Customer Reviews

Open the Door

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Open the Door, Roger's first studio effort in over 13 L O N G years is a testament that good things are worth waiting for! This compilation contains the acoustics of Supertramp's "Even in the Quietest Moments" and the catchy pop/rock sounds of "Breakfast in America" all rolled into one. At least a third of the cd's tracks are acoustic, catchy melodies, of which "Along came Mary" and "For Every Man" are the best. Glad to see that "The More I Look", a collaboration with Yes' Trevor Rabin, made it on the cd as it's an awesome song! Ah yes, then there's masterpiece efforts to mention like "Death and a Zoo" and "Open the Door", both of which are tunes on the epic proportion of "Fool's Overture". If you're truly a Hodgson/Supertramp fan like myself, then you definitely won't be disappointed with this cd!

Since their split up Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies of Supertramp have produced music that has ranked from marginal to exceptional but neither one has reached the heights that they did together. "Open the Door" is a terrific solo album from Roger but its no exception; there are a number of tracks that would have benefited from Davies' rolling, thundering piano or bluesy backing vocals. "Open the Door" demonstrates Roger in fine form after the so-so "Hai Hai" and solid but unspectacular live album "Rite of Passage".

I can't help feeling, however, that the 5 strongest songs here would have fit in really well with the 5 best songs from Supertramp's "Slow Motion". The best tracks from both albums would have been Supertramp's best album since "Breakfast in America". I didn't spring for the import with the bonus track and I'll probably kick myself for not doing it so I can't comment on that track.

The title track, and terrific "Along Came Mary" are among two of the strongest highlights of the album. The melodies are rich and supple but I still feel something is missing. Nevertheless, I'm happy to have a new album from Hodgson (just as I was happy to have a new Supertramp album). Unlike a lot of fans of the band, I see merit in both halves of the whole and still enjoy both as well.

"Showdown" (which originally appeared on Hodgson's fine live album)benefits from the addition of bluesy harmonica (just like the type Davies used to add to Supertramp songs)and electric violin that reminds me of Jean Luc-Ponty's magnificient playing. "Hungry" is a great pop single and if the album ever gets a proper US release, I'm sure it would get airplay as it recalls the best elements that made "Dreamer", "Breakfast in America" and "Give a Little Bit" powerful and memorable singles. A warning, it sounds nothing like those songs but has an insistent hook and melody worthy of Hodgson. The sax sounds like something John Anthony Helliwell would have played.

"Death and a Zoo" has it's moments particularly towards its climatic conclusion which recalls larger scale songs like "Even in the Quietest Moments" or ""Puppet Dance" (from "Hai Hai"). Although recorded primarily with French musicians, it does include a couple of well known guest including Trevor Rabin on guitar (Yes), the Bulgarian Choir and the Symphonic Orchestra of Prague.

"Open The Door," released in 2000, is ex-Supertramp singer Roger Hodgson's first solo album of studio material since 1987's "Hai Hai" (there was also his 1997 release, "Rites Of Passage," but that was a live album). This record is a brilliant return for Roger, filled with his same magic touch for melody, catchy hooks, and powerful, dramatic rock that made his work with Supertramp so special. Great songs from end to end, like the beautiful "Along Came Mary," the poppish "Hungry," the simple-but-memorable "The Garden," and the awesome extended pieces, "Death And A Zoo" and the title song, the latter of which reminds me of the old Supertramp favorite, "Fool's Overture." Hodgson's classic falsetto voice remains in pristine condition, his playing & songwriting simply wonderful. I'm disappointed that "Open The Door," like the latest 'Tramp album, "Slow Motion," is only available on import in North America, but it's totally worth getting. "Open The Door" is a must-buy CD for the Roger Hodgson/Supertramp faithful.

What a surprise for me! I'm old Supertramp and, of course, Roger Hodgson fan. I listen thousand times most beautiful Supertramp albums: "Crisis? What Crisis?", "Breakfast In America", "Famous Last Words" and Roger Hodgson's "In The Eye Of The Storm". But... OPEN THE DOOR IS THE ONE OF THE BEST PROGRESSIVE ROCK ALBUMS I'VE EVER HEARD. The music sounds like classical Supertramp songs, lyrics - is better than music! Simply buy this album, if you are real Supertramp fan!

