Can't Buy A Thrill

A pitch perfect debut. Tho the smooth sound can undercut the dark lyrics but isn't that the point.

This was pretty good I rather enjoyed this album

I really like this. Probably one of the best albums I've heard on this list. I'll definitely be returning to this one. 5/5

I was already very familiar with this one and it’s a great album!

Surprised by that, class

I really enjoyed this but my baby isn't sleeping so that's all you are getting.

Way better than I thought. Versatile and catchy. Quite unique as well

Stelly Dan - Do it again : das grooved.... herrlich Schlaghose an und ab geht's

I've loved this album since it was first released back in 1972. This is the first Steely Dan album. For their first two albums, they were an actual band, self-contained. After Countdown to Ecstasy, they became Fagen and Becker supported by some of the best studio musicians available. This 1st album is also the only one to feature David Palmer splitting lead vocal duties with Donald Fagen. Denny Dias and future Doobie Brother Skunk Baxter shine on lead guitars. Fagen's keyboard work is very nice. The lyrics require one to actually listen to gain understanding. While the rock orientation is stronger on the first two albums, there's definitely a hint of the jazz influences that become stronger later on. Excellent album. You may not be able to buy a thrill, but you can buy a wonderful album that will please you forever.

Great album, good introduction to prog rock. Solid production, excelent flow, great songs. Recording on par with most 1970's prog rock bands. Although I felt it sounded like Yes! A lot. Still a strong 8/10

an album that really makes you feel good. there is an amazing drive to this one the sound is so rich and warm to conplimet the album. fagen manage to create the felling that he is 10 different guys, alongside the playing wich is coordinated with his singing. the final song is a great example for that, and for all the things that works very well in cant buy a thrill

A classic album - can't go past Reelin' in the Years for my favourite track on this one, though they are all pretty good

not bad

It will always amaze me that what was retrospectively a record made just so Walter Becker and Donald Fagen could fund the music they actually wanted to make, is in fact one of the greatest rock albums of all time. This basically launched yacht rock, and I’ll always be grateful to Elliott Randall for playing maybe the greatest guitar solo of all time on Reelin’ In The Years.

hmmm very good also matt get back to work buddy

It was a decent album, but like it was just kinda there, was it influential at the time I’m not sure. Was it a good listen, yeah, am I gonna listen to it again, probably not.

Best Songs: Dirty Work, Reelin' in the Years Listen Again: Probably not

My favorite Steely Dan album. Loaded with familiar tracks but the sleeper on this is "Kings".

Amazing album. Have heard it before, so fun. My enjoyment of Steely Dan make me feel more white than normal but it’s unapologetic in this case. Not their best album but the peaks on this album are insanely high.

Always Fantastic!!!

Steely Dan has always been a tough sell for me. I enjoy their music, but a lot of their output is overly produced and too perfect. They don't have a single imperfection in their sound, and that's great, but it can make some of the songs staid. It's very intellectual and that does not always speak to me. This is a very good introduction to Steely Dan though. It serves as a warning to what direction their sound will go and leaves them room to grow. Now whether you like that growth or not, that's where I personally struggle. It's hard to argue against "Reelin' in the Years," "Dirty Work," "Do It Again," and "Only a Fool Would Say That" though.

Really not my thing. There was only 1 song I’d even consider listening to again.

Pretty good album, I do like some Steely Dan. I think this album has higher highs and lower lows than an album like Aja, but on average is just slightly worse. Still a 4 though.

After just knowing the radio hits my whole life, this album was a game changer for me. Kings: banger. Midnight Cruiser: banger. Favorite tracks is probably Only A Fool Would Say That. Or Fire in the Hole. Growing up means recognizing the sonic majesty of Steely Dan.

Got it

One of the innumerable albums I can tell is amazing, but I still wanna skip through the songs I've heard 10,000 times. 4

Disclaimer: I already knew that I love this album, and its a given 5 in my book. Something I've never thought about, is the fact that these two nerds basically invented a whole new musical movement straight out of college. No, they were not the first to mix jazz with pop or rock. But there were not a lot of people implementing new elements and levels of sophistication into pop music. Whereas most people where focused on making jazz sound like progressive rock, Steely Dan starts implementing harmonies and forms that made them sound more like soul, but also a bit like country. I know people like to stamp them with jazz pop or whatever, but in reality I think they were more about stepping past genre barriers. As the yacht rock idiom developed, this album became more and more influential.

Excellent Album

enjoyable and catchy. maybe not as refined as their later works but a top jazz rock album nonetheless.

