Reviews (page 9 of 15)
4 solid stars. I’m stingy on giving 5 stars. On such a scale 5 stars is the hall of fame. As awesome of a debut as this album is on the remarkable 10 year arc of this band, I give it a 4. It’s a great album but not hall of fame which is Aja. In 1972 NOBODY sounded like this. They are true American originals. Superb smart songwriting, terrific musicianship and composition. A classic.
Do It Again, Dirty Work, Reelin' In the Years...all great songs. I needed the '70s vibe and to be transported to a slower time.
Wow. This album has really made me rethink my negative feelings towards this band. Perhaps third time's a charm. And this album certainly has plenty of charms. More rocking than subsequent releases. The hooks are bigger. The emotional air has not been expelled from every pore. Is it possible to back to basics on album #1. Ah...no...f*#k that. And f*#k Steely Dan. Do It Again earns one star and I hate them even more for luring me in. The album is like year one of a plague. There was still time to get it under control. But we as a culture were too weak to resist. Give me three 80s era Billy Joel album instead of this...on second thought maybe don't give me the BJ albums but cause I don't really want those either. But you get me meaning.
loved the shit out of this. jazz rock might be the best thing ever. First half is so good and then it starts to trail off a bit tbh. Great album regardless, its like a really high 8/10 like 8.99999/10
Unique and fun listening during highschool days, but I pretty much only listened since everybody else was doing it. Stopped listening to them when I got older.
I did my taxes while listening to this album. It was an appropriate level of exciting for that chore.
Loved it.
70s rock just hits the spot. That was some good stuff
Timeless, will always be great
Obsessed.
Lalala Musik
It's good but also boring.. 3.5
Good shit, but definitely had some snoozers. First Steely Dan album, excited to listen to more
Not a fan
Another steely Dan? This list needs more variety. I’ve listened to this album before, and listening to it again it’s clear it’s so much better than Aja. Some might say Aja is more evolved and sophisticated, but this has tight songs and communicative content. This being Steely Dan’s debut shows that they came in as great musicians and songwriters and then I guess they got bored. I think when they’re at their origins of cool jazzy light rock they make great music. I’m not a fan of the production, which sounds muted and thin, but the songs and musicianship is top notch. This is not really my kind of music but I really appreciate the lead guitar work so this is four stars but whatever I have given to Aja I’m taking it down a notch or two (I don’t see how I can edit reviews here so I’m not actually doing that but I should).
I unashamedly love a bit of Dad Rock. Catchy melodies and good melodies, what's not to like? Reelin in the Years is an anthem Having said that, I think Steely Dan are better than a lot of your middle-of-the-road soft rock, some of their lyrics are quite thought provoking. The jazzier elements of this album also sets it apart i think.. e.g. the piano intro of Fire in the Hole or sax solo of Dirty Work Great album
THE Yacht Rock album. Bunch of American white dudes realized Black America was making all the swanky, cool music and wanted a piece of the action, and BOY they got it. Do It Again is one of the coolest songs ever made. So is Only a Fool Would Say That. Midnite Cruiser and Dirty Work take equal 2nd place for me. Turn That Heartbeat earns Bronze. I love this album. Five.
Quality Yacht Rock
absolute classic - love it
Something about this was the best thing I've heard in a while, loved it! Feel good rock. The piano was great, especially on Fire In The Hole.
This has some huge hits on it, and unlike a lot of its counterparts from this era, the album ends before it gets boring and repetitive.
This has grown on me. Lots of carefully constructed tracks with interesting guitar parts and a great warm sound. A bit like a more conventional Zappa, which makes sense as they’ve cited him as a big early influence.
This is more what i was expecting from Pretzel Logic. Such amazing pop music on this album. I'll definitely be listening to this again. I fell in love with "Dirty Work" a little while ago and this is just an album packed from start to finish with similar great works.
Can't Give A Fuck.
This is Yacht Rock at its peak. And that's both good and bad. Yes, it can be fun for a day at the beach, but it can also be too cheesy. If you're in the mood, it's great, but if not, it's pretty bad. 3 stars
Not their best but excellent all the same
A fun listen and I'll revisit
The kings of Yacht Rock
One of my personal favorites. Whenever those social media things convince me to list my top 25 albums this one always gets into my top 5. Aside from the musicianship and writing, the production and studio quality of work was unsurpassed in its time. I love this album!
Really impressive for a debut album, though outside of "Reelin' in the Years" the other songs aren't particularly memorable for me.
Har aldri vært en enorm tilhenger av Steely Dan. Fagen og Becker har begge imponerende evner innen produksjon og instrumentering. Der er også en del gode melodier og bra gitarspilling. Jeg syns bare at det blir litt overfladisk, som om der ikke er så mye å finne bak den sleipe vestkysts sounden deres. De høres sjeldent lidenskapelig ut. Der er mye å like i musikken, men det treffer ikke helt meg.
Working my way through this list has finally made me appreciate Steely Dan. I resisted as long as possible, but the beer gut, cheesy puns, and cheap sunglasses are officially here to stay.
2.5 - It was fine.
Easy
loveee
- If all you think of is "soft rock" when you think about Steely Dan, then you don't get them and you never will. Certainly one of the great debut records ..... -
A good album, but not nearly as good as Aja.
This would be 3.5 if I could. Overall enjoyed it but didn't grip me very much. I'll likely listen to his other stuff though.
Just okay, couple of bangers, but not my style. Fairly repetitive.
Major old man. Classic rock vibes but a pleasant album overall with a couple classics. Brings me back to the WZLX days
Liked it
i love steely dan, such smooth and crisp sound
I miss the "thrill" in this album. However, I have to admit that I have owned it for a long time, but it is gathering dust somewhere. Sure, there are the two 'classics' on the album, but that's about it. 2-3 stars, so 2
I hate to say it again, but the first song was great, and the rest was not so great
I liked this the instrumental to Kings was very Zappa-esque which I respect
Not bad that, funky
Casual
Great!
