Reviews (page 7 of 14)
Something between country Bob Dylan and LED Zeppelin guitar riffs I like it fav: Any Major dude will tell you
This was fine??? I don’t see why it’s so critical I listen to this album, it was kinda mid dadrock. I listened to this over two sittings as well and the fact that there were a few days in between where I didn’t think about it or feel pressed to listen to the rest probably says a bit about how I feel about this album. Felt a bit symptomatic of some of these albums so far where there’s way less women on the list but heaps of middling rock music.
Muy bueno, siempre le quise dar una oportunidad a la banda y nuca me senté a escucharlo pero me parece algo que pondría bastante seguido.
Rikki Don't Lose That Number is great. Any Major Dude Will Tell You is good. The rest of the album is either forgettable or too jazzy for me.
An amazing album, it took a little while to grow on me, but it says it is one of my favorites. A really good way to end the week, I feel like all of the songs are a nice mix of upbeat, enjoyable, I love the jazzy overtones. I feel like Steely Dan has a really good way of blending genres together in a way that doesn’t feel schlocky. Five out of five stars.
Dad music
Not really my style but a super interesting listen
Ran together but good vibes
Score: 8.5/10 | Favorite Song: Barrytown Pretzel Logic is where Steely Dan tightens the screws and fully embraces the studio rat identity they’d later be known for. This album feels compact yet endlessly replayable, packing jazzy chord changes, cryptic lyrics, and lush production into a lean 33-minute run. What really stands out to me is how varied it is without ever feeling scattered. You get country-funk grooves in “With a Gun,” warped nostalgia in “Any Major Dude Will Tell You,” and a smoky piano-led title track that sounds like it came from a parallel universe where jazz ruled AM radio. My personal favorite, “Barrytown,” feels like a deceptively cheerful song that’s actually laced with judgment and irony, which is classic Steely Dan. It’s upbeat and playful but has that unmistakable sting in the lyrics. Across the album, there’s this vibe that nothing is quite what it seems, like you’re peeking into the lives of people who smile while hiding something sharp behind their teeth. That dry, cynical wit combined with incredibly smooth musicianship is what makes Pretzel Logic such a standout in their catalog.
I would say this was very forgettable.
It was ok, not much to say about this.
Dude rock. (More or less.)
Dads of the world unite!!
3,5
Me gusto eh, tuvo momentos flojos pero en líneas generales me resultó atractivo
Voladito Cómo que tendría que escucharlo en el tocadiscos tomando un whiskey al atardecer
Really not very inspiring and Steely Dan’s idea of soft rock is uninteresting and I’m not a massive fan of their work in general to be honest.
Soundtrack of my high school years.
Everyone knows the intro track, Ricki don't lose that number. Track 2, man its hard not to call this yacht rock... But if I was in a convertible driving down the boulevard with tight jeans on and sick side burns... I would have felt the vibe. the album shifts to more laid back melody with Any Old Dude.. Look, not an album I'm likely to spin again any time soon, but it was fine... If a bit wanky. Highlight - With a Gun
Yes! I adore this album. One of my personal Steely Dan favorites. Besides “Rikki” you’ve got “Night by Night,” “Any Major Dude,” “Barrytown,” the title track…. So many lush and solid jams. Must-listen #170.
Not my favorite Steely Dan, but it’s still Steely Dan
Really enjoyed the first half second half of the album wasn’t as good. After the first three songs I was thinking I was going have to my first 5 but the album as a whole to me is a 3.5
Dad rock. This is neither a positive nor a negative, just a general purpose statement.
I listened to this twice. 4.8716
Easy listening.
there's some fun song titles here. the album cover is good. i didn't think i knew any of their songs but rikki don't lose that number started and i was like OH YEAH THIS. the rest of it, idk. im doing some work on my laptop and just kind of bopping along to this but it's one of those albums that is just kind of there and nothing else.
Genuinely not sure why I liked this so much but I did. For me this is head empty, silly music but I had fun and really enjoyed tracks like Parker's Band. Would absolutely listen to this again outside on a sunny day
This was an amazing album to listen to. Although they are a rock band, this has a very nice soft rock sound that I enjoyed a lot. Perfect for a chill listen.
