This eighth studio album from British legends Supertramp arrived in 1985 and was their first without the original member Roger Hodgson. His departure didn’t stop fans from enjoying these six songs, which are half-speed remastered at Abbey Road Studios and on a 180 gram heavyweight slab of black vinyl for this reissue.
“Cannonball,” which hit the Top 30, starts with Rick Davies’ bright keys and unmistakable voice, as Bob Siebenberg’s frisky drums and a trombone cameo from Doug Wintz complement the grooves and ’80s pop-rock fun.
“Still In Love” follows with John Helliwell’s rich saxophone presence before the sturdy rhythm section enters the retro-mood, and “No Inbetween” takes that lead into more artistic avenues for this piano-fueled moment that uses tension strategically.
Side A finishes with “Better Days,” which carries a more ominous spirit buried under sonically engaging prog-rock that allows for Dougie Thomson’s bass and Scott Page’s flute to shine.
The back half is just two songs, though “Brother Where You Bound” is 16-plus minutes. This busy tune finds David Gilmour’s guitar, Scott Gorham’s rhythm guitar, Page’s flute and Marty Walsh’s guitar all present alongside soundbites, jazz ideas and plenty of solos for the cinematic delivery.
“Every Open Door” exits, a sparse, piano ballad that’s heartfelt and powerful in its bare execution.
Davies handles songwriting and singing duties on his own here, exceptionally, and the record reached number 21 on the Billboard 200. The abundance of guest musicians enhances the appeal, and the band’s pop influences mix well with their signature progressive template.
This version lands in the third batch of vinyl reissues from Supertramp’s impressive catalog, and the enhanced sound quality is sure to satisfy both longtime fans and first time listeners.
