Supertramp

Crime of the Century

First released1974

Crime of the Century, Supertramp's 1974 debut album, was recorded at the Record Plant in Los Angeles and mixed at the Village Recorder, with production by Ken Scott and the band themselves. The album was engineered primarily by Ken Scott, an experienced producer and engineer who had worked with David Bowie and other major acts, lending significant technical expertise to the project. The band employed a multi-track recording approach that showcased their sophisticated arrangements, with particular attention paid to the band members' instrumental performances across keyboards, guitars, and horns. The album's production reflected the emerging progressive rock aesthetic of the early 1970s, combining complex song structures with accessible melodies, and it became Supertramp's breakthrough work, eventually achieving platinum status and establishing their signature sound.