It's pretty much Steely Dan isn't it?

I wonder if the boys knew there were this many bangers on the album

I kind of like Reelin in the Years and Do It Again

This is my third Steely Dan album to review, after Pretzel Logic and Countdown to Ecstasy (both of which I gave five stars), and I didn't enjoy this one quite as much, even though I think it's better lyrically, and it does have three fantastic singles on it. I really enjoyed the lyrics of the songs on this album. It seems to me that there's a common thread of apathy towards life's promises that runs through all of the songs. From the empty pleasure seeking of "Do It Again," to the slow (although somewhat cheery) desperation of "Reelin' In The Years," Steely Dan sings of the disappointment when things don't live up to the expectations we put forward. Like King John succeeding King Richard, sometimes things don't change much deep down, even when they change on the surface. I enjoyed the varied musical arrangements on this album too. "Do It Again" has a great latin feel to it, "Dirty Work" has some fantastic Wurlitzer and organ parts, and "Reelin' In The Years" has some of Steely Dan's best guitar playing. The rest of the songs were fine, and featured plenty of Steely Dan's signature soft-rock-jazz sound, but a lot of the songs aside from the singles weren't terribly memorable. This was a really good album, but it's just not Steely Dan's top tier work.

Love it.

Never listened to Steely Dan, except maybe in passing. A very chill album, I feel like I'd hear this on vacation or a long road trip. Enjoyable, 4* I recognize: do it again, dirty work (enjoyed it), fire in the hole (piano)

Times are hard You're afraid to pay the fee So you find yourself somebody Who can do the job for free When you need a bit of lovin' 'Cause your man is out of town That's the time you get me runnin' And you know I'll be around I'm a fool to do your dirty work Oh yeah I don't wanna do your dirty work No more I'm a fool to do your dirty work Oh yeah This is a fucking great album. 5/5

captures the sights, the sounds and the smells like the 70s - some in a good way, and some you dont want to scratch the surface of too much

Mischung aus Rock, Pop, Blues und Jazz. Eher Richtung Classic Rock.

I can see and understand the appeal here. This album is their debut and they came out firing on all cylinders. Talk about iconic songwriting this album has it from top to bottom. I kinda loved this. I’ve never sat down and listened to Steely Dan. I’ll be sure to remedy that! Great album overall

3 plus

3.5/5 pleasant but hardly memorable

Holy shit that's an album. Anyone got some blow?

probably my second favorite from steely dan!! this or aja

Classic!!

Better than Pretzel Logic, but still not my jam.

really good album. also definitely a strong influence for all my other favorite artists

Great easy listening album.

Another classic, some great tunes on this album.

Know several of the songs but just not my genre.

Cant go wrong with Steely Dan

alle låter er bangers, for et album...

Very cool, slick and charming, but no really my type.

Lots of bangers

Excellent

a perfect album. every element of this album was made with astute craftsmanship. no crinkle left unironed. thr lyrics, melody, arrangements, the PRODUCTION!!!! NOT A SINGLE SOLITARY FLAW!!!!

I actually think this is the worst out of Steely Dan’s 7-album run from ‘72-‘80, but still a 5/5. You can listen a thousand times, but SD has so many interesting elements in any given track, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Never get tired of listening to them!

Two Steely Dan in a row - I guess it sometimes happen. So good I listened to it four times. Some great songs, really well written music and lyrically. And, like the last one, smooth as music gets. Not going to be one of the greatest albums of all time but definitely a good album.

I dunno man, sounds like your most boring grandparents favourite band.

"Do It Again" is such a classic. Some good ol' dad rock.

Not as good as I imagined

v mid

Svona rólyndisrokk fíla ég enda hef ég oft hlustað á Steely Dan og á þessari plötu eru algjörar neglur. Ég myndi samt oftar hlusta á önnur samtímabönd þótt Steely megi af og til fljóta með.

The songs in the album aren't really hitting me or sucking me into a world, unlike other bands/albums like Pink Floyd. Album's enjoyable but not really something I'd enjoy listening over and over for a week.

Hirvittävä levyn kansi, mutta ihan ässä levy! Tiukkaa faijarokkia todellakin! 4/5

Tykkään enemmän Ajasta, mutta tääkin todella kovaa ajoa! Täpärä 4/5

Aurinkoinen ja rento, mukavan monipuolinen myös. Kyl tää ehkä neloseen nousee, yli aiempien listalla olleiden!

Unique. Definitely knew a bunch of the songs

5 stars. It's the Dan.

