Reviews (page 10 of 15)
First time I've actually dove into some Steely... fuck it's good. It's painfully good because I always assumed this was some old man yacht rock that was soulless, sun bleached, and moronic. It's pretty much the opposite. The sunshine in this album is making fun of you in the dark hours.
Great debut album with some great tracks.
Really solid debut album
We love to do ca-caine!!!
Decently listenable but occasionally lost my interest. Favourite songs: Dirty Work & Change of the Guard
Loads of great tracks on this. Dirty work will forever remind me of Tony Soprano singing along in his car.
sarah is very excited she loves this. waiting to go to Christmas at her sisters. even tho its not Christmas ok enjoying it xoxo
Pretty good
Can’t Buy a Thrill by Steely Dan (1972) This debut album from a group that chose to name itself after a sex simulation device begins with a splash (“Do it Again”) and quickly proceeds to the deep end of the pool, doing synchronized swimming with intricate, acrobatic compositions that are influenced by jazz, country, rock, samba, and God-knows-what-else. Sublimely cool. Steely Dan burst on the scene with highly crafted studio techniques and good musical sense. With some nice vocal ensemble arrangements, and some pathbreaking chord structures, they nevertheless did not wander far too from pop. Lyrically intelligent, if somewhat obscure, the songs provoke thought but not passion. Not without humor (“Only a Fool Would Say This”), these works are engaging, especially for 1972. Compared to later Steely Dan studio albums, Can’t Buy a Thrill has more variety (with its attendant unevenness and weak spots) and thus is not stuck in what would later become a Fagen/Becker compositional rut. This debut collection makes fine use of a full band lineup and a variety of highly competent session musicians. I wish they’d stayed together—in the studio! Guitarists Dias and Baxter and drummer Hodder would leave the group within two years. The guitar solos in “Reelin’ In the Years” are classic. The biggest negative in listening to this record in 2021 is that the three mega hits (“Do It Again”, “Dirty Work”, and “Reelin’ In the Years”) dominate the less familiar material. But if the listener can discipline him/herself to imagine it as an original unity, as an album, the beauty shines through. The less-than-stellar closing track “Turn That Heartbeat Over Again” subliminally suggests turning the LP over again, to listen one more time to the opening track “Do It Again”. And again, and . . . Yes, I could listen to this all morning long. I think I’ll wax the car. 4/5
Classic chillout
Ufff... Recuerdos de ir en el coche con mi familia... No voy a ser objetivo aquí jeje. Personal: 8, por los feelings. Trascendencia: 6? Genero: 8, rollo Eagles pero ellos son mejores
Still not a massive classic rock fan, but this album was pretty good, start to finish.
Love this album, change of the guard was an absolute highlight for me! Not a 5/5 but a solid 4/5
i enjoyed it. found a few songs that i really like
Love this!
This definitely sounds of a particular time and place.
Good album, had heard about 4 tracks previously. Others sounded very Steely Dany, would listen again / buy on vinyl to add to the collection at a good price.
Awesome band, glad i heard 'em finally
Their best album great!
Ik vind dit wel lekkere muziek. Niks mis mee. ****
it feels like I'm in a movie where the protagonist is a 70s surfer.
Enjoyed this!
Enjoyed this, I'll even forgive the more country-vibe songs.
enjoyed, didn't find it outstanding 3.7
Steely Dan is so classy. This was their first album and they were already a solid band.
Guess I’m a steely Dan man
A very good album, I think it's something that takes time to come around though, so for now I'm leaning on a 3 or a 4. Gives me a great vibe now though, and some of the songs are perfect for an Awesome Mix™, so I think a 4 is in order.
The Dan would reach greater heights on successive albums but this is a great debut. Only A Fool Would Say That, Dirty Work and Do It Again (with its electric sitar solo!) are among the highlights and Reelin' In The Years is an all-timer with one of the greatest guitar solos ever.
It's weird how we get one album soon after another from bands... Besides the hits, I keep forgetting that "Dirty Work" was also theirs, thanks to David Palmer. "Kings" sounds very much like a Steve Howe guitar solo to me, which was interesting. I liked this album a lot more than the previous Steely Dan album we have heard. I still think there is a better album which, from what I see on the list, we will come to. But the album tracks I liked almost as much as the "hits," so I think that that is something.
I don't own this album and never realized that so many good songs were on it. Back when I was a teenager and didn't really know who was who in rock I thought Do it Again was a Santana song. And I loved Dirty Work, though I'm not sure I knew it was Steely Dan either. Reelin' in the Years I had straight - great, great lyrics on that track (and the guitar solo halfway in). I always thought it was dumb that they earned a Grammy in 2001 when if they were going to be recognized it really should've been in the 70's (no matter how good the album in 2001, they were out of place). When you consider this was their debut, wow. For sure a 4, not quite sure it's a 5 - back half of album is not quite as stellar as earlier (though I really like Change of the Guard).
Great debut album. The singles are classics but tracks like Kings, Midnite Cruiser, Turn That Heartbreak over Again are strong songs as well.
Loved this album. It was filled with Steely Dan greats
Perfectly-crafted 70s MOR with a hint of something sinister.
Escuchado domingo en la tarde con mi familia merodeando y sin mucha disponibilidad de poner atención. Jazz rock tranquilo, no vi pretensiones especiales, quizás en las melodías, pero musicalmente lo encontré simple.
