AMG Review of Chronicles

Rob Theakston
All Music Guide

To add to the myriad greatest-hits compilations, anthologies, and special showcases of the Carpenters' unique sound currently flooding the market, this three-CD long-box set may be misinterpreted as another greatest-hits showcase, but it is far from it. Chronicles is actually a repackaging of three landmark albums: Close to You, Carpenters, and A Song for You. Each of these records was critical to the group's rise to pop superstardom and delivers hits including "We've Only Just Begun," "(They Long to Be) Close to You," "Rainy Days and Mondays," "Superstar," and "Top of the World" among other fan favorites. While the aforementioned list may give Chronicles the appearance of being a greatest-hits record, there is plenty of filler on the three discs to prove otherwise. So while this may be ideal for fans wanting to get the complete early releases on disc, casual fans and those just beginning to explore the group's rich past should be directed toward Singles 1969-1981 or Gold instead.