For those unaware, Roger Hodgson’s solo albums, In The Eye Of The Storm and Hai Hai, have been remastered at half-speed by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios. These definitive vinyl editions, featuring artwork faithful to the original releases.

First up is In The Eye Of The Storm (1984) and which was Roger’s first solo album that came out a year after his departure from Supertramp. The album quickly achieved massive commercial success, including going Platinum in Canada within a month of its release.

Having played most of the instrumental parts on the album himself, the record retains the experimental, progressive spirit of Hodgson’s earlier work while forging a distinct solo path. Tracks like “Hooked on a Problem” and “Only Because of You” showcase Hodgson’s songwriting mastery.

The album’s sound felt like a continuation from Supertramp. Songs like “Had A Dream” carried the experimental prog spirit of the band’s earlier work paired with Hodgson’s trademark soaring vocals, high energy, dramatic lyrics and catchy synth-and-guitar groove.

Side 1:
1. Had A Dream (Sleeping With The Enemy)
2. In Jeopardy
3. Lovers In The Wind
4. Hooked On A Problem

Side 2:
1. Give Me Love, Give Me Life
2. I’m Not Afraid
3. Only Because Of You

Released in 1984, I have to fully admit that I was deeply bummed when Roger left Supertramp but this great album made up for it; even having certain key elements of that beloved Supertramp sound still in play.

Roger plays most of the instruments on this and it sounds incredible and all the more better for it, in my humble opinion. The first single - a lengthy soft Disco beat with 12-string acoustic strumming and rousing vocals) Had A Dream (Sleeping With The Enemy) peaked at #48 but should have been a much higher charting hit, I think we can all agree.

The second single was In Jeopardy - and which came with some campy funk piano staccato notes with kid like-sounding vocals) - and which itself peaked at #30 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It still should have been a bigger hit, a classic love gone wrong song. Another stand out is the romantic, hazy balladry of Lovers In The Wind, itself a rather delightful track to sit down and kick back to, eyes closed.

More great songs with equally catchy keys are to also be heard on Hooked On A Problem, Give Me Love, Give Me Life (which is, and unto itself, another great Supertramp-styled song; along with some wonderful vocal work on the heavy rocker I’m Not Afraid (as, with or without the guitars it is just simply beautiful).

Then we get Hai Hai (1987) and which carries a sound a little more of the time. This release features all-original writing by Hodgson (except for “Land Ho” originally released only as a single). “You Make Me Love You” had the most popular feel-good melody making it the radio single. “Puppet Dance” was an emotionally charged fan favorite expressing deep vocal intensity and synthesizer rhythm.

The album draws from a multitude of genres and brings in talented session musicians, alongside late-80s production and synthesizer technology.

Side A:
1. Right Place
2. My Magazine
3. London
4. You Make Me Love You
5. Hai Hai

Side B:
1. Who’s Afraid
2. Desert Love
3. Land Ho
4. House On The Corner
5. Puppet Dance

Simply put, if you are a fan of Supertramp, you would already have this LP (vinyl) in your collection, but if not, my God, why not?! It is yet another sign of its musical times work of musical art from the Supertramp legend and stands head and shoulders of much of anything that is released these days!

Containing quite a few seriously catchy songs (trust me, I should know as I am sitting here doing the review whilst the new half-speed remastered vinyl is playing on the turntable behind me) and all come complete with Hodgson’s trademark sounds and solid song structure.

You Make Me Love You and Land Ho are rock pop classics (in my humble opinion) and more than just so-called catchy tunes as they exude the genuine creativity this man has for writing such songs perfectly. Also, the hidden gem here is the closing song Puppet Dance as it is, well, play the album and you will soon find out for yourselves (I can’t do all the work for you!).

For sure Roger toughens up his delivery a little on a number of these tracks, especially on the two openers Right Place and My Magazine - both playlist worthy and rock attune to its decade. The shlocky Land Ho (the only track not wholly written by Roger) is the one that got a lot of attention at the time, but it doesn’t resonate with me as much as it seemingly did for all those others for some reason (maybe, just maybe, because he didn’t write it, perhaps?).

Regardless, the standout for me is the moody and melancholy Desert Song, which would have fit seamlessly on any classic Supertramp album, of that I am sure. Co-produced by future No Doubt and Black Crowes producer Jack Joseph Puig and recorded at Hodgson’s 48-track home studio in Nevada City, California, this album is yet another reason to adore the classic Supertramp line-up along with anything Roger every musically put out.

These releases follow the reissues of some of Supertramp’s most loved albums, also at half-speed. They have been met with great esteem with Classic Rock Magazine giving Breakfast In America, Even In The Quietest Moments…, and ...Famous Last Words a 10/10, 8/10 and 7/10 respectively, while Mojo rated Crime Of The Century a 10/10 with Prog Magazine calling it, alongside Crisis? What Crisis? “... even more evocative”.

Following the release of these two albums, Roger stepped back from music to spend time with his children. He returned to touring a decade later and released his third solo studio album, Open The Door, in 2000.

Features:
180g Vinyl LP
Audio Transferred at Abbey Road Studios
Cut at Half-Speed

Official Roger Hodgson Purchase Links

Official Supertramp Upcoming Half-Speed Remasters Purchase Links

www.rogerhodgson.com

www.supertramp.com