Crisis? What Crisis? (1975) – Album by Supertramp
Introduction
Released in November 1975, Crisis? What Crisis? is the fourth studio album by British progressive rock band Supertramp. It followed the success of Crime of the Century (1974), which had finally brought the band international recognition.
Although it did not reach the same level of commercial success as its predecessor, the album remains a fan favorite and contains several standout tracks. The record was created under intense pressure, as the band had very little time to write and record new material while touring.
Despite the rushed production, Crisis? What Crisis? showcases the band’s unique blend of progressive rock, art rock, and melodic pop songwriting.
Album Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | Supertramp |
| Album | Crisis? What Crisis? |
| Release Date | November 1975 |
| Genre | Progressive Rock, Art Rock |
| Label | A&M Records |
| Producers | Ken Scott, Supertramp |
| Length | 47:19 |
Tracklist
Side A
-
Easy Does It
-
Sister Moonshine
-
Ain’t Nobody But Me
-
A Soapbox Opera
-
Another Man’s Woman
Side B
-
Lady
-
Poor Boy
-
Just a Normal Day
-
The Meaning
-
Two of Us
Album Credits
Band Members
Rick Davies
-
Keyboards
-
Vocals
Roger Hodgson
-
Guitar
-
Keyboards
-
Vocals
John Helliwell
-
Saxophone
-
Clarinet
-
Backing vocals
Dougie Thomson
-
Bass guitar
Bob Siebenberg
-
Drums
-
Percussion
Production
-
Producer: Ken Scott
-
Recording Studio: A&M Studios, Los Angeles
-
Label: A&M Records
Producer Ken Scott continued working with the band after his successful collaboration on Crime of the Century.
Cover Art
The cover of Crisis? What Crisis? is one of the most iconic and ironic images in 1970s rock albums.
It depicts a man relaxing in a deck chair, sunbathing peacefully in the middle of a devastated industrial landscape, surrounded by factories, pollution, and destruction.
The relaxed figure represents denial and escapism, perfectly matching the album’s title and themes about society ignoring its problems.
The photograph was taken by Sam Emerson, who captured the surreal contrast between relaxation and environmental chaos.
Musical Style
The album continues the progressive rock approach of the band while also introducing more melodic and pop-oriented songwriting.
Musical highlights include:
-
powerful Wurlitzer electric piano
-
melodic acoustic guitar arrangements
-
saxophone lines from John Helliwell
-
emotional vocal harmonies between Davies and Hodgson
Tracks like “Sister Moonshine” and “Ain’t Nobody But Me” highlight the band’s balance between progressive complexity and catchy melodies.
Fun Facts
🎹 Written on the Road
Much of the album was written while the band was touring after the success of Crime of the Century.
🎹 Different Songwriting Styles
Songs written by Roger Hodgson often feature lighter melodies, while Rick Davies’s songs tend to have blues and jazz influences.
🎹 Another Man’s Woman
This track became a fan favorite live, often featuring extended keyboard improvisations.
Trivia
• The album reached the Top 20 on the UK Albums Chart.
• Despite limited promotion, it eventually achieved Gold certification in several countries.
• Some songs on the album were leftover ideas from earlier recording sessions.
• The band themselves later described the album as rushed, though many fans still consider it an underrated classic.
Did You Know?
💡 The album title reflects a satirical view of people ignoring serious social and environmental problems.
💡 The cover image has often been cited as one of the most memorable album covers of the 1970s.
💡 The song “A Soapbox Opera” explores themes of religion, doubt, and personal belief.
💡 Even though the band considered it a transitional album, Crisis? What Crisis? helped maintain their momentum before releasing the massive hit album Breakfast in America a few years later.
Download Supertramp Albums from Amazon Music
More Albums:
Supertramp - Supertramp (1970)
Supertramp - Indelibly Stamped (1971)
Supertramp - Crime of the Century (1974)
Supertramp - Even in the Quietest Moments (1977)
Supertramp - Breakfast in America (1979)
Supertramp - Some Things Never Change (1997)
