Can't Buy A Thrill

Very nice !

4.2/5

Was pretty good. It was kind of what I expected because I’ve listened to some other Steely Dan music and it was very much in the scene. I enjoyed it and want to dive a little more into their discography to listen to other songs.

Classic, jangly tracks. Super strong first half and strong end, but the 3/4 stretch, while not grabbing me, has already stuck with me more on re-listen.

achei bem daora, um rock cm uma pegada mais melódica cm um bom instrumental e influências de outros demais gêneros. Gostei da vibe das músicas.

Steely Dan – Can’t Buy a Thrill was a really enjoyable listen. It has a relaxed vibe without ever feeling boring, and it’s impressive how well it still holds up in 2026. I wasn’t around in the early ‘70s, but this is exactly how I imagine that laid-back West Coast / hippie era sounded. Definitely an album I’ll come back to.

This album was really a thrill! There are no songs that feel weak or out of place, the guitar parts are wonderful and the album is a vibe all around! With that said I wouldn't consider this one of the best albums of all time, just super fun and catchy!

Good pop hooks, good musicianship, good stuff.

Start strong with back to back to key bangers, then settles in and ends are quietly.

The older you get the more Steely Dan makes sense. No matter what I do I can't seem to stop turning into my father. Do It Again through Reelin' In The Years is an exceptionally strong run. The last 4 songs are good, especially Brooklyn, but not quite at the same level as the first half. At only 41 minutes not a minute is wasted and I considered rating it 5 stars but I think it is really a strong 4 stars. Also the album cover is iconic.

This whole Steely Dan is dad music is absurd. If that's true then 60s music is grandfather music and 50s music is great grandfather music. Also 80s music is son music, 90s toddler music, the 2000s is baby music. After that it's music for the unborn making their way up the fallopian tube.

8/10

Really fun yacht rock with some tasty guitar licks. I had somewhat low expectations but they were exceeded.

3.5

Love Steely Dan. This is probably their most inconsistent work, but also their most approachable work. Lots of great hit songs, mixed with some generic soft rock. Midnight Cruiser could legitimately be on an Eagles record and I wouldn’t notice. Overall, got to give the Dan 4 stars, knowing there will be multiple 5 stars from them to come.

Best Steely Dan so far. One I can genuinely say I enjoyed, not just to please my dad.

Det er da fed hva'. God stemning, højt humør. Rigtig fint album, første- men ikke sidste gang at jeg lytter til det.

* 76 Immaculate vibes, fuld tryk på GH-energi. Det er på ingen måde kompliceret eller prangende, men det er bare herre dringe.

Det her var godt nok en lækker omgang - Det vil jeg gerne høre igen

For my final Steely Dan album, i really enjoyed Can't Buy A Thrill. This one was a little bit inconsistent when it came to good songs and meh songs but i found that the good was heavily outweighing the meh here. The jazz rock fusion on offer works very well as it does in all the other Steely Dan albums i have looked at. Some of the songs on offer were a bit forgettable but the majority of them were incredibly fun trips and felt very relaxing while still having that incredibly funky vibe. I would not say that it is completely perfect as there were still some meh songs like i mentioned but overall, i enjoyed my time with this album and i am gonna miss listening to this band for this project. Best Song: Change of the Guard Worst Song: Do It Again Side note: Like i said, Last Steely Dan album, the rankings are here: 1. Countdown To Ecstasy 2. Can't Buy A Thrill 3. Aja 4. Pretzel Logic

My fourth and final Steely Dan album on this list. Checked back and saw that I could actually copy and paste any of my previous reviews to this album. The over riding feeling I get when listening to these Steely Dan albums is an aching in the stomach and a yearning for the decade which was the most significant in my life. I hesitate to say it was the most happiest but I was living life to the fullest. There was a certain vibe to this particular brand of 70’s music and this album has it in abundance. A feeling of long hot summers spent in the Californian sunshine. California was just a dream in those days. Something then you probably thought you’d never sample but this type of music was the next best thing. Thing is back then I was never ever going to buy this album but was more than happy to have it play in the background in pubs and bars to waft over me and transport me away to some unreachable paradise. Today this album does not have the same effect as I’ve seen California for myself. But it does take me back to those happy pubs and bars, friends forgotten or gone, wishing I could do it all again but differently this time. 4/5 16/6/26

Steely Dan is a hard band to properly rate. On the one hand, they're incredibly good at making smooth, radio-friendly music with strong pop songwriting skills. On the other, their music frequently inspires nothing in the way of emotion in me. This is probably the best Steely Dan album on the list, as there's an actual, palpable appreciation for catchy songwriting rather than just pure studio perfection. While a lot of the trademark Steely Dan sound is here, it also has a magic that Steely Dan would never again capture. The vocals and lyrics are typical of Steely Dan, but the instrumental backing is weirdly groovy(by Steely Dan standards). This is my pick for best Steely Dan album based on that alone. This album is ranked #5 of 31 albums released in 1972. Other 1972 albums rated by me: Ziggy Stardust(abbreviated title)(1/31)-4 Vol. 4(3/31)-5 Talking Book(6/31)-4 Superfly(7/31)-4 Machine Head(11/31)-5 Paul Simon(12/31)-4 All Directions(13/31)-4 The World Is A Ghetto(15/31)-4 Eagles(16/31)-4 #1 Record(20/31)-5 Manassas(25/31)-2 Something/Anything?(26/31)-3 American Gothic(31/31)-2

A solid debut album with 3 major songs on it getting radio play. Some insightful lyrics on the state of America in 1972. Definitely a collectors LP with a great cover.

Solid, chill 4.5

Do It Again - 4/5 Dirty Work - 5/5 Kings - 3/5 Midnite Cruiser - 3/5 Only A Fool Would Say That - 4/5 Reelin' In The Years - 3.5/5 Fire In The Hole - 3/5 Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me) - 4/5 Change Of The Guard - 3.5/5 Turn That Heartbeat Over Again - 3/5

What a great debut. Reelin in the Years legit goes off. 4/5

Three excellent singles and some nice soft rock make this a breeze of a listen.

