Reviews (page 10 of 15)
I guess I’m hitting the part of the 1001 challenge where bands are turning up for their second or third time. I don’t think multiple entries are warranted unless a bands sound or album style has changed significantly. That said, this is a fucking sexy album!
I was feeling cynical going into it, but my tapping toes don't lie!
Killer debut from the Dan
Just banger after banger. Surprised how much of the album I already knew.
Very good! I was familiar with both the name and the music before, but don't know if I would be able to connect them together. Listened in the car on the way up to Tahoe with Lemur.
Excellent!
It’s alright . Favorite song: Reelin’ in the years Least favorite song: Midnite Cruiser
When I was a kid, my uncle told me about Steely Dan. I felt so grown up and cool to be listening to them. Turns out, still get a similar feelings 25 years later. I hadnt listened to this album before. It is chill, I like it. Im not sure if I like it as much as Gaucho though. Reelin in the Years is fantastic though!
Just hits!
The first SD classic, contains the best song (Dirty Work).
Possibly my least favourite Steely Dan album, but still very good, of course.
Solid, nice in the background, nothing really to praise, nor to complain.
steely dan falls into that category where i would never turn it OFF. but i would rarely turn it on either. fun and enjoyable but never something im looking for. plus Aja was better than this so well go high 3
songs to sign your divorce papers to
Solid album wit some very recognizable hits. Well worth the listen.
Good good shit.
An enjoyable classic but still surprising
Nearly impeccable record that I've listened to many times. It has lots of tight, classic tracks with great composition, jazzy licks, incredible musicianship and produced to perfection. I was shocked to learn it was actually their debut album.
Rock n roll. S’écoute de bout en bout
All sounds the same. Not for me.
I am not really sure how to take this album. For one, it is nothing what I expected. I was expecting a lot more traditional rock riffs. There was a nice mix of different styles. I definitely need to listen to more of their music
A quintessential 5. I love this album so much. Too many iconic songs to have it be any less. The whole album stands out.
Perhaps the singles are overplayed but they are still killer. And all of the non singles (other than Fire in the Hole, just can’t get into that one yet) are very strong as well. 4.5/5 ? 4.75?
an absolute banger and so fun to listen to.
After 3 (?) albums, even enjoying Steely Dan, I got annoyed by this album.
I was familiar with the hits from this album, so I didn't realize what a solid debut this is. Steely Dan has been memed a bit recently (is it the jazz rock?), so I was expecting something sillier. It's a good record boss. Also, the production and engineering sound fantastic. Highlights: Do It Again, Dirty Work, Midnite Cruiser, Reelin' In The Years, Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me)
This was fun
Steely Dan stands alone as the most magnificent rock band of all time. It’s a hill I will happily die on. So much has been written about this record that I feel it’s almost a waste of time to try to elaborate further than the fact that this is a top 5 album ever for me. It’s not my favourite Steely Dan record, but it’s still head and shoulders above everything else on this list. “Kings” and “Change of the Guard” are my personal favourite songs from this album. I’d give it 10 stars if I could.
For most bands, an album like “Can’t Buy A Thrill” wouldn’t be super popular among their devoted fans: it’s their first album before they really cemented the heavily jazz-tinged sound they’re most loved for, and it’s full of commercially very successful tracks which can often be divisive among the fanbases of other bands. Steely Dan avoids all of this because their debut album is the best yacht rock album ever made and everyone loves yacht rock. Musically, there are hints here of the outsized influence jazz will have on later records, and there’s also a bit of Latin flavor, especially on “Do It Again” and “Only a Fool Would Say That”, which is a delight. The production also sounds distinctly like a Steely Dan record, and there are points where the musical phrasing is unmistakably Fagen/Becker. The lyrics, too, are in their trademark style. It’s not that it doesn’t sound like a Steely Dan record, it’s just made from a different mold. But it’s still a damn fine album and one of my favorites from the Dan. If I had to pick a fault, it’s that “Fire in the Hole” and “Change of the Guard” aren’t quite as strong as the rest of the album… but I don’t feel the need to pick a fault. 9/10
Our lovable weirdos come out the gate fully baked.
Honestly I am impressed with how many hits are on this album.
I bloody love SD and this debut is great though far from the best. Strong
Is "Dirty Work" the best second song on an album? Ever? Find me a challenger.
Not my favorite Dan album but very solid
I do know of this artist and these songs. This is such classic, stoner rock. So good.
this album has already found its way in my record collection. I love the length energy fromt his album. Sadly havent heard from steely dan something that has reached this peak imo. 5*
Listened Before: N I'm not sure how to categorize this album. It's like... an attempt at rock that came across as easy listening? I don't know. I do know that the 3 hits on this album are VERY VERY VERY overplayed. I think I'll pass on this one forever. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Dirty Work
Plane 70's rock. Nothing special.
Enjoyed!
Heard this before but it's a pleasure to revisit, even just for the opening song.
Do it again, Dirty work and Reelin' in the years. Amazing album, and I just love Steely Dan. The group name is taken from the name of a gigantic dildo from the book Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs. I like that fact.
Never fails to make me smile and sing along!
This is a great first album. It has several of their 'Greatest Hits' - 'Do It Again', 'Dirty Work', 'Midnite Cruiser' 'Reelin' in The Years' ...
So good I listened to it twice! I knew a few singles of theirs but had never listed to a full album. As if this was their first?! Love the mix of Latin, soft rock, white guy RnB, etc. One track even sounded like Thin Lizzy. I’ll be listening to more!
I love Steely Dan. We had one tape in the car with Steely Dan (and Deacon Blue) and it’s cemented in my brain. Really love these songs and this album had some absolute hits. I think there are better SD albums but this really is a fun one. I was surprised that this was 72. Sounds later to me.
Some great pop choruses, but really put off by all that ugly sounding electric piano/organ, all those noodly guitar solos and quite basic lyrics that just don't connect for me. Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me) seems to be the most toned down and subtle song, and is definitely the highlight for me. Very glad to be introduced to it. Just wish it would stop at 3.39 before that brief solo comes in. In fact, just recut this album with all those show-off solos removed and I'd happily add on another star or two.
As a kid I didn’t really enjoy listening to Steely Dan in the back seat during a car journey. But they really are a grower! Excelllwnt album. Great pop hits and class guitar work! Just a couple songs that I still struggle with at the end!
Jolly album with some real SD anthems along the way. Enjoyed it, I should have gone double denim for the day and pulled off some dad dancing. You can understand the sucess they have had over the decades.
Thank you Jenny Lloyd for introducing me to this wonderful band a few years ago. Famously amazing sounding records, these guys really know how to produce an album. Best enjoyed on a good stereo or good headphones, they also sound great on a car stereo or a bluetooth speaker on Mersea Island, where i am currently residing with the family. So, I've grown to become a big fan of The Dan, I've seen Nearly Dan, a marvellous steely Dan cover band live, and it was one of the best live gigs I've been to. This is not my favourite album of theirs, Aja and Gaucho I prefer, as there are a few meh songs on there, despite it containing the biggest hits. Fire in the hole and Kings are not fantastic, so hence the 4*
This band needed an editor.