I enjoyed it. Didn’t really move me, but that might have had more to do with the fact that I wasn’t paying that much attention while I listened to it.
Ajalas que chabochito.
No pos si aguanta, buen disco
Dad rock vibe
unwillingly catchy. Sigh. 3s?
Rock un tanto psicodélico y un tanto sureño. Muy de la época. Canciones un tanto facilonas y con un buen estilo. Me ha gustado, como álbum y como grupo.
Not a massive Steely Dan fan but I was surprised by the quality of the songs here. Every musician gives something great and contribues to a well-rounded album. Favourite songs: Do It Again, Kings and Reelin In The Years
I love the rock/ pop sounds that Steely produces. For a debut, it's extremely experimental. Had a blast playing through this album. Knew a few songs but after this gives me the urge to listen to the rest of his catalogue.
Solid 70s rock feel. Strong album for a debut. Organ is a nice touch.
Enjoyed it. I'm learning that the 70s is better musically than I thought it was! Fun vibes.
This yacht rock at its best…. GIVE ME MORe!
Fun listen, album has the distinct sound of the stuff I like to hear on classic rock stations while fishing.
Felt like I was listening to every song I've ever heard on KQRS. Pretty great album, feels like a "classic" with a lot of iconic songs. Now I know who Steely Dan is!
Jazzy soft rock typical of the 70s with some Latin twist. I recognize 3 songs (you know which) and they're all amazing songs. My favorite parts are always the solos, but the the vocals are clear and hit you hard. Back vocals also fit nicely. There aren't any particular weak songs, as each song contributes its own unique spin to the overall experience. They're not forgettable either since they each start with an intriguing hook. The 4th star is cemented by that solo in Reelin in the Years, one of the best I've ever heard. Hard to believe this was only their first album, and probably not even their creative peak if you contest Aja.
Would be great if not for "Reelin' in the Years"
I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.
A fun album with several hits
Good vibes, nice listen
What an awesome album. Lots of really cool sounds all mixed into the one album. The biggest hits in here are ‘Dirty Work’ & ‘Reelin’ In the Years’ but the whole album is great!
really good
Steely dan
Stacked with hits. Great listen for a Sunday morning.
First two tracks awesome, rest of the album was ok. Probably worth 3.5 stars for me
funny
Loved it
Pretty good
So good.
Le gros problème de cet album, c'est qu'il est excellent, ce qui laisse très peu de place à l'inspiration pour de potentielles moqueries, dégradation de l'image ou encore invectivations envers Robert Dimery.
Rock&Roll album, a combination of slow and fast songs. Not unique but very good.
Some real bangers on this one, overall not too bad.
Great album, would listen to again.
It's a classic, but not every song is a winner. Lots of hits and then misses. I was interested to learn that going mobile wasn't a newer song - I thought they made it in the 90s about getting an RV. The album also lacks cohesion in a lot of ways. If these songs hit the radio, I'll listen, but I never pick up this album and am excited to play it. Definitely second fiddle to the beatles, stones, and led zeps of the era. I give it 7/10.
Some nice soft rock
Wen den ich nicht kannte aber kannte - weißte schon! Gute Popmusik, spannend gemacht. Merke ich mir.
It's a 3.5, and wanting to hear it again (and see what the fuss is about).
This has been the third Steely Dan album I get in less than a month (lucky me?), and so a part of me wanted to not like it because I kind of think 4 of their albums on the list is a little too much. But it was still pretty nice.
Better than expected
A proper classic with some really good songs that still kick inside
- very pleasing - upbeat but latin vibes - paul mccartney meeting elton john?
Sarcastic, slick AOR. BT: Do It Again, Dirty Work, Reelin' In The Years
I previously only knew "Do it again", but there were many hidden gems to be found
noice
This is just class - well written songs, beautiful simple production, little bit Americana, rock, even proggy here and there but not so much of any of the above that it became annoying. 4 well-earned stars.
I enjoyed it.
Classic SD! lots I've never heard before
Oh brilliant ! A real 70s vibe and two tracks from our teenage years so very nostalgic. Really enjoyed the album ****
I mean, the album starts with "Do It Again" and "Dirty Work." Those two songs alone make this one a heavy-hitter. "Reelin' in the Years" anchors the middle - also another Classic Rock radio mainstay. Overall, this album displays tight songcraft, meticulous studio production, crisp orchestration, and some impressive guitar work at certain parts. A band with a deep bag of tricks. One ding from me would be that it definitely sounds like 70s stadium rock, but it's probably among the best I've heard of that genre/era.
Serious jazz pop music to be enjoyed in so many contexts. They would get better with the years, but their first is still a strong statement.
Pretty catchy and has a timeless element to it. Nothing stood out for me, but consistently good.
Hi: Midnight Cruiser, Fire In The Hole Steely Dan was finding their footing in their debut album, but it was still a strong start...Besides the radio classics Do It Again, Dirty Work, and Reelin' in The Years (all of which are fantastic), less familiar tracks like Midnight Cruiser and Fire In The Hole really show that Steely Dan were on to and what they would become. It might be unfair to judge an artist against their later work, but this isn't my favorite Steely Dan album (That would be Aja)...It's great musically, just not as crisp and clean as later showings.
Yup, it's Steely Dan. 7/10, I liked Aja more.
