Supertramp “Crime of the Century” released on this date, September 13th, 1974. I’m not a big Supertramp fan – this is a fairly recent acquisition – but lately the more proggy, AOR music from the 70′s has been appealing to me. I vaguely remember tracks from this record from early childhood playing on the AM stations but the most distinct thing I remember about Supertramp was a childhood friend telling me she was on the same airplane with the band and that they were really nice. (She had absolutely no idea who they were until they introduced themselves.)

Crime of the Century marked Supertramp’s breakthrough in the US; their first two albums didn’t do well and the band actually broke up and then reformed with new members before recording their third album. Crime of the Century charted at #38 in the US and #4 in the UK and eventually made it onto a few of best-of-the-70′s lists. The single “Dreamer” off of Crime of the Century was the band’s first big hit, making it to #13 in the UK and the live version hit #15 in the US a bit later. Its B-side, “Bloody Well Right” became the bigger success in the US, hitting #35 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Allmusic says “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.”