Supertramp was one of the few symphonic bands of the seventies to make the switch to the pop market. Breakfast In America (1978) was the record that heralded the definitive American breakthrough for the British band that had recently settled in California for technical touring reasons. Especially the spiritually minded Roger Hodgson felt like a fish in water in the sunny, free-spirited climate and
… the hits flowed from his pen. Due to the new pop direction, which could largely be attributed to his credit, the relationship with Rick Davies, the other important songwriter of the group, grew skewed, which triggered the later split. The general public was not aware of this yet and the band delivered number-one hits worldwide with The Logical Song, Goodbye Stranger and the title track. The characteristic electric piano sound, the high voice of Hodgson and the saxophone of John Helliwell were more than ever at the service of simple pop songs, which is why the group has not been able to count on much appreciation from the serious rock fan since then. But these songs still sound good thirty years later, especially in the re-mastered version of 2010. (MS)more
