Can't Buy A Thrill

Steely Dan are annoyingly good.

Absolutely zero substance but fine

Steely Dan pushes the boundaries by sculpting a new genre of music, blending rock, jazz, and progressive elements to craft this perfect masterpiece. Every note, rhythm, and beat are played to perfection and mixed to the highest studio quality. The lyrical themes are relatable and sarcastic, creating a lighthearted and enjoyable album.

There isn't much bad to say about this album. It speaks for my culture of slightly overweight, straight, white dads looking to bust a groove while tending the grill. And who's to say we can't get a lil motion?

It scares me how much I fuck with this album

Wholesome gleaming 1970's pop. Good songwriters and all but it's just so far away from my normal listening. 'Dirty work' would make a playlist.

Not really my thing, but a good album.

Excellent dad/yacht rock

Gains a star from "Dirty Work" and its absolutely beautiful deployment in "One Battle After Another." I also have never hated "Do It Again" or "Reelin' in the Years." Never knew either was by Steely Dan, but probably could've guessed it. Regardless, on the merits, this got tedious at points, but did not suck, which is a big win for these guys.

Just class in every way. Great production, 1972 is hard to believe

Probably a 7/10 if i'm being honest. First half was glorious but dipped a bit by the end. The two famous songs - Reelin in the years and do it again..are marvellous. However, an extra shout for both Kings and Dirty Work, which i had never heard before. Kings, especially, was captivating. U I might give it another listen and see if u can find a 4th star!

i respect the dan more than i like them i guess. another great singles band for me.

Can’t Buy a Thrill = ultimate slickness! The egocentric and eccentric times Steely Dan evokes are long gone, but the music remains a testament to the near-pathological studio-production bourgeoisie of the mid-to-late ’70s, paired with an almost ridiculous abundance of thoughtful, instantly memorable songwriting. No one cared about money or time; all that mattered was the perfect sound of the snare. And lo and behold, out came an instant classic.

Sorry, I am a fan. This is an awesome debut. 5 Boolean: True

Not quite 5 stars for me as it was mildly repetitive but otherwise a fantastic album

Nice guitar parts, bright and happy. A bit of blues and energy. Sounds like they really enjoyed recording this album 8/10. Love the way they interact together.

A good album!!

A fine record. 4/5.

Steely Dan begins the best streak of his career with a set of polished, laidback yacht-rock jams. The songs are immaculately assembled and feature strong grooves. However, on the songwriting side, some songs are a little more patchy. A very solid album that ultimately falls just short.

One of my favourite albums love this

I *love* this. I’d heard of this band, of course, but never bothered to check them out. I’m so glad this one came up! I was a little scared because the cover art is kind of ugly. Never judge a book by its cover, I suppose. Fav song: Turn That Heartbeat Over Again

it was good!

Cool

3.5 of an album if that was an option. Definitely some hits on this record, and overall very good, but also a bit dated and monotonous at times.

Great album. Stellar writing and musicianship. A breath of fresh air in the midst of a lot of second rate rock coming out at the time.

To be honest, I don't really listen to this genre. I don't generally enjoy "positive" energy in music. I go to music for more complexity, more lyrical depth and I usually enjoy experimental music. For it's time, I think it was experimental. I enjoy some electric guitar hooks on what is otherwise a more groovy, jazzy sound. Just not something that I find intellectually curious.

3.5* Dig this! V v stoked to check out Aja to see how much this differs.

What! What a gem. Next!

Was expecting to have another moan about being given more 70s rock music, but was quite pleased to hear the folky undertones and a bit of the holdover psychedelia of the 60s in this sound.. wasn’t by any means world changing for me, but was a nice easy listen and one that I wouldn’t object to listening again

Great album. Dirty Work sneaking up to top of my Steely Dan list.

Couldn't believe the amount of classics on this album. Do it again straight away and then straight into dirty work. It was really fun listening for a fair Monday evening

rock solid. dunno why the word "honest" comes to mind

Always thought I hated Steely Dan because of Aja but this is more my vibe. Album starts really strong but tails off toward the end.

