Supertramp – Crime of the Century (1974) & Crisis? What Crisis? (1975)
Half-Speed Mastered Vinyl Reissues (Abbey Road Studios, 2025)
Hi, Phil Aston here from Now Spinning Magazine, and this time I’m looking at two classic Supertramp albums, freshly reissued as 180g half-speed mastered editions from Abbey Road Studios: Crime of the Century (1974) and Crisis? What Crisis? (1975). Both were cut by Miles Showell and come on heavyweight black vinyl.
Crisis? What Crisis? (1975)
This was my gateway album into Supertramp, the one that made me fall in love with their sound. My original 1975 pressing on thin A&M vinyl still sounds good, but playing it back-to-back with this new half-speed edition, the difference is clear.
The 2025 pressing has more weight in the bass, a warmer overall presentation, and greater clarity. On my system (Technics SL-1500C with an Ortofon Blue cartridge through a Fosi Audio X5 preamp), the sound is absolutely stunning.
Yes, the packaging details differ slightly from the original—the sky on the front cover is a touch different in colour, and the photos aren’t quite as sharp—but the real story here is the sound. This is a beautifully pressed record that captures the essence of a timeless album.
Chart history & key songs:
Originally released in November 1975, Crisis? What Crisis? peaked at No. 20 in the UK and No. 44 in the US.
Singles included Lady, Ain’t Nobody But Me, and Easy Does It. While it wasn’t as big as its predecessor, it became a much-loved album in the band’s catalogue and is often described as their hidden gem.
Crime of the Century (1974)
This was Supertramp’s breakthrough album, and I’ll admit I didn’t buy it at the time—it was one of those albums that “everyone else” seemed to already have! I first owned it on CD via the deluxe edition, but now I finally have this new vinyl edition to compare.
Playing Dreamer in particular, the half-speed master really shines. Compared with the CD (which I played via a Roksan transport and Chord DAC), the vinyl had a warmer, more organic sound, with a lovely low-end presence that never felt forced.
It’s incredible to think this music was recorded in 1974. The freshness and energy of the songs still leap out of the speakers, and the pressing quality here is immaculate.
Chart history & key songs:
Released in September 1974, Crime of the Century reached No. 4 in the UK and No. 38 in the US.
Singles included Dreamer (UK No. 13) and Bloody Well Right (US Top 40).
The album is widely considered a prog/pop masterpiece, with tracks like School and Hide in Your Shell showcasing the band’s unique blend of sophistication and accessibility.
Final Thoughts
Should you hunt down the originals, or go straight for these half-speed Abbey Road remasters? For me, start here. Originals might be tempting, but condition varies and prices are often high. These new editions give you all the richness, depth, and detail you could ask for, pressed on perfectly flat 180g vinyl.
For fans of Supertramp, or anyone curious about diving into their classic era, these are essential.
BUY CRISIS WHAT CRISIS BY SUPERTRAMP HERE
BUY CRIME OF THE CENTURY BY SUPERTRAMP HERE
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