Solid album but can sound quite generic but worth a listen.

Excelent. Add to playlist

Classic easy listening stuff. Steely Dan’s melodies sound so nice that it’s almost artificial

Okay.

I can't say I love Steely Dan, but this is clearly a great album.

It's a Steely Dan Album. Great musicianship, but it does get kind of boring. I could have this on in the background and be pretty contempt. Classic dad rock stuff. I'd give er a 4.

Good Rock!

The guitarists on this album are amazing! And I love Donald Fagen's voice.

Steely Dan sucks

Knew more songs than I thought I would

Possibly my favorite Dan record!

Are you reeling in the years?

One of few albums where every song is very good. 4.7

Massive Dan fan, and this is one of the better records.

Classic.

Bangers all the way through

A real band's band

My favorite Dan album and an all time classic

One of the best from Steely Dan

Love this

Dad rock ftw

I liked this album, felt good on a Friday. Good vibes. Recognized two songs. I want to check out more Steely Dan now but dont think I'll go crazy for it.

Day14 - i’m on a hot streak with awesome albums. it’s amazing how well these songs hold up after 50 years

"Can't Buy a Thrill" by Steely Dan, released in 1972, marks the debut of a band that would go on to redefine the landscape of jazz-rock fusion. The album showcases the duo of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker's songwriting prowess, creating a sophisticated and eclectic sound. From the infectious hooks of "Do It Again" to the jazzy complexities of "Reelin' in the Years," each track is a testament to the band's meticulous attention to detail. Fagen's distinctive vocals and Becker's intricate guitar work add layers of depth to the album. "Can't Buy a Thrill" is a captivating introduction to Steely Dan's signature blend of jazz, rock, and pop. Its timeless quality earns it a well-deserved 4/5 for its musical sophistication, memorable compositions, and its enduring influence on the fusion genre.

do it again, kings

I'm gonna be honest, it's not what I was expecting. But I fucks with it. Also there was Spanish and a maraca?? who in Steely Dan is a latinaaaaa?? Do it again 💜💜 Only a fool would say that 💜💜

Fun album I wouldn’t listen to again.

Good. Hear most of them on classic rock radio, the deep cuts are deep for a reason.

You don’t gotta twist my arm to get me to listen to Steely Dan.

Gefällt mir nicht.

3 stars. Good for background playing. Not intrusive sound. Electric guitar, piano, country rock kind of sound, neutral to positive vibe.

The undisputed kings of dad rock, and quite possibly the best studio band of all time, Steely Dan proves here that sometimes technical perfection does not have to come at the cost of writing a subpar song.

The dads were right, and they still are; this shit rips.

My Dad loved this album, but I forgot about it until I played it. I solidly have several songs memorized.

Love great session players, and Elliot Randall is top notch. well worth a look through his wiki write up to see what a great career the guy had. Jeff Baxter is another legend here, playing through the 70's with steely dan, the doobie brothers, subsequently with everyone and their dog, and then apparently "stumbled into" a career as a self taught consultant for the us military and chair of the Civilian Advisory Board for Ballistic Missile Defense. because of course.

Chilling, para conducir al solecillo y bailar en el baño.

Steely Dan's debut album, a more straight ahead rocker compared to their later work. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker establish their vibe, with Donald's warbly singing and the pair's lyrics and interesting chord progressions. Four of their most listened to songs on Spotify are on this album, and they're all the ones that standout - Reelin in the Years is a classic rock staple if (an overblown but good tune), but the others, Do It Again (with the electric sitar solo), Only a Fool Would Say That, and Dirty Work are really good also - Dirty Work is my favorite of them.

The Steely Dan sound kicked out some solid hits on this one. Great album, but Aja still a notch above this one for me.

I don't want to do your dirty work, oh yeahhhh

Fucking class. THIS is good rock. Reelin' in the Years and Dirty Work 🔛🔝

Best of bisher

Amazing album, the vocals, instrumentals and overall tone was fantastic. 10 out of 10

1.12.24

I understand the appeal of Steely Dan. They are just so good, the way they make groove is just undeniable.

It starts growing on you in a groovy way. Pretty unique sound. 3.5/5.

Really good

We played reeling in the years for homecoming

Awesome album. Never listened to it in full. Few new tunes I dug. Wasn’t very long. I made chili and cleaned up in one listen.

Steely qui nous fait du Dan

on aurait pu s’arreter a cet album je pense

It was good, I had listened to some songs previously but never really listened to it as a whole.