Vraiment tre bon, j’adore et je vais assurement reecouter. 4.75
I forgot this album existed ngl, but I enjoyed most of it
Fint album. mange fine sanger etc, men litt enfoldig til tider. Får ikke så mye ut av tekstene, kanskje det svakeste aspektet med albumet. Beste sangen er "only a fool would say", den jeg likte minst var kanskje "Broklyn", var veldig kjedelig og ba ikke på mye som jeg ikke har hørt før. Gir albumet en svak 8/10
Mange behagelige sanger, med stilig spilling tvers gjennom. Dessverre ikke så mye fancy fusion shit, eller komplekse tromme groover, noe som kommer med de senere albumene. Ellers et ganske fint album. Har hørt og lest mye om hvor heftig produksjonen av alle Steely Dan albumene var, og hvor plettfritt det måtte spilles, og hvor nøye utvalget av mikrofoner og lydutstyr var. De tekniske komponentene i produksjonen er høyt over min egen kompetanse, men det er verd å nevne. Kan ikke gi mindre enn en 4.
Reelin in the year Dirty work
I like the singles. Classic for a first album.
This was pleasant to listen to.
A great album with a number of songs I didn't know the origin of
wait i was pleasantly surprised by this, a true feel-good album.
YOU GO BACK JACK. DO IT AGAIN. the first track sets high expectations. it sounds like they’re still figuring out what their sound is - some songs just don’t need to be there. but undeniably talented especially the piano and guitar :D
Great album. Very nostalgic feel. I think my parents listened to this one a lot around me when I was young. Do it Again, Dirty Work, Brooklyn are all great songs. And Reelin' In the Years is easily recognizable and a great song that has lasted for nearly 50 years. Overall a great album to put on in the background and chill out to
Many great songs!
Heard it before. Its a good one
LOVE THIS. Another epic debut album! 4.5 stars.
Cruising on a california highway
Great album, not as good as Pretzel Logic
Surprisingly enjoyable
couldnt get to the end, not my thing. Its pretty good tho
Really did enjoy this album. Wasn't what I expected to hear.
Enjoyable
Fun album, steely Dan rips through with guitar sections that take you away on multiple tangents. Always feels like the band is just having fun putting together good music, will listen to again
Na da bin ich ja gespannt, Steely Dan‘s Pretzel Logic war ja für mich DIE Entdeckung schlechthin. Bei 'Do it again' dachte ich mir: ach, das ist von denen! Und: habe ich 'Reelin‘ In the Years' eventuell nicht auch schon mal gehört? Die Platte kommt nicht ganz an Pretzel Logic ran und die Songs zünden insgesamt später, sie zünden aber größtenteils. Ich mag den Stil der Band offenbar einfach. Gute 4 Sterne.
Surprisingly good
I mean... this album is great. That's all.
While everyone will know "Reelin' In the Yearsm" my personal favorite was "Dirty Work," which I feel like I've heard a million times without never actually hearing it before. The bossonova/lounge music seems like it goes well as a background track doing mundane tasks and reminds me of beach resort music. There are def worse ways I can imagine sipping on a drink near a pool.
Cool, the first part was good
I knew more songs on this album than I thought I was going to, and they are all songs that I like. The album is really consistent throughout 4/5
4.5; I bigly enjoyed this, more than I thought I was going to.. I might be a steely dan fan now
Love the mellow vibe that most of this album puts out, with the exception of a few tracks, but even the non-mellow tracks are great. I've heard Rellin' in the years before, but now I actually know the artist and song name! I'll probably go back and listen to this again.
Classic rock seasoned with Caribbean influences. Warm and uplifting, great for these dark times.
Classic, Do It Again is a song I heard throughout my childhood. Overall love the album
catchy
Great Vibe 4.2/5
Great Songs - but not all of them.
Great album with great classics
Great
Pretty solid, a few singles I recognize from the album.
decent, unique style
This is probably more like a 3.5. There are definitely some dad rock bangers on here. Guitar solos are kinda goofy.
It's really hard to find any fault with this album. It's just solid. Maybe not the most exciting at times, but not a dud track in the listing. And, honestly, "Reelin' In The Years" is one of the most iconic songs of the 70s for a reason. Super solid entry to the list.
I've never really listened to Steely Dan outside of their hits, and it looks like I need to take another look. There's not a weak spot on this album. Best track: Do It Again
Peak dad rock
7.5/10 FT: Do it again
Quite liked this. 3.5
Turns out I know way more Steely Dan songs than I realised. I guess that means they're classics? But I can't say I'd ever put them on to listen to. It was fine.
Very bland but didn't mind the time.
Me gusta el album pero siento que el instrumental es abrumadoramente positivo para mí, me gusta un poco más la melancolía e intensidad. No logro conectar con algunas de las letras de las canciones. Only a Fool Would Say That encendió mi curiosidad pero no me gusta que desacredite una idea del mundo tan bonita. Dirty Work fue una de las canciones cuya letra me gustó ya que me sentí identificado con lo que dice sobre no querer hacerme cargo de lo que no me corresponde.