Every few years I dig out this or some other Steely Dan on Spotify and see if I can identify what an old college friend used to find so attractive about them. And here I am again. It's not awful. There are decent moments. Rikki still is a catchy song. But then there's that godawful St. Louis Toodle-Oo. And overall the more you listen the less there is to like here. See you again in ten years.
There’s no denying that Steely Dan has talent. They are excellent musicians and songwriters. Having said that, I don’t care for most of their stuff. On rare occasions, I can listen to a song but never an entire album.
Rikki Don't Lose That Number - 5/5 Night by Night - 5/5 Any Major Dude Will Tell You - 5/5 Barrytown - 3/5 East St. Louis Toodle-Oo - 3/5 Parker's Band - 4/5 Through With Buzz - 3/5 Pretzel Logic - 5/5 With a Gun - 4/5 Charlie Freak - 5/5 Monkey in Your Soul - 4/5 Average score: 4.2/5
Pretzel Logic” is an album full of clever, well-crafted sarcasm wrapped in a truly unique sound. Steely Dan blends jazz, rock, funk, and pop so effortlessly that listening becomes an immersive and surprising experience. Every song feels distinct, yet the whole album is cohesive. I really enjoyed it — it’s sharp, smooth, and full of character.
Ganz nettes Rock-Album aus den 70ern. Bekannt ist "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" 3/5
Steely Dan are a great band but I always feel like I'm listening to a overdone pastiche of another great band I really want to listen to
Not as good as can't buy a thrill, but it had some charm left in it
Fun stuff! At points it somehow reminds me of Mario Kart music (bangers). Probably a bit more mainstream and poppy than their later albums but I can't help but enjoy Steely Dan no matter what. 7/10
Steely Dan always does it. There's something very precise about their music, which sometimes doesn't feel very rock n roll. But other times it hits. "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is great, but my favourite on this album is the subverted blues of the title track
Classic yacht-rock/dad-rock album
Not the best, it's cool and mellow but also a bit too soft for my taste.
good
weird! like their other stuff better
I think Steely Dan is an overrated band. Its good but not the best or even close. Its pop rock with a little southern thingy but guessing tjats what americans like as rock. Album is good but can't get to love them. There were soooo many more creative and original bands in that era that they feel generic. As an album it works, songs are well ordered and produced. But nothing that I would die if I didnt have it in my life.
It was genuinely fine. Charlie Song was really good but other than that it was like, normal rock
Some nice easy listening for waking up. I feel like I'm getting ready to live my best movie life. I think it was "Any Major Dude Will Tell You" that was fun and funky. East Louis Toodle-oo would be a fun swing! :D
Pretty great
Absolutely brilliant
Cover 6 Decent songs. Good album from an influential band. Better upon second listen.
any major dude will tell you it’s a five.
Steely Dan is an interesting one. I listen to this record a couple of times in different ways did not enjoy it in my ears, but when I put it on in the backyard chilling, it had a different feel to it the further it is for my ears the better I think this album was made to be put on One of those old radios that Dad’s put in their garage. My final impression of this album is in the end. It was pretty fun to listen to just took me a little bit to get there. I definitely like other Steely Dan albums more but I have no regrets. Who is Steely Dan? What’s the deal? I’m gonna need more information about this band.
This one grew on me over time, like the seven cherry red angiomas that speckle my hairy chest. It would defy pretzel logic to give this any less than 5/5 hot pretzels.
A lot of pleasant songs
2 Steely Dan albums in 5 days. Who do I complain to?
Funkig
4 out of 5
Worth four stars just for “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.” Really stellar. Probably 4.5 stars for me.
A classic. I knew many of these songs, but there were a few I had never heard before. I listened to the album on my AirPods during several walks through Central Park, which seemed somehow perfect.
Æ vet ikke ka æ hadde forventa av Steely Dan, men det va ikke egentlig det æ fikk – det va bra, og æ likte det, men ja, æ huske lite av det i etterkant.
