athompsen's album of the day 12/15

[athompsen]

Hello everyone! Today's pick is:

Supertramp- "Breakfast In America"
released in 1979

This is the first album by Supertramp that I bought and probably my favorite. I always listen to this album when I'm feeling nostalgic. The group has a couple of superb vocalists in Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson. Their voices are very distinct because one is almost a falsetto, where the other is a clear tenor. I prefer the latter, but the other is of high quality too. The other nice thing was the instrumental arrangements. Almost every song features both piano and electronic keyboards together, and the saxophone and clarinet solos provide a refreshing alternative to the usual guitar solos. Supertramp didn't really break any new ground musically, but they did have a characteristic sound that still holds up pretty well IMO.


Many songs on this album--the title cut,"Breakfast In America", "The Logical Song", "Goodbye Stranger" and "Take the Long Way Home" are staples on many classic rock stations. The rest of the songs are fairly forgettable, although I’ve always liked the break-up song “Casual Conversations”.

Also one of the best album covers of the 70's.

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Good review!

I picked this up used on vinyl because the A&M collection had that CRAPPY single edit of Goodbye Stranger. Why edit it-it's not that long of a song!

Anyway, I know they have a newer Greatest, but I don't know if it's the album version or not. I stayed away from it anyway because I want a GH with Even in the Quietest Moments on it!

A really good album!

[lora]

Nice review. I'm not familiar with Supertramp, but you described the songs pretty well for me! Pretty nifty album cover too.

[beatles4ever]

Great review!I love this fabulous album and wish I had a dollar for every time I have listened to it.My twin sister thinks the "The Logical Song" is almost too realistic to be amusing.

[Dawn]

Very good review, Andrea!

A classic album, and one I hope to get soon on CD. There are quite a few really good songs on it, but my favorites are 'Breakfast in America', 'Take the Long Way Home', and 'The Logical Song'.

I have that A&M greatest hits collection that Adam mentioned - it's okay, but could have been more complete.

[Ken]

Great review Andrea:)

I have all the hits on various mix tapes . I remember going with a buddy when we were in Grade 7 and him buying a copy of the album. My local classic rock station is one of many that love to play them.

[Laura--I wuv u all :)]

Ooo! I love this one! "The Logical Song" is the best! I used to play that song on the piano allllllllll the time (after having taught myself to play it by ear). And I still love listening to it! Also, I had one of those little Mattel football games that they use in the song, so that got my attention when I first heard it!

"Just Another Nervous Wreck" is another great song (you may remember that the title was part of my screen name for a while on this board). I love where the tempo picks up and they go "yeah we're ready, yeah we're ready, yeah we're ready now..."

"Goodbye Stranger"--eh. It's kinda a catchy tune, but it's my least favorite song on the CD.