Music for guys who unironically say "God forbid a white boy catch a vibe"

What a great album this was. All Rock with just a little tiny bit of Jazz thrown in a few places. So, I’ve heard of Steely Dan before. I’m very aware of the name, but could not name a single song of theirs. Can’t even tell you any of the band members. This is the first of 4 Steely Dan albums I have rolled for this project. It is the first album chronologically, it’s the highest rated by far, and it’s the one with their top 4 songs on Spotify. What did I think of it?? I thought it was great. 3/4 of those top songs I actually knew going in. The rest of the album is largely filler, but it’s not bad filler. In fact, I don’t think there’s a skip here. The album has a nice length at 41 minutes and 10 songs. “Do It Again” is already saved to my library, and remains my favorite song on the album. I’ve heard of “Dirty Work” (Thank you The Suicide Squad) and “Reelin’ In The Years” before as well, and they’re very catchy. I think my only minor complaint with this album is that while I genuinely enjoy every song, none of these songs blow me away. They’re all VERY catchy, but not something I would always turn on if I was trying to rock out to something. However, this is one of those albums that had me singing “You’ll go back, Jack, and do it again” as well as “I’m a fool to do your dirty work” literally all day. Those songs in particular are fantastic, and the guitar solo in “Do It Again” is genuinely phenomenal. It’s so cool that that’s their first, and honestly, best song. I don’t know what they’ve done to warrant having 4 separate albums on here, but this is the highest rated of all of them, and it’s a hell of a good start. I’m very interested in checking out the other 3, even if I’m wary of not only their inclusion, but more importantly how they compare to this debut album. As it stands, 2 songs are going to stick with me from this one, and they were 2 I already knew going in. It’s a really good album, but it’s not perfect. I love the singer though, he’s great. The tone of the album is very different from song to song, almost to the extent that I don’t really know what to describe the vibes on this album. That does make it more interesting though. Ultimately, 2 really good songs, 1 pretty good, a whole lot of filler, but far from perfect. Still though, it’s a 4 from me and I’m excited to hear the other 3.

Pop dinámico divertido

I can name three prettttty cool dudes in rock history: Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, and their porn-star cousin, Steely Dan. Can’t Buy a Thrill asks the important question: is a gentle ass-kicking possible without getting kinky? Steely Dan and his economy pack of magnum condoms say: MAYBE. This shit tenaciously works the glutes while whispering jazz chords into your ear like a divorced philosophy professor in a silk shirt. It’s a delightful little potpourri of rock guitars, Latin grooves, soul vocals, country dust, pop hooks, and enough clever, slick musicianship to leave you nude and disoriented in a strange room, haunted by the suspicion that devious play has occurred. The production is pure bygone-era luxury: every instrument has its own furnished condo, nothing crowds the room, and everybody is suited, booted, and lightly moisturized. Yet somehow, despite being arranged tighter than Steely’s dangerously ill-fitting condom situation, it’s undeniably accessible. Brainy but not insufferable, smooth but not sleepy, sleazy...but the taxes are filed early. Total package record. Bangs like a stallion with a mortgage, a library card, and suspiciously soft hands.

Summer sunshine in every vinyl groove. Something about the chill beats, funky guitar riffs, jazzy keyboards and touch of soothing saxophone has me floating into the grassy smoky haze of the quintessential 70s summer. Stuff like this is classic for a reason. Fav Tracks: Do It Again, Reelin’ In The Years

4/5

so fun and infectious idk hey any fo the lyrics were but i throughly enjoyed super up and fun and i’d totally listen to the whole thing again , dirty work , reelin in the years, and dirt in the hole or sum are my favs, the comments say really good lyricism too so i wanna read through , also good vocal comp

Just made me feel happy?

Almost perfect

More cool shit from steely dan. I really like their sound. Exited to hear "Aja" since its suposed to be their best work.

Solide

Class. smooth grooves and sharp hooks

This was actually a delight

Clássico absoluto. Um dos primórdios de uma banda que se tornaria exemplo dali pra frente em referência a sofisticação, boa mescla de elementos jazzisticos, mas que nunca deixa de lado toda a pegada pop. Steely Dan é muito foda.

One of the biggest surprises of working through the list is how much I actually like this band. Smooth and easy going on the surface, but complex harmonies/arrangements, polished production, and lots of surprising melodic twists and turns.

The melodies and rhythms are just great. Never thought of them as musicians in that way as a catchy hook would come on the classic rock station, but really listening to the timing and melodies made it worthwhile all over again. 4

It was fun and upbeat and feel-good vibes.

This one made me say 'oooh, nice' out loud several times while listening to it. Huge gulf here between album art and album quality.

Their rock era - sure, sophisticated but still more rooted in harmonic structures that are much less jazzy - is still their apotheosis in my view. The quality of song and performance is extremely high. The playing is of course top notch, and David Palmer’s gorgeous vocal on Dirty Work hints at what might have been.

Steely Dan got the white boys dancin

This is fun!

Goooood 4/5

this steel dan guy is like the beetles of music

Yeah, this was fun.

It was a nice and easy listen and I think it’s a really solid album, especially for a debut. I liked almost all the songs and saved a few to my playlist and I’m definitely gonna look more into Steely Dan :)

A really good mix of chill vibes and beats that make me groove. Lots of gentle swaying and very easy listening. Definitely listening to it again

Uppskattar Steely Dan mer och mer för varje gång jag lyssnar. Gått från musik jag tyckte var lite störig när svärfar satte på på sitt stereosystem till att jag själv kan slå på lite Steely Dan på mitt alldeles egna stereosystem. Jättestark fyra som säkert om några år är en femma.

Jag gillar Steely Dan.

I often have mixed feelings about Steely Dan. I enjoy some of their songs while others remind me too much of math rock or jazz fusion: music that seems to value conceptual ingenuity and variety over enjoyability. But I was pleased to find this album enjoyable throughout, and surprised at how many rock radio staples it generated. I was amazed to learn after listening that this is the group's debut. My favorite discovery, however, was the less worn groove of "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again."

Very good.

Good

Just like the album “Pretzel Logic”, which I listened to on 26 March, I own this album too. It’s great music as well, so it gets 4 stars too...

Love thode kind of sounds, very good vibes, had a good time tending my jasmin.

The last couple of tracks were weaker but overall a good album.