Notable Textzeile: Times are hard, you're afraid to pay the fee So you find yourself somebody Who can do the job for free Das ist gefällig ohne zu süß zu sein. Eingängig, aber auch mal kurz wiederwillig. Die Lyrics gehen oft gegen die Süße. Aber es ist trotzdem auch süß. Für 70er Pop-Rock ist das sehr gut. Aber 70er Jahre waren jetzt insgesamt nicht die Beste Zeit für richtig aufregenden Pop-Rock. In Bezug auf den Rest ist es besser als ne 3, aber ne 4 ist es auch nicht. 3,4
Oh man. Ich habe nie in Betracht gezogen dass die weird klingen *wollen*. Mag ich jetzt Steely Dan? Irgendwie hat das Charme, die Songs sind auch gut. Insgesamt doch zu eintönig und dudelig für ne vier, aber ne gute drei... Die ist drin.
Es dudelte vor sich hin und war auf einmal vorbei. Irgendwie hatte ich bei Steely Dan weniger generische Tunes im Kopf. Aber stört auch nicht
Classic feel good, up-beat and soft rock just as expected from Steely Dan. That is just the vibe I had about this band without ever really intentionally listening their songs and I like it, maybe not the best for bouldering though. At 41 minutes, it was not long enough for a typical bouldering session. Lyrics and music did not distract from bouldering, kept me moving fine and positive, but its not the best vibe for trying hard. Best song: Only a Fool Would Say That. 7/10.
Cool-dad jazz-rock. I know a few of these songs already, but I'd never heard the album front to back. Considering all the tracks I know, I really expected more from it. Of course now I know that Steely Dan was still tied to a physically capable band at this point, it's later on that it becomes a studio project, so maybe the composition was constricted. My main issue is that I only remember the first track when I think back on it. Not even the classics stick out, so I'm a little taken aback. I was sure I'd appreciate this more than Aja, instead I find it a smooth listen that doesn't bug you too much. I think these guys just aren't for me, right now. 3.1/5
it's good, a few nice tracks. Approved!
There is some Thin Lizzy in them (Reelin' in the Years). So I don't dislike that but it's unremarkable anyway.
GOOD ALBUM
6/10 - I knew a few of these songs from listening to 92.3. I didn’t know they were Steely Dan. They aren’t songs that I would turn off, but they aren’t songs that I would stay on if there was something better on another station. I think this soft rock 70s thing just isn’t for me.
There are a few classics on here that are so dang catchy, but there are a few towards the middle/end of the album that just don't do it for me. Altogether, it's a fun, good vibes record. 7/10
No es tan de mi estilo pero los solos de guitarra son increíbles
It’s always on these lists, and it’s a fine album, but I don’t even think it’s in Steely Dan’s top 5. The hits are incredible though. 3.5
2,5/5
Few skips, overall quite good. Instrumentals good and interesting - pretty chill vibe
A lot of classics on this album. I can see why it is considered a yacht rock album by some. It has that summery 1970s sound. A sound a bit if it’s time, but solid. At no point did I feel need to take a break.
I have never hear of this band or this album before. I throught it said 'Can't Buy a Tail' so there's dyslexia for you. I listened to Can't Buy a Thrill while mindlessly writing a note sheet for my Unit 1 Texts and Traditions test the next day. It was good, after the first listen my favorite song is probaly Do It Again, but obvisouly that can, and most likely will change with time and a few relistens. Overall I enjoyed it! It made Text and Traditions bearable.
Неплохо
It’s fine. Nice bass.
I'm an Ajapilled guy; a Countdown To Ecstasyhead; a rare Pretzel Logic respecter. I mention all that because I was excited for our fourth and final Steely Dan project today, and was sadly not as Thrilled with it as I hoped. I can't even make sense of it to be honest. If I had to guess, the plain classic rock sound probably has a lot to do with it since I do love them most when they're pulling off some crazy genre fusions...... but then Countdown To Ecstasy also quite traditional in that respect, and it still instantly hooked me a lot harder. Here, I enjoyed most tracks, and that's about it. There's no Bodhisattva earworm. No East St. Louis Toodle-Oo weirdness. No Peg sax. I'll try revisiting and seeing how much it grows on me, but for now this is just an alright Dan project. :( Standouts: Dirty Work • Only A Fool Would Say That • Fire In The Hole
Se notaba q era cool pero no lo pude escuchar tipo cállate
This album is best listen to with really good headphones or a really good stereo system. Otherwise it will sound like elevator music to most.
Full of songs I already knew but didn't know it was this band! Hooks that can bury into your brain. A very musical performance but catchy
Early Steely Dan still had some rough edges, and I like that.
Couple of decent songs, but was unmoved by the album overall
A solid album. Good start and trailed off a little bit.
Generic but enjoyable 70s rock
Some bangers on this one. Plus, it's a little less overly slick than their later material. Decent record.
Enjoyed it
I like it but it's not my weekly
“Full” Sounding. Lots going on. Everything is easily discernible though. Song 1 is popular. I’ve heard this before. Sounds great. Dirty Work lyrics are some crazy shit. Reelin’ in the years has a dope middle section. Quick vocals sound like Thin Lizzy in their phrasing. Fuck it. Its a three
Reelin' in the years is great! I've liked that song since I heard it when I was younger. I think this album was really easy listening just not sure when I would ever listen to it.
