CRIME OF THE CENTURY

"Crime of the Century" is really where Supertramp starts for many people and it's not such a stretch really. After line-up changes and some songwriting maturation, the band sort of reset with this album in 1974. For many people this is the pinnacle of Supertramp and I notice it is their highest rated album both here and at RYM. For me it sits behind Breakfast and Brother although I still think it's pretty good. Despite the fact that I really dislike both of the popular US radio singles on this album, the rest of the disc has some stellar moments. "School" is a real favorite with those cool guitar parts in the beginning while the kids voices are heard, then it slips into a really warm, organic 70s groove, followed by some nice twists and the ever present piano. Great opener. "Asylum" is another Davies classic, with his barroom vocal and the powerful section that feels like Billy Joel's "Captain Jack." (Tramp often reminds me of Billy Joel, both mix different styles of music with piano-heavy rock, the dynamics of their bands not so far apart.) The closing title track is also quite lovely with great piano and nice electric guitar leads, certainly not lacking in mood or componsition. There's just a little touch of where Dire Straits would go with "Love Over Gold" in the feel of this one. Not a masterpiece by any stretch, but this is a solid rock album with some proggy overtones and should be considered one of the recommended Tramp titles.

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