Meh

This album is so much fun. Totally accomplished what it was made to do. The solos are very simple and not super impressive. But the grooves and the tempo for each song I feel was picked really well. Maybe a few too many fade-outs but hey it’s Steely Dan.

Iconic sound and voice. Truly the sound of the 70s leading combining rock and jazz.

Classic Rock at its best. I feel there's some jazz guitar and dash of country vibes. Definitely an album I'll suggest

Album fuses a lot of genres together in creative ways. Nice groovy album with some classic "best of" examples from the band.

It was pretty good. No song really compared to do it again

Upbeat, easy listening.

1/10/24

A magnificent, uber-musical album that just told the world from the get go that these two blokes had their own jazzy kooky twisted take on things. The songs! The lyrics!! The solos!!!

This album has banger after banger. It's a near perfect album that isn't long, and still manages to lure you in for 41 mins and you come out not even realizing how much time has passed. Every song on this album is a hit. 5/5

1. Do It Again- long intro, a vibe but not mine, good song though 2. Dirty Work- I've heard this song before lol it's pretty good 10/10 3. Kings- not really my jam 4. Midnite Cruiser- kinda jammy, wouldn't put it on tho...road trip song?? 5. Only A Fool Would Say That- vibey 6. Reelin' In The Years- ehhhh idk how I feel 7. Fire In The Hole- groovy 8. Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me)- def a road trip vibe 9. Change Of The Guard- another road trip vibe 10. Turn That Heartbeat Over Again- I don't like this one honestly a very nice road trip album very groovy and vibey

Good album. I forgot about many of these songs.

solid album. do it again, dirty work turn that heartbeat over again very catchy

Way better than I expected or remembered. Surprisingly diverse sound, too

This album is a joyful hit factory.

I really like reelin' in the years. So far whole album is very summertime, chill hang out. Love the use of sax on album. Fire in the hole, loving that jazzy opening bumbumbum

I had not heard many of the songs. I didnt like the band when it first started and I was in my early 20s, but compared to much of thenewer music I liked it.

Swingin. I enjoyed this a bunch

I’ve never listened to this album all the way through before. It came out the year I was born!

There were a couple good songs on it. Overall decent album.

Better than I expected considering I wasn't expecting to enjoy it. It was pleasant considering I listened to it while playing God of War.

this was easy listening, kinda like elevator music i think. i liked the instrumentals, but i think the vocals in some of the songs were jarring and made some of the songs less enjoyable. i was expecting a smoother jazzier voice rather than a more strained somewhat rock-ish voice

Pretty good stuff

Banger. Best Steely Dan record imo

Love the 70s sound and some amazing tracks on here but a bit too much pop sounds which makes it a strong 3

Disco muito bom. Todas as músicas possuem ritmo contageante, até me lembrou um pouco algumas músicas do Wishbone Ash. Apos primeira audição, algumas músicas se sobressaem. 1. Do It Again 2. Change of the Guard

Nice, enjoyed listening to this one 🥰

Just absolutely love this band. Could not be more down my alley if they tried. Instrumentation, overall vibe, lyrics, writing style...just all perfect for me. Favorite track: Reelin' in the Years

2-3/5

Great - really relaxing and perfect for calming down at the end of a (Work)day.

An album for eating burgers with your older relatives. No one will be upset if this record is on.

Opinionated artists who start real strong out of the gate. Didn't realize that three of the heavy-rotation Steely Dan singles came from this one album.

Hyvän mielen levy! Ei olis ehkä väärin antaa nelostakaan.

Ei tehnyt suurta vaikutusta.

Soooo smooth

Not my favorite but I see why they are so legendary.

I used to be a Dapper Dan Man, now I'm a Steely Dan Fan.

Love this album

Fire in the hole! Listened on the drive home after the last day of school before Christmas break. Will be revisiting.

Steely Dan feels separated from the gamut of American popular music while showcasing multiple genres that are deeply rooted in American music history.

Perfect, 👍

Relaxing

Not too bad, considering I'm not a fan of Steely Dan at all - as this one has some good songs in overall, and it's a pleasant listen overall. Wasn't a fan of the other inclusions though.

Franchement bien cool à écouter

Une vraie petite pépite pour ceux qui aiment les sons 70s !

Simple, clear, streight and great

reelin in the years! fire in the hole!