I never really got into Steely Dan and I don't think I ever will. Outside of the big hits, the sound is too safe, too meticulous, too far in the background for me. This isn't to say this album is entirely bad, it's just that I would naturally only be attracted to the bigger songs on this, and there are quite a few of them on this. The music itself is quite technically correct and surprisingly elaborate as well, so I'll give the Dan some credit there, as I will to some of the more obscure lyrical references (what is "Kings" really about...?) That said I don't really understand why there's so much Steely Dan representation when, in my opnion, just including Aja would have been fine enough. Maybe it's the boomer-era critics' legacy hyping this band up as they incorporated a lot of Latin influences, which is very apparent on the songs here. Quite a bit of Latin jazz and mambo-type sounds to be found here, which I suppose lends an "exotic" quality to these cocktail bar anthems. Key Tracks: Do It Again, Reelin' in the Years, Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)
It just feels samey. The sitar intro at the start rips but then it just slows down into that same art rock slump. Please I beg for a new artist/ new genre
It's got good lyrics, and in a different mood I might be convinced it's special. But my mood is foul, so it suffers to be average.
More Steely Dan?! For crying out loud. One was plenty.
3/5
Excellent album
Rate: 7/10.
I had never heard this album, but enjoyed it from start to finish. I like Steely Dan but have never done a full dive into their disscography, so this felt like a great jumping off point.
I do like some Steely Dan. This album cover is too bizarre for me; I'll take the weary attitude of Fagen's "The Nightfly" over this image every time. It's amusing to me that the Wikipedia article suggests that the band members also were't fans of the cover art. I really enjoy the music, although I only really know the hits from this one.
All in all a nice album. Even thow I couldn’t remember the cover, I know a lot of the songs already. So this brought back some memories.
Well written soft rock. Some of the tracks catched my attention but the rest was just enjoyable… not more. Had fun to listen but wouldn’t listen again in near future.
A very solid album with several bangers on it. I don't know have a lot of reactions outside of that blanket statement.
Ok, so my Dad didn't listen to Steely Dan; he was more into Beach Boys and Eagles.
Was okay.
A collection of tracks that in my opinion ,and from my limited understanding of music history, elegantly showcases some of the highs of 70's rock. This is showcased greatest in the guitarwork.
Santana vibes on "Do It Again" of course, but a strong start for their debut. A bit of Bowie on Fire In the Hole. Easy listening, good times 70s rock, and the start of something to frame an era; but per critics, Steely Dan's best and most innovative was yet to come.
es un álbum con vibras de padre (en el buen sentido), perfecto para ponerlo mientras conduces o simplemente de ambiente, es un mix entre rock y jazz
My favorite needle drop moment in film in recent memory has been the dojo scene in One Battle After Another, i've been obsessed with Dirty Work since then. I'm only familiar with the Dan's main singles, which included Reeling in the Years (which is fine, but burnt out by it from radioplay) and Do It Again (fantastic start to an album, never get tired of it). Love how the keys flow throughout the album, it's the most interesting part of the listen. The bluesy, folksy og yatch rockyness of it makes it a very easy listen. I'm looking forward to other Steely albums, this is good to ok.
If you can’t buy it then what, you earn it? Really groovy and fun album
Still not the biggest fan of Steely Dan, though I guess the list maker thinks I should keep trying. Not a bad album, just still not my thing.
The hits are a fun re-visit but the rest of Steely Dan just sounds like dated 70s music.
nie mój dżem
Har altid haft en opfattelse af Steely Dan som 'hifi-test-musik', og man går da heller ikke helt galt med masteringen af dette album. Det lyder jo kanon. Varmt, tørt, kontant, præcist og kompromisløst - alt er placeret fuldstændig tredimensionelt i lydbilledet. Det er så også lidt kompromiset i min optik. Det bliver lidt for tørt, og jeg synes ikke, der er så meget liv og sjæl i det, og det resulterer i en lettere kedelig gennemlytning. Jeg kunne forestille mig, at jeg finder rigtig meget glæde i det, når jeg om 15 år står og slår søm i et bræt i garagen. Vi har hørt om tissemandsjazz. I et review kaldes dette for dildorock med reference til deres navn. Det er et udtryk, jeg udelukkende vil bruge om Steely Dan fremover Jeg tænker, det bliver en: 3.3
Cohesive album. Enjoyed music in songs I did not know. I prefer some of his other songs more. A solid 3 for this one.
Some classic songs on this album real decent riffs catchy lyrics and a overall good vibe . However toward the end of the album the catchy classic riff element drys up rapidly.
Not bad at all, just lacks a bit of energy
Pretty good but wouldn't listen again
The older I get, the more I like Steely Dan. This is a really strong effort for a first album. I like that they wrote what they wanted and never varied from that over the years. There are some real gems on here....mostly what you hear over the air on a regular basis. I can even appreciate the songs that didn't do anything for me at all.
It was good I enjoyed the vocals and it was an easy listen. Didn’t stand out to me tho mostly so I’m gonna rate it a 3/5, but as it was my first listen I would definitely need to re listen to it as some point
dad rock, easy to listen to
This is a good summer album. I listened while I was putting together some furniture and a nice root beer, so that was a fun listening experience. I don't know how else to describe it, but a lot of the tracks are all unique, while also sounding the same. The songs weren't bad, just hard to differentiate (other than the singles/big hits) Overall, a decent 6/10
Good
Some fun groovy tracks, worth another listen
I wanted to hate this, truly, but couldn’t really find much to be offended by…
I like his voice. I knew and loved a few songs.