"Oh, I didn't know this band sang this song!"- Me so many times during this album. Had no clue I liked Steely Dan so much.

I had a really hard time deciding if this album rated a 3 or 4. There are some songs on here I really like, specifically the first two tracks. And the others are all good. The musicianship is 2nd to none. But at times the album is just too easy listening. I listened to the album about 5-6 times trying to decide. Then I remembered that I was generous to the god-awful Leonard Cohen album. So why shouldn't I be generous for an actual good album?

Woke up in a historically bad mood and this turned me right around

4/5 I not really listen this type of music but SOOO COOLLL Girl I like the vibe, it's like good vibe and chill at the same time !!

Good variety throughout. Very nostolgic

Decent album, enjoyed it even if there wasn't much standing out to me

Chill.

Cool album, with cool tracks. Steely Dan is a nice discovery. Here, there is a song made as response to Imagine, by John Lennon. Very interesting! Favourite songs: Do it again, Only a fool would say, Change the Guard

Great soft rock

This was a grower. I knew and liked the opening track but didn't know anything else by the band (at least on this album). Midnite Cruiser was a standout track for me.

Not really what I generally listen to nor seek out. But still, I know all these songs and to be honest It's a damn good album. Easy 4...

crazy how many hits are on this album. it’s fucking steely dan!!

Steely Dan has been on my "to listen" list for a long time. I've heard a few songs here and there, but was great to dive in. And most of it is stellar, with great songwriting and some really good playing. But sometimes it veers into just hifalutin elevator music.

This just in: I like Steely Dan. At least this record. Would I like it without its copious use in film & TV? Hopefully. +1 for being named after a dildo.

Perfect album for a sunny day Reelin' in the years is such a good tune

unfamiliar with your game etc

8.5 / 10

Something I can confidently listen to and know it was as kickass now as it was then. Araki was onto something, and I suddenly want mushrooms to be better friends with this album

steely dan me salvó el verano

Yacht Rock at its finest. They just don’t groove like that anymore

An easy listen. Enjoyed.

Can't buy 5 stars but 4 will do.

meerdere bangers, leuk album.

Really good album, I recognized some of the songs that were in it and definitely added a few into some playlists

Love Steely Dan My second favorite band Great debut but they’ve made better

Really liked the use of melody and rhythm to make really listenable soft rock music. Good stuff.

We’ve done a few Steely Dan records and I’ve not liked any of them really. This one was much better, it had a few more it’s and a bit less cheese.

very chill instrumentals with relaxing vocals and stable track lengths——not too long nor too short. fav tracks are midnite cruiser and brookyln.

i'm honestly ... not sure what i expected from steely dan? whatever it was, it wasn't this. and i mean that in the best way possible. i found myself really enjoying the album! dirty work was definitely my favorite song, but reelin' in the years is definitely the most popular song for a reason, it SLAPS.

This is a fantastic first album by a band that mixes rock music with smooth jazz sounds. It has very famous tracks that you will easily recognize and want to sing along with. The musicians play their instruments beautifully, making the entire record a fun, high-quality experience from the beginning to the end.

I thought this was great! Very chill background music for working. Pleasant and enjoyable.

8/10 steely dan's peg was my personal fav but this album has this unique feeling to it

rajzolás közben halgattam, baromira élveztem, gyönyörű gitárok mostantól a borítókat is pontozni fogom: tetszenek a színek, és hogy kollázs, de a foltos háttér nem jön be 10/7

(Album 5 of 1089) This album is a nice pop/soft rock album with a sort of beach-y vibe and well written songs. An enjoyable listen, 'Do It Again' a clear highlight.

Recognise a handful of great tracks. Good album

Amazing band, amazing record.

This is a really good album. Practically a greatest hits album for Steely Dan. I’m not a huge Steely Dan fan (I find them to veer into unintentional self-parody at times), but I can’t deny the quality of this record. Great songwriting, great playing, great arrangements. The sax work on “Dirty Work” is perfect.

Fav song: Dirty Work

Always has been a hit an miss album with me because of the amount of times I've listened to this. While I have gotten used to the filler stuff on here, I still don't think they're great. There's still many hits on here that are great but I agree with people who put this lower on their Steely Dan album lists.

Yesss steely Dan

Ryan likes [[Steely Dan]]. This was quite nice and chill. It has Reelin' in the Years.

Well, yeah, it's REALLY good!

Great album, with some good lyrics and great instrumentals

Had no idea reeling in the years was a Steely Dan song

you can borrow one though!

Спокійний та веселий рок. Дуже сподобалось. Цей альбом однозначно іде в мою колекцію

Some all-time classics on this album. The rest is still very easy listening, soft rock. 4.5/5

every song has the potential of being an ear worm guitar solo in kings went crazy bops all round

Om vrolijk van te worden

Heel leuk

LOVED

Good times 4+ The vibe is perfect

We’ve covered Steely Dan before—way back at the very beginning, when I first got credit for a review. True—“Countdown to Ecstasy” was actually pretty cool—though not so much that I would have expected another Steely Dan album. In fact, their debut, “Can't Buy A Thrill,” can't really hold a candle to it. In comparison, it lacks both drive and spark—which probably makes Steely Dan the only band whose second album is better than their debut in terms of creativity and inspiration. As I see it, there are two more Steely Dan albums to come. I’m not sure if I should be looking forward to them (since the later recordings might be even better) or if that’s bad news (since “Can’t Buy A Thrill” doesn’t really whet the appetite for more). Well, okay, the latter is an exaggeration—“Can’t Buy A Thrill” is actually really good to listen to. For me, that’s 3.5 stars.

Klart högre medelnivå än på tidigare Steely!

Steely Dan har bara något härligt över sig. Do It Again är toppen!

4/5 Det härvar nice

Im reelingggg!

good

great album. cohesive, good songs, some bangers in there. wonderful experience overall.

I enjoyed it, but then again, I am a dad.

Gonna try to be unbiased on about this as I love Steely Dan. This was never my favorite of there, I likely scoffed at it due to it being one of their more "main stream" albums (aka it has the most radio hits on it). But man it's hard to deny just how much fun this album is. It grooves so hard, the licks are sticky as hell, and it's nice to hear the Dan sound so loose. Doesn't quite hold up to their later album, and some of the songs are a little schlocky, but the highs are high and the lows still sound like a good time. Dirty work might just be their best work and I hate to admit that I like hearing someone other than Fagen on vocal (Palmer, you sweet Angel...). It's cool if you don't like em I know we'll get along just fine.

