Crime Of The Century

Supertramp

1974

3.41

Rating

21966

Votes

Distribution

Rock

Album Summary

Crime of the Century is the third studio album by the English rock band Supertramp, released in September 1974 on A&M Records. Crime of the Century was Supertramp's commercial breakthrough in many countries, most notably in the UK, Canada and Germany where it peaked in the Top 5 while also making the Top 20 in Australia and France. It was an improvement over their previous sales in the US, but still only peaked at No. 38, with the US hit being "Bloody Well Right". "School" was another popular track, particularly at album rock-oriented radio stations. The album was eventually certified Gold in the US in 1977 after the release of Even in the Quietest Moments.... In Canada, it was eventually certified Diamond (sales of one million copies). The album was Supertramp's first to feature drummer Bob Siebenberg (at the time credited as Bob C. Benberg), saxophone and clarinet player and vocalist John Helliwell, bassist Dougie Thomson, and co-producer Ken Scott. The album has received critical acclaim, including its inclusion in Rolling Stone's "50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time".The album's dedication reads "To Sam", which is a nickname for Stanley August Miesegaes, the Dutch millionaire who supported the band financially from 1969 to 1972.

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Reviews

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May 30 2021 Author

Possibly the most 70s sounding album of all time

Sep 06 2022 Author

Prog for people who think Billy Joel “rocks”.

Nov 11 2021 Author

The intersection of prog and yacht rock, with Pink Floyd influences doing the heavy lifting. Couple of hits; indulgent.

Apr 24 2022 Author

Fucking great. Fuck everyone else's opinion.

Mar 10 2022 Author

What an introduction. Davies' wailing harmonica was so good, they used that instrument as the main intro to side two of Breakfast. "School" shows us exactly where they were in '74 - bridging the gap between prog and pop. What follows is a great album, showing us some serious rock, those Wurlitzer pianos, some thumping good rhythm, and a balance between art, rock and pop that few bands have managed. Somehow Hodgson's voice doesn't annoy, while Davies always has that extra bit of bite that makes him one of my favourites. Then it finishes with those piano chords! Simple, unadorned, powerful, memorable. So what do you do? Turn it over and listen again. Oh yes.... probably the best cover of any album, ever.

Jan 29 2021 Author

This is the reason I started doing this 1001 albums thing in the first place. I feel like my music exposure is very limited and I'm sure there are lots of artists out there that I'd never actually give a chance. I'm worried a bit that I like this one BECAUSE I've panned the others so hard but I do feel like FINALLY we have an album I'd listen to again of my own free will. I especially liked "Dreamer" and "Rudy" but I bet on after a couple more playthroughs I'd like a few others too. I don't know that I loved this album but I do feel like this is something that I could enjoy while partaking. I think I'm gonna go listen to Supertramp greatest hits.

Jan 18 2021 Author

If you were to say this album kills I’d say “you’re bloody well right”.

May 17 2022 Author

Take the blandest thing about most popular '70s bands, like Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, Rush, 10cc, Eagles, and Led Zeppelin. Mix it all together and now you have a hit-and-miss album, most of which are misses.

Feb 03 2022 Author

I tried. I promise I tried, but couldn’t find any that interest me in this album

Jul 02 2021 Author

A comprehensive lesson that no matter how many pro forma riffs, piano tinklings and horns you squash together, they're still pro forma. But a lesson no one needed.

Nov 10 2021 Author

This album makes a case for two of my pet theories: 1) bands thrive when they have at least two songwriters with widely different sensibilities in the group, and 2) bands tend to produce their best work when they spend alot of time together in a remote location in the country/woods. This album is a wonderful balance of melodic pop sheen and just the right amount of rock umph. All packaged in sophisticated prog structures with some really nice atmospheric touches throughout. Sure sounds like a concept album even though it may not be one.

Jan 18 2021 Author

Some really great, fun tracks on here, especially Asylum - very up my street. I can't decide, either I really like Supertramp, or I hate Iron Maiden so much I was just relieved not to have to sit through another one.

Jan 15 2022 Author

It was ok. Kind of boring and dragged.