Fantastic listen, really enjoyed this one with the Jazz influences
Love this album. Hate the artwork.
it was fine.
As good as it gets for classic rock. Smooth as hell and the whole thing works together beautifully.
More yacht rock. Great stuff really enjoyed it. Great songwriting great musicianship. It will always be “are you reeling in the yeast” to me though.
Infectiously groovy
No thanks
Production and musicianship outstanding. So clean for something recorded in the 70s. Didn't think I'd enjoy this one so much, another 5 star for me
3 absolute classics on this album. The rest of the album is good...not great.
A solid album with a couple of memorable songs but some of the songs are relatively nondescript.
it’s cute. dirty work always hits the spot for me. all songs are good but nothing besides dirty work stands out to me. even though all the songs are nice.
This is #day74 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... for the first time in this challenge, here we are with another album by the same band. Just a week ago, I explored Aja, and now it's time for Steely Dan's debut. While it doesn't quite match the brilliance of my first encounter, this one's still an enjoyable listen. I mean, look at that collage album cover, and it's 1972 outside. "Do It Again," and "Fire In The Hole" are personal highlights. As one reviewer noted, I might be turning into a dad... I wouldn't mind checking out more from these guys. Are there any other albums on the list? This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to#day75.
I know this one front to back and don't need an excuse to relisten. I'll do it anyway even though at this rate, Steely Dan is gonna be one of my top artists of the year. Do It Again is such a smooth opener, Dirty Work is a top ten favourite song at this point, Only a fool is a classic, and Reelin' in the years just makes me happy. The rest of the album tracks also work very well. One of my favourite albums, I am so fond of it. 5
There are several great songs on here, really good writing and a very nice vibe. Not many flat spots.
Great melodies rhythms and vocal harmonies. Doesn’t sound like anything I have ever heard before. Really unique. High quality. Well produced. A great album.
Yacht rock 102
1. "Do It Again" 3,4 2. "Dirty Work" 2,8 3. "Kings" 3,3 4. "Midnite Cruiser" 2,9 5. "Only a Fool Would Say That" 3,1 6. "Reelin' In the Years" 3 7. "Fire in the Hole" 3,2 8. "Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)" 3 9. "Change of the Guard" 3 10. "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again" 3,5 Average 3,12
A wonderful jazz rock album. Every song hits, great instrumentation, incredible harmonies and vocals. It's a feel good album throughout and shows why Steely Dan went on to be legends.
If all soft-rock albums were as good as this then I'd probably like the genre. They aren't and I don't. However, Steely Dan are definitely the masters of this type of music, and I don't have too much trouble listening to this. They are notorious for their meticulous production techniques and this really shines through on almost all of their albums, which helps.
Favourites- Do it again and reeling in the years. Easy to listen to. 3-4 stars
Can't buy a thrill strikes me as an absolute classic, a band probably at the top of their game when they wrote it. Pretty much standard classic rock format, steady drums to foot tap your way through the albums, understated bass line, piano and guitar. Vocals are a safe and steady addition. It is simple ingredients done well, and certainly unapologetic about it. Rate a 3 out of 5 (in my scoring system that is a good score, an album everyone should have on their list). It's easy music to listen to, but doesn't blow my mind.
Kinda fun!
It's amazing to me that honestly every steely dan song I've ever heard before listening to this one album was on this album. I'm super interested now to listen to their other albums to hear what I've been missing.
Лаунж
Genuinely only upset that I didn't get this on a workday. One of my favorites ever
Álbum de debut de uno de los grupos de rock más sofisticados y con personalidad más marcada de los años 70 y 80. Es también su disco más pop, con apenas incursiones en el jazz rock que caracterizará toda su obra. La canción inicial, "Do It Again" es magnífica, y en ella si se pueden apreciar ritmos de jazz latino. Es la canción que más me gusta del disco, pero también son remarcables "Reelin' in the Years" (con magníficas armonías de jazz) y la más pop, "Dirty Work".
My ex liked Steely Dan. I always thought they were dorky. It’s been 17 years now. I guess I can look past her love of them, but they’re still dorky.
I LOVED this! So fun and charming. Really reminded me of Billy Joel. Really glad to have found this one, definitely my favourite so far (except for Bowie of course).
Masterfully executed hybrid of rock and jazz with a 70’s flavor. Complicated chords and playing yet super accessible. Clever songwriting.
Very solid album, and a new one to me! First few tracks really good.
The guy in Turin suggested, the songs are very cool, do it again is a banger
Fire in the Hole is great. The piano...chef's kiss. Great album
Do It Again - 7.8 Dirty Work - 7.9 Kings - 7.3 Midnite Cruiser - 7.6 Only A Fool Would Say That - 7.6 Reelin In The Years - 7.3 Fire In The Hole - 7.5 Brooklyn - Change Of The Guards - Turn That Heartbeat Over Again -
And you left out this brilliant album from the new version of 1001 for the sake of f. Kanye West. and SZA's panties. Jesus Christ! What a world!
From the beginning, one of the great bands of all time. And nobody had better production skills than these two dudes, nobody.
Love it. Know almost every song.
The album cover makes me want to love this album enough I want the print of the cover on the wall at home. Lets see!! I have not heard much Steely Dan before but this album is a great introduction for me. It has some of their most popular hits and the rest of the album is really good too. The opening three tracks are really good and set the tone for the album. Favourite song: Do it again and reeling in the years. Least favourite: All tracks are great. Album artwork: I love the album cover.
This album being called "Can't Buy a Thrill" is kind of like a carousel ride being called "Can I get some screaming please?" Only slightly thrilling part is the solo guitar work on Reelin' in the Years
Awesome!
5 star start, but 3 star finish
Another bland album from Steely Dan. Very clean, too much so for me.
soft rock noun [ U ] music specialized uk/ˌsɒft ˈrɒk/ us/ˌsɑːft ˈrɑːk/ a type of rock music (= popular music that is played with electric guitars and drums) where the beat is not very strong and loud, and it's a teeny bit dull; aka Steely Dan. Pleasant enough listen, but I just found it a tad insipid.
Ah, the 70s. I was 4 when this was released, 'Do It Again' and 'Reelin' In The Years' were played on the radio a lot but I never really liked them. I preferred 'Seasons in the Sun' and 'Billy Don't be a Hero'! Planet Rock play these tracks now to give their listeners a quiet moment. In the palette of rock music Steely Dan are magnolia.
A nothingy listen for me. Didn’t leave much of an impression on me at all. Fine but not much more.
Solid, easy listening dad rock. No weak points but also no big highs, just a good album the whole way through. I preferred Pretzel Logic - that one felt more varied and interesting to listen to. Still, another strong 3 - I’m giving out a lot of 3s at the minute!
liked this a lot more than Aja
Cool funky rock. Nice guitars
This was better than the other Steely Dan album on the list. My favorite was “Dirty Work”
Not a huge steely Dan fan but this has some solid songs on it.
Great debut album with several classics, earning the one star bump.