It flows so smoothly, but still perfer Aja

Apparently Steely Dan is an American rock band (founded by a duo that hires other musicians). More of a studio project than a band—Becker & Fagen didn’t seem to set out to be a traditional ‘rock’ band. Do it again - such a vibe, really cool production Dirty Work - I’ve heard this before (either in a movie or on TikTok). Reminds me of Lana’s NFR; it’s possible she took inspo. Good song! Kings, Fire in the Hole, and Turn That Heartbeat Over Again were also memorable!

Can’t believe this exercise is turning me into a Steely Dan fan. Loved this. Recognised much more than I expected and will play again for sure.

I like this. Lots of bluegrass and country elements in the background. Nobody plays the piano like Steely Dan

Before moving towards a more stripped down sound, Steely Dan was still one of the most polished rock bands of the junction between 70s rock and polished jazz sound. The sound is exceptionally polished, and its both compliments and detracts from the album. It's very pleasant, but a lot of the tracks lack something interesting that really stands out, and makes you stop and listen more closely.

Good

4.9

Great band that my mom played a lot around the house when I was a kid. So it's very nostalgic. It's not my favorite of theirs, but definitely solid. 4/5

The songs are a little uneven, but it sounds amazing and the best of them are all-timers.

My 21 year old self probably couldn't imagine giving this a 4, but my current old man self sure can.

Good stuff. My nitpick with it is that I don't like how Donald Fagen uses the upper register of his voice, like the phrase "reelin' in the years" in the chorus of that song. Dirty Work is great.

4/5 - Seems a middle-age right of passage to come to the conclusion that you like Steely Dan more than you thought you did -- or at least this album anyway. Of all the radio friendly 70s rock we've had on this list, I'd put this near the top.

Ideal para caminar en día lluvioso o queriendo sentirte en una película vieja como al protagonista al que está por tener su cambio verdadero y enfrenta sus miedos. O cuando está aventurado y tiene un viaje por carretera adolescente. Guitarra y piano bien presentes (característicos de las épocas), ritmos envolventes, esencia a nostalgia Es para un final de película, rememorando los ‘70… 10/10.

Welp. My mid-life crisis must be coming soon, because I really liked this. I nearly let out an audible “Hell yeah” when Reeling in the Years started, plus Dirty Work is an all-timer. A great listen.

buen album para chillear

Обязательно переслушать!

I like Steely Dan, but Reelin' in the Years is the only notable song on this. It's a good song, and none of the other songs are bad... but they aren't notable.

A lot of bangers on this one. The sound of a generation I just missed out on.

am i old??? i actually really liked this, although i like most kinds of soft rock so maybe i'm just easily pleased

Laadukasta ja helppoa

Olipahan kiva! Voiko olla huono tollasilla hammondeilla, rhodeseilla ja torvilla?

i just listened to all the music thats ever been. my favorite was a song a little girl sang to her cat in greece in 1286. my second favorite was from a ceremonial performance in modern day ethiopia, from 22000 bc. i also liked STEELY DAN.

Classic Dan, love 'em, own 'em.

Already rated their debut as 4.5 on my RYM so not sure, could go either way today. Also my hangover turned into fever and I'm afraid my mental capabilities are not up to speed yet today.

"Can't Buy A Thrill" is a nice, pleasant soft rock album with a couple of big hits in the ten tracks. Sonically it sounds great and is expertly produced by Gary Katz. The vocals and harmonies are a stand-out, and on the whole the album sounds effortless and laid back. Four-stars. Side one 1 "Do It Again" (5/5) 2 "Dirty Work" (3/5) 3 "Kings" (3/5) 4 "Midnite Cruiser" (3/5) 5 "Only a Fool Would Say That" (4/5) Side two 6 "Reelin' In the Years" (5/5) 7 "Fire in the Hole" (3/5) 8 "Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)" (3/5) 9 "Change of the Guard" (4/5) 10 "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again" (4/5) Total - 37 Average - 3.7 292/1001 155/292 albums reviewed were new to me

Would

these dans are steely. good good good.

Ya lo había escuchadooo. Gran álbum gran banda 💛

Mejor canción: Do it again o dirty work Canción que menos me gustó: Las últimas del álbum Puntaje: 8/10 Notas: Hay un solo de citar en la primera canción? God

Classic Rock, Dad Rock, Yacht Rock? Not sure which one to file this under… Overall had good song writing and a couple of hot licks. I mean who doesn’t love to singalong with Dirty Work? That said, this isn’t something I would return too, I’ll leave that as a surprise on classic rock radio.

First half or so pretty good but second half or so not as much. Now that I’m 43 I guess I have to like this now (I do go the most part).