❤️steely dan

Wikipedia told us about this album "encompassing the sounds of soft rock, pop rock and jazz rock". This equals easy listening and very minimal amount of memory traces.

#509 / 1089 Heard before? ❌ (some of it I had) Revisit? ❌ Steely Dan has always been a bit hit 'n miss for me, I appreciate the craftmanship of the musicians and engineers involved, but the music feels a bit calculated and too "on-the-nose", so to speak. After haveíng a proper listen I'm still a bit on the fence, it's like they took their favourite bit and the bits they thought most people would like and made do with what that cocktail was able to produce. Or it's jsut not my type of music 🤷‍♂️ This is a luke warm 3/5 for me.

Outstanding work. It was the beginning of a string of excellent albums that showed that you didn’t have to follow the trends and be a clone of everyone else. Innovative. Progressive. Sound recording was exceptional for the time.

Boooooo

Bennet should really shut up Sometimes.

Funky tunes. Like a lot of the songs but definitely not all.

eh… i found this boring in my opinion

Muy intrincado

Definitely recommend. Fun chill jams.

Steely Dan, you can certainly buy a thrill.

Smooth grooving, classic jazzy hits, and hidden gems, this album is an album is an absolute groove. This is Steely Dan at their best!

Quite nice, but nothing special.

The musicianship is excellent. Interesting melodies. Vocal harmonies all over the place. This should be my shit. It is definitely not my shit. Who knows why?

Why don't we talk about Steely Dan more? Genuinely, a band whose "Best Of" albums will be loaded with hits drawn from a strong discography, with technically gifted musicians and superb lyrics blending styles and tones across an album, they would not be out of place in conversations alongside acts like Queen or Bowie. But I never seem to hear much about them. Certainly in a long conversation about great acts and artists they will come up, but they rarely get the spotlight themselves, rather just being tacked on as part of a bigger talk on the field of music, at least in my (somewhat limited) experience. This album shows that to be an injustice. There isn't a bad song on this album, and it has a fair few of Steely Dan's biggest hits. Everything here feels like it is used perfectly, from run-time to instruments to Fagen's slightly abnormal singing style. Jazz and rock are two genres not put together enough, and every song on this album shows what that pairing can achieve. As is, Steely Dan deserve a higher seat at the table, because this album deserves a spot in the conversation so much more than what it gets. Exceptional album that remains ice-cold throughout, with a sound more should have tried to replicate since.

loved! some new gems added to my library besides dirty work

Not my favourite by the Dan

Quite good

a super one dimensional album, but with very nice grooves and soundscapes. My bro said this was yacht rock, and i could totally see why. I think that the opening song (and it's main hit) is super iconic, and it sets a good tone for the rest of the 30 something minutes. Chill bass grooves with mellow drum patterns, some soft electric guitar tones, ez going lyrics and vocals, all layered under some piano and organ grooves. I think that I can't go wrong with this being a 4/5, somewhere around an 8.2-8.6/10, but it does feel like a quintessential 70s "chill" album. Good shit. I think they lyrics are also more standout than usual, upon closer inspection. And I honestly would've missed it if i hadn't looked into it. It worthy of that 5/5 score, even if it's really hovering around a 8.9ish...I'm not sure how many stars I'll give it but I'm torn.

I like this. But it doesnt stand out for me in any way. Sometimes I like the oiano and I don't hate vocals. It's still good but nothing groundbreaking. I think I heard this thing like ten times since I started listening to these albums.

Oh how I am slowly turning into my grandfather. Seriously though it was an enjoyable album I can’t really fault it, but I would say that whilst I definitely prefer Aja this is still a good album and I would listen again. Absolutely loved the songs “Do it again” and “Dirty work”. This could definitely be a 4.5/5 stars but I am going to put it as a 4 star album.

Love

8 / 10

What a great three track run to open up the album. Reelin’ In The Years is a classic rock track. Production on this album is fantastic.