From the start of that much sampled iconic conga part in Do It Again, Can't Buy A Thrill is a special album. I've heard this my whole life, starting on my older brothers' turntables, and it still sounds fresh. Steely Dan are known for their production. Every time I hear this album, I hear something new (like the arpeggiod rhythm guitar in the Dirty Work introduction on the right side of the mix!). Liked Songs Added: - Do It Again - Dirty Work - Kings - Midnite Cruiser - Reelin' In The Years - Fire In The Hole
Yall I might have amnesia cuz I don't remember much about this album. That means it gets a solid 3.
This album challenge has made me realize I’m a big fan of Steely Dan! I love how his music feels nostalgic, but in the best way. 4.8 stars!
Adult contemporary dad rock of the not-so-cringey kind.
I liked it for background music, though it isn't my usual genre.
Astounding. I am familiar with a lot of these tracks, and there’s a good reason for their popularity, but even the lesser tracks are still pretty good. A pleasure to listen to, with fantastic production and orchestration.
Some certified bangers on here, but it's not a 10/10 through the whole album.
Thing with Steely Dan albums is that you can't really find a fault in it. Instrumentally as well as lyrically, they are good. Their songs are catchy with clean, groovy production. It's the lack of experimentation and passion that makes them uninteresting. You can sit through them, you may even like some of the songs (Do It Again, Dirty Work, Midnite Cruiser), but they seem to play safe.
I have never felt more 37-years-old than listening to Steely Dan and having the time of my life. I am a fully actualized middle-aged white man now.
This is the second Steely Dan album we've had in a couple of weeks and I continue to quite like it. There's a mixture of cynicism and prog rock musical theatrics that appeals to me. It sort of reminds me of late era "Bobby Brown Goes Down" Frank Zappa (which isn't my favourite Zappa era, to be fair.) Though unfavourably you could say it was "Yacht Rock" perhaps? I'd definitely have to be in the right mood for it. This album starts very strong with the first couple of songs, comes back with a couple more strong ones and then simmers down again. So about half great, half passable. I still can't find it strange that I like this... but I do!
Didn’t grab me to be honest….
More familiar than I realised and some good Marmite
I really liked it! There wasn’t any song that I particularly liked more than the other but I would certainly listen to it again and enjoy it
Jfc this is tepid. Sure, there's talent but it's wasted on rock that's as far from hard that you can't even talk about Mohs, let alone quantify this album using it. The best bits are the noodly showboating lead guitars. The worst bits are the entire rest of it.
It's alright
The band called their cover for The Royal Scam the ugliest album cover of the 70's except for this one. And this truly is an abomination. I think a lot of Steely Dan fans are not crazy about this album because it is the least Steely Dan-esque Steely Dan album, but I think it is pretty good. I love "Dirty Work" and the other hits are also strong. I think the band was still discovering what it was when this was recorded, but a lot of the elements that would make up peak Steely Dan were here. This is a good record.
An album which scored 6 X 4/5's, 2 X 3/5's and 2 5/5's from me. This is definitely one I'll be revisiting. Really enjoyable.
What a great listen. Strong start and continues through most of the album.
Bisschen old school
-he’ll yea I love Steely Dan! I’ve listened to a few songs from this album but not the whole thing. The jazz / big band influence is great and gives the whole album a really smooth and cohesive feel. Never a dull moment. 4.5 stars -Favorites are Do It Again, Only A Fool Would Say That, and Reelin’ In The Years
It's got some neat songs. Not mind blowing by any stretch of the imagination.
So sophisticated, but not as fully developed as the later albums. Wonderful songs, dynamic arrangements.
Steely Dan reminds me of my love life. Dull, disappointing and depressing to think about. Fuck Steely Dan!
Overall impressions - Has a classic familiar sound, yet I'm not sure I've ever heard any of the songs before - The original Fleetwood Mac vibes - Very movie montage - Easy to listen to, although not easily discernable on a first listen. Lyrics aren't immediately apparent Song Breakdowns - Do It Again has a laid back vibe and a chill guitar solo. The electric keyboard solo right after is also worth noting. Groovy maaaan - Dirty Work is technically sound but man, fuck that cheating bitch and honestly hope there's a redemption arc further on in the album because can't respect it bro - Kings has some brilliant and ironic story telling. Fuck that piece of shit, king John but also pour one out for my homey - Midnite Cruiser makes me oddly nostalgic for a life of crime and thrill that I've never had. Like I want to go back to worse times that have never existed? I bet that Midnite Cruiser is a sexy piece of curvy metal. With lots of buttons. Take me to Harlem, babe - Only A Fool Would Say That coming in hot with beach chilling sunny vibe times. Stand out track, but not so down with the put down of optimism. Good song though, fave so far - Reelin' in the years has magnificent syncopation, killer guitar solos, and the pointed lyrics of desired suffering are timeless. Get fucked, I hope you're miserable - Fire In The Hole owns the piano. I'm feeling a redemption arc and some character development. Get that bag bro. It's not over, keep fighting and wait for that explosion - Brooklyn is the worst track so far..Slow start, uninspired, repeatative, and just when it started getting good with a guitar solo it did the dreaded fade out. Boo/10 - Change Of The Guard is Fleetwood Mac with less cocaine and cheating (but probably still some). Or maybe Fleetwood Mac is Change Of The Guard - Turn That Heartbeat Over Again is a strong finisher, probably my second favorite. Some original riffs and solos. Brings a sense of conclusion that is satisfying for the album Will I re-listen? First impressions say songs will make it on certain playlists, but some stinkers if you ask me. But I enjoyed listening and appreciating it for what it is.
Great instrumentation, I feel like yes it’s a very 70s album it’s not something that I would hear everyday. There’s some albums from that decade that I feel that have a more timeless sound due the fact they are more acoustic… or have more aspect of ballad. Overall I feel that this a great project, a lot of folk, jazz, rock combined and again GREAT instrumentation on this record, very tropical summer vibes, I’ll definitely have to search more about but it’s a decent 8 for me, cause it lost me sometimes in some tracks (I usually prefer a more introspective album or more dark/ intense but I don’t mind that was fun and ver pleasant.
For some reason, I believed Steely Dan was tacky 80s rock played at backyard Fourth of July parties. This was more than that. Colors of red, orange and bright green. Made me feel joyful and quickly found myself singing along. Favorite song: Kings
cool
Since this site sent me Pretzel Logic a few months ago, I have become a huge fan of Steely Dan and his records have become part of my listening routine. And of course, their debut album is also part of this description. It has some really good songs, some really wonderful ones and also one of the best songs of the 70s: Reelin' In The Years which, after just a few plays, has already entered my select playlist of my favorite type of music: Road Trip Songs! Not just any song I put on this playlist. It took about 10 years to put together 50 songs and this year alone, Steely Dan released two including Rikki Don't loose that Number which was also one that won me over immediately! Anyway, I don't have much else to say about this album. I just have to thank this site for introducing me to this wonderful band! Another very easy 5 stars!
"Only a Fool Would Say That" - Loved it & I'm NOT a big Steely Dan fan.
Steely Dan is definitely a niche band with a devoted fan base. I’m not one of them, but where some of their albums feel a little bloated, this album is more straightforward and accessible. Dirty Work and Midnite Cruiser are both great tunes that I wasn’t familiar with. And everyone has heard Reeling and Do it Again. As always, great players and instrumentation. Not a huge fan of some of the drab vocals but with much of Steely Dan’s discography, they’re secondary to the music and serve the songs well. Especially when there’s a strong chorus like several songs here.
