CRIME OF THE CENTURY

Just listen to it.

I'm only 15, and about 2 years ago I started listening to music. Why? This album. This album is so mind blowing that it will leave you playing it over and over until the grooves on the vinyl are worn down and yet you crave to hear it again. Crime Of The Century led me to instantly buying up the rest of Supertramp's work, but nothing chucks close to this. Every phrase, every line, every little tap of the Wurlitzer is finely established and beautifully played. And the wrinting! Oh, the writing is fantastic! Seeing as I'm at a block at how to go about reviewing such a perfect album, I might as well do it track by track...

School- The haunting opener to the piece kind of sets the stage for this album, and the chilling vocals of Rodger Hodgson (whose voice I'm typically not fond of, but in COTC he pulls it off in a majestic, brilliant manner) bring you from the harsh opening into a very atmospheric, well crafted song. The intensity found later on counterplays the introduction brilliantly, and everything about the ending, including the long guitar fade out, is pulled off in a spectacular fashion.

Bloody Well Right- I have yet to meet a person who dislikes this song. There's simply so much to offer, from a jazzy, dare I say spunky, keyboard intro to a heavier, some even say 'hard rock' line and then back to a light and airy chorus. And, once again, the quality is superb.

Hide In Your Shell- Back when I first heard the album, I used to dislike the album becuase of the spacy, underlying theramin playing through the refrain. As I learned more about music and my tastes grew, I really began to appreciate every small element to this song. I can't give this a single demerit, save the line 'oh, we're all damn fools,' which I still haven't come across despite being printed on the sleeve lyrics.

Asylum- Still, after the several thousands of songs I now own, I can say rather firm footedly that this remains my favourite of the lot. I have some very strong memory ties with this song and Washington DC (actually, this whole album, as a matter of fact), but I can still find that everything is played perfectly. Let me segway for just a moment-I analyze music very carefully, and often come across songs that are well written or well performed, but could be improved in different aspects. Songs that immeaditely jump to mind are songs such as 'Abacab' by Genesis of 'Psychobabble' by the Alan Parsons Project. Asylum doesn't need any reconfiguring. I could go into depth to tell you just what I love about this song but it would last too long and I'd just end up telling you this song is perfect in every aspect. A prog lover accustomed to songs like 'Yours Is No Disgrace' might have difficulty adjusting, but it grows on you. It's a fantastic climax of the album that climaxed Supertramp's career.

Dreamer- Yes yes, the chorus sucks, I know. And yes, it sucks as a single. But once you get past that and place it in context, there's actually a nice tune behind it. The contrast of Davies' and Hodgson's voices work well in a dialogue, and the Wurlitzer works better here than in any other song on the album. Unfortunately, that bit of the song is shortlived and then it's back to the chorus. 'Sigh...'

Rudy- I always analyze this song too, but can't find anything specifically wrong with it even if it always comes up as brash and maybe even a bit drab. But, in all fairness, this one's great too. The nice, piano driven introduction plays well into an almost Elton Johnish keyboard segment and then moves into a truely art rock movement. Maybe I don't like this song because it's just so overwhelming-there's so many layers to this music it's hard for me to keep track, but it's such an awesome song it's hard for me to demerit it. I've always wanted to play it onstage with my band, but it's just too complex to convey to an audience.

If Everyone Was Listening- Dark, brooding, and yet again Supertramp pulls it off. The orchestration is great, the vocals are great, the instrumentation is great, but it's just a little harder to get into. That's all.

Crime Of The Century- The band closes the album in the same manner as they did close it. Pun not intended (you'll notice that if you turn the volume alllllll the way up at the very end the harmonica intro to School is repeated). Crime of the Century is crisp, dark, and chilling, all the while maintaining the same quality as displayed on the rest of the album. The only true virtuso on Supertramp was Davies, and it shows throughout the song and album.

If you're just getting into prog, buy this album. If you're into prog and haven't bought this album yet, shame on you! The best thing is, you don't have to be into prog to appreciate this album, like one may to listen to Solaris or King Crimson. But there's no real band that I can relate this album to-it's uniquely unique. There's nothing like it. I truely feel that one doesn't have to like the style to like the album. GET IT! You won't regret doing so.

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