Dad rock albuminized Banger after banger thoo

Dig it. Have heard a lot of songs on this album individually. Never listened to the whole thing, but I get why it's a classic.

anotha one ive listened to

Cool!

Quintessential dad rock

Can't Buy A Thrill - Steely Dan (1972) Oh my the album cover looks so cheesy! First two tracks are amazing. Overall a great album though it starts getting a bit repetitive by the 3rd track. I think it's got some stronger songs than Pretzel Logic, but overall Pretzel Logic is the better album. Only my opinion. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 7.5/10

Pretty cool, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

sports cafe music

Обкладинка мені подобається. Сподіваюсь щось цікаве) Ну таке, стандартний рок)

absolutop

Who would have guessed that fifty years after their heyday, Steely Dan would be a band that I would mostly just wonder what all the fuss was about. I'm currently under the impression that every Steely Dan album had three pretty great songs that I'm kinda glad to have had living rent-free in my head for about half a century. "Do It Again"? "Dirty Work"? "Reelin' in the Years"? Absolute killers! All the other songs on the? Mostly harmless. Though a terrific debut, in my own rankings, I'd put this one a bit below AJA, not because the three songs above are any worse than "Peg," "Josie," and "Deacon Blues"; but because each of the four "extra" songs on that LP is far more memorable than ANY of the seven "extras" on this album.

Steely Dan is a staple of classic rock for a reason. A 70s funk-rock sound with jazzy instrumentals, Can't Buy A Thrill provides a unique sound. For as good as this album is, and as much as I agree it belongs on the list, I'm just not a big fan of Steely Dan. If they come on the radio, sure I'll listen, but they've just never been a must-hear for me.

Damn groovy this one is

The big ones are IN FACT HUGE. It kinda loses me in the second half.

Forgot to review, js was good. Better than expected.

I already knew the album and I already like I will say all the songs fit nicely together and it’s a good listen from start to end

Best Track - "Dirty Work"

A Steely Dan album is always appreciated.

Reminds of Santana at times, it's okay, a couple of more iconic songs on there.

301. ok

Honestly quite good. I wasn't sure how I would feel about a whole album of Steely Dan but I don't think there is a bad song here, even though the front half of the album is definitely stronger than the back. The opening one-two punch is an all-time great debut for a band, and the laid-back and slightly dissonant rock is just incredibly distinct and classic. My biggest problem with this album is that I don't care for the artwork. Favorite track(s): "Do It Again," "Dirty Work"

Unlike the other two Steely Dan albums I was offered up, I actually really enjoyed this one and didn't feel it was something I *should* like. Good fun, great musicality. This is what it's about.

The "hits" on this album I never have to listen to again. Heard them enough for a lifetime. But the more unfamiliar stuff is fun.

Vibey. Has hitters too

Pretty good

Disco sensacional. Uma grande salada de vários elementos que se misturam perfeitamente, refrões bem chiclete e nenhuma música aqui é desperdiçada, cada uma tem sua particularidade e importância. Destaque para as duas primeiras músicas que começam o disco de uma forma que já te deixa entretido, e o restante complementam muito bem a bolacha.

