Customer Reviews

Indelibly Stamped

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Like their 1970 self-titled debut, Supertramp's second album, 1971's "Indelibly Stamped," was critically-acclaimed but didn't exactly set the cash registers ablaze. Still, the band continued to evolve, as they stepped away from the psychedelic rock of the first album and honed their trademark jazz/pop/rock hybrid sound that would eventually sell millions, starting with "Crime Of The Century." "Indelibly Stamped" is a marvelous Supertramp album, and a definite sign of things to come. For the second 'Tramp album, singer/guitarist Roger Hodgson and keyboardist Rick Davies got themselves a new line-up: bassist Frank Farrell, drummer Kevin Currie, and Dave Winthrop on flute & sax. Also, Rick Davies finally stepped up to the microphone for the first time with his first batch of lead vocals. Every single song on "Indelibly Stamped" is an excellent one. "Your Poppa Don't Mind" is a fun keyboard-thumper. "Travelled" is a lovely acoustic number that reminds me of vintage Crosby, Stills & Nash, and "Rosie Had Everything Planned" is a fine, light & breezy tune about a woman who gets into trouble with the law. "Remember" is pure arena rock all the way (complete with cheering audience), and "Forever" is, in my estimation, one of the greatest love songs ever written, as it says everything you could ever want to say to your sweetheart in a song, and you can slowdance to it. I'm definitely playing it at my wedding, that's for sure! "Potter" is a brief but excellent blast of guitar rock. "Coming Home To See You" is a pure gem, the lyrics in the style of a phonecall from a rude boyfriend to his girl, with the band kicking into a delightful, chugging choo-choo train jam at the end, featuring some outstanding organ & harmonica from Davies. "Times Have Changed" is a classic Davies ballad, signaling his other great, piano-based compositions that would follow. "Friend In Need" is a short but appealingly playful number, featuring some nice 20's-style piano & sax. And finally, Hodgson leads the band in the tremendous "Aries," a breathtaking 7 1/2 minute acoustic whirlwind. It's a phenomenal piece, another unsung 'Tramp classic. Once again, Hodgson & Davies' singing, songwriting & playing are superb, and their musical chemistry with the rest of the band simply cooks.This second version of Supertramp quickly folded after the commercial disappointment of "Indelibly Stamped," but, without question, they undeniably laid down the blueprint for the third and most-famous version of the band that would follow with "Crime Of The Century," with the band's signature jazz/pop/rock sound now firmly in place. "Indelibly Stamped," like Supertramp's self-titled debut from 1970, is a wonderful buried treasure that no 'Tramp fan should do without.

This CD represents the early efforts of an important British "art rock" band still developing it's sound. Even on this early record you can see the pattern beginning to emerge; guitarist and lead vocalist Roger Hodgson's gentle, deeply introspective musings are counterbalanced by the solid blues-influences of Rick Davies(keyboards & vocals). As the principle songwriters of this six member band, they created moments of true beauty; but the real breakthrough for this group occured a few years later with the classic "Crime of the Century."

This one is good for completists or Supertramp fanatics (like me). More casual listeners should seek "Crime" or "Breakfast in America" to hear these guys at their best.

This album sheds some light on Supertramp's early musical endeavours. Their sound is still raw and bold. Hodgson is still experimenting with his vocal abilities and so is the rest of the band. This album, along with Supertramp(another early album), are essential to any Supertramp fan who likes to know more about how the group had developed its unique sound. Definitely not for a beginner though. If you've never heard Supertramp, you'd better start with Even In The Quietest Moments or Crime Of The Century.

Long before "Crime Of The Century", I bought a promo copy of this LP (their 2nd LP, the first issued in the US) and fell in love with the quirkiness of the music and Roger Hodgson's voice. I quickly discovered their first LP "Supertramp" and became a died-in-the-wool fan long before they got big.

This CD is an exact duplicate of the once-available US issue; complete with the black and white cover (the vinyl LP was in color in both the US and UK).

The same bass overmodulation (distortion) is present here, the sound is crisp, but the distorting bass is a bit annoying.

Oh well....I've lived with distortion since 1971!

It's musically more diverse than later albums, but anyone who loved Supertramp during their big-hit period will find this a welcome addition to their collection.

It's just a shame it's so expensive!