86/100. Can't Buy a Thrill by Steely Dan is a great debut album that sets the stage for what’s to come from the band. With its jazz rock/pop rock blend, the record showcases strong storytelling and sophisticated musicianship. It’s an enjoyable listen throughout, offering a glimpse of the signature style they would refine in later albums.
why are there so many steely dan albums in this list? god why gotta give it to them though, theyre very consistent
Perfectly pleasant middle of the road listening
Witty and audacious. Can't Buy A Thrill pieces together multiple genres to create an authentically unique sound. Becker and Fagen's songwriting is daring and flawless, Skunk Baxter and Denny Dias' guitarwork borders on the impossible. One of the best debut albums of all time. Best Tracks: - Do It Again - Dirty Work - Reelin' In The Years - Fire In The Hole Worst Tracks: N/A Rating: 9/10
A certain classic loaded with great and (given the production date) proven timeless songs to add to Sunday playlists but none too memorable. 7.6/10.
A couple really catchy tunes (the hits), a good overall vibe, but not something I’d likely come back to.
Tajunta ei laajentunut eikä pää räjähtänyt 2/5
Incredible first album by this band. Starts strong with two memorable songs, it shows down the lace for a bit until it returns to the most known tracks. The second half is more manageable, but the rhythm, the grooves, and most important, the feeling doesn't go away. Love it.
Dennis Dias didn’t have to go that hard with the electric sitar solo on “Do It Again,” but he did—and honestly, we’re all better off because of it. Can’t Buy a Thrill kicks off strong and rarely lets up. “Only a Fool Would Say That” was a surprise standout, and of course, “Reelin’ In The Years” is still an all-time banger with one of the best guitar solos of the '70s. Steely Dan really came out swinging with their debut—smooth, sharp, and way cooler than it has any right to be. Favorite song: Reelin In The Years
Probably the best Steely Dan album I've listened to.
Замечательный альбом, поднял настроение на весь день)
This is great for the first 2/3rds and sorted if loses steam a bit at the end
Recently, someone pointed out to me that people are likely more acquainted with Steely Dan than they realize, often having heard their music without connecting it to the band. While listening to "Can't Buy A Thrill," I was amused to recall how many songs I remembered listening on late-night FM radio in the 80s during high school. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen are true musical craftsmen, which is clearly demonstrated on this album (and the ones that followed). However, I have always sensed that their pursuit of perfection overshadows the actual music from a creative exploration perspective. The music itself, which includes elements of jazz, R&B, and blues, evokes a light, carefree feeling, as if I should be cruising in a convertible along the coast at sunset on a warm summer night. The most well-known tracks remain strong, and others like "Dirty Work," "Midnight Cruiser," and "Kings" also shine. However, aside from perhaps "Reelin' In The Years," I find this album to be somewhat passive; it’s the kind of music you might play in the background and forget about, more like pleasant white noise. It’s not the type of music you actively engage with, except maybe during your first few listens. That is not a criticism of the quality of the music, just an personal observation. While I enjoyed "Can't Buy A Thrill", their best album remains either "Pretzel Logic" or "Aja".
Great album. Love this band.
artistry... tätäkö se on., tämäkö on populaarimusiikin huippu? noh tämä albumi sentään oli ennen kun kaveruksista tuli perfektionisti pretentious paskoja. tässä ehkä jopa ei olla orjia, jopa tykätään musiikista. ei olla orjana studiossa kurkku kuivana yksimässä nyt perfect 6 second pop drum solo over here.. put perfect pop drum solo here (will be one of incredible wonders of music) tässä vähänniinku ollaan vaan.. ollaan vaan ja nautitaan, kurkku märkänä.. juo vaan.. juo vaan (vettä) jos haluat.. saa mennä vessaan joo mee vaan vessaan milloin kun haluat.. tarvi kysyä. hei ei tarvi kysyä mee vaan vessaan kun tuntuu että pitää käydä pissalla, nii sit mee vaa... tarvi kysyy vittu.. do it again
One of the best albums ever made if you ask me. Banger upon banger upon banger
A few famous songs this album was ok
Thoughts before listening: I think this is the first Steely Dan album I have got on this project. Sometimes I LOVE Steely Dan and other times I think they are the epitome of bland cheesy rock. I believe this album falls in the former category. Review: So the hits on this are really good. "Do It Again", "Dirty Work", and "Reelin' in the Years" are deserving of their place in classic rock station playlists. I also like "Change of the Guard" as a pretty strong deep cut. That being said, the rest of the album is pretty boring to me. I guess Steely Dan is just always going to be a greatest hits band to me. 3-stars
The first thought that came to mind when this album came up was "Oh crap...". I've lived almost 53 years without listening to a complete Steely Dan album, and now? Yeah, nope. It's still tedious wank that sets my teeth on edge, though the singles are at least a couple of higher points.
Jag gillar faktiskt även låtarna med den andra sångaren, som jag aldrig minns vad han heter men skit samma. Älskar den här skiten
What a debut. The first three Steely Dan records are pure magic. Listening to this music is always a real treat, like a pleasant day on the porch in the sun.
Folk Rock, 1972 -> 3
do it again, bam bam bam.. badum deedee beedleedee beedeembee bo
Greta debut. Really enjoyed that one.
for the production
Soft/Jazz Rock. Reelin' in the Years is probably the stand out. That, Do it Again, and Dirty Work were all on the radio constantly in the 70's and 80's. The rest of the album is OK. Nothing terrible, but nothing really great either.
Takie 3/5. Zaczyna się bardzo dobrze, ale cała reszta piosenek w sumie podobna.
I like the laid back, almost jazzy vibe of this. I think it would get boring if it were a long album but it doesn't outstay its welcome. Some cool guitar solos also. One I'll probably listen to again some time but not play repeatedly
As far back as I can remember, Steely Dan was playing on the radio. I always thought it was great. But I thought Disco was great, so what do I know. The band really gets after it. The musicianship and songwriting is masterful. These guys wrote perfect songs, just brilliant stuff. 5 stars all day.
