Breakfast In America [Remastered] - Supertramp > Reviews > Breakfast in America (Re-Mastered )

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	a faultless pop album
Disadvantages:	peoples perception of Supertramp

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Somewhere between the angry chaos of punk and the short lived glamour of disco the public in 1979 found time for Supertramp and their irresistable blend of adult themed rock with an emphasis on intelligent pop ,the bands sixth studio album finally delivered what the band had been promising for most of the seventies,with "Breakfast in America "they managed to hone their individual sensibilities to a near perfect blend ,ripe for American radio and Top of the Pops and shaking off their reputation for over indulgent pomp in the process,their previous two hits "Give a little Bit" and "Dreamer" hinted an intelligent humorous pop group in the vein of ,say, 10cc ,but real mainstream success had aluded them up to this point .

The albums introduction "Gone Hollywood"was classic Supertramp ,mediocre by the standard of things to come but it did hint at the records American ambitions ,however the lead in single and perennial favourite "The Logical Song" blew away the dust of a decades underachievement and annonced to the world their new pop ambitions ,even now its hard not to relate to a line or two from its perfect pop presentation,to shift the mood of reflective musing the next track "Goodbye Stranger "is an almost country flavoured sing along containing the albums core sound of piano led rhythm and snappy tunes ,again revealing the records obvious appeal to a receptive American market .

The title track and its opening line of "Dont you look at my Girlfriend ,she,s the only one i got "is an undeniable pop classic and gave Supertramp two huge hits in a row for the only time in their career as the record gained commercial momemtum in the
summer of 79 ,the track oozed wit and humour aided by its oompah oompah like tempo and hints of ragtime jazz ,though not to lose sight of the fact that this was above all things an "adult "record "Breakfast "moves along lifting then subduing the mood accordingly ,maintaining an overall feeling of optimism
even on the albums most reflective song "Casual Conversations "a melodic confesional on an expired relationship
which would have done Bacharach or McCartney justice at any point in their careers .

The live favourite in the making "Take the Long way Home"continues to supply an almost uninterrupted sequence of fantastic, joyous , pop music without losing sight of its rock credentials even finding space for the "spiritual" "Lord is it Mine " ,a slightly uncomfortable stab at the meaning of life along the lines of "Let it Be" or "Bridge over Troubled Waters "saved once again by a faultless melody and well meant intentions ,ironically the record ends with a nod to the prog rock tendencies of old on the
excilerating but over long "Child of Vision "a racing piano driven rock epic made for driving down one of Americas many highways ,a soundtrack and homage to the country that inspired this glorious excessive record.

Breakfast in America,s secret to its eternal popularity is that it was never fashionable ,even in 1979 and was never subject to one of those music mag overhauls to re invent it as an iconic masterpiece ,you dont need to be told that this record is good ,you just need to buy it ,listen to it ,and keep it well hidden from any trendy friends who would be to cool to borrow it but desperate enough to steal it .