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Crime of the Century 1974
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Crime of the Century

When Supertramp set out to record Crime of the Century in 1974, the band was at a crucial moment. After two albums that didn't quite take off, the pressure was high, but the addition of musicians like drummer Bob Siebenberg (then credited as Bob C. Benberg), saxophonist John Helliwell, and bassist Dougie Thomson, along with the production of Ken Scott, marked a turning point. They gathered at a 17th-century farm in Dorset to shape this album, which was recorded between February and June 1974 in studios like Trident and Ramport. What's interesting is that, out of the 42 demos created by Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson, only eight made the final cut, demonstrating a very careful selection.

Year
1974
Songs
8
Duration
44 min 22 seg
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About the album

Crime of the Century, according to DoReSol

This album represented the major commercial breakthrough for Supertramp in several countries. In the UK, Canada, and Germany, Crime of the Century reached the top five, and it was also well-received in Australia and France. It was the band's first album to appear on the US charts, reaching number 38 on the Billboard 200. Songs like "Dreamer" were a hit, reaching number 13 in the UK, while in the United States, the B-side, "Bloody Well Right", captured more public attention, charting at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another popular track, especially on album-oriented rock radio, was "School". The album's overall sound, a fusion of art rock and progressive rock with pop touches, was characterized by expansive arrangements and the use of instruments like the saxophone, creating an atmosphere that, while reminiscent of Pink Floyd in its scope, had its own identity, more direct and with a touch of humor, something that would be even more noticeable in later works.

The album's dedication, "To Sam," was a nod to Stanley August Miesegaes, a Dutch millionaire who financially supported the band between 1969 and 1972. The album became a benchmark, earning Gold certification in the US in 1977 and Platinum in Canada for sales of one million copies. The collaboration between Davies and Hodgson was fundamental, despite their personal differences, which, according to Ken Scott, enriched the music. Tracks like "Asylum", "Rudy", and "Bloody Well Right" were written by Davies, while "If Everyone Was Listening" and "Hide in Your Shell" are the work of Hodgson. "Dreamer", "School", and "Crime of the Century" itself are collaborations by both. Hodgson shared that "Hide in Your Shell" stemmed from a feeling of loneliness and confusion at age 23, while "Dreamer" was composed by him on a Wurlitzer piano at 19, and the band's final version was built upon a demo he had recorded himself.

Discography

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