Such a quintessential and masterfully composed album of timeless tunes. Great grooves, instrumentation, and songwriting through and through. I know the meme exsists that this is certifiable dad rock but, it does fuck so hard.
Fantastic mix of chill, catchy and complex. 5/5
Smoothly relaxing Clarity and precision Make all day chill tones
Going with a decently solid 3.5 stars on this. For me, the three hits are far and away the standouts, especially the supremely cool "Do It Again". A pretty perfect recording, if you ask me. None of the other seven tracks come close to it, "Dirty Work", or "Reelin' in the Years" for me, though Skunk Baxter's work on "Kings" and "Change of the Guard" is particularly excellent. "Only a Fool Would Say That" and "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again" are the only clunkers in my book, and even then, neither are offensively bad by any means. Just not my preferred style. 3.5/5
Overall a pretty solid album. Definitely is a little too heavy, but the music is good. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
nothing but hits on this one
I feel like I have Deja Vu with this one
Ancient people would have loved Steely Dan
Give me a miller high life, a grill, a cigarette, and Steely Dan and you will give me happiness
Good
Wack but not as wack as aja
Absolute banger
This was my first time listening to a full Steely Dan album, and I guess I shouldn’t have waited so long. Familiarity with the opening tracks helped me settle in, and I really enjoyed the entire ride. Kings was probably my favorite track, the backing vocals were on point during that tune. Only a Fool Would Say That was also great, felt like Do It Agin Pt2, not sure if that was the intention. I’ll likely revisit this album in the near future.
i am physically incapable of rating this any lower than five stars
I love steely dan.... this album was absolutely great to listen to 10/10 love the vibes
4/5
Ok
Sounds like something my dad would listen to.
I enjoyed this album. I didnt think I knew who Steely Dan was but a few songs pops up that brought a few memories back.
This is amazing, this is like the Beatles with as much swag as possible. A+
Wow. Nvr heard of Dan but this is fire
My dad was a dentist in the 1970s through the 1990s, so I think this record was obligatory for his work playlist. It’s like the background music to my childhood visits to his office. Do It Again and Reelin' In the Years are well-known classics, but my favorite song is Dirty Work. The rest of this album is actually decent too though. There's really no other band that sounds like Steely Dan. 3.5⭐️ (I’ll round up to 4 for rating)
fun!
3.5 Ssteely Dan never clicked for me, but it's growing on me every time I hear it. Pretty. I appreciate the production value but musically, still not my thing.
Steely Dan always seemed like one of those bands with a towering reputation in the United States but less recognition elsewhere. I knew the name but didn’t think I knew the music—until I hit play on Can't Buy a Thrill and instantly recognized so many of the tracks. These songs have not just shown up in countless soundtracks; they’ve become classics of their era, woven into the fabric of 70s rock. In my mind, few bands have delivered an opening one-two punch as tight as “Do It Again” and “Dirty Work,” especially on a debut. On paper, this kind of ultra-smooth 70s sound and slick production shouldn’t be my thing, but the technical proficiency, unpredictable arrangements, and sheer quality of songwriting had me hooked. I ended up playing the album a few times on repeat without even realizing it. Maybe this is a sign I’m getting older, but there are times when I just want to sit back and relax with guitar music, rather than be pummeled by riffs. Can't Buy a Thrill isn’t short on big moments—just listen to the solos in “Reelin’ In the Years” or “Change of the Guard”—but these moments feel like part of the bigger picture, rather than the main attraction. What I liked best was the balance between accessible, feel-good tracks and hidden complexities. This is music you can enjoy or obsess over, depending on your mood. I fully understand how this album became a cornerstone of 70s rock and how it began to cement Steely Dan's place in the Rock and Roll pantheon. Did/Do I own this release? No Does this release belong on the list? Yes Would this release make my personal list? strong candidate Will I be listening to it again? for sure
This is what i imagine would play in the 70s when i hit the local diner after high school in grandma muscle car. Not too elaborate but "listen-able"
The first song is one of the best songs ever.
Better than the Gene Clark rubbish I was subjected to the previous day. Familiar with some of the hits and on the whole quite competent 70s soft rock
Correct album in a positive vibe. First song has an amazing well known theme that is very pleasant to the ear.
Turns out I knew several of the songs before I played this album. The best thing about this is the band's name. The worst thing is the horrible sleeve art. The music itself sits somewhere in between. Early 1970s AOR soft rock, with jazz and latin poking through. For me, this is an example where high skill level in songwriting, musicianship and production don't result in a great album.
1. do it again - 3 2. uuork - 1.5 3. kingz - 1 4. cruizer - 1 5. fool - 1.5 6. yearz - 3 7. fire - 1 8. brooklyn - 1 9. guard - 1 10. heart - 1.5
Pretty decent rock.
Steely Dan have proven that they never really put out a "bad" album. The perfectionist quality that they wanted was apparrent from the very start, this debut album. It features Jazz and Latin inspired Yacht Rock with chill but interesting arrangements that pull from many influences and ideas to put together an album that within the Steely Dan fanbase is seen as one of their best outputs ever. And while I do like it a lot, they made better projects, especially "Aja" which is one of my all-time favourite albums. The album opens with the classic song 'Do It Again', a classic jazzy Yacht-Rock song with slight influences from Latin Music and Indian Ragas in the bridge which does add an exotic and relaxed feeling to the nearly 6 minute long song which happens to be albums lengthiest piece. It's groovy and the chorus is very memorable as are the verses. The songwriting is absolutely amazing and the song flows from the sitar inspired guitar into the next verses with piano at centre with ease. It is an incredible song but I do think that they streched it a little too long. Don't get me wrong, they did an amazing job making the pretty long bridge interesting and I wasn't turned away a single second but did the song NEED it? I think not. But still, the song is executed masterful and with incredible precission that the song just turns out incredible, even perfect to be honest. David Palmer does the vocals on 'Dirty Work' (and a couple of songs later on) which is a much softer and folkier song by the addition of more present acoustic guitar. The voice itself doesn't really fit in the verses but that's just my personal preference. The chorus though... Wow, it's just so amazing. Absolutely catchy and incredibly memorable. You can't help but sing along to it and it makes you forget that the vocals felt off with the verses and you end the song with the feeling that it's just another perfect song that you just heard. 