This album was definitely the beginning of the Supertramp sound that we've become so familiar with. Even though Rick Davies was there for the self-titled first LP, he was kind of pushed to the back. Here Davies has his coming-out party, and makes his presence known through his awesome keyboard work and his deep, heavy R&B vocals, both of which have become staples in the band's canon. Meanwhile Roger Hodgson's music still sounds indicative of the first album (Note the Yes-style flutes from much of the first album's music return for "Travelled"). It sort of sounds as if the early and the latter-day Supertramps are passing each other through a time portal. It would take another record for Hodgson and Davies' songs to mesh together more brilliantly than they do here, but in the meantime what you're getting is just a very interesting mixed bag of different styles. Other than Rick and Roger's songs is a very curious rocker titled "Potter" sung by one of the other guys (probably Dave Winthrop since he's listed as a vocalist). The other highlights for me are Hodgson's "Rosie Had Everything Planned", and Davies' "Remember" (which features a blisteringly distorted Fender Rhodes) and "Forever", all 3 of which round out the first half of the CD.

It's too bad that this album and their debut have been disregarded when they became more successful. Both are excellent Supertramp "starters". Bit this album is the beginning of the "classic" Supertramp sound that's captured fans all over the world. If "Supertramp" was Roger Hodgson's go at the mike, than this is Rick Davies turn to clearly show what he's got to offer us. Unlike their debut, this album is more upbeat, rock-oriented atmosphere, and also has a mixture of different musical styles. "Your Poppa Don't Mind" "Remember" and "Potter" all have the rock/jazz/blues hybrid to them, while songs like "Travelled" and "Aries" tend to have the sad mood from the first album, and all the other songs songs have pretty much everything inbetween. Overall it's not a bad album, weak in some spots though, especially "Rosie Had Everything Planned" seems a little pointless. But don't let that stop you from getting this album! It's an intro to the Supertramp "sound" and I recommend it highly as well their first!

Supertramp's second album (no longer available in the US) has pieces of the band's classic sound scattered throughout the album. The songs showcase influences of Traffic, Yes and Blind Faith. Although it lacks the originality seen with later albums, the songwriting is quite solid and the performances excellent throughout the recording.

The generic sound surprisingly sustains the album on many of the weaker tracks. Although the songs lack the personality of later Davies-Hodgson songs, they lend themselves well to the extended soloing found throughout the record. Even at this stage, the Davies sung pieces exhibit a strong flavor of r&b while the Hodgson sung pieces are more pop sounding.

This probably isn't the album to get your feet wet with Supertramp if you don't have many of the band's albums. I'd recommend Crime of the Century, Breakfast in America, Even in the Quietest Moments and Crisis? What Crisis? before purchasing this album.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.

Many to this day look at the 1974 Supertramp album "Crime Of The Century" as the debut. The band had a history long before, that saw two other releases for A& M. There was the self-titled LP from 1970 and "Indelibly Stamped."

If this is your first experience with the earlier period of the group it is imperative that you don't dismiss the second record if it doesn't wet the taste buds the first complete listen. Please realize that the Supertramp sound which was solidified on the third album isn't in place here. The ten tracks are incredibly diverse as to their composition. In one regard it may seem all over the map but on the other it helped showcase a wide musical base and a young band representing itself well.

"Your Poppa Don't Mind" may have been on the turntable of Loggins & Messina. There 1972 hit "Your Mama Don't Dance" sounds very close in proximity! Supertramp captures the American Folk-Rock sound of the day well on this track. Obviously impressive not being from the states. It makes for a solid opening track. "Travelled" can best be described as esoteric in nature. It is a cross between the Moody Blues and the progressive band Caravan. "Rosie Had Everything Planned" foreshadows things to come. It is an upbeat rocker that gives a sample of the sound to come. If "Rosie" was the prelude "Remember" is the real thing. It could be Supertramp from 1974 on. This is an important track because it can be seen in retrospective as the closest visit to "Crime Of The Century." "Forever" has a superlative vocal and a captivating sound. Along with the first track it isn't difficult to gravitate to these. "Potter" puts the rock in roll. It is upbeat, with the musical portion being the star. Some solid improvisation and yet the song clocks in a little over two minutes and thirty seconds! "Coming To See You" puts the emphasis on the vocals. It backs what was previously described, a band showing its musical muscles while they search for the perfect sound. "Times Have Changed" can pass for an early Elton John track. "Friend In Need" would be perfect if you were sitting around a camp fire with some friends. It possesses the folk roots but also the inclusion of musical energy. "Aries" ends the journey. The blend here of the music and lyrical delivery is very tasty. Make sure to check this one out a couple of times to fully appreciate the instrumentation.

Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

other than crime of the century and breakfast in america.....indelibly stamped is the third best supertramp album........i love the songs your poppa dont mind,potter,rosie had everything planned,a friend in need and aries........

This is a rougher sounding Supertramp then there later Albums but I love the Album.
Its a much younger band and very much so less polished but thats part of what makes it very good.
I like all there LPs even there newer ones that people tend not to like but I really like the early stuff the best
This is definatly worth checking out
Buy the Vinyl LP for the Great cover and have fun listing to it also.