Based on my research, here is an in-depth review of Steely Dan's debut album **Can't Buy A Thrill** (1972). ## Overview Released in November 1972, *Can't Buy A Thrill* announced the arrival of one of rock's most sophisticated and sardonic duos: **Donald Fagen** and **Walter Becker**. Recorded at The Village Recorder in West Los Angeles with producer **Gary Katz**, the album arrived fully formed—blending jazz sophistication with pop accessibility, and wrapping cynical, literate lyrics in deceptively smooth musical packages . The title references a line from Bob Dylan's "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry," while the band's name came from a steam-powered dildo in William S. Burroughs' *Naked Lunch*—setting the tone for their blend of highbrow literary references and underground edge . --- ## Music & Production ### Sonic Palette The album showcases a remarkably diverse musical range for a debut. While later Steely Dan albums would lean heavily into jazz fusion, *Can't Buy A Thrill* maintains stronger rock and pop foundations while incorporating: - **Latin jazz/mambo** ("Do It Again," "Only A Fool Would Say That") - **Straight-ahead rock** ("Reelin' In The Years") - **Country-tinged balladry** ("Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me)") - **Funky R&B** ("Dirty Work") - **Complex jazz-influenced progressions** ("Fire In The Hole," "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again") ### Production Excellence Gary Katz and engineer **Roger Nichols** (referred to as "The Immortal" in the credits) crafted a sound that was simultaneously polished and organic. The production is meticulous—not a single percussive break or flugelhorn dab is out of place—yet it never feels sterile . The album features an impressive cast of session musicians and band members: - **Jeff "Skunk" Baxter**: Guitar, pedal steel - **Denny Dias**: Guitar, electric sitar (his solo on "Do It Again" is legendary) - **Elliott Randall**: Guest lead guitar on "Reelin' In The Years" and "Kings"—his solo on the former is widely considered one of rock's greatest - **Victor Feldman**: Additional percussion - **Jerome Richardson** (tenor sax) and **Snooky Young** (flugelhorn) on "Dirty Work" ### Vocal Arrangements Fagen sings lead on most tracks, but the album features three other lead vocalists—a rarity in Steely Dan's catalog: - **David Palmer**: Lead on "Dirty Work" and "Brooklyn" (his only album with the band) - **Jim Hodder**: Lead on "Midnite Cruiser" - **Walter Becker**: Co-lead on "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again" --- ## Lyrics & Themes ### Cynicism and Character Studies Fagen and Becker established themselves as rock's most literate cynics. Their lyrics depict a gallery of losers, users, and dreamers—anti-heroes elevated to high art through biting wit and precise observation . **Key thematic elements:** **Compulsion and Repetition** — "Do It Again" explores the cycle of self-destructive behavior: gambling, failed relationships, and violence, all set to an infectious Latin groove. The chorus ("You go back Jack, do it again") suggests we're doomed to repeat our mistakes . **Adultery and Power Dynamics** — "Dirty Work" presents a man trapped as the "other man" in an affair, acknowledging his exploitation ("I'm a fool to do your dirty work") but unable to break free . **Political Commentary** — "Kings" uses the death of Richard I and ascension of King John as allegory for political corruption and broken promises. "Fire In The Hole" references Vietnam draft evasion (a phrase used by soldiers), reflecting Becker and Fagen's own experiences avoiding the draft through student deferments . **Urban Disillusionment** — "Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me)" was inspired by "President Street Pete," a tenant who lived below Fagen in Park Slope. The song imagines compensation for "the indignities that they suffered living in Brooklyn, sitting on the stoop and just shooting the shit about the Mets" . **Existential Weariness** — "Midnite Cruiser" and "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again" explore resignation and the passage of time, with the latter featuring some of the album's most harmonically complex passages . ### Literary Quality The lyrics reward close reading—dense with allusion, black humor, and what Fagen described as a "natural ironic stance." Lines like "Love your mama, love your brother/Love them till they run for cover" from "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again" represent perhaps the snidest jab at the peace-and-love ethos ever recorded . --- ## Influence & Legacy ### Immediate Impact The album was both a critical and commercial success, reaching #17 on the Billboard charts and eventually achieving platinum certification. Singles "Do It Again" (Top 10) and "Reelin' In The Years" became FM radio staples that remain in heavy rotation today . ### Long-term Influence *Can't Buy A Thrill* essentially invented the template for "yacht rock"—sophisticated, studio-crafted pop that would influence: - **The Doobie Brothers** (particularly Michael McDonald era) - **Toto** - **10cc** - **Supertramp** - Countless soft rock and jazz-pop acts of the late 70s and beyond The album established the Steely Dan model: impeccably crafted songs that function as Trojan horses—catchy enough for AM radio, complex enough for progressive listeners, and cynical enough for the intelligentsia . --- ## Pros & Cons ### **Pros** 1. **Instant Classic Singles** — "Do It Again" and "Reelin' In The Years" are perfect songs that would justify the album's existence alone. "Reelin'" features Elliott Randall's guitar solo, which Jimmy Page reportedly called one of his favorites . 2. **Musical Versatility** — The album ranges from Latin jazz to country-tinged ballads to complex rock without ever feeling scattered. It showcases a band comfortable with multiple genres . 3. **Lyrical Sophistication** — Becker and Fagen's wordplay and cynical observations were unprecedented in mainstream rock. They brought literary ambition to pop music . 4. **Production Values** — Gary Katz and Roger Nichols created a benchmark for studio excellence. The sound remains crisp and engaging decades later . 5. **Deep Cuts** — Beyond the hits, tracks like "Kings," "Fire In The Hole," and "Midnite Cruiser" demonstrate the album's consistent quality . 6. **Fully Formed Debut** — Unlike most first albums, *Can't Buy A Thrill* shows a band already in command of its unique vision. As one critic noted, it sounds "only distantly related to rock'n'roll" yet completely accessible . ### **Cons** 1. **Vocal Inconsistency** — The use of multiple lead vocalists (Palmer, Hodder) creates some inconsistency. David Palmer's contributions on "Dirty Work" and "Brooklyn" are competent but lack Fagen's distinctive character . Some critics find Palmer's "Dirty Work" too close to Eagles-style country-rock, diluting the Steely Dan identity . 2. **Uneven Deep Cuts** — While the album is consistently good, not every track reaches the heights of the singles. "Change Of The Guard" and "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again," while musically interesting, lack the immediate appeal of the hits . 3. **Less Jazz Fusion** — For fans of Steely Dan's later, more jazz-oriented work (particularly *Aja* and *Gaucho*), this album may feel too rock-oriented. The jazz elements are present but not dominant . 4. **"Rough Patches"** — Compared to their later, obsessively polished albums, some tracks like "Midnite Cruiser" and "Change Of The Guard" have a slightly unrefined quality—charming to some, unfinished to others . 5. **Oblique Lyrics** — The density of the lyrics can be alienating. Listeners seeking straightforward emotional connection may find the irony and cynicism off-putting . --- ## Verdict *Can't Buy A Thrill* is one of the most impressive debut albums in rock history. It established Steely Dan as purveyors of "smart person's mellow" music—sophisticated, cynical, and impeccably crafted. While not quite reaching the jazz-fusion perfection of later albums like *Aja*, it arguably offers more variety and raw energy than their subsequent work. The album succeeds because it balances accessibility with complexity: the hooks are undeniable, the musicianship is stellar, and the lyrics reward repeated listening. It may not be the definitive Steely Dan album—that honor usually goes to *Aja* or *Pretzel Logic*—but it remains essential listening and a blueprint for intelligent, studio-crafted pop-rock. **Rating: 8.5-9/10** — A near-perfect debut that announced the arrival of rock's most cerebral hitmakers. *Can't Buy A Thrill* proved that you could sell millions of records while maintaining artistic integrity, literary ambition, and musical sophistication—a formula that would sustain Steely Dan through their classic 1970s run and beyond .

