Yep, this is a '10' here, just a superb job from a source that was very exceptional to begin with.
Along with the Carpenters, Bread brought some fine sounds to easy listening when they began to have their big hits in 1970. Karen and Richard, however, geared themselves toward pure pop, whereas Bread (and most of all leader David Gates) were seasoned veterans who had covered many genres, working in the L.A. scene of production, songwriting, arranging, session musicians, contriving bands, etc. In other words, guys like Gates and Jimmy Griffin had a lot of mileage on their vehicle before Bread was formed. After a tentative (but interesting) debut album in 1969, they got it together in 1970 with "Make It with You" and through early '73, were consistently enjoyable. This album, for me, is one of the finest combinations of balladry and good (if not great) rock ever assembled and, as noted by many, the ballads dominated the A-sides, but the B's and a few A's revealed a rocking side that could be pretty solid (thanks, Jimmy).
And all else aside, "Diary," like the Bee Gees' "First of May" remains one of the most wonderfully sad and regretful pop ballads ever made, the kind that, at the right moment, can bring tears your eyes and understanding to your heart of what one had (and could have kept) and what was so achingly lost. David Gates, a man who produced, wrote or arranged everyone from anonymous girl groups and the best and dullest of pop crooners (although a nod for Glenn Yarbrough's "Baby, The Rain Must Fall," which my late mama loved) to the Monkees and (early) Captain Beefheart, is a man deserving of the Rock & Roll HOF--among other halls, IMO. He is understandably remembered for Bread, but his resume is a deep one, and finding some of those obscure 45's with his name on them has always kept me searching.
Finally, if you really dig this disc, find a used copy (Lp or CD) of the album, and note some things added to a few songs, and a few overdubs missing from the quad mixes. I've never cataloged them, but if you know the material well, some will stand out.
ED