I think this is a 4.5, as it is great, and there are several really great songs, but it doesn't have the transcendent properties they achieved with later albums like "Aja." Therefore, this albums feels a little more tame than I think it could have. It is still a classic, though, and I can't go down to 4 on this scale.
real good. looks like I've found these guys a bit of a mixed bag but i might have to return to some of the others and check
groovy
Nice melodic music and voice. Good solid album of soft tunes. Not my taste particularly, but easy to listen to. Would play it again if I had the vinyl record.
top tier Steely Dan songs "Dirty Work," "Only A Fool Would Say That," and "Reelin' In the Years"
I liked this! Chill music. The guitar and the solos is not the best but the overall composition and vocals I like. And the piano is great!
v fun but not great winter vibes--feels more summery. like objectively good but simply not a fav
I love Steely Dan, but they really developed the qualities I love most from them on later albums. I wouldn’t say this is a must listen, especially compared to other work by them.
In contention for the best sounding debut album ever. Almost tips over and becomes too soft rocky for my tastes, but there's always something interesting happening somewhere in the crystal clear soundscape. Just a joyful listening experience.
As tight and playful as debut albums get. The production is stellar and with an opening track like “Do It Again”, you know you’re in for a good time.
Loved the 1st album suggestion, I knew of them and knew the 1st song extensively. Thanks Darleen GAC reelin the years is a classic no doubt, (anyone reading this needs to check out the cover by feed me jack and then the rest of the EP, your welcome) 5 Stars from me
they're very skilled musicians, i'm sure, but this was kind of bland and pretentious. 5/10
So smooth and beyond the earworm of Dirty Work a meh record.
Had heard (and I like) most of these songs before.
Yeah dat was awesome
good work day listen with lots of really familiar yacht rock feel good tunes
Sounds like something my dad would listen to. Not bad though
The best of the Steely Dan albums so far. I wasn’t such a fan of the others but this is the one that spoke to me. Do It Again is such a good opener.
3/5 meh
Pretty great. Some of these songs are obviously classics of the genre, and even the weakest ones are still pretty good. It's definitely for the best that Fagen would take the reins on vocals in the future though, sometimes those other performances get a bit awkward.
Welp we’re back with the Dan and quite possibly their best album. Feels sacrilegious to say but hot damn is this all killer no filler from a band that wasn’t even sure if they could sing on their own songs yet. Sure, Steely Dan would refine their sound and reach absolute pinnacle of production later in the 70s. But this highlights their songwriting on a ton of different levels, and that’s not to mention what a bop all these songs are. And there’s never been an album that captured the malaise of the 70s beyond this one. I have nothing bad to say here. Sheer perfection, even the songs that aren’t the greatest.
this has more classics every time i come back to it. it’s a shame Skunk Baxter is the way that he is because my lord there are some Ripping Guitar Solos to be found on these tracks. blows my mind that this may not even crack my top 3 of theirs
Not heard before … but recognised quite a few tracks. Pleasant enough but probably won’t listen again.
really loved this! very funky and cool. i had definitely hear the jazz influences. not sure it’s something i’d listen to in my free time, but it was worth the listen
Last two songs are ok.
Steely Dan strikes again. I hadn't heard of him before starting into this, but I've heard two of his albums now, and their solid
I like the horns on track 2. There are some really terrific melodies on Can't Buy A Thrill but there is enough of that slimy 70s blues grime that it prevents me from getting into the groove.
Хорошая музыка, забавно контрастирует с текстом. Один классный трек на альбоме есть!
this was really enjoyable to listen to and reelin in the years and dirty work are classics. would play on a boat 10/10
This is my second Steely Dan album. Countdown to Ecstacy wasn't exactly my kind of music as it just didn't appeal to me. This one's a tad better, but still just music that would play in the background.
4 чисто за midnite cruiser. А так просто добротный альбом
Наверное настроение не под такую музыку, вообще не зашло
3.5 I didn't think i'd like it that much but v groovy, i like it.
Not the first time I listened to this and will not be the last. Love this album.
Pleasant as background music, nothing annoying or bad about it, but it doesn't completely resonate with me.
Unfortunately this is a band that has dated… sure, there are some great tracks here but….
Can’t deny the technical wizardry this band always seems to convey. Nothin quite like them.
I've always loved Steely Dan, however, I'm not gonna come here and say that I don't understand what's people's problem with them. I guess they're too jazzy for the pop fans, too poppy for the rock fans and too rocky for the jazz fans. However, both in this record and in "Aja", Steely Dan show a perfect combination of influences from all these genres through a great sense of musicianship and songwriting ability.
It's a decent album with some famous hits. Not my favorite music but not my least favorite either. Solid 3/5.
Steely Dan is one of those bands I don't hate but don't like. They have some decent songs, but for some reason they are missing something for me. As such, this was a good but unremarkable listen for me.
The best produced album ever.
I think the funniest thing is that there are people who are OBSESSED with Steely Dan. And to me they’re the poster children for music that is perfectly made to be played in the background of a bar scene in a movie. 2.5/5
Enjoyed this soft pop Rick album. Favorite songs are… Do It Again, Reelin’ In The Years, Fire In The Hole.
Another album full of songs I knew but didn’t know where from. Wish I could give 4.5.
Well, this was an album. I still think “Dirty Work” is a hilarious song for a grumpy mild life crisis dad pulling the garbage down to the curb.
внезапно прослушано с большим удовольствием
easy-listening soft rock. not for me
Great first album for this, as I already liked a few songs. Listening to the whole album is something else, love it.
decent?
Would rate this lower if it weren't the ur-album for the yacht rock genre. Lots of smooth hits that were the AM radio soundtrack of my 1970s youth.
somewhat pleasing
Pop music for people who want to flirt with rock, or rock music for people scared of rock. Technically proficient, but no edge, no passion, and no interest.
This is like if Warren Zevon collaborate with Steve Miller band. The piano on "Reelin in the years" makes me feel like Zevon was sweating bullets as far as copyright laws were concerned. The singing on the verse also feel like something off of Zevon's self titled album. Also beautiful recorded, crazy clean considering it was recorded in the 70s. Overall incredibly enjoyable if you're a fan of that Steve Miller band sound. I mean it's Steely Dan. Also relatively short and sweet, didn't feel bloated, felt nice and clean
This was a damn near perfect album. So many hits were awesome and I was into a lot of the other songs. Classic
Not my favorite Steely Dan album but it's still a great listen. I've heard the hits on this one many times but never the whole thing. It has a nice upbeat vibe that I really liked. I'm sure I will be putting this on again sometime soon.
