Supertramp - Breakfast in America [Deluxe Edition]
by Dan MacIntosh
.
Supertramp's Breakfast in America sounds so much different to adult ears, than it did to high school ears back when it first came out. Although the music was relatively light, at least compared to the hard rock music this album played alongside on AOR radio at the time, the subject matter was nevertheless extremely mature.
It was naivet�, for instance, that never picked up the fact of how "Goodbye Stranger" was all about rock & roll groupies. Additionally, it was this same innocence that sang along with "Take the Long Way Home" without realizing this character was having an illicit affair. Lastly, who in that high school peer group even knew Supertramp was making fun of ugly Americans in "Breakfast in America"?
In retrospect, it was miraculous Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies' glorified cabaret music even found airtime along with the Bostons and Journeys of the day. There was more clarinet on Breakfast in America than on just about any other album at the time!
This deluxe edition of the album has a full second CD in the set, which includes many of the album's big hits done live. This album would be just as much a fish out of water today, as it was back in 1979, but good music is good music. And this music is just plain good.
The key cut on the original album is "The Logical Song". That lyric still stands up today. As worldly wise as Supertramp came off with other tracks on album, this work that fights against the loss of innocence ought to speak to everyone. The modern world is constantly pushing us to grow up, think logically and throw away childish things. Yet in that process, we are pressed to un-learn how to dream. In such a world, where is fantasy? Is there even a place for silliness? Listen to this song again, and never stop dreaming.
Extra cuts, like "Downstream", sound especially fine to these ears today. Just take in how lightly Rick Davies tickles the ivories on it. Supertramp created a lot of classic pop music, and surprisingly, became rock stars in the process. Breakfast in America found these unlikely rock stars at their best.
Info and Links
Supertramp - Breakfast in America [Deluxe Edition]
Rating:
Preview and Purchase This CD Online
Visit the official homepage
More articles for this artist
.
