Supertramp Breakfast In America CD

Replaces #3708 A&M

Supertramp: Roger Hodgson (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Rick Davies (vocals, keyboards); John A. Helliwell (woodwinds); Dougie Thomson (bass); Bob C. Benberg (drums).
Additional personnel: "Slide" Hyde (trombone, tuba); Gary Mielke (programming).
Producers: Supertramp, Peter Henderson.
Reissue producers: Beth Stempel, Bill Levenson.
Recorded at the Village Recorders, Los Angeles, California.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Supertramp: Roger Hodgson (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Rick Davies (vocals, keyboards); John A. Helliwell (woodwinds); Dougie Thomson (bass); Bob C. Benberg (drums).
Additional personnel: "Slide" Hyde (trombone, tuba); Gary Mielke (synthesizer programming).
Recorded at the Village Recorder, Los Angeles, California.
With Breakfast in America, Supertramp had a genuine blockbuster hit, topping the charts for four weeks in the U.S. and selling millions of copies worldwide; by the 1990s, the album had sold over 18 million units across the world. Although their previous records had some popular success, they never even hinted at the massive sales of Breakfast in America. Then again, Supertramp's earlier records weren't as pop-oriented as Breakfast. The majority of the album consisted of tightly written, catchy, well-constructed pop songs, like the hits "The Logical Song," "Take the Long Way Home," and "Goodbye Stranger." Supertramp still had a tendency to indulge themselves occasionally, but Breakfast in America had very few weak moments. It was clearly their high-water mark. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Often forgotten, and when finally remembered it is usually for the often tedious, but huge-selling Crime Of The Century. This record cuts away the pomp and keeps it comparatively simple with some memorable pop songs and lyrics, for example, in the title track a simple statement, 'take a look at my girlfriend, she's the only one I've got', or the ridiculously simple rhymes in 'The Logical Song', and the painful truth of 'Goodbye Stranger' and 'Take The Long Way Home', which are further irritatingly catchy songs. Sadly Supertramp were not able to build on this excellent collection although they still have a loyal following.

CMJ (1/5/04, p.6) - Ranked #19 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1979".