CRIME OF THE CENTURY

Don't get me wrong- a couple of these songs are among my favorite Supertramp songs, but I would be a liar if I agreed with the accolades this album (or even the band) has garnered. No, I don't find much of this album progressive, but it is a fun and decent quirky pop album- nothing more. I was never attracted by either of the main vocalists in this band, but years of growing up and hearing them occasionally on the radio has endeared them to me. Still, the songwriting is only okay and the album as a whole is one-dimensional, and it can even be downright grating at times. On more than one occasion I simply cannot shake the feeling that I'm sitting in the gallery of a theater containing the half-assed performance of a two-bit troupe.

"School" Opening with a lonesome harmonica's wail, this first piece has a haunting feel with forlorn vocals that even an upbeat rhythm section cannot cheer. An ascending bass riff and bright guitar leads into a melodic piano solo backed by acoustic guitar. In a way, much of this song reminds me of Marillion's "He Knows You Know," so that's no problem.

"Bloody Well Right" This electric piano introduction is one I consider to be one of the premier examples of the instrument. The verse is shouted over a crunchy guitar, but the catchy chorus of this eccentric little thing is over light keyboards. This popular little tune is one of my favorite Supertramp songs.

"Hide in Your Shell" The melodic opening is very memorable and enjoyable. This is almost something of a show-tune in places, but has a wonderfully approachable chorus. The bridge consists of whining that rather gets on my nerves, and the backup vocals can be a bit grating. Still, I quite like this song (I'm just not a Supertramp fan).

"Asylum" A sprightly piano opens the fourth song. Generally it is a heartfelt one even as it grows fuller. Yet the shrieking and noise that consumes the second half is off-putting and nothing can stay my hand from reaching for the volume knob.

"Dreamer" Rapidly pounded chords and one of the most annoying voices I've ever heard gives way to something of a choir. This is the sort of giddy pop music I can't stand. It brings me right to the front row of a production full of loud singing, little talent, and bad choreography.

"Rudy" More light piano begins the lengthiest track, which is almost as awful to me as the previous one. Not only does it have a nauseating disco vibe throughout the middle, but the vocals are simply dreadful.

"If Everyone Was Listening" That piano, with its simplistic chord work, returns. This song is very uninteresting musically, with it's dull format and lack of progression. It isn't a bad song at all, and it has a decent enough melody, but this is just something any songwriter with an hour on his hands and any musical skill whatsoever could put together.

"Crime of the Century" Perhaps the most lyrically mysterious of all Supertramp songs, this has a haunting and enigmatic beginning. The dual guitar lead and subsequent piano are highlights of the piece, but it eventually sounds so dramatic that it begins to get bland very quickly.