IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

The funny thing about this album is that is sounds much more like Supertramp than Supertramp. I mean, this first solo album by Roger Hodgson sounds much more like the Supertramp of old, than the albums his old band mates did after he left the band. As always in these sorts of situations there is the conflict between different "camps". When Ozzy left Black Sabbath, for example, there were fans supporting him and others the band. Or take the two camps of "Yes" that existed side by side in the 80's who would later unite to make the Union album and tour. I have always found such conflict stupid and irritating - it is ok to like both, you know! Or neither; Or one without having to hate the other; etc. Just because artists have fights doesn't mean that the fans will have to take sides.

Still, the question is inevitable: who did the best album without the other? Well, I would have to say that Roger Hodgson made the best Supertramp album, while Supertramp made the best album full stop. Does that make sense? I mean that conservative Supertramp fans, or fans wanting more a commercial sounding Supertramp, should go for this album. While more open minded fans, and fans of progressive rock in particular should go for Brother Where You Bound?

Personally, I am glad I went for both. Since both are very good and rewarding albums that hold up very well in relation to the earlier "team-efforts". Crime Of The Century will never be surpassed, of course, but with the exception of Crime Of The Century, and maybe Even In The Quietest Moments, both In The Eye Of The Storm and Brother Where You Bound? are among the better "Supertramp" albums. But I tend to play Brother Where You Bound? a lot more.

There is really no need for me to describe the individual tracks here, since if you know what Supertramp sounded like, you will know how this sounds like. Only, that this album is a little bit darker in its moods. The title track, I liked instantly and the last two tracks took a bit more time to get into.

Essential album for Supertramp fans. For others this is a good, but non-essential album.