OK
I don’t like the music. Too much country flavour and not enough punch. However, I like some of the songs, which sound like it would be a good idea if Hellacopters did a cover of them. Like Change of the Guard and Do it Again.
The singles are great. The fluff is pretty bland
Jazz musicians of this time period who consciously draw on elements of rock and r&b are placed within the category of fusion, but there really isn't a similar category for rock musicians like Steely Dan who bring in elements of jazz to create a different flavor of rock music. Overall, I think that this is a decent album. Steely Dan know how to write a hook and the commitment to more ambitious arrangements and playing largely complements those hooks. It really does set the band up for two audiences: on that enjoys the immediately accessible hooks and another that folks on the way those hooks are explored and reshaped through the musicianship. I think that I actually tend towards the first group with this band. This will never be one of my favorite records, but its very listenable.
Thank you coffee music again
One of the better debut albums of the 70's but probably Steely Dan's weakest album
There's some elements that I really love, the groovy melodies and the quality of the musicianship. I also don't really love the vocals and some of the soft rock elements thorughout too. Makes it quite difficult rate. I think I'd go 3.5 stars, rounding down to 3 for some of the softer stuff that just was too wet pop for me.
How do these great musicians make good sounding but boring, easy going songs? This is my third Steely Dan album and again, I wished to like it even more, but it just sucks.
Decent dad rock
its cool, i like the musical elements here. It is enjoyable. So for me it is like 6/10.
Riktigt guitar hero feeling. Bra i stunder men inte tillräckligt genomgående för en fyra.
Do It Again is a banger. Fagan's vocals are killer. Fagan's vocals in general are pretty great. Had no idea Steely Dan does that Dirty Work song. I always thought that was like some standard issue southern rock-adjacent 70s snoozeville music. Even the vocals sound like a Neil Young standby. I guess I don't actually hate it, but it's not a SD song. I only accept the songs Donald Fagan sings on as actual Steely Dan songs. The rest are like another band that no one cares about. It's fine. There's parts I like. There's other parts that feel like basic-ass 70s radio rock. Could fall asleep to this without noticing 'cause it's a bit of a snoozefest.
Listening to this made me realize my parents were big Steely Dan fans because I recognized so many of these songs from my childhood.
I LOVE it
Good
I got Aja about a week and a half ago, and while I didn’t hate it, I wasn’t made an instant Steely Dan fan either. I actually wasn’t really looking forward to this one when it popped up. But I think I like Can’t Buy A Thrill pretty well. I’m definitely enjoying it more than Aja. From what I understand, that’s probably something of a heretical statement to a true Steely Dan fan, but I don’t care. They seem to give more of a shit about writing hooks for this record. And I still wouldn’t say I’m a massive fan of the band, but I probably have more appreciation for them hearing this. Maybe this is where it starts, and a year from now I’ll be all, “Aja is brilliant and Steely Dan is the best thing that happened to music!” I doubt it, but we’ll see. 7.5/10
I tried listening to Aja one time and hated it. So I didn't think I was about to like this album. Maybe it hit me on just the right day. I was already familiar with Dirty Work, Reelin in the Years, and Do It Again from the radio. This album was easy to listen to, and while it won't be my favorite album, I really didn't mind it too much.
Monday, 18 May, 2026 The hits are amazing: “Do It Again,” “Dorty work”, and “Reeling in the years”. Otherwise, well produced.
I can almost almost ALMOST see myself getting into this. The funk isn't really my thing, but I could see getting
This is was steely okay. Don't love or hate. An alright burger with no pickles or special sauce.
I give 6/10 it was nice
cool chill little album of rock. nice listen but nothing too crazy
Alright
Had some great classic songs by them on it.
Very easy listening album, solid background noise. 3/5
I quite enjoyed this album! I'm not super familiar with Steely Dan, only really knowing the name. But I'm excited to get to his other albums on this list!
Cool album !
Этот альбом понравился больше чем их Pretzel Logic. Но всё равно не мой тип рока
Amazing album, great sounds and great songs. Feelin’ In The Years is one of my favorite songs of all time along with Dirty Work. Hidden gem of the album is Only A Fool Would Say That, great very enjoyable album!
Kinda like itt ayeee
goeie songs, soms net iets te gepolijst...
Es wirkt wie ein eleganter, aber noch suchender Startpunkt für Steely Dan: geschliffene Melodien, smarter Jazz‑Rock‑Touch und ein paar echte Klassiker wie „Do It Again“ und „Reelin’ in the Years“. Doch zwischen den Hits verliert sich das Album manchmal in seiner eigenen Coolness – brillant gespielt, aber emotional etwas distanziert. Ein starkes Debüt mit Glanzmomenten, allerdings noch nicht die volle Magie der späteren Dan‑Alben.
2-3 good songs I genuinely enjoyed followed by what my untrained ear heard as middle of the road dad-rock.
At least three of their all-timer hits (Do It Again, Dirty Work, Reelin' In The Years), and the rest of the choogling and vibing worked pleasantly enough!
не
Good ole classic rock with great guitar. Only complaint is that all the songs start to run together
i like it more than i thought i would based on my previous thoughts about Steely Dan. It’s still not my favorite type of music to listen to but it was pleasant enough to hear and i liked more of the songs than i thought i would. i already knew i liked Dirty Work; Midnite Cruiser, Reelin’ In The Years, and Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me) were the other standout songs to me. I still just feel like it was a lot of the same but overall it was a pretty good album and an enjoyable listening experience. I’m not sure what the rating scale will be but it was like a 3.5/5 or a 6/10 for me personally.
