BREAKFAST IN AMERICA

The '70s went by really fast for Supertramp and the band's sound had began to fade in popularity towards the shift of the decade. This is why Breakfast In America came as a complete surprise to both the critics and the mainstream audience becoming an international hit and proving that great (Art Rock) music could survive even in the prog-forsaken punk era.

The closest comparison that I can think of whenever listening to Breakfast In America would be that of Black Sabbath's Paranoid. Both albums are generally considered to be the hit-records for the bands with many of the heavy hitters occupying side one of the respective record, leaving side two exposed and suggestive of a turbulence within the collectives. In Supertramp's case we basically get a side filled with hits like The Logical Song, Goodbye Stranger and Breakfast In America that don't really need any introduction since they became the backbone of the band's career for years to come. Side two starts with the memorable Take The Long Way Home but that's where it all comes to a screeching halt and the limitations of Rick Davies/Roger Hodgson songwriting start to show.

It also becomes clear, though in the lyrical context, that the songwriters were already on the verge of a breakup and we can only imagine how it would have gone down if Breakfast In America hadn't been the massive hit which it ultimately was. Eventually one of the fellow collaborators had to leave and Roger Hodgson took that step after the release of the much delayed 1982 Breakfast In America-followup album Famous Last Words.

Even though this is a very disjointed release I can't really argue against the excellent quality of the music featured here. Breakfast In America might not come close to the level of Crime Of The Century nor Even In The Quietest Moments... but it's still an essential piece of Supertramp's history making it an excellent addition to any prog rock music collection.

***** star songs: Gone Hollywood (5:19) The Logical Song (4:07) Goodbye Stranger (5:48) Breakfast In America (2:38)

**** star songs: Oh Darling (4:02) Take The Long Way Home (5:08) Lord Is It Mine (4:08)

*** star songs: Just Another Nervous Wreck (4:23) Casual Conversations (2:57) Child Of Vision (7:28)