Jan 14 2021 Author

Yeah that was an album that happened

Oct 21 2021 Author

Supertramp is a pretty weird band to me. They keep getting suggested to me on Spotify playlist because Spotify believes I should really like them. Sometimes I do, but sometimes their songs really annoy me and I skip them. Anyway, first time I'm listening to an entire album by them and it still feels sort of weird to me. Like I almost like them really much and they're almost exactly my cup of tea, but then something is slightly off and it makes them simply OK instead of awesome. I think this is a 3.5 for me. I'll round it up because I really like the ambitiousness of this album, which I didn't get as much of a sense of on the individual tracks I've heard by them.

Apr 27 2021 Author

I acknowledge that Supertramp can come off as kind of cheesy sometimes do to the production, but I have always really enjoyed them. Some really excellent musicianship and honestly the have some really unique ideas. Really fun to listen to an album of theirs I had never heard before. Favorite tracks: “If Everyone Was Listening” and “Crime of the Century”

Mar 21 2023 Author

When I was young, I was convinced this epitomised American MOR. So I was pretty gobsmacked when I found out they were English. I still think they sound like American MOR. I also feel like some of the songs would have fit right into an episode of Glee. Even though, turns out, not one Supertramp song turned up in the show. A couple of songs are iconic. And really easy to listen to. I knew the singles but some songs drag a bit. Although I love that harmonica intro. Decent album - Bloody Well Right!

Jul 19 2021 Author

Knew a few songs not impressed

Jun 09 2025 Author

Probably one of the most important albums of my life. I've been listening to it since I was 13 or 14, and I still love it. Supertramp is one of the most important bands I've taken with me from the '70s anyway. Full marks, because nostalgia also plays a huge role with Supertramp.

Jun 05 2025 Author

Heck yeah Sonic Voyagers. You're bloody well right this album kicks ass. Years ago I had a friend gift me a nice collection of albums. They had 5 or 6 Supertramp albums in there and I really enjoyed them all. I would add this to any discussion of 'perfect' albums. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this again.

Mar 05 2024 Author

Absolutely incredible. Cannot believe I haven’t listened to more of their music until this album.

Mar 14 2022 Author

Classic Supertramp here, wonderful mild MOR Prog Rock with some excellent tunes my Favourite being "School" "Rudy" "Hide In Your Shell" but there isn't a bad track on this Album. I remember the first time I heard this album, it was 1975 in a friends bedroom and we sat pondering on what the words to Rudy and "Bloody Well Right" were all about... Ah twas such a simpler time! Now the lyrics of songs need no debate!

Jan 18 2021 Author

I wish I was high on a very comfortable sofa with my eyes closed soaring through imaginary galaxies riding on the space waves of supertramp. I've just realised the album cover is very appropriate for this dream. Maybe I'm onto something?

Nov 10 2021 Author

This is the kind of stuff I associate with bad Prog-Rock. Really don't care for any of it, not my thing.

Oct 25 2023 Author

I would almost rather listen to a bad album than a boring one. It just felt like an album of background music - prog rock meets muzak with some royalty free piano mixed in.

May 28 2025 Author

Frequently rocked and was often strange. Excellent beginning to end

Nov 13 2021 Author

Supertramp is always a good choice

Jun 06 2021 Author

Really? See, there’s this thing I don’t like in Canadian culture where thoroughly mediocre things become culture touchstones and are celebrated far more than they deserve just because they’re Canadian. This list is that, but British. And I like Supertramp. Not bad, not something you need to hear before you die. Favourite track: “Bloody Well Right”

Dec 02 2021 Author

Come on guys! I mean seriously! Some tracks are nearly interesting prog, then bland soft rock moments kick in. I don’t think there’s a single track that I find good start to finish. And some of the longer tracks are really boring. Dreamer is OK if a touch longer than needed. Not a super album.

Nov 05 2025 Author

Supertramp is a shiny amalgam of Floyd, Steely Dan, ELO and bunch of other slightly pretentious middle-of-the-road 70s bands blended into a bland slurry and garnished with saxophone. 1.5 stars, rounding down because I am so fucking bored.

Apr 26 2025 Author

I think there's been a mistake. I believe this one is from that other list - 1,001 Albums No One Should Ever Have to Hear Again.