I was expecting some mid blowing prog that I'd think was earth shattering or shite. Instead I got MOR, but very good MOR. I probably will be back
Pretty good. Calm and safe music. Some tracks were better than others. The closing track was repetitive and weak, but a net positive experience. 2.5/5 -> 3/5
My fourth Steely Dan album and further cements them to me as ‘a band who once existed’. I had a bit of an emotional rollercoaster as I recognised the opener and tried to work out where from. Then excitement as I realised it was from Guitar Hero, which I loved and brings many happy memories. Then anguish as I remembered this was one of the hardest songs on the game and cost us HOURS of getting that boring long intro exactly right only to fall down on the stupid solo. I doubt I’ll be back for more.
Steely Dan produces no emotion, feeling, engagement, or enjoyment. Musically, it is just there, like Milton in Office Space—an incredibly overrated band.
Any Steely Dan is 5 stars.
Fun album with an energetic and creative vibe, not usually my style of music but I enjoyed this. Favorite song was: Reeling in the years 8/10
It's not summertime, but boy the listening is e a s y. I mainly knew of Steely Dan as the meme of a dad band, and you know what dads? You're onto something. I didn't realize how many songs I knew on this album, or that they were even Dan tunes (are we allowed to just call them Dan?). Every song was kinda perfect in a very non-showy way. They all sounded like when someone is so good at something that it looks effortless. The whole time I was thinking "huh, thats a good song" in a way that washed over me, but in a pleasant way - not a boring same-y way. I hereby get it. Album cover: (A) Great colors and an overall excellent image
Man this is a really good album. "Dirty Work" is an amazing jam. "Midnite Cruiser" has a famous section that I recognized, and is also a great song. Nice guitar sections. "Only A Fool Would Say That" was the first song that bored me a little. Definitely not a bad song though. The second half of this album fell off a little for me. They're all great tracks but the sound starts to get too familiar, and not every song has the wow factor that most in the first half did. I still loved the album as a whole, great stuff. 8/10
I always forget that this was Steely Dan's debut album. Still hard to believe, as it sounds so polished and also add in the fact that some of the group's biggest singles are featured here. It's a smooth and groovy listen, with plenty of jazzy harmonies and even some mambo/Latin influence sprinkled in. I don't really know what else to say, everything goes down pretty easily here with a tight 40 min runtime. I personally think "Midnite Cruiser" stands out above the rest of the tracks, but there really aren't any duds here. I already gave "Aja" a 5, and I feel that this is parallel, if not a stronger album given the overall pieces.
cv c’etait sympa
It’s crazy to me that this was a debut album. It’s crammed full of catchy hooks and sounds so effortless and complex at the same time. Already knew this album but its reminded me I need to listen to more steely dan.
Heard this album a lot recently as its my flatmates favourite vinyl. For good reason, its fantastic
Hooray! More Steely Dan! I mean this unironically. I didn't know I was a fan until this project, but I've rated the last albums I was given 4, 4, 4 (and 5 for Nightfly). Happy to hear some more. That said, even though I'm loving it, there's no reason to have quite so much Steely Dan on this list. You know what, why not? More Steely Dan!
Dull and forgettable but not bad.
Smooth and sonorous. Lovely listen.
Didn't really like it, a bit mid.
Do it Again and Peg
Angenehm zu hören. Aber es plätschert dann so vor sich hin. Midnite Cruiser hat mich spontan angesprochen. 3/5
What on earth do I do with Steely Dan? On one level, they're soft rock that would fit in a dentist's waiting room. On another, they're very good musicians and they incorporate a heavy avant garde influence into their songwriting. For the last two albums on this generator, I balanced these out and gave a respectable 3 stars. But Steely Dan is wearing me down and I fear that I'm slowly becoming a fan, despite my instincts that it's too Dad Rock for my taste. Maybe "Can't Buy a Thrill" is just that much better than the others. It's certainly a great debut album. The band has the complexity and polished sound of a group that's been together for years. But if I'm being honest with myself, I've had the creeping sense for a while that maybe Steely Dan is better than I want to admit. It's not a favorite but I can actually really enjoy them. Maybe one day I'll go back to give the other albums another chance. For now, I'm happy enough with "Do It Again", "Dirty Work", and "Reelin in the Years". All great songs.
I think this was quite chill? Don't remember that much
Some classic 70s tunes that are suuuper groovy, reminiscent of Santana at times - but with its own 'steely' sound. It's an album that more or less seems to define the career and works of Dan, and rightly so. It is an ALMOST perfect album in the framework of that genre and time. Really enjoyable, can't wait to be on a beach with a beer in hand whilst handling a Weber BBQ with these tunes on in the background. Love it!
hell yeah more steely dan!! peak oldhead music. this album is a peak example of what i'd call "music therapy", music that just makes you feel all relaxed and removes all the tension in your body... i imagine myself making champagne in a hut in the summer time. sit down, take a load off, enjoy the vibes. you'll enjoy every track and that's a guarantee.
point2.
It was ok
I was surprised how much I liked this. (Tim called it "crazily catchy" and said he'd give it a 5 on vinyl but a 4 digital.) I'd happily listen again.
instruments feast
Groovy
Love “do it again” by steely Dan! Never listened to the album it released on.
Beautiful lush instrumentation and well mastered.
4/5
4/5 Solid album
Snarky rock/jazz perfection
Steely Dan's mixture of poppy hooks and vocal melodies with interesting chord changes and quite technical instrumentation have always made them an interesting but easy going listen for me. Normally I find 70s soft rock pretty boring but they know how to keep my attention, it slips into my subconscious very easily There's some real highlights on here, like Reelin' in the Years (which is apparently a big hit but I don't think I had heard it until now), which reminds me a lot of Thin Lizzy. Brooklyn's country style lap steel twang also adds a nice bit of variety The album maybe limps over the line a little bit with Turn That Heartbeat Over Again, it's probably my least favourite on the album Highlights: Reelin' in the Years, Fire In The Hole, Midnite Cruiser
My parents turned me onto Steel Dan at a young age. This is a classic of theirs. I do not apologise. This was great.