Enjoyed this, will listen again
After their soft rock-oriented debut and jam-session-laden sophomore record, Steely Dan takes a strange approach to album-building that I can only describe as their "White Album". The opening track is one of their biggest hits, and rightly so – it's got a catchy chorus, memorable bassline (courtesy of the jazz standard Song For My Father), some solid vocal harmonies, chords, melody, a great guitar solo... it's got it all. Night By Night is even more heavily jazz-influenced, featuring more horns than you'd normally expect for what was (at the time) still a rock band. This record is the turning point between Steely Dan's "early"- and "middle"-career stages, judging from these two tracks alone. The third song, Any Major Dude Will Tell You, is the softest soft-rock you'll ever come across, but it's still lyrically moving – particularly in the verses which have some pretty great melodies to go along with them. Already from the three opening tracks, you have something really special. The rest of the album wanders off in various new directions, showcasing Steely Dan's incredible versatility – the most (I think) of any of their records. Barrytown: a snarky pop-rock track with a very odd melody. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo: a straight-up ragtime jazz instrumental. Through With Buzz: a strings-focused interlude track that's reminiscent of the Beatles' Eleanor Rigby. With A Gun: a sort of Western/country track featuring a driven acoustic guitar. And then there's the title track, which appears to be a blues number on its face, but actually cross-matches so many different genres together (in just four and a half minutes) that it's a little dizzying. I do think Pretzel Logic is the weakest of the Dan's first six records, but not by much. 5/5 Key tracks: Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Night By Night, Any Major Dude Will Tell You, Pretzel Logic
Good stuff, talented performers, good song variety, a listening pleasure.
Steely Dan is sitting around the BBQ, drinking a few beers while the families are mingling over a few mean games of cornhole or a disorganized game of volleyball using an old badminton net left over from a forgone time. For me, this album is not particularly memorable in the annals of music history, but it was great for what it was: a product of the time. Not being seasoned Steely Dan fan, my assessment is simple: their musicality was good; harmonies great. However, their biggest point of experimentation came in the first song, and was limited to the first minute. Some key songs were Rikki Don’t Lose that Number; Pretzel Logic and Monkey in Your Soul. Overall, solid album but not world changing.
Random thoughts: * I'm kinda in my full dad-rock phase at this point and I should be all about Steely Dan. * I dug the hits on here: Rikki and Any Major Dude. * The rest was fine. I think I'll end up liking and rating higher the other Steely Dan albums. * Enjoyable but definitely not classic outside of the key tracks.
A nostalgic album for me
Rv/g
Any major dude will tell you this album rocks pretty hard. I'm not a huge fan of Steely Dan, but after hearing this record I'm starting to become a fan. A really laid-back and groovy album with good tunes such as "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Pretzel Logic" and "Night by Night" just to name. Very fun to listen to and enjoy. That being said, this gets a 4/5. This album isn't perfect, but it's very close to being perfect. And I'm sure it won't lose that number. 4.25/5
Eh
3,5/5
First exposure to Steely Dan. Had a great time. 3.5 really
Steely Dan are the absolute shit!
I love Steely Dan, don't get me wrong. But this album isn't it. At all. Rikki Don't Lose That Number does literally nothing for me. I don't even get why it's popular. Almost every song on here is instantly forgettable. This thing still has Steely Dan charm, but it feels like something they just churned out to keep the coffers full, not a piece of music they actually put much effort into. It's listenable, but that's probably as far as I'll go with this thing.
Despite feeling like the most ‘going through the motions’ Steely Dan album on the list and almost not feeling weighty enough to be an album by comparison to their other tracks, their style of production and jazzy rock composition (perhaps not to the same degree as Aja, I’d say this is a middleground between that and Can’t Buy a Thrill) is still an unbeatable sound. While this may be my least favourite album I have heard from them and definitely on the verge of being a 4, the consistently incredible output from this group has cemented them as a heavyweight of this list and certainly a new all time favourite of mine.
Rikki Don’t Lose That Number - Clean as fuck guitar solo in the second half, which is the best half by far. Pretty slick tune overall, really liked it. Night by Night - pretty good instrumentals, liked the sax in the mix. Any Major Dude Will Tell You - beautifully written, produced and performed. Charlie Freak - great lyrics and instrumentals. A disappointing album overall, certainly when they have Can’t Buy A Thrill and Aja in the catalogue, which are all-timers. 2 bangers, 2 great, the rest were not much to write home about, which is a bit sad.
