Music Review: Supertramp, Crime Of The Century (Reissue)

By Tyler Hodg

It’s been 40 years since Supertramp released their globally successful album Crime of the Century, and to commemorate its anniversary, the band released a new vinyl box set featuring the remastered album, a 7,500 word essay, rare photos, and an audio version of one of their 1975 concerts. If you have a feeling the album will hold up after four decades, you’d be “bloody well right.”

It would be shocking to meet someone who hasn’t heard of Supertramp, but if you find that person, Crime of the Century would be the album to show them. Not only does it include the massively recognizable hits “Dreamer” and “Bloody Well Right,” it also features some of the best B-sides an album could have. “Asylum” takes you on a journey from a madman’s point of view, while “If Everyone Was Listening” sends a powerful message to your brain (and a chill down your spine).

Songs aside, what makes Crime of the Century a truly remarkable album is its sound. It’s raw and imperfect, without sounding like a demo. It’s gentle and smooth, without losing its intensity and power. Supertramp was able to create studio magic, the kind that makes you scratch your head, wondering how they were able to create something so good. This album sounded incredible 40 years ago; the remastered version not only enhances its greatness, but also preserves the unique qualities that made this album special in the first place.

Unfortunately, newer generations of fans won’t get to see Supertramp in their heyday. Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson—the main writers of the band—now tour separately, and the band that was once on top of the world is long gone. Although the current iteration of Supertramp is a disappointment, the band featured on the included concert was arguably the best line-up they’ve ever had. Recorded live in 1975 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, the band showcased songs off of Crime of the Century, as well as their then upcoming album Crisis. . . What Crisis? Crime of the Century was played in its entirety at the concert, but not in sequence, which is one of the only complaints coming out about the box set.

Along with remastered audio and live concert tracks, this box set includes an added bonus of two 8×10 photos, and a 7,500 word essay about the album written by Phil Alexander of Mojo magazine. The essay features candid interviews with band members and reveals events that occurred during the making of the record. It serves as an interesting read and adds a new perspective on the already alluring album.

Four decades later: is Supertramp’s Crime of the Century still relevant? Yes. Musically and thematically, the album holds its own against almost everything that has since been released. From top to bottom, this box set is a real treat, and it’s hard to ignore Crime of the Century’s status as one of the greatest albums ever made.

Crime Of The Century was reissued by A&M/Universal Music on December 9.