'Kings' tries to be more Pop and a little progressive with the used styles and how the lyrics are constructed but the result just doesn't work particularly well. The song turns out average without much of a hook that actually hooks you to the song. It feels average and like it just flies past you with pretty much everything that it does. Yes, the song is musically dense and plays with many ideas and styles as well as the use of many different instruments but the result feels not that interesting. I'd say it's a good song but just "okay good" and not "great good". The hook on 'Midnite Cruiser' is much better and it at least hooks you this time but it doesn't do it very well. The song still feels pretty uninspired and plain without many things that it adds to the album or the music of its time. Again, the music itself is complex and dense but the performance of it, the result the listener gets to hear, is rather washed out and just boring. It isn't so boring that you fall asleep or that it hurts your ears but it's not more than an okay listen. Luckily, 'Only a Fool Would Say That' returns to the Latin influences from the start and with it one of the best song the album has to offer. It is groovy, warm and the hook is just executed to perfection. It is a return to the chill but beautiful and energetic sound that made the first songs so great. This song isn't as perfect, mainly because the instrumental bridges would've needed a little more work but it's still absolutely incredible. The albums second side has 'Reelin' in the Years' to start it with a bluesy and progressive Pop song that works so well here. The verses are a little goofy with how fast he's singing them and all I think is: Dude... you do not need to fit 100 words into one bar, this is Steely Dan and not Eminem. But when the chorus starts with the absolute beast that it is, I am once again thrown away. The bridge is a little too long but other than that, the song is pretty much perfect. It feels silly but in a really good way. 'Fire in the Hole' reminds of some late 60's band but I cannot pin down which one it was... Maybe Fairport Convention but I am not sure. Anyway, the song has some really interesting and slightly Avant-Garde piano as the main driver and a really great and playfuk chorus but sadly the song as a whole isn't as interesting as the chorus is. It's got some pretty nice moments which is why I do think that's it's a really solid and good song but sadly not much more. The slight Country influences on 'Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)' might be not a bad idea but Palmer is once again the lead vocalist which ruins it this time. The chorus is weak and just not interesting at all and the song as a whole isn't much better. It's just a boring song and the Country guitar does not save it from being a snoozer. In contrast, 'Change of the Guard' pretty much removes all other influences and gives us pure Steely Dan Pop and Yacht Rock but sadly, it isn't much more interesting because of that. The vocals in the pre-chorus are really well made but the song isn't really that interesting. It's okay, I don't mind it, it doesn't make wanna skip it or fall asleep but I wouldn't put it on out of own choice. The album closes with 'Turn That Heartbeat Over Again' which again, tries to be a little more Progressive Pop but this time, it works better. Not necessarily great but the result is alright. It's a nice closing track and it does have a nice melody but there are too many breaks and "play-arounds" which sometimes just destroys the flow of the song. But other than that, It's alright. favourites: Dirty Work, Do It Again, Reelin' in the Years, Only a Fool Would Say That least favourites: Brooklyn, Turn That Heartbeat Over Again, Kings, Midnite Cruiser Rating: strong 7 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes
I'll give it to 'em on this one. Hit city from Steely Dan here.
70/100
This is an excellent album. It has the huge hits Do It Again, Dirty Work, and Reelin' in the Years, but all the other tracks are strong as well. Steely Dan would go on to have a long career with other strong albums, but this one just might be my favorite of all of them.
“Can't Buy A Thrill” é como aqueles personagens de filmes do anos 70 que chega numa festa com uma jaqueta de veludo, um drink na mão, e o sorriso de quem sabe que o rolê vai ser cheio de surpresas. Esse álbum é um portal direto para a era em que bigodes volumosos e solos de guitarras eram reis, e tem refrões tão grudantes que poderiam facilmente ser a cola dos anos 70. As guitarras do álbum são crocantes e douradas, como batatas fritas acabadas de sair do óleo quente—impossível ouvir só uma vez. Você vai querer voltar e repetir, como aquele lanche da madrugada que bate diferente. Steely Dan faz um tour guiado pelo rock 'n roll com paradas estratégicas no soft rock e umas piscadelas para o rock psicodélico que parecem dizer: "Hey, a gente também sabe pirar, tá?". No geral, é um álbum que se ouve em um dia ensolarado: estiloso, leve, e te deixa com aquela vontade de cantar no meio da rua, sem se importar com o que os vizinhos vão pensar. Diversão garantida.
Previously rated: Pretzel Logic (4/5) ***************************** Do It Again, Dirty Work, and Reelin' In The Years make it a 5/5. The other songs are pretty good too.
I've never consciously listened to Steely Dan (though I recognized a song or two), but I had an absolute blast with this one - it's great songs with great arrangements, a hint of Jazz, smooth and catchy. I kept listening to it all day.
Лучше, чем альбом с монохромной обложкой про бублики. Музыка в целом хорошая, но глубоко не хватает. Лучшая песня - Dirty Work.
I think this album is pretty overrated. There a few Steely Dan songs that I adore, but generally, I find their music really hokey and conceited. This album is an example of that. Do It Again kind of just drags on, I have no idea why it is 6 minutes long when 1/3 of the song is two terrible solos. The melody of this song is grating, and I think the vocals feel really strained. Reelin' In The Years is another song I feel similarly about. I just do not enjoy it. The melody is annoying, and the vocals just irritate me. The guitar ornamentation around the track is boring, and the tone/timbre of the guitars are just not great. The rest of the album is okay, and has some moments here and there that I enjoy, but generally is pretty whatever. Dirty Work, Turn That Heartbeat Over Again, and Brooklyn however, are great songs. Aja and Groucho are two way better projects, where I feel that their songwriting and production matured. In closing, they are talentless hacks who have thrived off of surrounding themselves with incredible session musicians like Bernard Purdie, Larry Carlton, and Chuck Rainey. 5 misses and 2 fucking terrible songs, but 3 songs that I revisit very often.
Hey, a couple hits I recognize! It was fine. It got a bit samey, but it was an enjoyable listen. The sound is pretty unique, though, so I'll forgive a bit of samieness. I could see myself coming around on this if I give it a few more listens, but I don't have much of a drive to right now.
Not a bad song in here, and some huge hits as well? Easy 5/5. Easy listening but there are some sneakily sophisticated parts too.
Not bad. A few songs I knew. Very 70’s folk style.
Not my cup of tea, but I enjoyed it a bit. To be honest it just made me go and listen to the Doobie Brothers instead.
A record of extremely solid unoffensive and vanilla songs. They are well recorded, produced and written but most of these albums I play while working and there will be a track or two that grab my attention. These just all came across as background noise with nothing jumping out as interesting.
First listen Saved 3/10 Top track: Dirty Work
nice one
Pretty much everything you need to know about Steely Dan
Very competent but too detached 3.4
I love the term “audiophile” which simply means lover of sounds. In that sense, every single person who loves music would qualify as an audiophile so I wholeheartedly claim it, but not the modern meme it’s become as an ossified dig at old guys who love “audiophile” pressings of Steely Dan and other 70s music, often aligned with expensive “audiophile” pressings and often spewed to make fun of “yacht rock.” Yes there’s some truth here, but really I love me some Steely Dan, and it’s amazing music so sure, I prefer to listen to it in one of the recognized best versions to hear the music. We chase for it because when you hear a really good version, this is one of the best produced and enjoyable listens around because these guys were literal demanding nutcases with the amount of attention to detail they dedicated to the production of their albums, this one being one of their best. It deserves it too; there’s so much…lushness in their music that in a good version, there’s new stuff that jumps out in the mix. That, and the amazing and unique songwriting, interesting characters, this is an easy classic, for sure.
It's so good, incredibly well-crafted. The hits are extremely memorable, they sure know how to write a catchy hook. There are no weak tracks. Record isn't too long or too short. Standouts are the aforementioned hits "Do It Again", "Dirty Work", and one of my all-time faves "Reelin' In The Years".
