BROTHER WHERE YOU BOUND

Problem: One half of the songwriting team is gone. This is a similar story to Kansas when Kerry Livgren left the band. Ironically that occurred the same time Roger Hodgson left Supertramp. In Kansas, Steve Walsh wrote some of the band's hits but Kerry's songs were the ones that catapulted them to fame. Like Supertramp, Walsh wrote some of the bands memorable songs but it was Kerry's songs that really defined the Kansas sound. Roger wrote most of the songs that made Supertramp famous so him leaving created a black hole.

After Hodgson's departure, Supertramp was but a shadow of its former self and everything that was released was very weak in my opinion. Both Rick and Roger cited the fact that they were both so different in musical styles and lifestyles as well. I get that but what they didn't see was that it was that difference that defined the greatness of Supertramp. Every album from "Crime Of The Century" through "Famous Last Words" demonstrated the different approach each had to songs and it worked. On "?.. Last Words" it was a disjointed album to a point but that was largely due to the fact they weren't even together during its recording. Rick stayed in LA and everyone else shifted to Roger's studio. You cannot expect the 2 songwriters to collaborate on anything if they won't even show up together to record. That album was better than this one even still.

I also understand it was Roger's choice to walk away some due to family (cannot blame him) but also he felt that Supertramp had gone as far as it could go with him and to that I greatly disagree. They canned it at the pinnacle of success. Later the two got together in the early 90's and almost reunited. They wrote a few songs together, one which ended up on Supertramp's "Some Things Never Change". That was "You Win, I Lose". That song is Supertramp!

Now that I have bored you with all the details surrounding this album, I have to say I was resoundingly disappointed when I heard this after it came out. It is the Supertramp instrumental sound and Rick's voice fits its usual place but the songs were only mediocre in my opinion. The song "Brother?.." was meant for "?.. Last Words" but it didn't fit the theme. It was originally a much shorter song and it would have been best left that way. It felt too dragged on.

Rick wanted to take the band back into its progressive roots and I believe he did that to a point but it is missing that crucial link in Hodgson. Supertramp is a tragic story. To this day I think it is foolish for Rick to refuse to put on an actual reunion tour. He labeled the 40th anniversary one a "reunion" but without Roger it isn't. They have lost the opportunity now.

Share this SUPERTRAMP review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Sidscrat
• Report this review (#2709905)
• Buy SUPERTRAMP music online with PA partners
• Show all SUPERTRAMP MP3/Stream
• Go to SUPERTRAMP page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Brother Where You Bound page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for SUPERTRAMP related discussions