Me gustó bastante 4/5. Mí canción fav "Reelin' in the years"

I quite like this album, good harmonies and good production. I did find that the well known songs from this album while not bad I didn’t prefer to the deep cuts which is probably due to over hearing them and becoming sorta numb to them. Still good though

Very enjoyable aswell!

A fun album to listen to Favs songs - Dirty Work, Midnite Cruiser 4/5

My favourite album by them. Solid 4

Steely Dan’s debut shows off their enviably smooth flow as they cycle through a roster of hits. I can’t help but feel this band is deeply underrated nowadays, or at least I’ve been sleeping on them. It’s very listenable, beautifully composed music with a very high hit rate.

Going for a high 4, the production is perfect, the songwriting is consistently substantial and catchy, the singles are immense - i really enjoy the best bits from bands like the Eagles being blended and smoothed out, but it never does quite enough for me to hit the heights of a 5, it’s at the end of the day a flavour i don’t go in for often

I have never really gotten into the Dan like some people do, but I have liked their stuff and I had no idea all these songs were on their debut album. What a start! This is fantastic.

I want to give this album a 5. Do it again, dirty work, reelin in the years are all time bangers. But I can’t get into the rest of the album.

70’s Rock ⭐️Do It Again

Another banger album. 'Dirty Work' is a hell of a song.

Maybe I do like steely dan

The bass lines are awesome

How dare this list challenge my preconceived notions about Steely Dan

Reminded me of War which was surprising. Super bright and fun, glad I finally went beyond Dirty Work.

I listened to it while assembling furniture, so I was partially distracted but I feel as if that's kind of the best way to listen to the album. I'm not familiar with the tracks because of it, and most of the vocals went through me, but the instrumentation was good and the vibes were immaculate.

good, better than last time, 3 songs very nice

fortissimo e ti mette di buon umore

Diciamo che loro sono abbastanza una garanzia e forse mi è piaciuto anche di più del precedente

honestly surprised that i recognized a few songs and that there was quite a bit of latin inspiration in the music. enjoyed a walk down memory lane as it reminded me of my grandfather.

I think I’m more of a small doses Steely Dan listener but still a worthy classic. The playful instrumentation in the background gets me every time. Fav tracks: Do it Again, Dirty Work, Reelin' in the Years. RYM: Y (#536) Saved a song: Y

Favorite songs: Do It Again, Dirty Work, Reelin’ In The Years

I liked this more than I thought I would. It's fun. It's easy. Not my usual, and not something I would seek out, but it was pretty good. 4 stars

Becoming my father

Even teruglezen naar mijn eerdere opmerkingen over Steely Dan. Nauwelijks samengevat waren dat: saai en kwalitatief sterk. Ja, dat herken ik nu ook wel. Het is maar net de jaren '60 ontsnapt. Als we het over saai hebben, dan is dit zeker nog niet vergelijkbaar met hun album Aja. Ik heb ook weer geen wegzakkers gehad. Maar of ik dit nu nog eens opzet? Ik laat het denk ik bij een los nummer af en toe. 3,5 sterren.

classic. only a couple goofy tracks

Por la razón que sea, escuchando este disco me viene a la mente la música de Carole King. Ambas beben de las mismas influencias y se comprometen con una etiqueta de easy listening/soft rock de la cual son ambos claros exponentes. “Do It Again” es un bombazo que ha tenido decenas de versiones por razones obvias. Más allá de la placidez con la que se escucha, la banda se muestra versátil y en estado de gracia compositiva. Merecen más reconocimiento popular, sin duda.

Fav song- Midnite Cruiser

Steely Dan! KTR

Can’t Buy a Thrill is very easy to listen to, yet never simplistic. Some moments feel slightly Beatles-like, and I really love that sound. I tend to prefer the more rock-oriented tracks over the jazz-leaning ones, especially Reelin’ In the Years, Fire in the Hole, and Change of the Guard.

Enjoyable.

8 - GOOD

The first thing I noticed on Steely Dan's debut album is that both core members (Donald Fagan & Walter Becker) sound like old men longing for the past- both were in their early twenties! The same can be said about the lyrics! It's a solid debut with some brilliant songs (Reelin' in the Years, Do It Again, Fire in the Hole) and a lot of songs that sound somewhere between brilliant and competent B sides. The album cover art is great and fits the music as well as any album cover ever has. It looks like what the music sounds like. Neat stuff! While far from essential I enjoyed 'Can't Buy A Thrill' is a very good debut that sounds like music from a couple of man who have being doing this stuff for decades and decades. The album cover art is great and fits the music as well as any album cover ever has. It looks like what the music sounds like. Neat stuff! While far from essential I enjoyed 'Can't Buy A Thrill' a solid debut that sounds like music from a couple of man who have being doing this stuff for decades and decades.

steely dan they could never make me hate you

Groovy

Listening while doing unimportant things, background music, good weather, a pinch of fantasy, good mood and motivation, going on a walk :)

Only a fool would rate it lower

Not my cup of tea, pero... por fin lo escuché completo y entiendo el porqué de su fama. Todo muy bien tocado e interpretado.

Super et tellement groovy

A strong debut from a band that would eventually become great, but hadn’t yet. In the meantime, they really liked Eagles and Grateful Dead.

Really great album, with several bangers and musical excellence.

Like.

It’s a good job I am a Dad as this is as Dad Rock as it gets and I really liked it. I knew a couple of the songs from the album and while the rest of the songs didn’t quite reach these in terms of hook overall I thought it was good and will definitely be listening to this again.

Lovely jazzy tunes Ideal length

Compared to the last Steely Dan album I reviewed, I really liked this one. I added two of its songs to my personal collection.

