Supertramp came into their own on their third album, 1974's
Crime of the Century, as their lineup gelled but, more importantly, so did their sound. The group still betrayed a heavy
Pink Floyd influence, particularly in its expansive
art rock arrangements graced by saxophones, but
Supertramp isn't nearly as spooky as
Floyd -- they're snarky collegiate elitists, an
art rock variation on
Steely Dan or perhaps a less difficult
10cc, filled with cutting jokes and allusions, best heard on
"Bloody Well Right." This streak would later flourish on
Breakfast in America, but it's present enough to give them their own character. Also present is a slight sentimental streak and a heavy fondness for
pop, heard on
"Dreamer," a soaring piece of art
pop that became their first big hit. That and
"Bloody Well Right" are the concise
pop moments on the record; the rest of
Crime of the Century is atmospheric like
Dark Side of the Moon, but with a lighter feel and a
Beatles bent. At times the album floats off into its own world, with an effect more tedious than hypnotic, but it's still a huge leap forward for the group and their most consistent album outside of that 1979 masterwork,
Breakfast in America. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
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