Do It Again- 4/5 Dirty Work- 5/5 Kings- 3.8/5 Midnite Cruiser- 4.2/5 Only a Fool Would Say That- 3.2/5 Reelin' in the Years- 5/5 Fire in the Hole- 4.8/5 Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)- 3.6/5 Change of the Guard- 3.5/5 Turn That Heartbeat Over Again- 4.1/5 Total- 4.1/5

This album is a pure relax and joy!

Was surprised to find out some of these songs were sung by them.

Fuck man, if this is dad rock, then put a baby in me I guess. No Aja, but still no less worthy of a 5

I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. While I still won’t reach for a Steely Dan album (metaphorically, obviously), I won’t be annoyed if one of their songs comes on.

10/10

Lots of recognizable songs but it was really nothing too special. I think some of their later albums are just more interesting.

Not my favourite Steely Dan album (Aja being my favourite) but showcases the talent.

Good stuff!

Solid. Yacht Rock Classics

Great album

I reckon David Palmer should do all the vocals

I had it in my head that I didn't like Steely Dan, but this album slaps! Super creative, unique, and honestly fun to listen to. Love the genre bending of blues, rock and jazz.

It's Steely Dan. It's just quality music that is almost universally acclaimed. Not every song is a classic, but there are a few here on their debut album that are just a harbinger of the brilliant tunes that would come. I enjoy their album Aja more, but this is still worth remaining in regular rotation in your playlist for this genre.

At the risk of offending some Steely Dan fans, this band does nothing for me that the Eagles don't already do. There's a few big hits on this album (Do It Again, Dirty Work, Reelin' In The Years), but push comes to shove it's nothing super special in my book.

MASTERPIECE

Loved this album. Memories of long ago.

Do it again, Dirty Work, and Reelin in the Years are the classics.

Always an absolute banger and made me hate my job a little less today.

This got classic after classic these fukers know how to play. Super easy album to get into in my opinion loved it. Listened to this while I was cooking and was a wonderful choice made my rice and soy sauce taste Michelin Star. Would get this in vinyls would masturbate to this would listen to this album with my dad. -B

Hm I left for a week I come back and the best album I missed was steely Dan. I wish I could say I was surprised!!!!

If I saw this in a record store, I'd probly buy it

I have a theory about the sorts of artists that people tend to listen to, and how they go about starting to listen to. It divides artists up into three categories. Artists who you discover gradually: Maybe you hear a song on a playlist, compilation, or on the radio. You like the song, then start to gradually listen to more until you’re a bona fide fan. Artists who you known from osmosis: You know their big hits from out in the wild, so you listen to their albums to get more of a grip of why people like them. Artists you’re taking a punt on: This is I think the most interesting category. People who you’ve heard of, but haven’t heard, or at least not consciously. So you go and listen to one of their records blind. Punt Artists I find usually fall into three sub categories: Artists you end up loving, artists you end up hating, and artists you end up appreciating more than you actually enjoy them. I’ll probably refer to this theory at later points in the reviews, especially when it comes to The Libertines, who are responsible for my coming up with this theory. But, onto the review! Steely Dan were a Punt Artist for me. Or at least, to an extent. My mother had a copy of The Nightfly, Donald Fagen’s first album, which I listened to at some point and absolutely adored, so I researched him a bit and discovered Steely Dan that way. I took a punt on Aja and ended up loving it just as much, so, when I had the money, went and bought all of their albums chronologically. Can’t Buy A Thrill was therefore the second Dan album I knew, and was probably pretty instrumental in my appreciation for them as artists. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t have continued with the experiment. But coming back to it with a more critical eye, I’m realising that it’s the Dan album I listen to least. I don’t think it’s bad at all, I just think that there’s something hasn’t quite completely clicked into place yet. Maybe it’s the inclusion of other vocalists; I like Palmer’s voice but can’t stand Jim Hodder’s, and the idea of anyone but Donald Fagen singing on a Steely Dan song just seems wrong anyway. I think there are inevitably gonna be teething problems, but what I find most infuriating about this is that I can’t quite put my finger on what I think is different about Can’t Buy A Thrill to other Steely Dan albums. I still thoroughly enjoy it, I just don’t love it

Way ahead of it's time.

Lots of classics on this album. Steely Dan is firm in the dad rock genre but have a fun sound and the album is solid from beginning to end.

5: Feels wrong to listen to this without a cold beer in hand. Instantly fell in the love with this record - it’s going on heavy rotation. I found myself singing along to the hooks by the 2nd chorus, and humming melodies long after the album was over.

perfect classic rock and roll. This is the platonic ideal from which all other rock and roll is derived.

