Crime Of The Century

Possibly the most 70s sounding album of all time

Prog for people who think Billy Joel “rocks”.

Fucking great. Fuck everyone else's opinion.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

It was ok. Kind of boring and dragged.

Yeah that was an album that happened

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.

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.

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”

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.

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

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!

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?

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!

Knew a few songs not impressed

Frequently rocked and was often strange. Excellent beginning to end

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”

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

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.

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.

Supertramp is always a good choice

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.

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.

The Good: We are going to witness a crime! Of the century no less! The Bad: We’ve been duped, as there is no crime to be found… The Ugly: My supertramp outfit… I mean, it’s bad… Back in my college days I befriended someone who, I found out later, had this knack for creating mixed tapes for friends. The opening track of this album was the first track on Side 2 of the mixed tape made for me. Somewhere in my disasterous belongings, there is a cassette case that should include this mixed tape… my only worry is that I will find it, because that will mean I must go shopping for a cassette player so that I can listen to this tape and reminisce about those good old days… The fact that this album is on this list makes me more than happy, though I was confused when I saw it as my immediate thought was “where’s Breakfast In America”?… which, to my horror, is NOT included on the 1001 list of albums I need to listen to. Needless to say I continue to question the rational for an album to be included in the list… Oddly enough, getting the album presented on my list meant it was the first time for me to listen to it… and what a joyful listen it has been. So joyful that I’ve listened to it daily for the past week, twice a day if the presented album turns out to be a turd… Hurray Supertramp, you get 5*

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Enjoyable, slow music, life

Really good stuff. Rips all the way through.

Absolutely a banger 5/5

Excellent concept album.

Geweldig album

So nice, I listened twice 🤘

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

5/5. Favorite album so far overwhelmingly

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

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

Dope bass lines.

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

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.

Hits the spot

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.

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

An all time fave!

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

"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

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

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.

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

Banger

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

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.

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!!

Very good album. From Now On is a banger!

supertramp lives immortal in my head

Something about Supertramp has always clicked with me. I find them very easy to enjoy. You can throw them on the background and catch yourself tapping your toes or you can lock in and just appreciate the technical abilities and quality vocals from two completely different singers. Their best album comes five years later but Crime of the Century is still strong.

Now here is a band I’m not familiar with. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Really nice musicianship and melodies.

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.

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

Supertramp

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"

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.

really good

Great tunes.

Surprisingly nice!

Enjoyable album. Nice listen. Nothing crazy or revolutionary for me but still a decent album nonetheless. Standouts for me were School and Dreamer. Overall decent album.

i kinda want to give this album a 0 for making me mildly like soft rock. but it was decent! i didn't hate it or turn it off and for that it gets 3 stars.

idk pretty average, some progy stuff and also some more glam rock stuff. Not too much else to say, some interesting and funny lyrics. I feel like it’s definitely of a time, but seven. Favourite songs: idk Overall around 5/10

Cheery thoughtful synthy

Pleasant

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

Space Cowboy furniture music (7.67/10)

This album represents the perfect combination of the most annoying aspects of prog rock and 70s pop

Pink Floyd x Elton John

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.

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

No

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. 📑

Probably the best boomer music I’ve ever heard, if I’m honest. Instrumentation is a proper 10/10. It doesn’t have the gravitas (or for that matter, angst) of Dark Side in my opinion, but the level of pizazz here is just stupendous. I’ve never heard a single track on this album before, but I’ll definitely do a cover to cover again in the future.

This album is a goated album in my book. Nostalgic factor, but I find the songwriting to be so catchy. Big fan

I’m at a 10. I mean, it’s just because “Crime of the Century” feels like a perfect closing track for the whole thing. The entire album’s crusade against authority with Rudy leading the way, only to realize that he was alone in that crusade the whole time, with everyone else upholding the status quo in their own ways… it’s really well done, and “Crime of the Century” as a sort of dour closing instrumental with a lot of weight behind it, built up brilliantly over the course of the album, makes its somber little sax solos & percussive drops feel like punches to the gut, in a good way. I’ve only ever really known Supertramp as the “Goodbye Stranger” band, and I was fully expecting to see “Breakfast in America” on the list, given the acclaim it has. I’m very glad the book’s editors picked this one (although “Breakfast in America” could’ve probably still been in, I dunno), as it’s a really strong showcase of some Pink Floyd-esque prog rock. It’s not as conceptually tight as “Dark Side of the Moon” is, given the loose tissue connecting these tracks & a minimal amount of transitions, but it more than makes up for it with some clever writing & allegories. “Bloody Well Right” feels prescient as hell in a world of incompetent nepo babies & evil billionaires, and the monologue that starts “Crime of the Century” feels especially apt given some recent revelations about online astroturfing in a certain set of files. The strength of the writing just really makes each track that much better to me. It also helps that these are fantastic instrumentals. Sure, there’s not a crazy sick / iconic guitar solo I can point to here (though there are some really good piano / sax solos), but this album knows when to lift up instrumentals & drop them perfectly, in a way where the pacing of each track feels more thought out & intentional at points. Getting that push/pull right in a way that gives the listener some heavy dopamine is something a lot of ‘70s albums have struggled with, and thankfully, it’s something that most prog bands seem to get right. In this case, with Supertramp, it’s honestly comparable to Yes’s “Close to the Edge”, though on a smaller & less bombastically technical scale. Ironically, this album is longer than “Close to the Edge”, but that’s just a testament to how good Yes is. Of course, I’ve probably overanalyzed this album in my own way, as it never takes itself THAT seriously while listening, which is honestly another point toward the album. “Dark Side” isn’t pretentious or anything, not by a long shot, but that feeling of “art rock” never fully shakes itself, especially with the reputation it has. This is just really fun prog rock with loosely serious theming behind it, but relatively lighthearted tones throughout. When it wants to feel deeper, it knows how to reach that point musically; it never stays in it for too long to feel obnoxious, and it always lifts back up to touch the soul in just the right way. Ultimately, I think it’s an album that knows what it wants to say & says it very well. I’m more inclined to enjoy things that feel definitive & answered, and perhaps that’s part of the reason while I feel more inclined to give this a 10 as opposed to Dark Side getting a “something above a 5”. Dark Side has a million different interpretations within its framework of a life well lived, but this album seems to have a pretty clear one: overreaching authority sucks, try to fight it the best you can, and even if you feel like you can’t truly win against it, someday, if everyone is listening & trying to fight it, maybe there’s hope to get it done in the future. Past that, it’s just a really fun 44 minutes, and I can’t say there’s a bad track here. The floor is a 3 if you just don’t like prog to begin with, but for me, it feels like a deserved 10. It just clicked with me really, really well. Thank goodness it’s on the list.

Бесконечно люблю супертрамп, познакомилась с ним при просмотре фильма круелла. Очень нравится все музыкальные приемы, сочетание звуков, музыки и вокала. Однозначные 5 из 5. Этот альбом стал моим лучшим утром

Dang ok this album rocks love nearly all the songs. Some of them are ungodly long but many of them are worth it.

I knew many of these songs but never realized they were on the same album. The song Crime of the Century is a completely underrated gem.

Great album, School and Dreamer are my favourites. Need a new copy though, my LP has to much noise.

Prachtig, top album, zeker een must listen

Not so guilty, guilty pleasures!