'can't buy a thrill' is an interesting first step for steely dan. of course you have the two big hits on here, which are great, but you can see the more humble beginnings at play here, with some hints of the future. i would say this album feels less unabashedly jazzy than their follow-ups would. it's still jazzy to a point, but it feels more like an early 70s rock album with some tastes of jazz. i don't think there's a truly bad track on here (minus the closer, "turn that heartbeat over again" - a song that i legitimately did not remember being on this album at all, it's that forgettable). some of the album cuts i love on here are 'dirty work,' 'kings,' midnite cruiser,' and 'brooklyn (owes the charmer under me).' just a really solid album and a great debut from one of the 1970s premiere bands.
Solid album with good guitar and some biting lyrics.
Good style and lyrics. I forgot that I liked their voices a lot. I would say I would listen to them again but I don’t know if I will
Very solid. An enjoyable album that I wouldn't mind if someone put on again. The lyrics are fun and interesting, the sound is great, harmonies are fantastic. The only thing I have (and it's kinda nitpicky) is that the songs kinda blend together to a degree but thats not too bad cause they sound good. Overall really solid album that sounded really nice.
their lyrics are really good-little bit of snark & sarcasm to keep me paying attention. not normally my style, but enjoy the arrangements & tempos.
Saw this morning that my album was Can't buy a thrill. I brew a pot coffee, lounged in the couch, put the record on and got to 7th heaven. Damned, I'm not in my late fourties, why do I like this?
Pretty good. Though not as clever clever as later albums
A solid classic rock album, specifically on the Soft Rock spectrum. It won't blow you away, but it's okay. Favorite Track: "Do It Again".
Banger after banger! It was over before I even noticed
a classic no notes
Great
Still surprised how many hits are on this album. I think it falla off a bit at the end but overall quality
okay as background music. Doesn't excite me
I don't usually listen to classic rock but this was pretty good!
This is my 4th 5 star rating in a row! All these albums are so good including this one!
Ploddy, pedestrian rock. No redeeming features whatsoever.
Effortless pop, slightly too clever and knowing. I've always loved Do It Again. My musical tastes are SO conflicted and fucked up.
Very enjoyable with good variety and some iconic songs. Never thought of myself as a Steely Dan fan but I added a couple of tracks to my playlist!
Can’t Buy a Thrill It's only in the last 10 years or so that I have come to really appreciate Steely Dan. I had Aja on CD back in Durham, but I never really got it, it felt too AOR and Jazzy. But nowadays I can appreciate that no matter how much technical sophistication or jazziness they try to inject, they can’t seem to help but write incredibly catchy and satisfying soft rock. Do It Again is the song that probably made me realise how great they are. I remember hearing it at a party at someone’s flat when I lived in London and thinking it was superb. It’s a great example of their genius as arrangers and producers - it just sounds so right, with nothing extraneous or useless, with everything feeling considered and thought through. They also manage to play and produce with such precision, while maintaining a sense of swing and movement, without it feeling static or dull. That holds true for the rest of the songs on the album too, Dirty Work, Kings and Midnite Cruiser with their very catchy choruses and assured easily melodic verses. Only A Fool Would Say That has some lovely guitar and a slightly more cynical feel compared to the previous songs. Reelin’ in the Years is pretty well known I presume, and is a nice upbeat song for the start of side 2. Fire in Hole is vaguely melancholic, and I like the slightly staccato piano. Not one of the most immediate songs but still very good. I really love the laid back melody and feel of Brooklyn, again with a great, catchy chorus with great backing vocals. Change of the Guard is another solid soft rock pop song, with some nice overdriven guitar back in the mix. Turn that Heartbeat Over Again is a lovely bit of wistful blue eyed soul, rounding things off superbly. This may not be their greatest album, but I do love it, and it kicks off a great run of records up to Katy Lied. They may not veer too far from their catchy jazz-flecked soft rock pop tendencies, but they do it so well it doesn't really matter. Great album, easy 5 🤴🤴🤴🤴🤴 Playlist submission: Do It Again
Fondly remember staring at this album cover in my dad's record collection as a kid. So many classic songs and a few lesser songs.
Bland and boring. Shame. They obviously can play and "Ricki dont loose that number" (not on this album) is one of my favourite songs.
Steely Dan was one of those bands I knew the name of but couldn't tell you what their music was. Listening to this I do now kind of remember my dad playing this for me when I was younger. Particularly "Reelin' In the Years". This album has a great opening, it sucked me right in. "Dirty Work" is probably my favorite but I really love most of this album. It's smooth, chill, and catchy. I understand this is considered "yacht rock" which I think is considered uncool but, who cares? I'm not sure about the genre as a whole, but this album I love.
In a nutshell: inoffensive and unremarkable debut. Donald and Walter knew from get-go what they wanted their albums to sound like. Sometimes to a fault with their overzealous perfectionism. Or maybe I'm just a Millennial who doesn't get it. Reelin' In the Years is good. The rest of the album varies from "it's fine" to forgettable soft jazz rock. So many long outros and solo jams that it enters cliched territory. Nice attempt, fellas. You got better with age. Overall: 5/10
Interesting album, best songs are the popular ones Standout songs Do it again Midnight cruiser Reelin in the years
excellent
awful
Do It Again oli GH biisi. Leppoisaa rokkia missä on vähän ehkä folk vaikutteita. Ei kantria kummiskaan. Parhaat: Do It Again, Dirty Work, Change Of The Guard
My parents loved Steely Dan and played them a lot as a kid. I can't help but associate it with my childhood, although I readily admit that it isn't to everybody's tastes.
Love this band. It's cool that they had pretty much found their style and stuck with it already from the get go.
70’s
Soft 70’s rock
This felt like an afternoon with classic roach radio on. So many perennial hits from this one album. Jazzier than I expected it to be. They are clearly very talented and there are some timeless aspects. But it HARD to shake the dust of classic rock association.
Great stuff
I’m so biased when it comes to this album. Steely Dan is one of my favorite bands, and this is possibly my favorite album of all time. For a debut album, it is insanely good and possibly the best album the band has ever made. There is not one weak track on the album. Everything is a standout. It’s also so different from almost everything that was out at the time. Production is great. Sound is unique. Musically and lyrically a standout. “Dirty Work” into “Kings” into “Midnight Cruiser” is such a great creative punch. I could go on and on about this album, but I’ll shut up now and give it the 5 stars it deserves.
I'm gonna go buy a yacht now
Despite being a massive fan of Gaucho (one of my favourite LP's ever), I've never actually ventured much further into Steely Dan's discog. I've obviously listened to Do It Again, and Reelin' in the Years, and Dirty Work - but songs like Kings, Midnite Cruiser, Only A Fool, etc. all held up so well. Honestly, this album is so solid every single song on it could handle itself as a single. This album is flawless. Probably my favourite album on this generator so far.
Feel pretty similar to this as I did Aja. It’s pleasant for sure and I can see the appeal but it just doesn’t do much for me. I really don’t know why that is but the fact remains that I’m fairly unmoved. Aja definitely left more of an impression on me overall though. The songs there were significantly more exciting imo. But yeah, I see the appeal but it’s just not for me I don’t think.
5 out of 5. Full bias here but nearly every track on this album is amazing and no skips on repeat listens.