Apr 07 2025 Author

Cet album est comme une tour Jenga où il n'y a plus de move possible. Changer un seul bloc de place entraînerait un écroulement total.

Mar 27 2025 Author

Queen's bombacity meets Pink Floyd's prog, Supertramp is awesome. This album is musicially great and exploratory. It's corny at times, but that just adds to charm in my opinion. I love how funky it can be between It's pop choruses, and the solos throughout a re a ton of fun. Hide In Your Shell is my favorite here, such a dynamic song.

Apr 07 2021 Author

Астрологи объявили неделю максимализма, так что ставлю 5. Возможно, возник сильный контраст с прошлым альбомом, но даже и без него чуется, что тут мы слышим то, что именуется настоящей музыкой. Насыщенной, комплексной, гармоничной, эмоциональной, разнообразной, цепляющей... вот это вот всё. Конечно, несколько прослушиваний для оценки прог- альбома обычно маловато. Но тут осознаю, что как минимум первый и последний трек прям залипалово годное. Да ёбаный в рот, в списке это пока первый исполнитель вне моего жёсткого диска, с кем бы хотелось ознакомиться поближе. Возможно, с неоправданными ожиданиями, возможно, с разочарованием, но это уже не так важно.

Feb 26 2023 Author

If you put everything 70s in a blender, this is what you get. Maybe with an extra touch of Steely Dan and Chicago. It's all played, recorded and arranged very well. Almost too well. Most of the songs are good, but longer than they should have been (especially Rudy). You keep listening, because they have so many changes and something interesting might come up. Despite all the changes it sounds coherent, unlike a lot of their contemporaries. They have two singers. The one who sings the most and the best songs has an annoying voice. Favorite song: dreamer

Apr 10 2022 Author

4.4 - This is a rare prog rock record I really enjoyed and could see myself revisiting. Similar to other records in the genre, there's loads of production but despite the bombast, Supertramp exhibits something that eludes many other prog rock acts: restraint. Movements within songs feel cohesive to the whole. Relative to other prog rock records, instrument layers aren't crammed on top of one another. Rather, they are arranged strategically to accentuate melodies against a relatively spare background. I use the word "relative" frequently here because, again, there's still plenty of prog rock excess. Still, the record comes together nicely as a continuous 45 minute listen.

Sep 13 2022 Author

Was very surprised to see this one described as a commercial success 70s synth music hahaha Prog rock is always so absurd Feels like it was written for Broadway None of these songs have any sort of normal structure Dreamer almost smacks

Dec 02 2021 Author

A couple of decent tracks but the rest is a meandering mess of self-indulgence. Not a patch on their later masterpiece: Breakfast in America.

Mar 07 2021 Author

The easiest album to find in the vinyl section at hock shops. Some, catchy tunes, but I find a lot of them annoying and pedestrian.

Aug 31 2025 Author

Enjoyable, slow music, life

May 28 2025 Author

Really good stuff. Rips all the way through.

May 26 2025 Author

Absolutely a banger 5/5

May 18 2025 Author

Excellent concept album.

May 06 2025 Author

Geweldig album

May 03 2025 Author

So nice, I listened twice 🤘

May 03 2025 Author

I am admittedly ignorant to the intricacies of music production. But man, why don't more albums sound this good? The mixing is fantastic.

Apr 15 2025 Author

5/5. Favorite album so far overwhelmingly

Apr 12 2025 Author

This album was a must in my youth. I often listened to the LP at friends' houses until I finally saved up the money for it. Then the album was often on the turntable. And listening to it again now after a long time, I realize that yes, the album is really good. 5/5

Apr 11 2025 Author

Never heard it before, but this was great. Essential prog rock. Like a funky and poppier Dark Side of the Moon.

Apr 03 2025 Author

Dope bass lines.

Mar 28 2025 Author

This album was always our go-to for demonstrating or testing our studio and sound reinforcement system. Absolutely stellar production and dynamic range.

Mar 27 2025 Author

I guess I have a soft spot for early-70s British prog rock. I really enjoyed the album, there are moments on "School" that immediately grabbed me, and I loved "Hide in your shell". The whole album is great, and will probably enter frequent rotation.

