The series kicks off with Crime of the Century and Crisis? What Crisis?
Supertramp is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of album reissues. The band’s first two albums — Crime of the Century and Crisis? What Crisis? — kick off the campaign on August 29th via UMe. Both albums have been half-speed mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell with oversight from the band and co-producer Ken Scott.
Originally released on October 25, 1974, Crime Of The Century was Supertramp’s era-defining third album that catapulted them to global success, breaking them into the UK top five and U.S. Billboard top 40 for the first time. Crisis? What Crisis? followed 13 months later on November 28, 1975, after guitarist Roger Hodgson broke his hand while on tour, forcing the run to end.
Crisis? What Crisis? is regarded by many as the record that bridges their sound from their earlier prog records to their more commercially successful period and is a significant and vital part of the band’s musical journey. Nestled in between the behemoths Crime Of The Century and Even The Quietest Moments, it was clear by the mid 80’s this album was an integral part of their creative development.
More than 50 years since the release of these records, it is impossible to ignore the influence and impact of the band. Crime Of The Century was seen and celebrated as a cornerstone of prog rock as early as 1978 and was regarded as one of the all time great records, ranking at 108 in The World Critic Lists (which recognized the 200 greatest albums of all time by notable rock critics and DJs) and the praise continued and appeared in multiple “Greatest Albums Of All Time” lists by rock music authorities. Globally, both records have sold millions and been certified diamond, platinum, and gold in multiple countries, but arguably the biggest triumph of this period of the band’s career is their influence and impact on rock music.