So good!
Wow holy shit!
This is pretty great
Solid album with a couple absolute classics
Decent
Steely fucking Dan.
Nice first album couple of classics and some nice jazzy bits
WARNING: This album will complete your metamorphosis into being a middle aged man. I could feel my hairline regressing to around a Norwood 5 by the time 'Reelin in the years' had come on. No wonder I'm more interested in watching sports these days. This Album really has it all, a wonderful track selection with not a single dull track, a groovy vibe, people getting cucked in the lyrics. Hell even the cover art looks like some shit you would see painted on the side of the rides at some shitty fairground (next to some weird painting of Elvis singing a duet with The Incredible Hulk or something). I had only heard maybe 1 or 2 songs on this album beforehand and was surprised at how one of those didn't even cut it for my favourites of this album. Highlights Do it Again, Midnite Cruiser, Reelin in the Years, Change of the Guard
Maybe if I were alive when it released, it would mean something.
The hits are good. The rest is fine
5/10…
I think I've become an old man now but this is great
Fantastic album and a wonderful vibe. I knew quite a few songs on this album and it flowed together incredibly.
I did not imagine steely dan like this, but sounds like it contemporaries. Otherwise, well produced album.
Really enjoyed this. Do it again is a great track to start things off with, and this quality hardly diminished from there. They have their own sound and do it well. Yes I'd listen again and I'd buy it makes it a solid 4
Dad rock at its best/worst
Easy listening rock music which was enjoyable as it was inoffensive. I always thought 'Reelin in the Years' was some old shite like Dr Hook. I was surprised/ not surprised to find out that was the worst song on the album. I want to give it a 3, but I would have to hand in my cool badge.
Superb album. I adored the instrumentals. Vocals and lyrics were great overall. Didn't enjoy Brooklyn or Turn That Heartbeat Over Again as much as the rest of the album but these were still pretty good on their own. So many bangers on this album
I definitely didn’t enjoy this album, it just felt like everything of the same and it’s really not my type of music, I wouldn’t recommend.
Kinda bummed by this one, to be honest. I've always enjoyed the song "Do It Again" so I was hoping there would be other songs on here I'd enjoy, but I'm afraid I didn't get much out of this album. I didn't dislike it, but it was fine at best. 2.6
They are talented, but it isn't really my jam.
So, my younger brother, back in the '90s, started listening to these guys, and I recall the "rock" stations playing The Dan with high frequency... and I didn't like it a bit. I'd even go so far to say that I hated it. I was dreading the day that The Dan would pop up, and I would have to "force" myself to sit through an entire album... Damnit... 4* Would have been 5*, however, one needs to make distinction—this is future me making a distinction… 5*
it's literally steely dan, albeit one of their weaker albums. their sound here would later be chiseled into the gemstones that are aja and gaucho but thrill is still very good rock nonetheless. nothing experimental or offensive but just near-perfect execution of a classic style of rock. the pinnacle of easy listening rock. the only downside to this album is that i can't listen to aja while i'm listening to it. i prefer their smoother, funkier tracks, so the higher octane hits of thrill aren't my preferred brand of danrock. top 3 tracks: dirty work, kings, only a fool would say that
For the longest time I thought he said man who stole your wallet. This is real smoking inside the house on a leather couch music. The guitar work in do it again is so fucking TIGHT man god damn. I have spent so much time drunkenly singing this. Really humanises tony soprano. Possibly one of the best songs about cucking somebody. The other side of the coin to mister bright side. I think this is the most underrated song on the album and my personal favourite. Really big fan of the vocal harmonies on this one. Another drunken classic. Midnite cruiser aka the drunk driving song. Many lamp posts narrowly missed trying to light a cigarette while driving around with the headlights off to this song. Instrumentally every song on this album is perfect. Must acquire white stetson hat…. Reelin in the years is the first steely Dan song I ever heard and it really embodies the general vibe of their music as dadcore midlife crisis music which is wild considering this album came out when my own dad was maybe 9. Fire in the hole is the worst song on this album and it’s still serviceable as a track which really demonstrates how fucking good this album is. Now is he talking about Brooklyn the location or Brooklyn being the name of a person. Overall good ass album and anthem of scumbags everywhere. Just personal preference but it’s a little front loaded with bangers
Never heard this album before but actually has some awesome songs. Do it again sounds like something that would play over a montage of someone hustling a casino or something. Most of the rest of the album is chill weed vibes on a blue sky summers day. Steely Dan was a cool guy.
I'd never actually intentionally listened to Steely Dan, I'd involuntarily heard them on videogame Soundtracks, film and TV Soundtracks, in Markos car ect. But this is the first time I've sat my ass down and LISTENED. I thought I was gonna be a cynic, that it was gonna sound dated, kinda old and mildewy. Some albums from this era take a little bit to get the feel for. To catch what makes them so great, Paul McCartney's "Ram" for instance. This isn't like that at all. Every song is immediately, Jazzy or filled with soft rock joy that doesn't feel stale at all. Instead, fresh and original. Which might sound completely retarded but if this came out today I feel like it would still be a hit. Genuinely feels impossible not to be. 10/10 Fav tracks - All of 'em Least Fav - Perfect Album Particular highlights imo are Dirty Work, Kings and Midnight Cruiser
Back Jack do it again this Back Jack do it again this Man Shut the fuck up. (Great song) I will only raise time i will raise a drink to royalty is when all those pedos in Buckingham are taken to jail. Midnite Cruiser is definitely about soliciting men at a truck stop. Kinda zoned out to the rest of it but all sounds pretty good 4/5
Very few albums have an opener as strong as Do It Again not only in terms of its qualities as a standalone tune but also as an introduction into the mood and themes of Can't Buy A Thrill (and Steely Dan's broader work as a whole). As a side note this might be one of the worst songs to pick on karaoke night as you have to just stand there for 3 minutes while Jeff Baxter and Don Fagen fuck up the guitar and piano in one of the best instrumental bridges of all time (speaking from personal experience). Dirty Work is a beautiful tune about being an absolute scumbag, a musical niche that Steely Dan will come to perfect if they haven't already with this song. Kings is probably the weakest song on Side A but basically every song on this album is phenomenal. Excellent piano work, a catchy chorus and more beautiful guitar work from Baxter. Midnite Cruiser is an anthem for deadbeats and burnouts, this is one to put on driving three times over the limit. The musical manifestation of a mid-life crisis, later to be dethroned by Hey Nineteen on the Gaucho album. Only a Fool Would Say That is a solid end to Side A and a song I find myself returning to way more than I should. Reelin' In The Years opens with a killer guitar track and does not let up throughout the entire song. Fagen and Becker's bitter lyrics persist on what is probably the most mean spirited song on this album seeing as it's basically a big 'fuck you' to an ex-girlfriend. Fire In The Hole is a janky, off-kilter song and I absolutely love it, every time I hear it I want to go on marketplace and buy a piano and learn to play. Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me) is probably my favourite song on this album. Instrumentally, the slide guitar after the chorus just does it for me and the vocals are just perfect. The line 'a piece of island cooling in the sea' is the peak of this album that I look forward to each time I listen to it. Change of the Guard is the weakest song on the whole album in my opinion but it's still an absolute banger by any metric. Turn That Heartbeat Over Again Palmer, Fagen and Becker come together for the last song on the album and it's a sweet-sounding song about sticking up a liquor store. A perfect ending to one of my favourite albums of all time. On a side note, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen would later write that their fifth album, The Royal Scam, had "the most hideous album cover of the seventies, bar none (excepting perhaps Can't Buy a Thrill)."
