Supertramp Albums (15)
What The Critics Say
After Supertramp split in 1987, fans waited nearly ten years before most members of the best-known lineup reunited for an album (1997's Some Things Never Change) and tour. But while one of the group's two leaders was included in the proceedings (Rick Davies), the other one was not (Roger Hodgson). Regardless, the "new look" Supertramp soldiered on with a stage show that expectedly focused primarily on the classics -- as reflected on the 2006 release Live, 1997. Despite the long layoff between studio albums (and Hodgson's absence), Supertramp sound as bombastic and flawless as ever, as such longtime classic rock radio standards as "Goodbye Stranger" and "The Logical Song" sound very similar to the original studio versions. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Supertramp struggled after the departure of Roger Hodgson to be seen as a viable, creative band and prove that it could exist without Hodgson. Although the albums released after Hodgson's departure were interesting, they never managed to capture the glory days of that classic lineup, nor did they reach commercial popularity. That is not to say the releases were bad -- far from it -- but they tended to lack the variety and strong song structures that Hodgson brought to the band. For this studio album, Supertramp's lineup was almost identical to that of 1997's Some Things Never Change, with the exception of the addition of Jesse Siebenberg and the departure of Tom Walsh. The change in lineup meant little, as the music was very similar to the band's last studio release (there was a double live CD released between the studio CDs). Here, Rick Davies took control of production, and it proves the album's downfall. The songs were very good, but the production was muddy and cluttered. The mix did not do justice to the music. The songs themselves had shades of classic Supertramp songs, but there were hints of world music and prog rock, which kept things interesting. The songs were basic pop/rock songs with ever-familiar alienation themes. The two longer tracks ("Tenth Avenue Breakdown" and "Dead Man's Blues") crossed over into the realm of prog rock and harked back to the Crime of the Century album, but each was about three minutes too long, and could have used some editing. ~ Aaron Badgley, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This CD was recorded in 1976 during Supertramp's tour for Crisis? What Crisis?, but remained unreleased (but often bootlegged) until 2002. That was when Burning Airlines arranged to release this, and a good idea it was at that. This CD finally shows what all the fuss was about this band. Their other "official" live albums were recorded far too late in their career -- all of their excitement sounds gone and the releases are over-produced (including Paris). Those live albums simply do not demonstrate just how talented and creative these guys were. Here, in front of a crowd of about 5,000, the classic lineup of this band tears through then-current songs from Crisis? What Crisis? and Crime of the Century, and the songs sound every bit as good as they do in their studio form -- in some cases better. "Dreamer has an edge to it not found in the studio recording, as does the classic "Bloody Well Right." This CD also shows that they had a great stage presence live, with a witty sense of humor (the introduction to "Dreamer is brilliant and hilarious). Burning Airlines has put together yet another great package: intelligent liner notes, great photos, and a wonderful-sounding CD. This CD will not disappoint hardcore or casual fans. ~ Aaron Badgley, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Lacking the pop sensibilities of Breakfast in America and "famous last words," as well as the jazzy fusions of Brother Where You Bound, Free as a Bird is a colorless and tuneless collection of prog-rock meandering distinguished only by the fact that future Crowded House guitarist Mark Hart was featured on the recording. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
'Some Things Never Change'
Release Date 1/1/1997
Tracks 11
Label Chrysalis
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What The Critics Say
Rick Davies, Bob Siebenberg, Mark Hart, and John Helliwell re-formed Supertramp with a number of anonymous studio musicians in 1997 to record and release Some Things Never Change, their first album in ten years. And the title is correct -- nothing much has changed within Supertramp's world; they're simply churning out the same sophisticated jazzy, lite-funk-inflected pop as they did in the mid-'80s. The only thing that is different is that the group can no longer write ingratiatingly catchy melodies as they did when they called it quits in the '80s, but hardcore fans will still find the instrumental interplay a joy to hear. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
When vocalist-guitarist Roger Hodgson left Supertramp after 1982's ...famous last words..., few could have guessed that the band would continue and solidify its pop-oriented songcraft, let alone re-embrace its progressive-rock roots on 1985's underrated Brother Where You Bound. With vocalist-keyboardist Rick Davies firmly in control -- he wrote all the music and lyrics -- the album examined tensions at the tail end of the Cold War. In a thematic sense, Brother Where You Bound is dated and hasn't aged very well -- Davies' politically oriented lyrics are heavy-handed -- but the music is a pleasure. The crystalline sound of the album, particularly Davies' piano, is breathtaking; kudos to co-producers David Kershenbaum and Supertramp and engineer Norman Hall. The hit single "Cannonball" is a jazz-rock delight, especially in full-length album form. Lyrically, it can be interpreted as Davies' feelings of betrayal at Hodgson's departure, but the piano, percussion and horns are superb. Saxophonist John A. Helliwell, bass guitarist Dougie Thomson, and drummer Bob Siebenberg all contribute vital parts, as does guest trombonist Doug Wintz. "No Inbetween" begins with a lovely, bittersweet percussion (or synthesizer?) and piano melody. "Better Days" is a rather bleak look at the unfulfilled promises of the "good life" in Western society; the dramatic music is highlighted by guest Scott Page's flute solos. The fantastic title track examines Cold War paranoia and clocks in at more than 16 minutes; after the creepy opening narration taken from George Orwell's 1984, the song becomes a composite of several complex prog-rock "movements." Pink Floyd's David Gilmour contributes the searing, distorted guitar solos. Unfortunately, Brother Where You Bound never received the attention it deserved; it isn't a perfect album, but it was a gutsy project for Supertramp to take on. ~ Bret Adams, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Recorded in the wake of the global success of Breakfast in America, Paris is a competent live album from Supertramp. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
...Famous Last Words... was the last album that Roger Hodgson made with Supertramp before seeking a solo career, and he made sure that radio would take kindly to his last hurrah with the band. Sporting an airy and overly bright pop sheen, ...Famous Last Words... put two singles on the charts, with the poignant "My Kind of Lady" peaking at number 31 and the effervescent smile of "It's Raining Again" going to number 11. The album itself went Top Ten both in the U.S. and in the U.K., eventually going gold in America. The songs are purposely tailored for Top 40 radio, delicately textured and built around overly bland and urbane choruses. Hodgson's abundance of romantically inclined poetry and love song fluff replaces the lyrical keenness that Supertramp had produced in the past, and the instrumental proficiency that they once mastered has vanished. Hodgson's English appeal and fragile vocal manner works well in some places, but the album's glossy sound and breezy feel is too excessive. Hodgson gave his solo album, 1984's In the Eye of the Storm, a mildly progressive feel, quite unlike his last appearance with his former group. ~ Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide
'Breakfast in America'
Release Date 1/1/1980
Tracks 10
Label Mobile Fidelity
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What The Critics Say
With Breakfast in America, Supertramp had a genuine blockbuster hit, topping the charts for four weeks in the U.S. and selling millions of copies worldwide; by the 1990s, the album had sold over 18 million units across the world. Although their previous records had some popular success, they never even hinted at the massive sales of Breakfast in America. Then again, Supertramp's earlier records weren't as pop-oriented as Breakfast. The majority of the album consisted of tightly written, catchy, well-constructed pop songs, like the hits "The Logical Song," "Take the Long Way Home," and "Goodbye Stranger." Supertramp still had a tendency to indulge themselves occasionally, but Breakfast in America had very few weak moments. It was clearly their high-water mark. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