I really enjoyed this album. The sound of soft rock is great allowing it to be an enjoyable, but also a great listen while working. Glad I can appreciate Steely Dan more than when I was younger.

slayed, really enjoyed. knew a few of these already, really didnt know much about this band’s sound prior, had a great time with this

I’ve suddenly got the urge to drink some beers in my garage

Great vibes but heavily influenced by the fact it was one of the first sunny days of the year yesterday

tbh at first was ready to write it off as dad rock but somewhere around the middle of the album i changed my mind. guitar solos are just FILTHY, lyrics are tight, and the jazz elements are the icing on the cake

Iconic from the first note. Groovy and easy to listen to. Keys and guitars go hard and the vocals are pretty smooth. Overall, it's a fantastic album that's only flaw is its greatest strength... it's almost too laid back!

80

Great band, great album, and of course I do.

was pleasantly surprised eh

Not really my genre exactly but I can't deny the artistry and skill on display here, and it made really good background music.

Groovy, i like it, ademas tiene la canción q sale en the sopranos Grata sorpresa

Pleasantly surprised by this album definitely has potential to return Steely Dan. You might have gotten a new fan. I knew some of these songs from friends definitely a solid album.

Loved this album. Has some rlly good songs, heard some new ones that were good.

es muy bueno bro

I'm afraid I have been sleeping on the Dan. I sincerely apologize. Kings, Dirty Work, and Reelin' in the Years are insanely good. 8/10

I fully enjoyed this. And I knew far more of the songs than I thought I would. 4.5/5

Don't think I enjoyed it as much as the last Steely Dan album I got, but it's still pretty damn good.

Very much enjoyed. Great opening few songs in particular.

Album 117. Can't Buy A Thrill — Steely Dan (1972) If it's dad rock, then I'm a dad, okay. I'm a fooool to do your dirty work, oh yeeeeeah It's their debut and probably their best album. Greatness. I love this jazzy soft rock so much. I can't give it the highest rating. It has 4 classic bangers, but other songs are pretty weak. My favorite from the album at the moment - Only A Fool Would Say That 4/5 Liked songs: — Do It Again — Dirty Work — Only A Fool Would Say That — Reelin' In The Years

8.50, demasiado tranquilo para un domingo

It’s a good set of songs, but I just can’t do it with those Steely Dan resurgence.

Nicely thought provoking. I only enjoyed it because I've played guitar

Didn't realize I already knew a lot of these songs. It's a nice listen.

Väldigt bra! Goa låtar gång på gång. Favoriter: Dirty Work, Reelin' In The Years och Fire in the hole Hade koll på Steely Dan sen innan men aldrig lyssnat albumet

Iconic! Such a great album

i AM reeling in the years, how did you know??

I really struggled rating this one. Clearly it's not a Thriller or a Sgt. Pepper, but damn, this is a great album. It's getting a 4 but it's a 5 in my heart.

So gas I started mowing my lawn after tripping on some acid

4/5. Some really great songs here, even the ones I wasn't a massive fan of still had me tapping my feet. Always interesting hearing songs that I have heard in the wild and putting them to an album. Favourite Track - Change Of The Guard

Cool to listen to

Classic and always a great listen.

Only a fool wouldn't like this album

I am in love with the sonical aspect of this album. It was just MWAH, chef's kiss! Will definitely revisit this album soon.

Nice yacht rock sounds.

I liked it. Steely Dan produced a couple real classics on this album.

I'm not familiar with Steely Dan, I have passively heard of the classics but I enjoyed what I heard here.

Good to set an happy/active mood in the morning

I love Steely Dan. There, I said it. Until fairly recently, I'd have filed them under 'guilty pleasures', but as you get older, you realise there should be no such thing. To paraphrase Cardiacs' Tim Smith, it's all just tunes. And these are great tunes - the whole record just feels great to spend a bit of time with. Is it essential to hear this record before the Grim Reaper comes for you? Possibly not, but it might put a smile on your face.

This album has a really cool and jazzy vibe.

Great debut album!

Love some Steely Dan. So well produced.

i think i liked this, but i can't be sure. 3.5/5

Maybe not their best album, but still a good one

Oh, the infamous Dan. Very divisive it’s seems. I’ve never done a deep dive, but very familiar with the radio plays and it never really grabbed my attention. But, this project is forcing me to do deeper dives, which is why I love it. Very good and considering buying on vinyl!

This is easily my favorite Steely Dan album. Hard to believe this came out in 1972. The recording, production, and performance technique on this album is simply top shelf. Don Fagan's, as always is the big weird thing that sticks out. I can see why they initially wanted to sell their songs to more talented singers. Their sound for this album, while gathering and re-synthesizing genres from the past (rock, soul, and country infused with jazz chording), is very forward looking for 1972. It was also a nice counterpoint to the boredom of the singer/songwriter/folk rock Laurel Canyon scene that was dominating. Imagine how downbeat a scene has got to be if Steely Dan and Jackson Browne are the artists who are bringing the heat. Favorites: "Do It Again", "Dirty Work", "Kings", and "Reelin' In The Years" I agree with those who say that the first 6 songs are more rock solid than the remaining 4 songs on the album. Having said all that, I think that having at least 4 albums from Steely Dan on this list is a bit ridiculous. Their sound and approach did not vary enough over the 4 albums to deserve occupying that many spots. Frankly, that also goes for Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Crosby+Stills+Nash as well. I would argue that the number of artists that made legendary albums that vary enough in style and substance from one another enough that they truly deserve to be on here more than 2 times, 3 at absolute max (David Bowie, being the first to come to mind) is even smaller than this list suggests. Eliminating those excesses would offer opportunities for a far more inclusive list.

LIVELY

7/10

Listened Before? Partially! I already had Only a Fool Would Say That saved and I knew Do It Again, Dirty Work, Reelin in the Years Pros: A wonderful classic folk rock album. Love it Cons: None! Songs Added to Playlist: Do It Again, Only a Fool Would Say That, Change of the Guard

luv it

No cóż, to jest muzyka niskich lotów, nie ma w niej nic wyjątkowego, ale po ostatnim okresie posuchy zaczynam doceniać proste i chwytliwe melodie. Hity są hitami nie bez powodu. 7/10.