A delight. It's strange to consider a "debut" by Steely Dan because they seem to have emerged fully formed and capabie of delivering exquisitely polished and sophisticated pop. The record is fun, with some near-ASMR quality hooks ("Do It Again"), some tongue-in-cheek poignance ("Dirty Work" and "Turn Heartbeat"), easy-flowing grooviness ("Reelin' In the Year") and intellectual stimulation ("Brooklyn"). Though there are none of one's fave SD tunes here, there's a nary a misplaced note, ample charm and such satisfying rhythms and flows.

It was fine. Although an impressive number of singles for a debut album.

Nice!

Do it Again fell out of the radio in the corner of the kitchen when I was a teenager. After that I had to buy this album, I've still got my original pressing. A great album out of the box, a gateway record to Dan addiction. Beyond Do it Again and Reelin' in the Years the ear worms on this album hook you-Dirty Work, Midnite Cruiser, Change of the Guard, the whole album-obscure lyrics in abundance, shit hot guitar solos, weird chord changes, plastic organ solos, music by jazz freaks for rock freaks. 4 out of 5 on the journey to the polished steel precision greatness which is Aja.

De här är inte dåligt. Tror att jag skulle kunna gilla det om jag lyssnade in mig lite mer.

Hade aldrig hört talas om och det fanns väl en anledning till det. Fanns inget som stack ut

hört om steely dan i film/tv, ska vara "pappamusik", jag är pappa, men nja. Först låten är bäst. Sen händer inte mycket. Rätt platt, enkelt. #1 Soft, melodiskt. #2 sådär. #3 lite roligare. Men det lyfter aldrig riktigt. Inget "extra". #4 bra, skönt sound #5 sådär #6 sådär #7 nja #8 ok #9 lite popig. #10 sådär

duktiga musiker och så... kul när keyboardisten tvunget skulle ha ett solo direkt efter gitarrsolot

Hade bara hört Do it again sedan tidigare och visste väldigt lite om dem. Blev positivt överraskad - det är väldigt välproducerat rakt igenom, flera bra låtar och hög lägstanivå. Stark trea.

Again, I really liked this. They really play with different instruments and let them stand out. Each track has a strong character. I think I slightly preferred Pretzel Logic but it's close. Close standout track was Kings. Had this close choice for both the albums. Standout track: Fire in the Hole

All this time I thought I hated Steely Dan. Turns out they’re very good

This album is so good I might have to buy a back up in case I wear out my current one. Great front to back. Plus, it always comes back to Steely Dan.

Steely Dan are without a doubt the kings of yacht rock. At least in my opinion. I’m never in a bad mood of Steely Dan is on. This isn’t their peak by any means, but it’s a damn good start. This record, along with their sophomore album are the only two with the original band, before Becker and Fagen went full studio-band. That leads to this record having a much more simple and approachable feeling, with less complexity in the instrumentation. The lyrics are even mildly understandable, as opposed to all the cryptic lyricism they would get into later. This album single-handedly has some of the catchiest melodies and choruses of the 70’s. Do It Again, Dirty Work, Reelin' in the Years, and Fire in the Hole are in total ear worms. And those are just the more popular songs. The deep cuts are just as catchy and amazing. I think the safer sound definitely suits Steely Dan. It doesn’t change that this album slaps. But their pursuit for studio perfection led to some of the most intricate and best sounding albums ever released. They buffed out every scratch until it was smooth as marble, and benefited from it. Rating: 8/10

Knew this one from before. Great album, very listenable.

Lovely stuff.

love love love, this was so enjoyable, couple songs I zoned out didn’t rlly attract me but over all very very solid.

Couple of good songs, fairly middling 70's rock

Great harmonies, great recording, great everything.

Great album!

Mostly good with some very very good songs (first song).

Best Steely Dan record

The best Steely Dan album by a mile. Everything works. The lyrics are clever but not smug, the music technically incredible but accessible. This is why people love Steely Dan.

goddamn steely dan

Classic

pretty groovy, fun vibes! pretty worthy of four stars. Dirty Work is my favourite one from here.

Decent songs, well done. Just not quite my vibe I don't think.

Steht gur für den Sound der 70er, nicht alle Lieder gefallen mir, aber kann man durchaus anhören

A perfect album

Fantastic

I enjoyed this album a lot, it was accessible enough not to be a very experimental jazzy pop-rock record but still interesting, varied and energetic enough, unlike many pop records that aren't exciting enough. The length was also perfect, not too short, not too long.