For me, this album has astronomical highs, and a low end further down than snake shit. Rikki don’t lose that number. An earworm in the classic tradition of songs about a chick you want to fuck. Sang out of key many times while half cut. Classic. Night by Night, a song which fills a similar niche in my brain to Gerry Rafferty’s entire discography. Major Dude and the title track, both rock solid, catchy and extremely groovy. And possibly my personal favourite Steely Dan track “With A Gun”. I have listened to this song so many times I could probably recite it backwards at this point. The remainder of the album doesn’t stick out in my memory to as great of a degree, but is extremely competent and still a pleasurable listen. The outlier dragging down the whole affair is Barrytown. I fucking hate this piece of shit. Maybe one of the only songs by Steely Dan I will go out of my way to skip. I don’t know if I could describe why this song fucks me off so much I just think it’s shitty and annoying. still a 5 though.
For the most part this didnt quite click. There's some gorgeous piano on this thing. The keyboard is often excitable and when the guitars get going they really flourish. The vocals can be awesome at times too. But yeah just didnt click I guess. 5/10
Reading about this album after a listen, it is obvious that compared to their other works that this album was designed to be more commercially viable/accessible. While it certainly worked, this album spawned their most successful single and arguably the group's most popular song. Unfortunately, I don't think that Steely Dan as a group shines their brightest when catering to what sells. Side A is clearly stronger with the first three tracks being the standouts of the album, Barrytown is decent and East St. Louis Toodle-Oo is a novel, funky and off-kilter tune. The only thing that really sticks with me about Side B is the refrain of With A Gun. Even though I consider this a weaker Dan album, everything here is performed and arranged to an extremely high standard without sounding clinical. It has all the hallmarks of Dan album, especially the lyricism. If any other band released this, it would be a great album. But when the band that did Aja and Gaucho release this, it's just good. Highlights: Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Any Major Dude Will Tell You
I can imagine a middle-aged suburban father named Dan Steele listening to this on a Sunday afternoon after church. It's okay, but what is it about this band that deserves this kind of love? Favorite Track: "Rikki Don't Lose That Number".
Aggressively mediocre. I don’t remember a single song that wasn’t Rikki, and I only remember that because it was in a marching band show I was in. Otherwise they play their instruments well, and I’m sure the fans will say there’s a depth to the song writing you can only appreciate on repeat listens. This won’t get that repeat listen, I barely paid attention on the first one.
Dull
I enjoyed this. The first Steely Dan record I heard and loved was Aja, so it's not really fair to compare that to the rest of their catalogue, but I can't help it. This record sounds like they are on their way to that sound, and less like classic rock radio fodder. This is another band that I didn't discover on my own, that I wrote off completely as lame, but they are actually quite subversive most of the time. Hell, Steely Dan is the name of a dildo.
Didn't know the album. Probably I expected to much since I am not so convinced. There are some really nice songs on here ("Rikki ...", Barrytown, ...) but some don't convince me at all.
Superb
I mean. Again, I get it. I just don't really like it.
I love Steeley Dan but this album is not their best work. Sonically it's a little disjointed and the smooth production that you get on Aja and Can't Buy a Thrill is missing. Rikki Do t Lose That Number still slaps though.
It's a smooth ride with some catchy tunes, but it doesn’t fully grab me. The jazzy vibes and clever lyrics are nice, but it feels a bit too laid-back for my taste.
********** stars!
Good middle America funky guitar
easy listening, i liked the lil instrumental interlude. some songs felt like they repeated for a bit too long
not really my thing. not a huge fan of dad rock, and this is really indicative of that sound.
A nice easy-listening band from my youth with one hit on an average album. But not exactly setting the world on fire. I’d give it 2 only, except that there so much other dross on this list that, by comparison, its at least a 3.
1st few song start the album of great. I love how you can hear each and every instrument. My favourite song is Rikki don’t lose that number
Really liked it. Had heard bits and pieces of it over the years but never all together.