Mar 12 2025 Author

Hits the spot

Mar 04 2025 Author

It doesn't quite have the same range and edge as «Breakfast in America» but in addition it has a atmospheric prog sound that I quite enjoy. In terms of playing, writing and production, this is solid.

Mar 04 2025 Author

Lot of people dont even know this album exist. Crime of the Century.

Mar 03 2025 Author

An all time fave!

Feb 23 2025 Author

Love it. Everything the reviews complain about are my favorite parts-piano, saxophone, Rodgers Hodgson's voice! 10/10

Feb 17 2025 Author

"School" is awesome. I love the keyboard section. "Bloody Well Right" is also awesome. The saxophone is sweet. This isn't what I thought Supertramp would sound like. I am realizing that in my head I thought Supertramp and Soundgarden were the same band. "Dreamer" is also hitting. This album rocks, they have a lot of ELO energy. I loved basically this whole album. Sorry for mistaking you with Soundgarden for a decade and a half. 9/10

Feb 08 2025 Author

I did not get these guys when I was younger but have grown to totally love their Prog Pop sound.

Feb 06 2025 Author

This is the 30th album I’m rating. I just realized I said Rio was the 27th album I rated but I don’t care enough to edit it. I’ve heard of the album before but I’ve never listened to a song. Also, I’m done talking about the songs unless they are interesting because it’s too much work. Adding to my Playlist - School, Bloody Well Right, Hide in Your Shell, Asylum, Dreamer, Rudy, If Everyone Was Listening, and Crime of the Century. Not Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. Bloody Well Right - This unbelievably good. This is amazing. That intro just sounds so good. That intro genuinely made me smile listening to it for the first time. Crime of the Century - Fantastic way to end an album. Great all around. All in all I liked 8/8 songs. I wasn’t expecting much going into this but it was fantastic. Every single song was great and this could potentially enter my top 5 but I’ll keep it top 10 for now.

Feb 04 2025 Author

5 This, paired with Breakfast In America, is so good.

Feb 01 2025 Author

Banger

Jan 31 2025 Author

This album is already in my rotation. Great harmonies, horns, and piano.

Jan 30 2025 Author

Just amazing!! These dudes literally could do anything... I think is the perfect combination between trippy, energetic, sentimental and still complex but understandable if you are not a music nerd. And the beginning is so good just as the ending. An album filled with intention.

Jan 30 2025 Author

Supertramp is voor mij de ontdekking van de vorige eeuw. Ik had er nog nooit van gehoord, maar kon al meteen alle liedjes meezingen. Heerlijke muziek! Ik heb Roger Hodgson live mogen aanschouwen op BosPop, en dat was een geweldige ervaring. Topmuziek, maar vooral ook dit album is met verschillende hits is top!!

Jan 28 2025 Author

Very good album. From Now On is a banger!

Jan 27 2025 Author

supertramp lives immortal in my head

Jul 04 2025 Author

Far more sweeping and theatrical than I expected. I’ve always thought Supertramp’s radio hits to sound kinda lazy… not the case on this album! I’ll have to give it another listen when I can pay closer attention. For now, they get the benefit of one more star than I was thinking to give.

Jan 11 2022 Author

These guys are doing things that are uncommon even nowadays. The melodies and rhythms are often odd but in a surprisingly pleasant way.

Dec 08 2021 Author

Supertramp

Jun 24 2021 Author

This isn't your "Breakfast In America" Supertramp! This is your prog rock, big sound Supertramp. Still theatrical and fun, but it takes a slightly more nuanced sound here. Admittedly not familiar with their older stuff, but happy to have listened to it. Songwriting is the real standout. Check out "Bloody Well Right"

Jan 20 2021 Author

Massively enjoyable album. I felt a lot of emotion throughout. I don’t know for sure what story the album was telling, but it was well told that’s for sure.

Nov 11 2020 Author

really good

Mar 25 2021 Author

Great tunes.

Dec 18 2020 Author

Surprisingly nice!