Very very nice soothing vocals, great background music
Classic sound, classic album. I love the laid-back feeling and great songwriting. Not quite the top of my list but coherence, quality and craftmanship that must be appreciated!
I liked it, and it was groovy, but it got a little repetitive towards the end. A good introduction to Steely Dan.
Fire in the whole is very smooth
Nice one, actually it did gave some hippie vibes. would listen as bg music to some epic adventure
Easy but kind of boring to listen too.
Solid tunes
In my mind Steely Dan belongs in whatever genre of music that is that makes up the guardians of the galaxy soundtracks, which makes me feel I shouldn’t like it, but somehow I kind of do
PLAY SOME STEELY DAN!! When I was 16, a co-worker of a friend invited us along to see his band perform. He mentioned that they were heavily influenced by an obscure band we'd probably never heard of… no, not Steely Dan, Godspeed You! Black Emperor. We were big fans of GY!BE, so we were absolutely there. They'd rented out a theatre in town between themselves and some of their other musician friends for the evening. There were four bands playing, and the crowd was made up entirely of friends of the bands. So, there was a lot of heckling and banter. One band, brilliantly named “Agitated Radio Pilot”, were a particular highlight. They played very lo-fi and experimental stuff, somewhere between Sonic Youth and Mogwai. Their friends in the crowd were particularly raucous, and after every single song would ironically shout “Play some Steely Dan!!”. This became a running joke in our friend group ever since. If we were watching a band who were quite out-there, avant-garde, or really experimental, one of us would shout “Play some Steely Dan!!”. The thing is, we didn't actually know Steely Dan’s music at all. They just accidentally became symbolic of “easy listening”, a ridiculous request for bands who were trying to push into strange places of innovation or experimentation. So, it eventually happened that we shouted the phrase at a confused DJ, who leaned forward to tell us that the song he was currently playing WAS Steely Dan. That was many, many years ago, and I'm still not very familiar with The Dan. I know “Reelin’ in the Years”, but that's mainly because it's the theme song of an Irish TV show of the same name, a show that feeds off nostalgia like a parasite. So, when I see “Can't Buy A Thrill” come up as my album today, I shout: “Play some Steely Dan!!” As soon as the opening track “Do It Again” kicks off, I realise that I may know Steely Dan better than I thought. It's definitely not the first time I've heard this song. It's a real 70s groove. Laid-back, organ-heavy, with guitar breaks that sound like they're drifting between jazz and Eastern influences. And it's catchy as hell. By the time the chorus of “Dirty Work” hits, I'm questioning my entire youth. What a brilliant song. The organ is again the star of the music, but those vocal harmonies are so good they rival Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. It's a really, really great song, my favourite on the album. But they start to lose me from song number 3. “Kings” has some pretty impressive guitar moments, but I'm struggling to pay attention otherwise. For the next three songs, the whole “Steely Dan = soft rock” joke is starting to make sense after all. While I knew it, I'd never properly listened to “Reelin' in the Years”. There are some really, really fantastic guitar solos throughout the song. Elliot Randall deserves to be mentioned specifically, because these solos are pretty exceptional. And I can't not mention those vocal harmonies again. Smooth as. “Fire in the Hole” and “Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)” are two more great songs to wind down the album. 16 year old me is rolling his eyes in disgust at 42 year old me, but I have to admit that Steely Dan aren't half bad. I mean, the reference of the joke makes sense. The Dan aren't exactly known for making raw, gritty experimental pieces. But what they do make are some decent tunes with some really great guitar moments, smooth vocal harmonies and overall really catchy melodies. So the next time I yell out “PLAY SOME STEELY DAN!!”, I'll fully understand the joke. But, I'll also be happy enough if they actually do. 3.5 stars
i get it, i understand. it’s technically very good, and there are some all timers on this album. like some truly incredible songs. but aside from like 4 songs, the album just kinda fails to be interesting.
Leppoisaa ja puhtoisesti tuotettua musaa. Ehkä tällainen pehmeä rock ei kuitenkaan enää säväytä enää niin kovasti.
Classic dad-rock. Pretty decent.
3.5 First exposure to Steely Dan, and honestly, not hating this - not mind blowing but there's more going on here than I realized and will definitely be coming back for another listen or two.
2.6/5 I'd heard a couple of songs before but this album was pretty run of the mill for me. Just nice easy listening with not much to complain about but not much to come back too either
Lindo, es alegre
Had no idea reeling in the years was a Steely Dan song
Classic 70s coastal rock pop music.
I found this album quite a hot-and-cold one/on-and-off with quality. Some songs just really nailed a vibe like "Reelin' in the Years" and "Fire In The Hole" while most other songs such as "Change of the Guard" were just so 'meh' and underwhelming. Though I could see clear that Steely Dan really had this album all thought out and was very meticulous with it, which is something. Wouldn't say I'm a fan of this one, but it's not really 'bad' either, it's just something that I can't comprehend enough right now to come to a firm opinion. Highlight Song/s: "Fire In The Hole"
you can buy a thrill but it'll be expensive
Very interesting mix of sounds, it def might grow on me, my fav song so far is Kings.