Light. Listenable. Fun sounds and generally vibes
Would possibly score higher but these tracks are to synonymous with Rom-Coms now to truly enjoy
Perfect album
Cool cats splendid instrumentation I don't get the hate
OK musicianship, but boring in the long run. This thing about music being all soft, without an edge I never understood. Not for me
Excited to listen to Midnite Cruiser in my midlife crisis convertible
Funky
This is what they call yacht rock, right? Give me that saxophone. Dirty Work is an ear worm. I think this is solid guilty pleasure music.
My dad, with his uninspired music taste, really liked The Eagles, and my dad’s cooler friend Jim was really into Steely Dan. In retrospect, this makes a lot of sense. I’ve never listened to a ton of Steely Dan, but it reminds me of a superior version of The Eagles. I like it.
A great album to experience, really. Would recommend to others.
Now this is a fine example of great musicianship. Well executed and produced album, with nice themes. Easy to listen to, both casually and with close attention.
More like a 3.5, solidly middle of the road - only here for the hits to accompany a drive down the shore lol
Steely Dan seem like the biggest dorks but I’m more endeared to them every time I listen to them Midnite Cruiser rips
“Dirty Work” and “Reelin’ in the Years” are both great, classic pop songs. Hope there is more Dan in this book as this is probably the least interesting album!
Despite Steely Dan being super cheesy in my mind and feeling like "why would I ever like that?" (lol) I enjoyed this record. It's definitely not necessarily my vibe but the musicianship (separate from singer/vocals) on this record is great. Lots of little flairs I hadn't noticed before. For me, "Dirty Work" is the highlight of the record. Is it because the song is good or because it makes me think of Tony Soprano? Idk. But I dig it.
Ну норм
Really was surprised how much I liked this. Dirty work is probably my favorite
Really good! Not my interest of choice though
Lot of old bangers, enjoyed it.
I thought I would be bored by this but it was surprisingly solid
Really great album to have on in background (a little upbeat, but still chill)
Pretty ok. A lot of it kind of sounded the same but I can see how people dig it.
Aantal bangers, lekker album. Laatste 4 nummers zijn wat minder dus hou het bij een lage 4*.
Loved it. Feel good 70s
Alright chill rock.
Solid.
Some funky Songs, Some rather boring
Not a Steely Dan fan. Never have been, never will be. However, I do like "Dirty Work".
Pros: groundbreaking fusion of jazz, R&B, rock, and nihilism. And killer playing throughout. Denny Diaz omg. In addition: the hooks! And it all feels so casual and as if it were just there, all along. Con’s: some weaker songs in the back half. An amazing debut and a point toward the future.
Super
STEELY DAN SUMMER IN JANUARY!!!!!!!!!!! 5/5
Really enjoyed them!! Good music that I wouldn’t have picked out myself.
5/5. Love that gee-tar. This is the kind of album I am excited to discover — a band I’ve heard in passing but never sat down and listened to, then discovering I fucking love it?? I can’t believe I haven’t been listening to steely dan like this my entire life. Might call my mom up about this one.
Steely Dan has gotta be one of the top 5 funniest bands of all time, an imagine being insane perfectionists, insanely critically adored, and extremely divisive all while making this gentle jazzy soft rock. That’s fucking hilarious. The best part is that the critics are right
Album 641 of 1001 Steely Dan - Can't Buy a Thrill (1972) Rating : 5/ 5 Awesome debut album. Rock, Jazz, Latin, Bossa nova, Pop...they bring a bit of all. Such a clean sound that brings a "meticulous attention to detail". Innovative sound, great songwriting and brilliant craftsmanship. Stands the test of time.
In my opinion, what makes this album stand out is the track order. From the slow and lounge-ish start towards the fast-paced and uplifting middle, and back to middle paced jazzy rhythms. Melodies, vocals, especially drum production and very clean and technical guitar solos, all combined into a more than enjoyable whole.
The godfathers of yacht rock. Not unpleasant.
3.6 I've generally liked what I've heard from Steely Dan on this list. This is no different, but I think suffers a bit more from being slightly dull compared to Aja + others. Some songs are instantly forgettable, whilst a few do stand out. Opener, Dirty work and Reelin particularly enjoyable. Some great songs to put on a 'best of' but not enough to make it a really great album. Sneaks into 4* territory by a whisker.
I'm not a fan of soft rock, the type of inoffensive garbage that you're subjected to in shops and waiting rooms. I will acknowledge that this is really good for what it is. It's just not something that I would ever choose to listen to.
Love it, this list has shown me I'm a Steely Dan fan. So groovy.
Tatsächlich eine Band deren Songs mir teilweise bekannt sind aber ich den Namen nicht kannte. Für eine Platte der 70er auf hörbarem Level.
some instant bangers and others that could defo be growers!! really satisfying harmonies and catchy lyrics 8/9 out of 10
Yes I’m white, American, 36 and male. I think this album (most Steely Dan albums) have a part of my DNA coding. But, man, it’s good. Musicianship is on point, songs are diverse, and there are 3 massive hits that all sound totally different. These guys are crazy, but they can catch some damn lightning.
The ultimate dad rock jazz nerd classic rock album. These freakin nerds.
YESSSSSS YES YES YES I LOVE TJIS ALBUM I LOVE STEELY DAN AND THIS IS A FANTASTIC ALBUM!!!!! Front to back zero skips and all bangers. God this is a beautiful album and the album that got me into steely Dan. So hype and I cannot believe this is their debut album. Phenomenal 10/10 Aja was my first album on the generator and I was so stoked to get it and then gave it a 4. And I kick myself every day for doing that cause it’s literally a perfect album upon relisten. I am so sorry steely Dan I love u
Dad music through and through. In a good way.
They were going crazy on this
Jeder Song ist gut aber irgendwie clickt es nicht. :( Erhh 7/10
Steely Dan is always better than I expect. 3.4.
I guess I'm in my dad rock phase. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
Can't Buy A Thrill is the debut album from Steely Dan, a band primarily driven by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. They made jazz-inspired rock, and are a central figure is what has come to be called yacht rock. They incorporated Latin and Mambo rhythms into their own style of complicated, richly orchestrated, softer rock. The album's success was driven by two hit singles: "Do it Again," and "Reelin' in the Years." The songs are staples of the "classic rock" world, and helped make soft, jazzy rock part of pop music in the 70s and 80s.
