Crisis? What Crisis? - SUPERTRAMP*****

Easy Does It/Sister Moonshine/Ain't Nobody But Me/A Soapbox Opera/Another Man's Woman/Lady/Poor Boy/ Just A Normal Day/The Meaning/Two Of Us

The British progressive group Supertramp continued their musical renaissance with the release of Crisis? What Crisis? At a time when many established groups began to falter they went from strength to strength. (US:44 UK:20)

“A perfect balance between the more progressive early albums and the poppier later albums and it includes some of their best songs.”

“I think it's to the credit of Supertramp that they didn't aim at doing another heavy-weighing concept piece and instead tried to loosen up a bit. Focussing on a less cohesive collection of songs that clearly show the origins in which their two different writers were rooted. Many of the songs have a distinctive fun approach meant to entertain the listener. Instead of digging into the deep, though there were ethereal tracks and ballads about the meaning of life as well.”

“This is classic Supertramp, often overlooked because of the greater commercial success of their earlier Crime record, and then their subsequent blockbusters. Crisis? What Crisis? is an important and transitional album, where we can hear the genesis of future Supertramp hits.”

“What it proved was that Crime Of The Century was no one-off fluke and that Supertramp had an element of staying power. While many of the prog giants of previous years either stumbled or went into hibernation, Supertramp were well placed to take advantage and establish themselves on the world stage.”

“This is the most musically dense of the Supertramp releases. The complexity of the arrangements and production give the band more muscle than is evidenced elsewhere. There is also a greater emphasis placed on guitar work. Some of their finest and more fully realised compositions are present as well.”

“This is a great assortment of catchy pop tunes, jazzy piano and guitar riffs, and original melodies sure to please. It takes some time to grow on you, but it's definitely worth it.”