Salsa vibe
It’s fun!
I think to describe this as dad rock is an understatement. Its a solid album with very mellow tones. Favorite songs: Dirty Work and Midnight Cruiser
me gustó, me da a un album tranqui veraniego
Not bad but other than the first track it is just okay and very same-y
I'm So Sorry, but this is my least favorite Steely Dan album. They are a band that I love a whole lot but I find this one to feel a lot like a debut and also it's fairly inconsistent to me. But this is all kinda stupid because it's all good and totally pleasant anyway. There are three other albums by them and the book and I handily prefer each of them and can't wait to get em.
Me gustó muchoo el álbum
There are a couple of really good tunes on here (Reelin’ In The Years and Do It Again), but most of the rest of it is smoothed out so much, it’s completely frictionless and leaves absolutely no impression. Which is a shame, as they are obviously talented musicians, and can write a song, but I’m just left hanging out for some distortion, edge or just anything I can grab hold of. The very definition of a 3-star album for me.
Decent dad rock, 2 bangers
Yacht rock founder (don't tell him I said that)
C'est ok mais je vais pas réécouter
Gear: Hifiman HE6se v2 SE Artwork: 🫦🍬🍌 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🧁🫥☁️ Rating: 👟👟👟/5
not bad, not fantastic either but a solid album ig
No conocía la banda ni ninguna canción; se me hizo muy fácil de escuchar, me gustó mucho.
Surprised at how good it is.
I think the presence of 4 Steely Dan albums on this list is one of the strongest indicators that it could use some editing. HAVING SAID THAT, this is better than the first 2 I’ve gotten from this list.
so good but not my type
Perfecta para conducir y tenerla de fondo
Was very nostalgic for an era I was not born into but many of the songs I knew because of movies I saw growing up.
Super pleasant, easy listening but doesn’t stand out
3/5
very much dad rock, not my style but I can appreciate the musicality
Startede ok, men mistede kadence undervejs. Fra stor 3'er til lille 3'er.
Sort of up and down. Started off really, really good....about 4 stars Dropped off for a couple of songs....about 2 stars Ended right in the middle. Basic math = 3 stars
average... I don t remember much about it, should have reviewed it sooner.
My dad once told me "Reelin in the Years" reminded him of my mom, which was pretty funny...
Better than I expected. I recognized some of the songs as singles.
I don't like it except for some instrumental parts. The first track gives me a dire straits Deja vu (nobody would think so)
3.4
It's nice. Some songs are cool, the rest is just an easy listen. I don't mind getting this artist as a daily listen but I would not choose it specifically.
Good album with 3-4 hits. Fine
Really had to force myself to listen to this one. Maybe it’s because it’s what I call “Venture Music” - the genre of 70’s music I was forced to listen to while working my retail job in the 90’s, or possibly because the vocals are pretty whiny. Reelin In the Years, Do It Again, and Change of the Guard aren’t bad, but the rest of this was nails on the chalkboard for me. (3)
Hmmm. Early 70s soft rock. Loved it at the time but now - a little bored.
Not as bad as I thought it might be. Couple of half decent songs.
Tony Soprano summer!! (I’m listening to Dirty Work whilst driving my car in a loud shirt smoking a cigar)
Vamos hoy con otro caso de banda clásica de rock pero que por clásica suele pasar desapercibida en los tiempos actuales. Hay tanta oferta que lo histórico, por ser parte del papel, suele perderse en el camino. Pienso y reflexiono. Ya apareció en éste reto el disco "Aja" pero rescato mucho más éste disco. Tiene groove, momentos tranquilos y otros más rockeros. Bueno para juntada o para trabajo en oficina. Muchas gracias y hasta mañana.
Not as bad as I thought it would be, but probably won't listen to it regularly. Too many fade outs at end of songs. Like...a lot.
Beautifully recorded and mixed with great harmonies, but ultimately didn't grab me.
Probably the best Steely Dan album I’ve heard so far. Notables include Do It Again, Dirty Work, Reelin’ In The Years.
I've listened to Steely Dan before and couldn't really get into it. This album was a little better for me, but still didn't totally grip me. There are some flashy instrumentals and some nice melodies, the lyrics didn't all hit me, but some of it was good. Standout tracks were "Do It Again" and "Reeling In The Years" which, crazy enough, I found out are the singles from the album. The rest was pretty standard. All in all, a very "fine" album. Gets an average 3/5 from me.
Sounded nice but I don’t think I will listen to it any more
Steely Dan constantly oscillate between "Oh, that's quite interesting" and "this is the most boringly tasteful shit I've ever heard", often in the same song, but this had enough to show why they got successful. Do It Again and Reeling are both great pop songs with a fun twist, and there are bits and pieces that raise a smile or are atonal enough to be funky, but the rest descends into blargh. I want to give it a 2, but that feels unfair, so 3.
Mid. Sn i saved 3 songs
Smooth, jazzy rock with typical 70s flavor and close harmony vocals. If you can get past, or even get into, Don Fagen's unique sardonic singing style, the other thing you have to appreciate is the sophisticated song arrangements. Which isn't too hard given that the guitar work from Denny Dias and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter is intricate and melodic, and the solo on "Reelin'" by Elliott Randall is legendary. The singles Do It Again and Reelin' in the Years are 5-star but the rest is not quite as remarkable.
c'est ok