As another reviewer said "The world mourned when Hodgson broke up with Supertramp in 1983". As I said in the title of this review, Open the Door is the best CD since the Supertramp Album Breakfast in America because Hodgson is the "Voice" of Supertramp and OTD is a real Supertramp CD , more Supertramp than the three previus CD's released by them under control of Richard Davies, his old partner. I am not saying that Davies/Supertramp Albums (Brother where your bound(85)/Free as a Bird(87)/Some thing never change(97) are bad albums, but they have diferent style than the great Supertramp albums, and they lack the Voice , the 12 string Guitar work and the Vocal hamonies of Hodgson, that makes it so special . OTD is a great album , much better than Hodgson's previus work. "Sleeping with the Enemy" (84) is very good , very progressive with longer tunes, but Hodgson played all the instruments on that CD and it lacks Musicianship and definition. "Hai Hai" (87) is weak. OTD has great songs like "More I look", the hit "Hungry" and the longer/progressive "Open the Door". The sound is excelent and Production are excelent too. The Band is mainly French, very good musicians , and the CD was recorded in France. I highly recommend this CD to any Supertramp fan. Enjoy it.

This album may very well put Roger back on the map as an artist. Roger's last attempt was the ill-fated "Rites Of Passage" which was a live performance including a hodgepodge of new and old songs which included a few Supertramp songs. It was Roger's first attempt at releasing songs from his huge backlog of unrecorded music and unfortunatly, because of distribution problems, it feel flat on the charts. But Roger went right back to the recording studio for another attempt--and the ending result is "Open the Door". Like "Rites of Passage", "Open the Door" is an amalgamation of various styles, but Roger is more successful with this execution. The album opens with "Along Came Mary" which could have easily been included on Supertramp's 1977 album "Even in the Quietest moments". In fact it s an old tune that Roger has been performing live the past few years and I had already heard it from a live performance tape that I was lucky to acquire. "More I Look" is an inspiring number which resembles a soft YES song (Trever Rabin plays and sings on it) and reflects Roger's doubts and hopesof the future; no doubt from his years of solo work after leaving Supertramp. "Showdown" which was included on "Rites Of Passage" resurfaces here more energetic and exciting. I feel that when "Open the Door" is released in the US, "Showdown" would make an excellent single because if fits the situation in the US to a T. "Hungry" is a light-hearted song in the mold of "It's Raining Again" and is the single in Europe. "The Garden" and "Say Goodby" are two classical pieces which are nothing more than beautiful. "Open the Door" sounds like it was culled from Roger's first solo LP "Eye of The Storm" (which it could have been)and is the longest track on th CD. If you like Supertramp and/or Roger's solo material, you must buy this CD. If not, then listen to the samples; I'm sure you will want it and hopfully, it will be released in the states and be a success!

For all those that are looking for excelent music, you must have these Cd. Roger Hodgson did a great job, with very good musicians and most of all excelent music. These album made me flew back to the time when all of us enjoy "Breakfast in America". The feeling that these album give is unique. The only problem is that is to short, you want to continue listening more songs. The "Magic" of Supertramp is back with these production. Once again Mr. Hodgson shows who is "Supertramp".

Excelent choice if you like real music.

If you are a Supertramp and Roger's fan, this is a MUST for your collection! - Open the door is as good as In The Eye of the Storm, or even better in many aspects. Once you start listening this great production you won't need to forward any track because all of them are very, very good. Hungry reminds me the pop/rock My Kind of Lady of the superb Famous Last Words. Hungry is Roger's as its best- very Supertramp sound. I believe Roger's comeback will be appreciated for all real music lovers because Open the Door is an excellent cd that confirms that Roger is one of the best singers/songwriters we ever had.

Thank you Roger for giving us the magic of your songs!!

I love Supertramp, Roger Hodgson work. I've owned "In the Eye of the Storm" for many years and came accross "Open the Door". Without hesitation I searched to find it for my collection. The CD is growing on me but not nearly as good as "In the Eye of the Storm". I find it painful to listen to the last 1/3 of "Death at a Zoo". If you are a Supertramp/Roger Hodgson fan, add it to your collection only AFTER you own "In the Eye of the Storm"

This album is incredible. Definately a finely textured production, very easy on the ears. Mr. Hodgson is the next best thing to a true supertramp album in my opinion. The current Supertramp lineup, although commendable, is nowhere near the sound of Supertramp of old. This album is. If you like old Supertramp albums, and songs like Give a little bit, hide in your shell, et al. I would advise buying this item. It is worth the import price you pay also. I don't know why some artists albums aren't released in the U.S.A. I mean the album was written and recorded in Rogers home town of Nevada city. Yet, America hears nothing of him. Oh well, sorry for the rant. Buy the album.