- Neutral after first listen, but then it grew on me - Reelin’ In The Years is catchy, and Dirty Work too, and Do It Again
Two iconic songs, the rest I can listen to easily, if not more than once. If this had been one of the first albums on this list that I rated, I’d have given it a 3, maybe 2. But Ive listened, or not listened, to such much shit, that Im giving it a 4, just in protest.
Nice, jammy! "Do It Again" really funky.
I always assumed Steely Dan was psychedelic and not soft rock. Not my cup of tea..I don't hate it.. just very inoffensive
A great sounding album. I do like the 70’s musical production on this and some great playing. This is the second album I’ve had chosen for me from the list and I’m starting to warm to Steely Dan
Another interesting record. Cool that it was recorded in the 70s.
7/10
2,5
Always thought that the guitar solo from Reelin in the years was epic and one of a kind. This was my mom's fav band and we lived on Steely Dan and spaghettios as kids. Silly me always thought Todd Rundgren sang Dirty Work.
Steely Dan is a sound engineers wet dream. Fantastic album, impeccable production. They did all those songs you know but don’t realize you know, and a few more.
Perus steely dania
Hands down my favorite Steely Dan album
Never listened to Steely Dan before, but i've been won over, love it, it's just a fun album to listen to, not to heavy to listen to.
Really enjoyed this album. Previously had only heard Steely Dan when a song would come on. Loved nearly everything about this though. And had a few “oh, I didn’t know was them” songs. Tough to rate, but I’m going to round up and go…
Great times with Don and Walter. This is an insane first album. It's got all of the ingredients but less of the (indulgent!) jazz of later SD. I didn't realize that so many of the vocals weren't Don/Walter I like that it's a very straight ahead album...the sound is fully formed but most songs are 3-4 minutes and they feel like they need to earn your listen. "Only A Fool Wood Say That" is...yacht rock (peep the HBO doc if you haven't, if only for Fagen's phone call) My recent favorite and confirmed on this listen is "Fire In The Hole"--moody, swinging, angry piano playing. "Change Of The Guard" is also great some awesome guitar sounds and flourishes. For those keeping score at home...it's 1972 and mono is gone and this is released as stereo mix as well as a four-channel quadraphonic mix...I love human hubris...spend the 60s fucking up stereo mixes and there's like 5 years where people have a handle on it and we go up to 4 channels. Wikipedia tells me that was a commercial failure and anything more than stereo didn't find traction until the 90s with surround sound home systems.
Take that Ananda Shankar! That’s a sitar solo if I’ve ever heard one. I don’t have a ton to say about this one, it feels a little like wallpaper in my life. Over time certain songs have stood out to me over different stretches. Kings was one I loved for a while, lately it’s been Only a Fool Would Say That. I’ll try not to avoid hyperbole because we have been on a 1001 heater, but this is probably my favorite Steely Dan song. I had always loved it and then I learned it’s about John Lennon and that gave the song a lot more life. Something about “peers” of legends criticizing each other that really fires me up. The only version we hear 50 years later is that he was the greatest, altruistic rock god, not that he was an obnoxious and at times naive idealist. I love John Lennon ftr (where are the Beatles records?) That plus it being flawlessly written and recorded makes it special. Overall this is a crazy debut record. Definitely where a lot of Steely Dan fans begin I’m sure. Lately I’ve been more drawn to their later stuff (The Royal Scam and Aja) but this will always show up on the rotation. My Dad was always playing “Everything Must Go” I think the final boss of Dad life. Dropped the “did you know Dirty Work was about a dildo? And so was the band name” this summer. Got hit with a “no shit, who doesn’t know that?” AND a “wait, really?” so I guess it still plays.
6/5. Kings, midnight cruiser, fire in the hole - hook this shit directly to my nipples and jolt me till I scream, baby. There isn’t a single choice that is phoned in or expected, no riff that’s not alive. I can’t believe they made this shit when they were like 24. This album fucking rips.
A different side of Steely Dan from what we heard on Aja. Jaw dropping debut album This feels much more like a classic rock album with really skilled players - like Chicago. The history on this album is interesting and believable. Fagen and Becker seemed exceedingly talented for their age. Im actually glad they didnt go into something like Aja right away and started with a clearly more pop driven album. Its a artifact of what their talent could do for the masses. It hits a high standard
I love Steely Dan and I love this album. It isn't my favorite of theirs, but has so many good songs. Wild range of styles on here and they do them all well. Distinctive for having the original lead vocalist on Dirty Work (I'm sure someone in this group has looked up his name).
Some random notes: The top four Steely Dan songs from Spotify are on this album, haven’t seen that density from many bands on this. Absolutely insane this was their debut. Aja is still a better, more interesting and more cohesive album. New to me favorites: Kings, Midnight Cruiser, Heartbeat. Somehow Reelin’ might be the song I’ve heard the most, but least favorite on this listen. Overall, the non-hits on this album are better than the hits. Change of the Guard is the loosest I’ve heard SD sound - kind of rocks. The guy who rips that guitar solo is Skunk Baxter, session player and eventual Doobie Brothers guitarist. In the rabbit hole: Skunk later became interested in and self-taught himself missile defense systems from an aviation magazine subscription, eventually getting a second career with real jobs and a security clearance. Plug for new Yacht Rock dock-umentary on HBO. Fagen makes the best appearance of the film. Made me want to look at how many repeats we’ve gotten in the last 100+: LZ, Fela, Cohen, Van Halen, White Stripes, Stevie, Pink Floyd, Eagles, Marvin, Bowie, Bob…
Well, I wasn't expecting to give a Steely Dan album 5 stars but here we are. Can be boring at times and I understand the "dad rock" criticism. But there's something to be said for an album you can just put on and enjoy the creative lyrics/music if you want or just let it fill up the background
I didn't know I knew so many of these songs. Good album.
I just don't get Steely Dan. So bland, so lounge, so jazz light so lacking joy / energy/ so clinical.
I already reluctantly enjoyed Steely Dan more and more every year, but I just watched that Yacht Rock documentary on HBO the other day, so this is like cosmic timing. Now that I have a little more context, yeah. It's good. I don't have to like that I like it, but I like it.
