Search - Supertramp :: The Very Best Of Supertramp

Go with a compilation or not...

D_Strasse | Charlotte, NC | 05/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let me start with the basics.



Is this a phenomenal record? Yes.

Are the major hits here? Yes.

Will you like this album? If you have heard any of the major Supertramp hits on the radio, and have liked them, then almost surely you will love this CD.



Can you get away with this being your only Supertramp album? Well, that's the rub.



I always approach a greatest hits package like this the same way. Are an artist's/band's best songs scattered across many records that contain a lot of filler or is there clearly a record or two that encompasses the most vital aspects of the band/artist.



I want the best songs, regardless of whether I've heard them on the radio. I want to understand the "essence" of an artist. for older bands, ones that might have been before my time, ones where I am kinda "going in blind", the collection or individual records question is the one I need the most help with.





So to wit, should someone buy this record or go with a couple of individual Supertramp records? After spending time with this CD and having some background with Breakfast in America in my youth, IMHO, I think the better choice with Supertramp is to go the individual records route.



I say that for two reasons, after spending some time with this CD I noted that the songs I remember and enjoy the most basically came from two records, Breakfast in America and Crime of the Century. The other songs *generally* comprise single selections from their other records. Additionally, I remember really liking Breakfast in America front to back when I was younger.



So in this case, I would recommend starting with Breakfast in America as a starter and then moving on to Crime of the Century. And then possibly deeper into their discography depending on your newfound affinity for the band. If I had to do it again, I would have gone this route.



Enjoy."