You’ve probably heard that the number one album in America last week was the soundtrack to Juno, which I saw on Christmas Eve, not long after I overcame my irrational fear of Ellen Page. Great, fine. But can we talk about another album? Namely, the one that gets a shout-out in Juno? There’s a scene in which Juno and Mark (Jason Bateman) rifle through his CD collection and he holds up his copy of the 1994 tribute album/compilation If I Were A Carpenter. I think I may have squealed in the theater. And I do not squeal.
See, If I Were A Carpenter basically defines my senior year in high school. I wallowed in self-pity after I broke up with my girlfriend to the sounds of Sonic Youth’s "Superstar," which is featured on the Juno soundtrack. (Incidentally, I’m now in a committed 11-year relationship with a man; she’s now into the lady-lovin’.) I almost wrecked my car while Shonen Knife’s "Top of the World" blared over the stereo system. (Shonen Knife! Remember them??) I refused to listen to Sheryl Crow’s version of "Solitaire" because I thought it was boring. But then, this was before I became a Sheryl Crow fan.
If I Were A Carpenter is swathed in flannel and Doc Martens and ringer tees, so utterly alt-rock-in-’94 it hurts. My classmates were blasting Ini Kamoze and Boyz II Men, and I was rocking out with Matthew Sweet. And I alllllways see this album in used-CD bargain bins. People, come on! Bettie Serveert, Redd Kross and 4 Non Blondes on one album, singing the music of Richard and Karen Carpenter! What is not to love? Does anybody else remember it as fondly as me and Mark?
*squeal* I LOVED that album – my boss on one of my (many) unpaid college internships would blast it in her office, provoking impromptu and often unwanted singalongs. This coupled with the charity album/brit pop extravaganza Help defined my college years. And I am ashamed to say I owned THREE Shonen Knife albums – bargain bin at Tower Records, baby! God, I’m old.
Sorry, but NO ONE should ever sing Karen Carpenter. Even Luther Vandross’s version of ‘Superstar’ pales next to the original. And geez, I’m glad I never heard Sheryl Crow’s version of ‘Solitaire. Stick with the originals!
Nah. I had this CD and ended up giving it away or something. When it comes to The Carpenters’ music, nothing beats the original.
Right on, GingerCat!
Does anybody else remember it as fondly as me and Mark?
*looks around*
*raises hand*
Shonen Knife!?! Oh geeze.
hands down: best album ever
Loved loved loved that album too. I wonder, did it make me gay too?
I also squealed during the movie. Especially since Sonic Youth’s “Superstar” had popped up during a shuffle on my iPod the day I saw the movie. My friends smacked me and told me to shut up.
YES!! I loved this album and no one has ever heard of it but me. I was so excited to see it in Juno.
Cant remember where I picked it up in college, but I grew up listening to my Mom’s Carpenter’s records. I can still remember trying to get her to appreciate Dishwalla’s version of ‘It’s going to take some time’
glad to hear i wasn’t the only one who got all excited when that album popped up on the screen. i thought i was the only one who remembered or still appreciated it. glad to read that i’m not the only one out there.
Nicholas, my boss JUST told me about this CD! I might rip his copy, now that you mention it. NICE!
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My husband almost squealed and he is def not a squealer. Plus that Sonic Youth version of “Superstar” is well known as pretty much his favorite song in the world. We both got a big smile and looked at each other. I have been re-listening to it again lately. Sooooooooooo good.
I loved that album and it is still in rotation today! Loved the fact it was referenced in Juno, but those with me just didn’t get it!!
A friend of mine works at Amoeba Records in Hollywood and says they had tons of that CD in the Clearance section until Juno came out and made it a hot item.