Pretty darn cool
Inte min favorit Steely dan, men inte alls dålig heller. Stark 3
Some great music but not a lot of songs i connect to on this one, 3.5
I went in blindly and decided to listen to this on the walk I went on yesterday. At first I was like smh what did I get myself into. But then I just imagined if I was an old lady on the walk this is what I would listen to, so then I enjoyed it.
Decent but got bored.
This is a banger. 4
very nice discovery
Magnifico
Rikki var nice men inget speicellt
Hört om detta band flera gånger men visste inte hur det skulle låta. Visste inte ens om det var ett band eller en person. Men lät bra!
Perfect dad rock for my home depot run
Pretty flawless album
I was pleasantly surprised by this album. Sure, people say it's "dad rock" derogatorily, and they're probably (definitely) right. But so what. It slaps.
Segundo disco de estos aburridos en esta lista.
Nikki Don’t Lose That Number is pretty good, familiar. Mellow, kind, a little sad. Others similar but more upbeat. Pretty good on the whole.
Not as good as Aja
Who knew dad rock was so funky. Always knew this band existed, but haven’t ever really paid them any attention. I’m enjoying this more than I expected - nice smooth music to have on.
Super 70s tight musicianship, complex white guy blues/R&B/jazz so perfect it must have taken a whole gang of cocaine to get it all together. I don't love Steely Dan, but there are a few really good, interesting, sonically rich songs on this one, as well as a few mid throwaway wank jobs.
Ah Steely Dan. XM Radio Channel 27 - The Bridge. Mellow Classic Rock. Listening I need to put on my full dad outfit; cargo shorts, white socks, white new balances, local sports team cap, and go mow the lawn.
Very funny to go from yesterday’s album to Steely Dan, but it gave me a new appreciation for them.
It’s amazing that this was 1974–the production is immaculate and you can hear Fagen enunciate every single word. I love the smoothness and ease, but also the bitterness.
Steely Dan, I guilty pleasure of mine... but don't tell anyone! Its cheesy, its dad rock, its socks with sandals but its catchy!
Franchement pas mal, j’ai apprécié. Du rock un peu jazz, un peu blues. C’est chill détente.
Good easy listen
Unmistakably unique, Steely Dan brings it again.
The musicianship is undeniable. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo is a charming tune that shows off their chops. The overall sound is great, but there’s something about the vibe that bothers me. This feels like music for bros. I guess I liked it better than I thought I would.
Listened a lot to aja last month an am over steely danned atm. Aja is probably better, and this seems okay, but again not the moment to listen to more steely dan.
idk about you guys but I personally vibe to the idea of listening to this in socks and sandals
I like how well they fuse so many styles together and the blend often works extremely well (especially the more jazz sections and guitair solo). I was surprised I knew some of the songs on this album. Sounded slightly dated at times and routed in 80s. Lots of promise on this album but the bangers were only occassionally but as something to listen too while cooking or something I would definately come back to it.
First impressions were that it's quite soft rock and the vocal harmonies are reminiscent of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. You can hear some funk influences running through the album but it's generally just some uninteresting 70's American pop rock. Doesn't do much for me and there were no stand out tracks. Have to admit the production quality is excellent though.
Might grow on me next time round
Great Stuff. You can't go wrong with Steely Dan.
Solid outing with some big hits, but ultimately the album cuts just average
These guys get better the more I listen. This one made me feel like I should give the others another go. Great opener with Rikki and the others created good vibes.
It was ok. Not really my thing
J - 3/5 Best Track - "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" F - 2/5
Weird but why not, easy to listen to
Hokey, wet, and badly aged.
Fun fact - I absolutely hated Steely Dan until I reached my thirties - don’t know what can be drawn from that musical and physiological parallel, but figured I’d put it out there
Taking me back to my retail days, stuck listening to Rikki Don't Lose that Number. This is not a good thing.
Kinda fun bunch of weirdos I guess.
3.5. ADD HALF STARS PLS
I like it more than I thought I would, but I wouldn't rush to listen to this on repeat. I like the music a lot more than the lyrics/vocals.
Cool, chill rock
Top 3 of all time favorite albums. Grew up listening to Pretzel Logic, and it's one of the few albums that can always help when I'm spiraling.
