Album Club: 03.07.12: Supertramp - Crime of the Century (1974)

[MartinT]

Supertramp's Crime of the Century is a classic album that has aged very well indeed. Supertramp had found a little early success with two previous albums, but this one was their Dark Side of the Moon, released one year after that huge hit. COTC reached #4 in the British charts but that was almost irrelevant since it proved to be a long lasting steady seller throughout the years although it could be said to be more popular with the cognoscenti since Breakfast in America would be the album most associated with Supertramp now.

For me, as a 16 year old listening to this around the same time as Dark Side of the Moon and Phaedra, I was struck by how complex the musical ideas were and by the great songwriting and hooks. Not least of it was liking something that our parents didn't. Prog rock at its best! Now when I listen to it, I am in awe of the astonishing technical achievement for its time, the stupendous sound quality and, yes, songs that are now etched in my mind but still oh-so-enjoyable. A final mention for the iconic cover artwork, at once recognisable and memorable.

Used purely as a system test, listen for the very extended bass lines, the startling synth, everything in focus, panned backing vocals and the huge dynamics - better heard on LP than CD. Try 'School', a tour de force if ever there was one and far more enjoyable than some audiophile creation by a non-artist.

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_o...entury_(album)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crime-Of-The...1296258&sr=1-4

[Daniel Quinn]

Just bought this off ebay for a £5 [ incl p&p] based on your review .

Only previously heared "dreamer" on the radio and dont own any Supertramp Albums . vote to follow .

[aquapiranha]

I have been a fan for many years so will give this v an 8

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[Audioman]

Great album, great recording. 9/10 as there is a little filler and there are a few albums I like better.

[Spectral Morn]

I am pretty sure I have this so I will give it a listen. Not totally sure I would call it prog though.

[John]

Like Neil I always had trouble seeing Supertramp as prog, but a good band yes
Not listened to this for about 20 years so will give it a spin

[Tim]

Not totally sure I would call it prog though.

Hmmm, I must admit I definitely would - a progressive concept album through and through.

I was also 16 at the time of its release and its a seminal album when it comes to my youth and development of my music tastes (alongside albums like DSOTM, Phaedra, Brain Salad Surgery and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway).

I play it often (last spin was 5th May 2012), know every lyric intimately and I still get goose bumps at the tempo change in 'School'. One of my all time favourite albums and without doubt for me its gets a perfect 10

Nice choice Martin

[prestonchipfryer]

One of my favourite albums of all time. One I play regularly. Fantastic.

[Alex_UK]

There's a bit of "history" with me and this album, which came about after some ribbing I got on Martin's previous Album Club choice of Dire Straits original self titled album... To cut a long story short, I have this album, and have been introduced to the delights by Martin, Tim etc. a while back - and have played it fairly regularly since - I really enjoy it, though it is less "my time" than Breakfast In America. I've also got Paris from 1980 which I believe features most of this album live, so I must give that another go, too.

Scores on the doors time, then - 8/10 - not quite a 9, but it might get there one day!

[DSJR]

Nearly forty years old this, and I remember first hearing "Dreamer" on the radio back in '75.

I understand this album was all but ignored to start with, only gaining ground after a year or so. The recording and early pressings were good enough for this to become a staple demo record and as with many such, it was done to death, all but ruining it for me at the time. The original CD was raw, but lively and the gold issue was restrained and bland for whatever reason. I'm sure it's been quietly "remastered" in more recent times but I have no idea what current issue CD's sound like.

Great details on this album. The train annnouncement on "Rudy" is telling, as is the atmosphere/reverb on the album as a whole, the differences in turntable setup being easy to hear with almost any track.

Haven't played it in years/decades but shall dig it out promptly