Supertramp?s 11th Studio Album, their First New Material in Five Years. Joining Founder Rick Davies (Vocals and Keyboards) Are Veteran Supertramp Members John Helliwell (Saxophones) and Bob Siebenberg (Drums), Mark Hart (V... more »ocals, Keyboards and Guitars), Cliff Hugo (Bass), Bob?s Son, Jesse (Percussion), Lee Thornburg (Trumpet) and Carl Verheyen (Guitars), the Same Band Known to Fans from 1997?s 'some Things Never Change'.« less
Supertramp?s 11th Studio Album, their First New Material in Five Years. Joining Founder Rick Davies (Vocals and Keyboards) Are Veteran Supertramp Members John Helliwell (Saxophones) and Bob Siebenberg (Drums), Mark Hart (Vocals, Keyboards and Guitars), Cliff Hugo (Bass), Bob?s Son, Jesse (Percussion), Lee Thornburg (Trumpet) and Carl Verheyen (Guitars), the Same Band Known to Fans from 1997?s 'some Things Never Change'.
Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 07/08/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Let's stop comparing Supertramp Mark 2 to Mark 3. This edition of Supertramp has recorded a fine collection of music that has a bluesy edge that was only hinted at on previous recordings. The shift to a bluesier sound actually works. Sure, there's the trademark Supertramp sound but that's missing the point. Every Supertramp album sounded a little bit different from the one before. The template that Davies (and Roger Hodgson for that matter) always used for Supertramp was the Beatles. None of The Beatles albums sounded quite the same. Is Slow Motion a success? Partially, yes particularly on the numbers that don't look to the past. The closing track Dead Man's Blues manages to recall the extended prog rock closers by the band in both its length and the solos. Beyond that, though, this track (which is stunning and the best piece on the album)along with most of the record really doesn't have much to do with the band that recorded Breakfast in America. Slow Motion is an elaboration on the style and sound of Crime of the Century.I have to give Rick Davies and his band mates credit for trying something daring and new. Yes, there are times it does recall previous attempts to go down the same road (Some Things Never Change, Famous Last Words or parts of Free As A Bird), but Slow Motion is at its most successful when it abandons the very things that made Supertramp successful in the past."
A pleasure !
Musikliebhaber | Celle | 05/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I cannot understand some of the lousy reviews about this album! But I think it's typical for customer who espect Supertramp as it was in the seventies. For the last 20 years this band has changed its style. Nevertheless they do not lose the typical Supertramp-elements (wurlitzer; sax; distinctive voice). Sometimes I also miss the good old days of Supertramp but I accept that Rick Davies prefers R&B. Today the music of Supertramp therefore is R&B and jazzy. If you like this kind of music you will love this CD. If you don't like R&B/Jazz you will probably hate it. For me this album is simply perfect and one of the best Supertramp-albums at all. Favourite tracks are "Little By Little" (an earwig with a nice melody) and "Tenth Avenue Breakdown" (dramatic and varied). Try this CD and listen to it carefully at least three times. I predict you will love it the more you listen to it !"
Give Them a Break
Jorge | Peru | 08/23/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The seventies are gone, and so is Roger Hudgson. How demanding can we be with present-day Supertramp? This album is certainly no Fool's Oberture, nor it compares to anything on Crime Of The Century, but I think it stands on itself. The musicianship is solid, some compositions are a little weak, but the overall result is satisfying. Not a 5 star album, but not pure garbage either. All Supertramp fans would kill for a Davies-Hudgson reunion, but until that happens, let's enjoy their later output without comparing too hard to their glory days."
New Tramp? Maybe... but the old sound is still there.
Roberto | Barcelona | 04/30/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There's a time in your life when you can understand lyrics like "Because we need to draw the line, because we need to make the time, because we need to sip the wine...", for what they really mean. Supertramps' new (?) sound is basically an understanding of the human condition. Life goes on, they're getting older and the world is rushing around them, and still have the heart (and guts!) to put out an inteligent, musical record, inviting us to slow down and think/ feel a little.
And to listen to "Slow Motion", you have to pay attention because it's not as ear-friendly as "Breakfast..." or as powerful as "Crime.." Even when "Crime" was released,Supertramp were intelligent musically, and while we miss Roger Hodgson, this new material deserves being listened to because it has style and shows that Rick still has the Supertramp feel. Don't give up on Supertramp, this record really sounds good, but you have to listen a couple of times to let it grow on you.Fave tracks:
"Slow Motion" - Old poppy Tramp, with that characteristic Fender Rhodes plinky-plonk sound. Haunting sax solo.
"Over You" - Melancholic 50's type sound. Great horns!
"Tenth Avenue Breakdown" - One of those 7 minute Supertramp anthems.Overall, definitely worth having if you enjoy intelligent music and like the Supertramp sound. It's in there if you listen carefully..."
Some things never change...
Tim Byers | Indianapolis, IN USA | 04/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album continues in the direction begun with the 1997 "Some Things Never Change". This is the bluesy version of Supertramp, with echoes of the old (electric pianos, castanets, harmonica, sax) and groove of the new (horns and Mark Hart). Particulary good are "Slow Motion" and "Tenth Avenue Breakdown". Rick Davies' vocals are strong, the instrumental interplay superb, and the production excellent. Nevertheless, if you're looking for Roger Hodgson's pop, you might be disappointed. I'm not, because I like Supertramp, whether old or new."