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29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Supertramp Rides Again, August 3, 2002
Supertramp's 1985 album, "Brother Where You Bound," drove a big wedge deep into the group's fanbase, which was not too surprising, as this was the band's first album without singer/songwriter Roger Hodgson, leaving co-singer/songwriter Rick Davies solely at the helm. Some fans balked at the mere *idea* of Supertramp carrying on without Hodgson, while the more open-minded Tramp fans (like me) decided to give Davies & the rest of the group a chance. Let me put it to you this way: if you truly believe that Supertramp are nothing without Roger Hodgson---even though Davies DID write 50% of the band's Hodgson-era material---then there's no point in me recommending to you "Brother Where You Bound." But if you happen to know better, and you know that Rick Davies is just as great a musical genius as his former partner, then you're in for a real treat. Just six tracks long, "Brother Where You Bound" is a stunning album, one of Supertramp's very best. Davies, sax man John Halliwell, bassist Dougie Thomson, and drummer Bob Siebenberg take a bold, daring turn into full-on progressive jazz/rock (with Pink Floyd-like voices & sound effects thrown in for extra measure). The album contains longer songs and thrilling extended jams, allowing the group to really stretch out. Although Roger Hodgson is missed, what could have been a major problem for Davies & company was turned into a great musical opportunity. There's no need to worry: "Brother Where You Bound" is pure, powerful Supertramp from start to finish. The album speaks for itself.Obviously, with Hodgson's departure being a big hurdle for the band to jump over, Rick & the boys had something to prove, and they had to throw down the gauntlet right at the start of the album. What better song for Supertramp to kick off "Brother" with then the slammin', take-no-prisoners track, "Cannonball" (edited down to single length, it was the group's final Top 40 hit). A rough & tough 7 1/2 minute jazz-rocker about betrayal, Rick Davies & the band tear up the place with great relish. It's an instant Supertramp classic (and a great crowd-pleaser live in concert). After the dust settles, Davies reminds us of his affection for 50's flavored pop with the fun tune, "Still In Love." Then it's back into prog-jazz territory once more, with the atmospheric "No Inbetween" & "Better Days," both excellent songs. But without question, the album's centerpiece is the sprawling, 16 1/2 minute title suite, guest-starring none other than Pink Floyd's David Gilmour on lead guitar. This piece is simply a mindblower, THE most epic work in the band's catalog. Davies & company really take the listener on a great adventure with this one, and they play it to pure perfection, with guest-guitarist Gilmour serving up some very classy lead guitar licks along the way as only Gilmour can. Finally, there's the brief-but-beautiful coda, "Ever Open Door," featuring just Rick Davies, his piano & synths, ending the album on a very poignant note.The group's album sales may have gone down another notch with Hodgson's defection, but not the quality of their music. Supertramp is completely safe in the capable hands of Rick Davies & company, and "Brother Where You Bound" is the testament to that. Supertramp rides again! :-)
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A New Sound Costs Supertramp Their Acclaim, May 12, 2003
When this one-of-a-kind pop rock band released their chart-topping hit album, "Breakfast In America" in 1979, critics claimed that Supertramp could become, quote, "the best-sounding art-rock band in existence" if they centered in on the sophisticated English pop they had become renowned for. But in an act of near bravery, Supertramp denied the critics and continued to move in a more bluesier direction, which soon resulted in the departure of primary co-songwriter Roger Hodgson. The decision to forge on with a much more R&B flavored sound cost the band a crucial member, a piece of their fan-base, not to mention most of their popular acclaim and record sales, but perhaps these hard facts make 1985's "Brother Where You Bound" so unique.
This set captures the now four-man Supertramp at the start of a new era, led by songwriter Rick Davies, rounded out by veteran members Dougie Thomson, John Helliwell, and Bob Siebenberg. Bravely discarding the advice and obvious perferences of their critics, they created a maverick piece of work. From track one, Supertramp grabs your attention with the gripping, lovelorn suite 'Cannonball.' From there, the band adds their trademark sense of sophistication and style, with the mysteriously poignant 'No Inbetween,' and especially the title track, one of the band's most accomplished and intriguing songs, as the album is wrapped up with the glimmers of 'Ever Open Door.'
However, the door was actually closed with this promising set; "Brother Where You Bound" was Supertramp's last album to enter the top 40, and subsequent releases would find only modest success. Nonetheless, the quality would remain the same. A hard price to pay for such great music.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Let's be honest folks..., June 15, 2005
This is the last great Supertramp album. I loved Breakfast, Paris, Crime of the Century. When this album came out, many people felt it was all over without Hodgson. However, this album was a statement that the band could continue and do it right, right bloody well right. This cd has some great songs namely the title tune which is truly one of Supertramp's most ambitious compositions. The other songs are fine as well namely Cannonball with wonderful instrumental work. If they would have continued along this path, I would have been happy. Yet, since this cd they have put out jazz lite tuneless heaps of garbage. Let's be honest superfans, this cd is leaps and bounds better than anything they have put out since. And it is a shame because this album reveals this band had great potential even without the wonderful Hodgson. And to those out there who don't feel as though this band is progressive, just listen to this gem. Yes I'm talking about pebozo a.k.a. pedroza, daniel. I'm still waiting for Davies and the gang to go back to this aggressive, progressive approach....
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