Can't catch a break either. Yet more Steely Dan! Sneery Dan, really. It gave me cause to research whether one needs teeth to sneer, as the Dan's snide and smug songs are utterly toothless. It turns out you don't - all the accusations stand! Of course the other thing about being toothless is that, by necessity, you must suck. This does. Dirty Work might be a fitting needle drop in some decadent 70s nostalgia movie, but a whole album of the stuff?! When my granda had all his teeth removed, he subsisted on sucking sweets: brandy balls, aniseed balls, clove balls. Various, but all equally sickening. Not even sweet, they were flavours for old men. He would buy them in bags simply labelled Mixed Balls. That's exactly what this is. 1 The third album we have encountered from the aural equivalent of well-ironed jeans and I may as well welcome the opportunity to refine my hatred because I have recently learned that there is, incomprehensibly, a fourth album also. Much is made, by fans and apologists of Steely Dan, of their musicianship and the Jazz inflection in their account of Rock music and yet their critics might make just as much by placing those quantities in inverted commas. The playing of music at an advanced technical level there may well be, but a Good Musician, and certainly a Good Jazz Musician, first and foremost transmits identity through expression. There is no expression in Steely Dan. Listen to that guitar playing. If the solos strike some listeners as exciting or memorable - it is only because of their unnaturalness. Those lines were designed and carefully rehearsed to within an inch of their life - nothing ever ‘felt’ except how essential the accomplishment of a recorded take with no ‘mistakes’ in it. It is sexless. A Stepford Wives version of Rock music, cold and bloodless to its core. Place any of the guitar work here beside Hendrix’s ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return) for example; Hendrix made most of that up on the spot. That’s Rock music and more of the spirit of Jazz too. That’s a Good Musician. I know it’s unfair to throw Hendrix - and that track in particular - in any guitar player’s face but the point will hold with manys a subtler example. Joe Walsh, who also often carefully designed his solos, was nevertheless musician enough to deliver them like he hadn’t. There is something of uncanny valley about the lyrics as well; there is so much failed poetry in Rock music and yet Steely Dan’s lyrics are so patently free of any sense of poetic ambition at all; so plainly a mere studied approximation of the sort of things that humans sing that I am always chilled to the bone listening to them. The rhythmic non sequiturs are as striking as the evasive sense of meaning and it’s all delivered with a sort of naivety, like a boy auditioning for the lead role in the school musical. He’ll probably get it. Do any other kids want to start a band with him though? The Apostle Peter diagnosed Simon Magus straight away when the Sorcerer offered money to be taught the technique of laying on of hands: ‘You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God./ Repent therefore of this your wickedness…’ (Acts 8: 21-22) You can’t buy the Spirit, Steely Dan. Your heart isn’t right and so your music is wicked. Sadly - a sin of their times, the 70s - Steely Dan lacked a Peter to confront them and they didn’t repent. They made lots more albums and we must say our prayers and tolerate their wretched little flying show one more time. 1/5

I’d heard of Steely Dan but I didn’t know what the music was like. I really enjoyed it. Only a couple of songs let me down and it had some fun keys, brass and guitar lines

4/5 solid groovy 70s rock. Missing some of the jazz fusion of their later work but is fun overall. Palmer’s lead vocals leave a little to bit desired (with the exception of dirty work), as I’d much prefer if Fagen sang lead on every track. Fun solos, very accessible.

I like Steely Dan. Easy listening. Love the piano in several songs. Tambourine in some songs. Lyrics ok. I am a big fan of 70s music.

Best album for white boys

I only listened to halve it wasn’t bad my favorite song was dirty work I wouldn’t listen to it on a daily basis tho

imma be honest, not even top 3 steely dan album. still great. strong 7. first listen tracklist ranking: 1. Do It Again 2. Dirty Work 3. Reelin’ in the Years 4. Only a Fool Would Say That 5. Kings 6. Midnite Cruiser 7. Change of the Guard 8. Brooklyn 9. Turn That Heartbeat Over Again 10. Fire in the Hole

Great album

Perfect for a yacht and mid 70s FM and a prep school reunion.

I mean, it’s Steely Dan. What’s not to like?

✅️ STILL BANGS favorite tracks: Dirty Work, Kings

Heard of Steely Dan but never previously listened to them. The epitome of inoffensive 70s soft rock. You can't hate it but could I remember it an hour later? Nah.

This isn't a thrill either, Dan. Flaccid rock. 1*

A lot of good bangin’ songs and a lot of eh songs. Good mixture of it though 3/5

Has an alluring melody that pulls you in.

Yes I am indeed Reelin in the Years, its Dirty Work but damn makes me feel like those Kings when I'm Midnite Cruising. This album slaps top to bottom, what an absolute banger of a debut for Steely Dan. I FINALLY feel I'm at an age where I can just get this and bask in its glow.

RATING: 8/10 HIGHLIGHT: Midnite Cruiser LOWLIGHT: Dirty Work