CRIME OF THE CENTURY

ahhh, hello. my second actual review. and as a disclaimer for people who see my profile here, one of my ratings is NOT TRUE!!! i never even heard it in my life. just want it to get it out there right now. so anyway, Crime of the Century. released in September 1974, this turns 40 years old this year, and thankfully it will be re- released in December this year in honor of that. i cannot wait for that one bit!! and yes, i love this album, like alot. the 8 songs are just awesome and definitely hold up to prog standards. i consider it one of the gateway albums to prog, along with Moving Pictures by Rush, and Fragile & Going for the One by Yes, etc. etc. etc. blah blah blah blah blah. so, let's get on with the songs shall we!!

Side 1:

1. School - .......huh......funny to mention this beforehand but as of this review i am working on an analytical essay focusing a song's lyrics that relate to social justice; this is the song i chose for the essay. well, that is basically because the lyrics criticize the (mainly British) school system around the time of its release, not promoting individualism and try to be "civilized" and what not. They are awesome and so is the music, from the harmonica intro to the jam with the piano solo in the middle (probably played by Rick Davies), this 5:34 of greatness.

2. Bloody Well Right - kicking where the previous track left off, we are treated with a great electric piano solo by Davies that leads into the actual song itself. it became their first hit single in the US, reaching the Top 40 there, and it clearly shows. a catchy chorus, a saxophone coda (played by John Helliwell), and what not, though i wish this song was a little longer to be honest. but hey, i've got the bloody right to say!!

3. Hide in Your Shell - ah, yes, my favorite track on here. the theme of isolation and loneliness plays here, though i can see some motivation and what not within the lyrics as well, as in "You're not alone" or something (just like School). Roger Hodgson did an excellent job with this song, lyrically and musically, with my favorite part being the last couple minutes of the song. god, i love it all. i mean, this should be like some theme song for something in particular (*cough cough Crona from Soul Eater cough cough*). Really give it a listen.

4. Asylum - the unknown one of the bunch, ehy? this is another good tune, dealing with madness and denial and insanity and what not, with the music catching on with this mood, especially during the loud parts imo. even though it is kind of my least favorite on here, like i said it's still very good. and also, what is that noise at the very end of the song? just curious

Side 2

5. Dreamer - the BIG hit here, reaching the Top 20 in the U.K. (and the "Paris" version following suit 6 years later in the U.S.). everything's not a dream; it's reality. though some people try to get away from it with all of their dreams. that's what i think this song is about from listening to it, of course i could be wrong, but who cares!!! the lyrics are sing-along-like, the music is great as per usual, and the vocals as well by Hodgson (and Davies). i can see why it is one of the most popular of their songs.

6. Rudy - the proggiest track here, as well as the longest (7:19) and my other favorite. The intro here i believe is the proggiest moment on this album, helping the song move more along in the best way possible. the whole band fleshes out and jams well (though not 100% unfortunately) during the second part of the song. Rudy, the song's character here (obviously!), has no where to go in his life and is has had a bad life. it sucks, i get it, and im sympathetic for him. so, ummmmm, have fun on the train i guess? or have fun in a little field running everywhere with what appears to be some sort of tennis racket in hand (yes, the guy that's in my avatar i consider to be Rudy, idk if you disagree, though you probably would.

7. If Everyone Was Listening - i absolutely adore this song, the last huge favorite here. like Bloody Well Right however, i wish it was longer, i mean, it's the shortest track on the album (4:03). but, it is still fantastic, especially the lyrics, metaphoring (is that a real word?) the reality and a large amount of people, like in a city, with a circus act, hoping that nothing would fall apart and trying not collapse on its side or booty or wherever it may fall on.

8. Crime of the Century - ahhhh the title track. i like this song much more than on previous listens. i just felt like that there wasn't enough lyrics to cut out for it (like One More Red Nightmare (*GASPS!!!!*)), and once again i wish it were a little longer, but now i feel like it's short and sweet (that's a compliment btw). of course, the second half, instrumental, is just amazing. it's almost like a wrap-up (of course, i mean this is the last track), with a recurring theme here and there (the harmonica from School for example at the very end), fading out into obscurity, thus ending this album.

what can i say, this is an excellent addition to any prog collection, and maybe even just a regular old music collection in general. it is SO close to getting 5 stars however, from a couple of the negative comments i made (which i hope you can spot), so i give it 4 stars. it should be more like 4.5 stars if there is such a thing. this is Michael678, signing out, probably returning again one of these days.....

EDIT: it's totally a 5 out of 5 stars for sure, everything about this album is perfect (except for maybe some things regarding Asylum), and should definitely be heard by more people in general. Definitely one of my favorite albums of all time, for sure!!