Classic stuff

Fun light album to listen to, super comfortable but didn’t stand out much (to my slightly depressed ears)

Can't escape this album, still pretty good

Peak dad rock

I’m not sure how this compared to Aja, which I listened to a couple years ago but don’t remember much. Along with some other soft rock type bands, the music doesn’t seem to encourage me to notice differences between most of the songs all that much, so it blends into a cohesive vibe that overall is nice but can be forgettable. The record’s biggest hits seem well representative of the rest of the tracks, maybe catchier with better melodies and choruses. The lead singer often has a reverb/layered effect on his vocals that I like now but could get tired of. 6/10

I feel like I could grow to really love this album.

A couple of songs were like songs I’ve heard 1 million times but never listened to. I haven’t looked into their history or philosophies or anything but I kind of feel like they’re all Republicans now I don’t even know if any of them are like. Only a fool would say that my favorite song on the album never heard it before.

This is only my 30th album and yet this is the 3rd time I've gotten Steely Dan... A solid album. Knew about half the songs. 3.5

Zeer groovy jazz album, stem is soms wat saai, maar muzikaal erg goed

Geweldig album, steely dan in hun prime

Holy mid

Recognizable. Wouldn’t seek out.

11/13/23. Nearly flawless album for me! Not sure why, but every song stands out on its own, but at the same time flow together very well. This will stand the test of time.

Good stuff. I knew the hits, but the rest of the album is not bad.

Do it again

I automatically dismiss Steely Dan, but this album was not horrible. Solid 3

Jazz-rock that is so polished that zoning out is a real risk despite its groovy, catchy and varied soundscapes.

Quality hippy fun

it is what it is

Bangers only

One of my favorites

Classic. Not quite Aja, but brilliant. 3.5/5

Do it Again - 5/5 Dirty Work - 3/5 Kings - 3/5 Midnight Cruiser - 4/5 Only a Fool Would Say That - 3/5 Reelin' in the Years - 5/5 Fire in the Hole - 3/5 Brooklyn - 3/5 Change of the Guard - 4/5 Turn that Heartbeat - 3/5

Steely Dan 1. Do it again - 4 2. Dirty work - 3 3. Kings - 2 4. Midnite cruiser -3 5. Only a fool - 3 6. Reelin in the years - 4 7. Fire in the hole - 5 8. Brooklyn - 3 9. Change of the guard- 2 10. Turn the heartbeat - 2 3

11/09/23 1:15 S Tier————————— Reelin’ In The Years Do It Again Dirty Work A Tier————————— Change Of The Guard Only A Fool Would Say That Brooklyn King Midnite Cruiser B Tier————————— Turn That Heartbeat Over Again Fire In The Hole C Tier————————— D Tier—————————

Thursday 11/9/23, 1:23, office S Tier————————— Do It Again Reeling’ In The Years A Tier————————— Dirty Work Only A Fool Would Say That Fire In The Hall Change Of The Guard B Tier————————— Brooklyn Kings C Tier————————— Midnite Cruiser Turn That Heartbeat Over Again

Better than the last steely dan

Do it again, Reelin in the years, and Dirty Work highlight this album. The rest is not bad, not great.

Solid album

Absolute bangers

A great mix of styles and some classic songs. Really good album

Really good album. I knew every song, I just didn't know that they were the ones that sang them. I would definitely listen to it again.

Bem meh

Classic

Love dad rock

Fire in the hole - bop, similar vibes to the doors Reeling in the years - classic Good easy listening album with a few tunes.

Very hit or miss for me

Grew up on this. Solid album even though some of the vocals are a bit hammy.

Listened to the LP, hope it’s not the only Steely Dan on the list.

Glad I finally listened through the whole album. Only A Fool Would Say That is still probably my favorite Steely Dan track. Found a few others that I liked that I hadn't heard before, including Midnite Cruiser, Fire In The Hole, and Turn That Heartbeat Over Again).

Easy listening, nothing too memorable for me though.

Lots of classics on this one. Hard not to like it.

Awesome lyrics, sounds cool as hell

Album was really good from the get go had me hooked in! Can’t fault it

Vibes and music are all immaculate, what more could you need

I really like this one. Very my vibe in music.

I already knew three songs off this album, all three of which I really love. And then, to my surprise, the rest of the album was JUST AS GOOD. Perfection. Chef's kiss.

Back to back slays tbh

Surprisingly good. Best album so far

Its a bit nostalgic for me but even thr unfamiliar songs were great

THIS ALBUM FUCKING SLAPS IT'S SO GROOVY AND JAZZY AND FUNKY.