Do It Again is a good song I'm familiar with. Only A Fool Would Say That is also good. Reelin' In The Years is a great song I'm familiar with. Fire In The Hole is good; kind of Elton John-like. Change Of The Guard is good and has one of the better guitar solos. Solid alt/rock album.
Not a big Steely Dan guy but I will say prefer this early incarnation of The Dan...more rock band than the smooth jazz combo of Aka. This is very much in evidence on Do It Again with its Santana-style percussion and signature harmonies. The album struggles to reach the heights of Do It Again. A 3 for me
Look at you steely dan
Man they seem like they’re having so much fun while performing with such ease. Call me aging, but Do It Again grows on me more and more as the years go by. I went into a convenience store yesterday and it was playing over the speaker, and my mood just got better instantly. Soft 4 here, great week for albums so far it’s been a 5, 4, and today a 4. We’re (I’m) 300 albums in and I don’t know if that’s happened much or at all!
As I enter full adulthood as a white man, universal law dictates I must like Steely Dan. This album is solid. The production and the guitar playing are especially great.
Great sounds. Listened three times. Some nice lyrics too. No examples at this time, I'm very tired.
This website has been busting out the heaters lately. The second half lacks what the first gets right and has songs that are stretched a little too thin for my liking, but on the whole this is quite good. One of the few albums that I'm likely to return to once this entire list is behind me.
Absolutely awesome. If you find a better six songs to launch a debut album, I need to find out more (john.cena@gmail.com). Listened to this for the first time in an incredible seaside town in Western Italy this summer. Blue skies, blue sea, beautiful women, blissful scenes. The perfect music to accompany it. Have yet to find a Steely Dan album that gets close to this masterpiece.
Rating: 9.5/10 Amazing production, songwriting, and solos throughout. There is a warm feeling to this album that resonates with me so much.
they have a distinct suaveness to pair with their catchy melodies, this truly is an album with swagger
Nice! The best songs were Reelin' In The Years and Turn That Heartbeat Over Again.
A great album, thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish Time to listen to more steely Dan
BANGERS ONLY DAD ROCK IS BACK BABY!!! To be added to a camp dad jamz playlist
Peak dad rock. Came back to give this a five because the more I listen, the better it gets.
This sounds like something The Dude would abide by. Now, just because it makes me feel like a cool stoner doesn't mean it's that good of an album. After all, 'Realing in the Years' is one of the single worst classic rock songs that actually got famous. However, if it's still fun to listen to, I don't see the issue.
Great while high. Really made me think about why weed was so popular and synonymous with hippies in the 60s and 70s. Really relaxing and fun to listen to while high!
Reelin' in the Years is one of my favorite songs that I had no idea what it was called or who it was by, but it's a song that constantly gets stuck in my head for days. And that song is just casually placed in the middle of this album, while surrounded by already excellent music. The whole album is a lot of fun. They manage to keep the same vibes and groove, while each song is unique and identifiable from each other. I think the solo sections really help out with that. It's honestly a joy to listen to. Favorite Song(s): Dirty Work, Reelin' in the Years, Fire in the Hole
My second time listening to this and at the beginning I was thinking that maybe I was finally getting steely Dan. I think I sort of do, but the second half of the album is not bad but pretty bland. Dirty Work is great. High 3.
I distinctly remember hearing Reelin' in the Years on top 40 radio when it first came out. That was my intro to Steely Dan, but I didn't really become a big fan until college when a friend got me hooked. One of my all-time favorite bands. While The Royal Scam remains my favorite of their albums, this is a great one too.
This was great all the way through and sounds like it came out so much later than it did to me! The melodies are strong, and the grooves were heavy throughout. Plus the instrumentation throughout was incredible. The guitar solos on “Do It Again”, “King” and “Midnight Cruiser” were all awesome.
Pretty good album had heard one or two of the songs before listening, enjoyed, would listen to again. Some nice chill vibes.
they're the best there is at what they do, and what they do sucks
Overall: 9/10 Coincidentally, I just got really into Steely Dan this year! I love this debut, it's a bit disjointed and a couple of tracks are less than stellar, but I give it a pass as they were still figuring out their sound. Songs like Do It Again, Kings and Only a Fool Would Say That will never not get me hyped. Now I just need a copy on vinyl that doesn't skip during the guitar solo in Reelin' in the Years. Fav Song: Do It Again Least Fav Song: Change of the Guard
Perfection
4 maybe 5
I can't stand for yacht rock. For me it's just mid 70's music for people who say that after the 70's music is dead Dropped.
I know it deserves higher but man I just really don’t like Steely Dan.
The hits are great but the rest tastes like dry toast.
29/11/24 I enjoyed listening to this album.
Hell yeah
I have to admit when I was a teen (in the late 70's), I wasn't a big fan of Steely Dan. At the time, the music seemed so over-produced, commercial sounding and not-so-thrilling, but you know what when you grow up and listen to all kinds of different music, your tastes and priorities change, but music has always been an integral part of my life. I really started listening to Steely Dan after I absorbed a couple of record collections with music heavily from the 70's, which included Can't Buy A Thrill, Pretzel Logic and Aja. These records hit me hard, the thrill was back and listening with fresh set of older mature ears I now consider these albums essential listening, not only Steely Dan's discography, but popular music in general. There is an unexplainable comfort in listening to the opening lines of Do It Again, Dirty Work and Reelin' In The Years. To me, it's a toss up what is the best Steely Dan record and since I gave Pretzel Logic 5 stars, I follow suit with Can't Buy A Thrill.
Once again I have been deceived by a great opening track that the rest of the album doesn’t remotely live up to.
Second album de Steely Dan généré par la liste, le premier étant Aja (plus récent) que j'avais plutôt apprécié. Celui ci est plus pop/rock, avec quelques chorus intéressants mais sans plus. Je lui préfères donc Aja, bien plus jazzy. =>2/5
This is probably the best 4 star album on this list. 4 stars only because their vision wasn't fully realized when they made this debut album and it's fair if you're sick of Do It Again or Reelin' in the Years. But the filler here is quite filling. Perhaps the last couple of tunes aren't on the same level as everything else but Only A Fool Would Say That is my personal go to prescription for bad days. That song turns my frown upside down 100% of the time. 100% OF THE TIME. That song is undefeated against depression and its writers, performers and producers deserve the Nobel Prize for mental health Rx. Brooklyn, Midnite Cruiser, Dirty Work - these would be other bands' best songs. Denny Dias's and Skunk Baxter's guitars are unusual, virtuosic and intense.