Sep 02 2025 Author

It was pretty decent. Not something I’d search back out though

Jan 16 2024 Author

Space Cowboy furniture music (7.67/10)

Jul 13 2023 Author

Pink Floyd x Elton John

Feb 07 2022 Author

p325. 1974. 2 stars Straight up I have to say I have always hated Roger Hodgson's voice. Every time he opens his mouth I just want to punch him to make him shut it. It's like chalk being drawn down a board. I also don't like electric piano, which is a major part of the band sound. And somehow the cheesy sax makes things 10 times worse. So, this album starts at a major disadvantage. Shame really as musically its OK, tight clean production, but suffers badly from prog-rock wank solo pretentions. And as usual with mid 70s albums, a lot of the songs outstay their welcome. Well done of its kind, and some good tunes, but that voice and tinkly piano... ffs. 2 stars.

May 20 2024 Author

This album should be up for crime of the century. Dreadful.

May 12 2024 Author

Apr 06 2024 Author

The crime of the century is making me listen to this nonsense. I'm issuing a restraining order to the members of Supertramp to remain at a distance of no less than 500 m from any and all musical instruments. Especially saxophones. 📑

Nov 27 2025 Author

Amazing sound of the seventies

Nov 27 2025 Author

This was fantastic. Beautiful guitar sounds, drummer was superb. Really reminded of king crimson, a bit of yes, even some Zappa esq moments. Long musical interludes and some great lyrics

Nov 18 2025 Author

I already know that I adore this album.

Nov 15 2025 Author

Haters in shambles, they stay pickin' the corn outta my shit Will I listen to again: 100%

Nov 14 2025 Author

c;assic. Excelent. Still relevant today!

Nov 13 2025 Author

The actual crime of the century is not having more Supertramp on this list.

Nov 12 2025 Author

Supertramp's third album finds the band hitting their stride, delivering a confidently-executed rock record that contains exceptional songs which incorporate progressive elements while keeping the pop hooks ever-present. Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson's songs are sophisticated and smartly-constructed - even when there are long instrumental passages, they serve the songs well. Their lyrics are vivid, relatable and pack an emotional punch. In addition, the crisp production on this record is a perfect match for the songs and sounds fresh even today.

Nov 11 2025 Author

Awesome prog rock. Loved it when it came out, still enjoy it in this day.

Nov 11 2025 Author

En esto vas y a punto de tirar la toalla dices, venga, un último intento, y lo das todo. Es esas estaban Supertramp cuando acabaron editando este álbum. Lo siguiente ya esas historia del rock. Este es uno de esos discos perfectos de principio a fin. Una apertura mítica con armónica (cosa nunca vista antes) con “School” y un cierre épico con “Crime Of The Century”. Y por el medio, enormes joyas. Es que este disco es una puta barbaridad.

Nov 11 2025 Author

School, Bloody well right, Dreamer und Crime of the century extrem gut. Schlechte Lieder nicht vorhanden. Prog Elemente, aber dennoch eingängig. Album ist ja ein Klassiker.

Nov 10 2025 Author

Love Supertramp

Nov 10 2025 Author

I’d only heard about half of these songs before. I’ve missed out! This is great all the way through and may become one of my favorite prog rock albums.

Nov 09 2025 Author

At times this record has been derided as lightweight Floyd, or in some other way derivative. I would only say, just listen to it.

Nov 04 2025 Author

Fabulous album.

Oct 31 2025 Author

What a delightful album! All the layers on this record add a very impressive atmosphere, so interesting and deep. It is mostly like a cinematographic experience. This album is so immersive, perfectly developed, with so much care and subtlety. I've loved listening to it, it is such an extraordinary, immersive, fragile, deep and pleasurable experience. I have no words for how great this album is. I mean, it is fantastic, a ten out of ten, there is nothing bad here, everything feels so cohesive and magnificent. I love this album. It is one of the best albums I have ever listened to. And it is such a pleasure to have discovered it today.

Oct 30 2025 Author

Musically and lyrically powerful. Has the melancholy and energy of Pink Floyd, but in a more orchestral arrangement.

Oct 28 2025 Author

Masterpiece

Oct 28 2025 Author

Very fun bluesy start to the album with the harmonica in "School" and the beat of "Bloody Well Right". This thread ended up continuing through the whole album, I really enjoyed the piano heavy instrumentation. Forgot how hard Dreamer bangs. I was very surprised overall, I was expecting some pretty generic classic rock which can be hard to be actively listening to for a whole album. I had no problems staying engaged.