocals and background vocals have never sounded better. King has a unique and subtle way of lifting the human spirit and turning one towards a positive viewpoint without ever sounding overly manipulative. Favorite moments? "You Can Do Anything" is certainly one of her most joyous, positive and melodic recording efforts. Likewise, the darker, more-somber opening chords of "The Reason" transform themselves during the song's chorus into notes of confident victory. I agree with other listeners who have commented on the poignancy and timeliness of the touching "Safe Again" in light of 9/11. And the beautifully melodic closing track "This Time" with its complex background vocal arrangement, comes as close to a pop masterpiece as any I have heard in recent years. Weaker moments? It is safe to say there are no major ones. The melody of "You Will Find Me There" is perhaps not King's most inventive or exciting...and to some the song may be uncomfortably reminiscent of "You've Got A Friend"....still it is a fine track. Also, I am unsure why King chose to re-record "Oh No, Not My Baby" when she previously released a very similar version of the song on her Goffin/King album "Pearls" (and there are countless other Goffin/King songs to choose from which she has not yet recorded.) Oh well... "Love Makes The World" without a doubt is one of the strongest recordings of Carole King's career, easily rivaling any material she has ever produced. Hopefully critics will hesitate before dismissing this album with their old, hackneyed phrase "...well, it isn't Tapestry!" ...and give this work the careful thought and consideration it deserves. One last note: if you are purchasing this album, try to find the version of "Love Makes the World" with the bonus track "Birthday Song". A beautiful conclusion to a very strong pop album.

Her best since Tapestry:
This is the most melodic, musical, engaging CD I've heard all year. Each song is a beautifully written gem. No one out there now writes better songs than "An Uncommon Love" and "This Time". The arrangements are imaginative and oh so tasty. Check out the amazing vocals on "I Wasn't Going to Fall" and the hypnotic track on "You Will Find Me There". Some songs are just plain fun (if you don't tap your feet to "I Don't Know" you're probably dead) ... others are emotional and moving ("Safe Again"). Miss King has never sung better. Her simple, almost rehearsal-sounding version of "Oh No Not My Baby" should be required listening to everyone who wants to sing honestly and soulfully. "Love Makes the World" could only have been created by a master, and Miss King has proven herself that once more. This is a must-have CD. Run, don't walk.

Gave me the cramps:
It it a coincidence that i got serious stomach cramps after listening to this CD. I got the sickies real bad.

DISAPPOINTING!!:
I looked so forward to listening to this CD after seeing Carole King on the Today show a couple of weeks ago. I should have just been satisfied with her live performance on tv, and with listening to Tapestry. Probably the most annoying song on the CD is the track with Celine Dion...ugh. The majority of the songs feature repetitive, boring melodies, accompanied by the raspy shouting voice of Carole King.

Bland:
I found the lyrics hackneyed and the melodies boring and evanescant. Don't recommend at all.

• Love Makes The World
• You Can Do Anything
• The Reason
• I Wasn't Gonna Fall In Love
• I Don't Know
• Oh No Not My Baby
• It Could Have Been Anyone
• Monday Without You
• An Uncommon Love
• You Will Find Me There
• Safe Again
• This Time