I need this on vinyl. 4.2
This album goes hard
Good one. I knew several of these tracks but didn't realize they were by Steely Dan. I think I might like this album better than Aja.
3/5
Not terrible but not really my speed
Actually not too bad, pretty decent album where only the first song (Do It Again) was pretty nice but the rest were a bit meh, although quite enjoyable to listen to, regardless. Overall, a pretty nice album, there were a couple of songs that were pretty nice, so I am not disappointed.
a tad bit cheesy but very pleasant - I enjoy easy chill dad rock
É um álbum leve e muito divertido de ouvir. É muito provável que, assim como foi comigo, já conhecer algumas das músicas sem nunca ter ouvido falar no álbum ou até no Steely Dan. Ele não tem nada de elaborado em questão de técnica ou excepcional na parte criativa, acho que o mérito dele está em fazer algo extremamente cativante sem ser simples demais, algo fácil de ouvir sem passar desapercebido.
This is a band that I do not I totally get. I like some of their songs but never understood those who worship them so. It is like R&B for really white people. I mean lily white people…..no pigment at all. That being said, it is an impressive debut and I knew a few songs. It feels like two different albums depending on which singer is taking the lead. I prefer Fagan led songs over Becker. Fagans voice sounds much more contemporary to me. Beckers songs sound like they were released in 1972. I really like the song Reeling in the Years. Overall, a good-ish album.
Fine but forgettable.
I thought this would be heavier and much worse. It was fine. Dirty Work is a great song.
No Thrills Here I was listening to this album, and only listening to this album, literally doing nothing else, and I forgot that I was listening. That's how ignorable and background these songs are. I almost gave it 1 star, but that last song ruined any good credit this album was holding on to. Zero stars Yeah, I don't like Steely Dan and this did nothing to win me over. When am I gonna get something actually interesting? Inxs? Beck? Kanye? Fugazi? Quicksand? Goldie? Faith No More? A Tribe Called Quest? Kylie?
A few of the classics on this earlier work. You know what you're in for...
Also a risible band. I’m not sure too many 17 year olds were into Steely Dan in the 70s. But any major dude will tell you this band has more musical competence than about anyone else out there. Great stuff for this dad rock fan.
Great - listenable album from start to finish with no real weak songs. Do It Again, Dirty Work and Reelin' In The Years particularly enjoyable from this album.
Why we gotta have organs in 1972? Has it’s moments but earnest lyrics over background Muzak…meh This is the blueprint for every rights-free corporate vid track of the 80’s-90’s. Maybe thats really a compliment? Tracks 7-10 are simply musical theatre
I don't wanna do your dirty work for you!
Endless replay value. No bad tracks. Yep, this is peak.
Ten songs - nearly all bangers. This slaps. Love you Mr. Dan - keep doing what you're doing. Best Track: Only a Fool Could Say That Worst Track: Fire in the Hole
Best Song: Dirty Work Worst Song: Brooklyn
Another classic album.
I recognized some songs! Do it again Reelin in the Years Dirty work All in all I enjoyed it. Steely Dan is a weird product of 70s rock.
Amazing debut album, such a great sound, amazing guitar work. Every song works.
This came up as my album of the day on a ride to the beach, and man, I might not be able to buy a thrill, but I sure can buy every Dan record ever recorded
I am a huge Steely Dan fan. That bias aside, this is an exceptional debut album. This ushered in a unique style that has never been duplicated. Perfection!
...
Certainly enjoyed this. Two very recognizable songs and learned that they were named after a dildo. All in all, an enjoyable experience
Solid. Cool instrumentation. Catchy. Vibin.
Enjoyed it. Didn’t blow me away but I didn’t hate my life the whole time I was listening to it. Good length and some stuff that was recognizable to me.
There’s only been a handful of albums we’ve come across so far that have a stronger first two tracks than this one. Even though the rest of the songs, minus Reelin’ In The Years, are lesser known, I still thoroughly enjoyed this album from beginning to end. This would be a nine out of ten on a larger scale, but I feel like I need to round down for this one because of the lack of hits.
I had no idea that "Do It Again", "Dirty Work", and "Reelin' In The Years" were all by the same band, much less off the same album! The rest of the album is just as good. Just not as well know.
Some classic songs.
Great band, great music. One of my favorite groups.
What a debut album, I loved listening to this Top tracks: Do It Again, Dirty Work, Only A Fool Would Say That, Reelin’ In The Years
Really strong album overall with several classic hits.
Never heard the album, just some of the songs. A couple of classics here, in particular Reelin' in the Years still sounds great (and what amazing guitar work). Noteworthy for being Steely Dan's debut album, but not consistent enough to be even considered "great". "Dirty Work" doesn't hold up, and still sticks out as the Steely Dan hit that doesn't fit with the rest of their most popular songs. "You been tellin' me you're a genius Since you were seventeen In all the time I've known you I still don't know what you mean"
6/10 Best efforts don't corner orange markets boys. Let's try better than your best. 7-12-2024
Liked it more than I thought but certainly won’t listen to it again
These guys are great players and the overall production is sweet. A couple of big 70s hits on here as well. The cover really sucks.
Steely Dan is wild because if you asked me to name one of their songs before now I absolutely couldn't do it, but then I somehow knew all of the songs on this album while listening. Perfectly average and unremarkable listening experience. I look forward to once again forgetting about Steely Dan by tomorrow.
First time I've had a second album from the same artist. Some really good tracks on here! Upbeat and well written. I liked it quite a lot, though slightly less than the previous one I was given, Pretzel Logic. Still very solid and enjoyable. Highlights: Do It Again Only A Fool Would Say That Reelin' In The Years Change Of The Guard
I thought I was going to hate this, but I actually liked a fair bit. Except for the bits with Sitar, there isn't a song in the world that has been improved by adding Sitar.
Can't listen to Steely Dan without thinking of "Oh Hello."
Very very good. 4.5
4.5 but I'm definitely rounding this one up.
Solid album.
Interesante. Tienen buenas melodías y la mezcla de sonido queda genial. Lo único que puede no acabar de convencerme son las voces, el tipo de canto, pero la parte instrumental muy chula en ocasiones, con melodías y arreglos bastante guays.
Steely Dan is boring - the proto-elevator music. It doesn’t suck and it isn’t good. Band name has an interesting backstory.
Oh another Steely Dan album. Just as good as any of the other Steely Dan albums that I listen to while going through this list. Because it's the same as every other Steely Dan album that I listen to and moderately enjoyed. I think that the list should start to filter out multiple albums by the same performer.
Absolutely love this album. I have some very fond memories of listening to this album in my dad's car growing up so it has a special place in my heart. Played Reelin' in the Years at his funeral. Easy 5 star.
daytime radio friendly soft rock. Inoffensive but also nothing special