Listening to the AM radio stuff when I was a kid today, and lemme tell you—this album here should be turned into a jukebox musical because it’s so theatrical and there’s so much storytelling. These guys were like a bizarre mix of Queen and Steely Dan with all of the 70s studio polish and cynicism, but about half the chops. Steely Queen Lite. But let me say something far more important: That guitar solo at the end of “Goodbye Stranger?” DAMN. Put that on anytime, day or night, happy or sad, and your life will be better for a few minutes. Yes, anyone could play it—heck, half the solo is one note—but could you WRITE it? Could you create a solo so simple and yet so perfect and joyful? That entire song, which is borderline irritating during the falsetto parts, spends FIVE MINUTES building up to that solo, and when it comes, does it let you down? Does it serve up some forgettable noodling? Does it half-ass it into the fade out? NO. IT PAYS OFF. Big time. If you’re driving when it kicks in and you’re doing 60 MPH, you’ll look in your rearview mirror all breathless when it’s over and discover you’re getting pulled over for doing 85, genius, all because freaking wimpy old Supertramp of all bands just rocked you senseless. It’s not showy, it’s not intense, it’s just perfect.