Highlights: Do It Again, Dirty Work, Kings, Reelin' In the Years Nice and chill record. Definitely liked the first side way more than the second side. I believe that isn't quite a hot take given the available streaming numbers... Was already familiar with a good number of the songs on the record since they are pretty famous. I believe this is their most popular record, but I personally liked Aja a bit more. I really didn't like some stylistic choices - for instance I don't see the point of the backing vocals on Kings. It didn't ruin the song for me, but that's the kind of thing that makes me respect the minimalism of Aja or even tracks from this record like Do It Again and Reelin' In the Years. Fire In the Hole was lyrically interesting and musically minimalist as well, but it didn't stand out to me for some reason. Change of the Guard was also a close contender, but I'm not a boomer so I wasn't struck by any "rose-tinted glasses" idealism while listening to it. Overall this does seem like a good listen as a whole, but only half of the tracks can properly stand on their own. I can see myself revisiting it even though the second half wasn't up my alley, so I guess it can't be that bad. I guess I got used to listening to Aja a bit too much, so this didn't feel right because of that fact.

YAHOOOOO!

Frábær plata. 4-5 lög sem eru classics og smá filler en fílingurinn er alltaf góður.

Vandað eins og SD er von og vísa. Góðir hittarar, b hliðin aðeins slappari.

A few good tunes and nice to hear again

How old am I? I’m I like Steely Dan years of age. It comes to us all, the love of harmonies, complex time signatures and pop that sits right on the acceptable side of jazz. Whilst this isn’t my favourite- that falls to the ferociously self indulgent Aja. There’s much to love here as these songs probably sit more on the side of pop. Lovely choruses and Dirty Work feels like it could have been written yesterday apart from the very 70’s sax

groovy way to start my morning

Loved this

yea thought this was as solid as an album as it is... it's just actually half decent rock (which is a compliment in my books) cause it's just got so much going on and more then normal.

This album is a class above all of their other albums on the list. It creates great variance and musicianship while delivering chill soft rock. I just learnt that this is their debut album, I guess some artists peak at the start of their career.

I actually already listened to this back when it gave me pretzel logic. This definitely feels more special than pretzel logic and has some major hits and in general more poppy and fun than their other records....but I'm always gonna be an aja guy at heart .

This went so much harder than I expected

An unexpectedly great listen

Esta bueno, muy bien de soundtrack, merece reescucha

W porzo

Brooklyn

Wasn't really my thing when I was younger and it was getting heavy radio play, but I've really come to enjoy a great many songs on here.

yippee

Soft rock que disfruto bastante

Classy album. This is American, middle of the road, inoffensive radio rock. But I don't mind. It contains a couple of absolute classics tracks but none of the others are bad, in particular the Donald Fagen sung tracks (which are most of them).

Didn’t know what genre this album was going in but was pleasantly surprised by the first track Favourite tracks: Do it Again, Only a Fool Would Say That

It's a shame the rest of the album doesn't hit the high of Do It Again or Reelin' in the Years, but I still very much enjoyed this

As someone who mostly knows Steely Dan from Do It Again, the rest of the album was a tonal whiplash for me. Not a bad one really, jist wasn't prepared for the rest of the album to sound so chill? Anyway I probably enjoyed this more than I should.

Speaking of Cocaine Music... Not to punish a great album for being a hat on a hat, but this is redundant to this list. The mighty Steely Dan made lots of worthy albums, but you really only need to listen to one of them to get the gist.

What's this? I actually enjoyed a Steely Dan album? Don't tell anyone.

Good

3.8 Musicalmente bastante bueno. Me ha alegrado la mañana

Vibes

Enjoyable easy listening rock. Never heard of them before. Good find

Dei quatro estrelas pq n escutei o álbum inteiro,mas posso dizer q n me arrependo de ter escutando três ou mais músicas.E um álbum muito bom de escutar,as músicas são muito boas de cantar e com certeza eu vou me aventura nesse estilo do steely dan

Good

Undeniably solid album which has quite a few songs I’ve liked on it. Revolution in the hands of yacht-rockers which I personally love

I enjoyed this album a lot more than I expected. 70s has historically not been my favorite decade, but this album was filled with several songs that I found myself really liking. I also recognized a lot of the songs from my childhood, adding to my enjoyment. Overall a nice, chill but still more upbeat set of tunes for my day. Rating:

Loved it!

I never really know whether I get Steely Dan or not - and I quite like that. If the songs were more obvious or less interesting then it'd all be a bit too slick but as it is I keep going back every once in a while.

A three or a four - enjoyed it a lot.

Wow that was a solid album. It had a lot of variety within the album and incorporated 70s rock feels excellently. Definitely an album I will be visiting in the future. 4.5/5

Fun record

Can't afford a yacht. Quite the debut.

My first impression was that this album is just fire driving songs. I like it, but I can't really set my mind on what I'm listening to exactly. It's like rock, but kind of folk-y and mellow.

Just great vibes this. Best Steely Dan yet. Simpsons: Yes

Está muy bueno, seguramente vuelva a escucharlo, entero o canciones sueltas, es re para escuchar y mover la cabeza.

NK

Bra album, gillade särskilt ”Fire in the hole”, men kanske var för att jag lyssnade på den först då jag lyssnade på det annat i morse.

Well this is a well known album so nothing new to me. I am more familiar with some other titles from SD though like Aja, Gaucho and Katy Lied. As always a solid classic rock listen, SD are accomplished, polished musicians with their own sound and excellent studio work. The hits on the album I know much more then the other tracks so it was a good chance to hear them again. Probably won't be one I buy but an excellent album.

"Reelin' In The Years" - Peak Guitar Solo "Fire In The Hole" - Great Instrumentals Beautiful Vocals

I guess that I LOVE Steely Dan!

You can debate whether Dan is Yacht Rock or not, but if you have to, it means it at least sounds an awful lot like yacht rock, which is good enough for me.

this group combine jazz, soft rock and latina in a really interesting way!! not exactly my stile but the process of listening is very spectacular. also i have an interesting association - this music can help to focus on studying. not really energetic and instrumental enough - perfect option i suppose moreover, i really appreciate the amount of different instruments in every songs. it hit me!

Liked it!! Out of my usual music taste so i was a little surprised. I rlly like Only A Fool Would Say That!

What a great surprise!