About 300 albums earlier I got my first Steely Dan album, and I'll stand by what I wrote then: "I've always enjoyed listening to Steely Dan, but I also feel like one album is more than enough to give us a sense of the style and flavor; his music is largely interchangeable, so getting another selection later on would be a bit disappointing." Little did I know that ahead of me there would be 3 more Steely Dan albums and a Donald Fagen thrown in as well. Thankfully, there's only one more Steely Dan for me after this ("Pretzel Logic"), so I will eventually return to simply enjoying it when I hear Steely Dan on the radio or on my shuffle playlist. I *do* appreciate it that this album has several of their radio hits, including two right out of the gate. (Ironically, I'm not sure I ever realized "Dirty work" was a Steely Dan single, as it always made me think it was likely an Eagles or CSNY song, or some group more in that vein with the harmonies.) It was also nice to revisit "Reelin' in the years", but the rest of the album doesn't quite seem as strong as some later albums; they seem to be feeling their way a bit on this debut album, perhaps in part from having David Palmer as lead vocals on several of the songs. I feel a bit badly only giving their debut album three stars, but I can't really justify giving every Steely Dan album four stars, and this one sacrifices quality for variety more than the others.
Every time we get a Steely Dan album, I think I don't know any Steely Dan songs and then when I listen, I realize I know many Steely Dan songs.... They're so laid-back in their delivery, they've slipped into my subconscious and their mellow voices hide some incredibly awesome and vicious lyrics. Not to mention the delicious guitar and punchy drums. Hard to believe this is a debut album. Quick takes on my favorite of the new-to-me songs: Kings seems to literally be about kings, and I dig that. Midnite Cruiser seals the deal: no one writes more eloquently about losers than Steely Dan. Only a Fool Would Say That: so nice I listened twice, also not sure I really get it. But even now, writing this, I want to listen to it again. I almost want to downgrade it due to how overplayed "Reelin in the Years" is, but that's not their fault. "Do It Again" and "Dirty Work" were also very familiar, but I actually like those songs.
I was hip to Steely Dan, listening to this made me realize I do not like Steely Dan
This is the one with Do It Again and Reelin’ in the Years. They trigger all the old LiteFM memories. Sliding around in the back of a station wagon, speeding down the highway, on the way to the mall. As for the album, it’s alright. Clearly they were wonderful musicians. But there are still a lot of early 70s tropes draped on top of otherwise decent music.
Very nice.
Very strong album, probably the Dan's best. High 4s
4.7 - First half is too good that the second half had to tail off which was sad. Absolute tunes on this album though
It’s not Aja, but the Steely debut has a lot of great qualities and a plethora of earworms. Things I like include the Latin drum groove intro to the album, the anthemic chorus line of Dirty Work, the jazzy breakdowns on Fire in the Hole, everything about Reelin’, the “oh Michael” hook that is kinda corny but just too catchy. It lacks a certain je ne sais quoi to be a 5 for me, but it’s a great album. Fave Tracks: Do It Again, Dirty Work, Kings, Reelin’ in the Years 4.4/5
Not really my thing, but there’s just enough charm to tilt it more toward the “kind of like it” side. Favorite: Only a Fool Would Say 3.5?
Better than I remember.
Perfect to listen to, feels like wind in my hair with the top down.
Really enjoyed this , specially the first lesson was super fun … a lot off adds ,great guitar work and intriguing lyrics … enjoyed the jazz incorporation and clean polished sound , specially impressive for 1972… ultimately just short of a 5, as i felt the last couple of tracks were a letdown and the album sound as a whole lacks long term replay value ( but has great short term one) it’s a very strong 4
Pleasant enough. Not super exciting beyond the first song.
Never heard the album, just some of the songs. A couple of classics here, in particular Reelin' in the Years still sounds great (and what amazing guitar work). Noteworthy for being Steely Dan's debut album, but not consistent enough to be considered "great". "Dirty Work" doesn't hold up, and still sticks out as the Steely Dan hit that doesn't fit with the rest of their most popular songs. "You been tellin' me you're a genius Since you were seventeen In all the time I've known you I still don't know what you mean"
Enjoyable. A little bit hit and miss, but some good hits.
Steely Dan, that ubiquitous 70's music that you neither love nor hate. 3.5 stars rounded down because I'm tired of lips on album covers.
Some great hits, and while the rest of the album doesn't quite achieve the highs of the couple of hits, it's really solid and impressive as a debut album. I do think the Fagan vocals are better than Palmer's and I'm glad they shifted to Fagan for subsequent albums. The mix of latin, jazz, and rock comes across as relaxed and confident, and I enjoyed this album, although I only gave it 4 stars because of some of the weaker aspects of this album.
Not sure if I had ever listened to the entire album before. Classic 70s tunes...good stuff.
Did we have a different Steely Dan album already? Either way, I was surprised with the songs I was aware of but never knew it was from SD. This is pure 70s rock and I’m here for it. It’s still a band named after a dildo though right?
Did we have a different Steely Dan album already? Either way, I was surprised with the songs I was aware of but never knew it was from SD. This is pure 70s rock and I’m here for it. It’s still a band named after a dildo though right?
Eclectic mix of rock, jazz, blues, and country. The variety of voices, instruments, vibes keep the listener on their toes.
They hit it out of the park with this debut. My favorite SD album.
Steely Dan has been mixed into my PLaylist for a long time. I never really knew why. The name meant nothing to me. However, I had heard something about it in the back of my mind that I really liked. So now this album. And then it came back to me. There are some great pieces in there. The style doesn't quite suit my taste. But I always like to hear something from them. 4/5
This filled me with a warm, comforted feeling - I remember some of these songs being played to me as a child. Nice
Was looking forward to more Steely Dan after getting them the first time. Not disappointed, this one is a lot of fun as well. Great guitar work, fun songs, very chill. Love it. Really feeling the Steely Dan sound, even though I gave the last one a 4, I'm giving this one a 5. Best song: Kings