Dug the hell out of this. Like eagles but groovier, jazzier and funkier.

I enjoyed this album. It was fun to hear tracks like Dirty Work that I'd definitely heard around before but didn't know where they came from. It's not the type of rock that I typically listen to, but it was all still good. I'd give it a 7/10 if I could. I only got the chance to listen to it once, so it's certainly possible that I'd enjoy it more if I got to listen to it more.

So many bangers in this one. Its just a tight groovy record and I cant really fault it for anything. Appreciated even more on a second or third listen too.

Infectious whether you like it or not

After sitting through Donald Fagen’s queasy yacht-rock snooze-fest “The Nightfly” three reviews ago, it’s a great relief to return to Steely Dan’s roots and be reminded that they made great music in the beginning. “Can’t Buy a Thrill” is a remarkable debut: technical without being soulless, catchy without being inane. Of course, “Reeling In the Years” is the most enduring track here, with its scene-stealing guitar solo (Jimmy Page’s favourite ever) by session player Elliot Randall, recorded through a bass amp. It’s an addictive, driving shuffle with great performances all round, but is by no means the only song worthy of chart success. The whole first half of “Can’t Buy a Thrill” is exceptionally easy-going: “Dirty Work”, “Kings” and “Midnite Cruiser” have standout choruses. And then there’s “Change of the Guard”, an underrated track begging to be resurrected for a montage in one happy-go-lucky film or another. Along with above-average session work, these tracks are all elevated by some of the best harmonies in 70’s rock. This is helped by the band sharing three lead vocalists (Fagen, one-time member David Palmer, drummer Jim Hodder). Individually, they might not be much to write home about but they each perfectly suit their songs and are syrupy smooth combined, forming the basis of Steely Dan’s sound. Even in some weaker tracks, there’s always at least one element that stands out: “Fire in the Hole” isn’t as immediate as many of the other songs, but boasts an essential piano solo. “Turn that Heartbeat Over Again” is all over the place structurally, but it’s hard to fault the lead guitar breaks. And when the band lean more into jazz, like “Only a Fool Would Say That”, it feels diverting rather than distracting: a good taster of the band’s proficiency in other styles while keeping some levity and not growing indulgent. So there we have it: a solid debut with solid songs. If liking this album makes me a desperately uncool dad-rocker, so be it.

An amazing first album - Big time Steely Dan Fan, and Donald Fagen's still relevant today (RIP Mr. Becker)/ So much artistry and unique style. Do yourself a favor and listen 2x if this is a new album to you. Finally , a second 5 rated album!

I hadn't really given Steely Dan a chance before, but I dug this record.

Do It Again and Reelin' In the Years are obvious classics, the rest of this album is actually bonkers good too though. There's really no other band that sounds like Steely Dan. This an album that feels like it has everything, yet remains cohesive. I love it.

Staple for a feel good playlist. A little hint of throwback which is nice

Great vibes with a couple of bangers

Every track is fantastic. 'Do It Again' sets a strong tone, and the rest of the album keeps up the energy.

This is fookin great

Best one so far

Do it again is a top notch song didn’t know steely dan wrote it.

Enjoyable music, but I think I'd get pretty sick of the middle of the roadless after a few listens.

steely dan, the kings of yacht rock. start to finish, a solid outing. highlights: “do it again”, “only a fool would say that”, “reelin’ in the years”.

This was better than the last Steely Dan, but still super soft. It's just a disconnect between expectations and what's delivered. Had some solid songs though.

Classic. Great stuff.

They're like some of the worst pop rock combined with some of the worst of jazz

Very Good Album, easy to listen too. Insstumentation is varied and adds depth. Do it Again and Reelin' in the Years are highlights.

LETS GO I LOVE STEELY DAN

- Had Countdown to Ecstasy on this before but haven't listened to any other Steely Dan - Can really see why people like this so much - Really, really good album from start to finish - Definitely need to listen to more of their stuff - Fav songs: Do It Again, Dirty Work, Reelin' in the Years

Gave it a few listens, and it went from a 2.5 to a 3, to a 3.5. Quit while I was ahead. Some stuff I really like (Reelin' in the Years), some that does less for me (the slight cheesiness of soft rock). But there are tunes, and hooks.

of all the bands that kinda sounded like this from this era, steely dan is pretty decent. yacht rock is not my fav genre tho

What a great listen. Strong start and continues through most of the album. Consider me a Steely Fan.

Yatch fucken rock, baby !!!