RETROSPECTACLE - THE SUPERTRAMP ANTHOLOGY

Supertramp

Crossover Prog

3.33 | 43 ratings

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Easy Livin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

Crimes of omission

While "Retrospectacle" is undoubtedly the finest Supertramp compilation to date, it is by no means definitive. The 32 tracks here include the various hit singles, plus the better known album tracks such as "School" and "Bloody well right", both from "Crime of the century".

The tracks, which are presented in strict chronological order, focus on the band's most successful albums from "Crime of the century" through to "Breakfast in America" with no less than 19 tracks from the four albums covered by this period. Notable omissions include "Fool's overture", "A soapbox opera" and "Hide in your shell" (an unforgivable oversight in my opinion). On the plus side, we have both the A and B side of the non album single "Land ho", released during the recording of "Crime of the century". "You started laughing" is another comparative rarity, the recording here being taken from the live "Paris" album. The original studio version only ever appeared as a single B side.

Significantly, space is found for just one track from each of the post Hodgson era albums, which for me is quite sufficient!

There is no doubting the quality of the music from the band's golden age from 1974 to 1982. This collection however paints a rather predictable and superficial picture of the period, and as such plays into the hands of those who question Supertramp's prog credentials.

As ever, it is better to stick to the original studio albums. By the way, beware of the single disc edition of this compilation, which comes with exactly the same cover.

Easy Livin | 3/5 | 2007-9-3

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