Brother Where You Bound
Supertramp
℗ 1985 A & M Records 75021 5014
When vocalist-guitarist Roger Hodgson left Supertramp after 1982's ...famous last words..., few could have guessed that the band would continue and solidify its pop-oriented songcraft, let alone re-embrace its progressive-rock roots on 1985's underrated Brother Where You Bound. With vocalist-keyboardist Rick Davies firmly in control — he wrote all the music and lyrics — the album examined tensions at the tail end of the Cold War. In a thematic sense, Brother Where You Bound is dated and hasn't aged very well — Davies' politically oriented lyrics are heavy-handed — but the music is a pleasure. The crystalline sound of the album, particularly Davies' piano, is breathtaking; kudos to co-producers David Kershenbaum and Supertramp and engineer Norman Hall. The hit single "Cannonball" is a jazz-rock delight, especially in full-length album form. Lyrically, it can be interpreted as Davies' feelings of betrayal at Hodgson's departure, but the piano, percussion and horns are superb. Saxophonist John A. Helliwell, bass guitarist Dougie Thomson, and drummer Bob Siebenberg all contribute vital parts, as does guest trombonist Doug Wintz. "No Inbetween" begins with a lovely, bittersweet percussion (or synthesizer?) and piano melody. "Better Days" is a rather bleak look at the unfulfilled promises of the "good life" in Western society; the dramatic music is highlighted by guest Scott Page's flute solos. The fantastic title track examines Cold War paranoia and clocks in at more than 16 minutes; after the creepy opening narration taken from George Orwell's 1984, the song becomes a composite of several complex prog-rock "movements." Pink Floyd's David Gilmour contributes the searing, distorted guitar solos. Unfortunately, Brother Where You Bound never received the attention it deserved; it isn't a perfect album, but it was a gutsy project for Supertramp to take on. — Bret Adams. |
- 1. Cannonball (Rick Davies) [07:38]
- 2. Still in Love (Rick Davies) [04:37]
- 3. No Inbetween (Rick Davies) [04:36]
- 4. Better Days (Rick Davies) [06:16]
- 5. Brother Where You Bound (Rick Davies) [16:31]
- 6. Ever Open Door (Rick Davies) [03:02]
Тексты:
Cannonball
(Rick Davies)
You're tellin' lies, so don't you criticize Yeah I got used, all messed up and abused You let me down, with all your runnin' round Still you pretend and try to call me friend Don't say a word, I know just what I heard Yeah you've been loose, you just go no excuse Just feel my rage, why can't you come of age? I felt it all, just like a cannonball Then you got mad, you said that I'm all bad So what's the use, you lied and that's the truth You took the key and drove right out on me I never knew, put all my trust in you OK that's it, I'm leaving now, I quit I was unwise, so don't apologize I paid the price, for taking your advice I felt it all, just like a cannonball You can say what you want all day But I've never been so outraged I'm washing my hands of you How could you be so untrue You know I can't stand no more You know I can't stand no more
No Inbetween
(Rick Davies)
So pardon me boys I'm gonna be late I don't have the choice I've got to get into shape It's eight on the nose And I gotta go So pass me my coat I've got to get to the show Ain't got no feeling Ain't got no pain Ain't got no reason To try again Don't need no finger To point at me Can't let it linger I must get free So send me away Cause I need a break What more can I say There's just so much I can take But don't be so sad I'm feeling alright It won't be so bad If I can get through tonight It seemed so simple Let's go out and have some fun Someone to play to We didn't know what we'd begun Then as things grew We really thought we had it made But soon we all knew That we'd be ending up like slaves The simple fact is There really ain't no inbetween You're either up there Or scurryin' round and lookin' lean And when you're up there They just can't wait to tear you down Just like a treadmill You find yourself goin' round and round So pardon me boys... So just one more time Yeah that is for sure And then I'll be fine Ah but I've said it before