Reviews

Michael Carpenter
Hopefulness (Not Lame)
www.mcarp.com

"There's an old record biz cliché that second albums are inevitably disappointing because an artist's debut album takes a lifetime
to make, but the follow up takes only a year. Cliché Number Two: you have to suffer to make great art. Michael Carpenter, in
his own way, took a lifetime on 1999 debut, Baby, which was recorded over the course of several years. And Michael indicates in
the liner notes that this platter was the result of a four month burst of activity. Yet this album is even better than its predecessor,
due in large part to the fact that Carpenter blows the old tortured artist syndrome to bits.
The primary inspiration for the tunes on this disc was Carpenter's wedding. Not every song here is a happy happy joy joy affair,
but the overall tone of this album is overwhelmingly positive, without sounding like some empty self-confidence boost (like, for instance,
Howard Jones). A lot of this sunniness is enhanced by the strong Beach Boys influence that permeates all of Carpenter's work
(he ably covers "You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone"), which is most prominently expressed through his delightfully layered backing vocals. But Michael goes way beyond The Church Of Wilson when it comes to penning memorable melodies. Not only do
old standard bearers like The Beatles, Buddy Holly and The Byrds come to mind, but you can also hear similarities to more
contemporary popsters like Marshall Crenshaw, Nick Lowe and Cheap Trick.
There are not many artists out there who can make a song soar with pure blissful feeling the way Carpenter does.
"Hopefulness", "Love So Strong" and "Since I Found You" are winning declarations of love that clearly came from the heart.
Topping even that trio of musical valentines is "Never Be Alone", which the liner notes reveal was written for his wedding day.
And now it is available for the rest of the public to accompany their nuptials -- this is one of those songs, like "All You Need Is Love,"
that simply encapsulates a universal emotional state so succinctly, that no one else will ever top it. Oh - it also has a killer bridge
that allows the instantly memorable chorus to pack quite the wallop. Add in the patented clean, spacious Carpenter
production, sparkling arrangements, terrific honeyed vocals and the ability to blend genres (check out the John Lennon-meets-country
pop sound on "Someday (Smile Again)", for just one example) effortlessly, and you have a consummate modern pop record.
Perhaps the only way Michael can top this is to craft another superb album where all the songs are composed and recorded
in one day -- and I wouldn't be surprised if he could do that."
Review by Fufkin.com website

Michael Carpenter "Hopefulness" (Not Lame NL059)

"Already the 2nd album by the Aussie Maestro, and it follows "Baby" is a most reassuring and comforting way. His love for
all things melodic and lush is so persuasive. The songs on this album represent a 4-month burst of creative activity culminating in
his wedding. The man is happy and wants to share his joy. The opening "Kailee Anne" is a magical Costello/ Hollies concoction full of
chiming bells and joyful harmonies and sets up you up for much of the positive mood that flows throughout all the songs.
"Hopefulness" and "Believes Again" continues very much in the same vein, again the harmonies and song writing are exemplary.
"Love So Strong" is up there with Tom Petty' s "Walls" - It's simply sublime. Perhaps my favourite is the haunting
Crowded House-like "You won't See". As on his first album, Michael produces, sings and plays most the instruments and
you never feel that he is ever over-stretching himself, which is ample proof that the man is a pure class act. "

Review by Robin Wills (BUCKETFUL OF BRIANS) Feb 2001

 

Hopefulness - Michael Carpenter
Label: Not Lame Records When! Records (UK)
Released: 2000
Highlights: Kailee Ann Hopefulness Believes Again Is This Love I'm Feeling Someday (Smile Again)
Rating: 9/10

"It was always going to be a hard task for Michael Carpenter to surpass his debut album, Baby, but he has come as close as one
could hope for with his second album, Hopefulness. A more straight ahead and consistent pop album, Hopefulness is actually
better but for me lacks the spark and range of Baby. That’s not to say that there aren’t moments of pure pop enchantment, such as
in the Beach Boys styled title track and the beautifully sincere Is This Love I’m Feeling. If the Beatles had reformed and recorded
one more album before John Lennon's death, it would probably sound a lot like this. Still, I can’t help but feel that several tracks,
especially Since I Found You and You Wont See, are just too commercial sounding, for my tastes anyway. I have no doubt
Hopefulness will make Michael Carpenter a star in the influential American power pop scene. The fact that he still doesn’t
have an Australian record deal is a poor indictment on Australian music but at least the rest of the world seems to
have cottoned on to what a remarkable talent he is."
Review by Pop On Top website

 

Michael Carpenter - 'Hopefulness'
Not Lame Recordings

"In this age of veiled or blatant anger-fueled songwriting, its refreshing to know that there's a gentleman whose credo is "optimism",
and that man is Michael Carpenter. On his second album, Hopefulness, this Australian jack of all trades continues his musical
quest to further his vision of peace and love, and he does it here with a fuller, more realized production value than he
had on his debut. Carpenter knows how to inject a keyboard fill here, a vocal section there, in all the right places, and his songs
never fail to make you feel so good! Tracks like "Kailee Anne," "Hopefulness," and "Believes Again" are
thick, full-bodied, guitar driven, powerful pop tunes that celebrate life and love. Even more mournful sounding songs like
"Love So Strong," and "Never Be Alone," are nicely counterbalanced by Carpenter's uplifting lyrics, and on "You Won't See,"
where the object of the song is clearly in need of emotional support, Carpenter offers it with words of solace and advice.
The best track on the album is "Since I Found You," which could have been a hit for Squeeze in the early '80s,
and Carpenter does an excellent, respectful version of one of the lesser known but essential Beach Boys gems,
"You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone".
Hopefulness is a record that is everything its title implies, and more. "
Review by David Bash (AMPLIFIER MAGAZINE)

 

Michael Carpenter
Hopefulness - (Not Lame)

"Michael Carpenter continues to perfect his craft on Hopefulness, barely a year after sending out his wake-up call to the world of pop
with Baby in 1999. Believe me when I tell you that Hopefulness is even better.
Hopefulness finds Carpenter eager to experiment with new sounds, ranging from the roots-flavoured Love So Strong to the folk/rock
stylings of Never Be Alone while keeping his remarkable sense of melody front and centre. Carpenter is one of pop's
finer craftsmen, and it's all on display here.
Perfect pop nuggets are represented by the spirited shout of the opening Kailee Anne, the hook-filled Believes Again,
and the charging Faith - with Carpenter even finding the time to deliver a fun Wonderful World as a hidden bonus track.
With artists like Michael Carpenter around, pop is in good hands."
(* * * * out of 5)
Review by Claudio Sossi (SHAKE IT UP web site)