This is just not music for me. I almost didn’t make it though this album.
Can't quite make up my mind, good sound, weird narrative, perhaps I may have become obsessed if it had entered my orbit in the mid 70s. But it didn't, and for that I am thankful really.
Not a terrible sound, and mercifully short, but as with all Steely Dan we must ask ourselves - Why?
Forgettable dad rock (no offence dad).
I tried, I really did but I couldn't finish it. I just do not like Steely Dan.
Just loved it. The music on its own is not particularly my favourite genre of music, but the whole feel of the album is just spectacular. 9/10
Steely Dan. Fint, men forglemmelig.
4.5
Len got arrested in New York in 1958 for having sex with a pretzel. I’m still not sure how or why he did it?! 4.6 3. Any major dude will tell you
Thought this was very enjoyable; the ultimate dad rock. 8/10
I don't think I'm the target demographic for this album. It's trying too hard to be something it's not. There's a couple of standout songs, but overall it's that dorky kid that hangs out with everyone, but no one really likes him, but he's not so obnoxious that everyone wants him to go away, so he's just there. It's bland music for white people who think black pepper is too spicy.
Ah, we know it well! Steely just kills it with Pretzel Logic. Tight, jazzy, upbeat with lots of different topics and sounds. Rikki comes out of the gate strong and the next five songs make for one of the best album sides ever. The East St Louis Toodle-Oo was always a 4Ex family favorite. B Side not as strong, but still good. Weak cut is Through With Buzz, the following four song are a very solid finish. Liked this album a lot when it first came out and through the Haverhill years. L = (3.0*s) still holds up J = (4.4*s) yep, still holds up!
This album brings back a lot of classic memories and the first half is really good. Wide variety of sounds and instruments, the right mix of jazz and pop, got me loving some yacht rock these days. The second half is not as strong but still decent enough. However, I prefer a few songs of Steely Dan sprinkled throughout a playlist rather than in full album format. This was a lot of Steel Dany. 3.20 for pretzels.
Steely Dan brings the 1920s flapper swag with Pretzel Logic. Feel like I should be sipping an old fashion at a speakeasy listening to "East t. Louis Toodle-Oo." Other than "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" though, there are not any other real hits but it's still a decent listen. Does this album deserve a spot on the must listen list? Not so sure but the record cover boosts it a bit to a 2.59. I'll take a hot pretzel at 15 cents for sure.
Always been a fan of Steely Dan. Growing up Pretzel Logic was probably the album that got the most play. It's a very worthy 3rd entry that comes in at a tight 33 minutes. It's not loaded with hits, but the entire ensemble is mostly engaging. Steely Dan are great at weaving a tale while showing off their musical diversity and skill without featuring face melting solos or extravagance. They are simply masters of competence which is pleasing on so many levels. 3.62 stars
love me some steely dan but this isn’t their best imo
Hell yeah dad rock
I don't hate Steely Dan, there are some songs I really like. Rikki is one of their songs of all time, but I did get pretty bored during this album. After Rikki, which I know pretty well since I played it for marching back in the day, I just stopped paying attention by the halfway point. Very yacht music-esque.
Buena mezcla de soft rock, jazz, blues y algo de funk con alguna canción que me sobra.
Tres álbumes de Steely Dan en esta lista (por ahora) me parecen demasiados. Éste en concreto no es que sea mal álbum, pero creo que palidece un poco en comparación con los otros, aunque puede que sólo esté cansado de escuchar el mismo estilo tres veces. De nuevo tenemos el soft pop-rock típico de este grupo, con toques de jazz y blues, una instrumentación muy virtuosa, y una producción super pulida. Típico yatch rock de los setenta que, aunque musicalmente sea bueno, hoy me ha resultado algo estéril y poco interesante. Le daría un tres pero lo voy a dejar en dos porque no entiendo qué hace éste álbum en lista.
Some strong jams, good energy, doesn't drag . Good all around. Some top tier white people music.
high 3, almost a 4.
So good
I’m not sure I’ve listened to much Steely Dan before, so Pretzel Logic was a fresh experience for me. I gave it a couple of spins today and found it to be an easy, enjoyable listen with a few standout tracks. The album has a lively energy and smooth production, making it accessible and pleasant. That said, nothing on it really gripped me or compelled me to hit repeat right away. It’s solid, but not particularly groundbreaking on first impression. Favourite songs: “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” is a clear highlight—catchy, confident, and effortlessly cool. “Night by Night” also stood out with its groove and punch. Least favourite: Honestly, nothing felt skippable. Every track was worth a listen. Album artwork: I love the cover—simple and iconic. And yes, lots of pretzels!
Liebe das Gitarrensolo. Manchmal muss man Songs öfter hören um die Schönheit für sich zu verstehen. Was würdest du gerne aufbewahren und was willst du abgeben?
Classic ‘70’s album layered with various sounds and themes. Jazz influence is obvious but smooth throughout. Slick production with not a hint of rawness
Pretty good.
Steely Dan are absolutely shit.
Great album! I adored the vocals on Barrytown, which is probably my favorite off this album (along with With a Gun.) Had such a great variety of instrumentals so every song sounded different from the last.
Sonically this one sounded really great but lyrically there was a bit to be desired. It was a quick fun listen overalls
Fuck yes sir
Good vibe but a lot of boring shi
Decent tunes. I am not sure if it's for me or if I would listen again.
What can I say? It’s Steely Dan, that’s always going to be five stars from me. Amazing stuff.
Hard to argue with the musicianship on this one. No particularly memorable songs on this album though. Check out 'Eleven Long Years' by Us3 for an excellent sample from 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number".
I don’t really love it. It’s just so boring, like something you’d hear in a supermarket.
Good album! I liked the way they blended both their voices but also the various instruments that are included, creating a clean sound. Favorite Track: Rikki Don’t Lose That Number
I loathe steely Dan, but I tortured myself with this album anyway, because that’s how this game works. This is music for white dudes that tuck their Hawaiian shirts into their cargo shorts.
Rikki is a great song - but the rest of the disc never seems to rise to that level again. I dig Steely Dan but this is far from their best. Still going to give it a strong rating based on body of work...
Not bad a little slow in places easy listening
This album has a good infusion of jazz sensibilities to Steely Dan's pop/rock sound. The best song on the album is Rikki Don't Lose That Number. Some of the other tracks are a bit forgettable, but overall the album is fine. The sound is very good.
This was more enjoyable than expected, and could very well make it's way to a possible roadtrip playlist as a repeat listen. This will be receiving a 3.5, however it will be demoted to 3 a three as it does not quite hit the overall heights of a complete 4.
Pleasant enough to listen to but no real highlights for me. It felt like quite a bland mix of pop/rock with some jazz vibes throughout. Probably won't come back to this one. 2.5/5
Strong start with "Ricky Don't Lose That Number". Nothing stood out after. Won't revisit, I don't hate it, just doesn't float my boat. 2.5/5 raising to 3.
Only listened to Aja before, felt this was more enjoyable, interesting chords progressions and quite bluesy/rocky. Didn’t all stick the landing but the bits that did were immense. Title track the highlight
Bang average
It's always been an uphill battle to get myself to listen to a Steely Dan album for whatever reason. I have no reason to be Steely Dan averse, they've done nothing to me, and I even like a lot of their bigger songs, but frankly, I'd rather just think about the insane origins of their name than actually listen to them (look it up if you're curious). Anyways, sometimes the generator wills it, and here I am. Honestly, this wasn't bad, there are some really great highlights like Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Night By Night, and Charlie Freak, but as a whole I just kinda think this was pretty good. This isn't to say that I think Steely Dan sounds generic, they definitely have their thing going on, I just that I can't see what makes this essential listening in the wide world of '70s rock. Anyways, its a matter of time before the generator conjures more Steely Dan, so we'll meet again someday.
This album was one of those in heavy rotation in my older brother's vinyl collection so it seeped into me by osmosis: love "Ricki ""Any Major Dude," and the title track but a lot of songs don't stand out. Still, amazing studio work (as always) and songwriting. Love me some Dan.
Any major dude will tell you that this is a pretty solid, entertaining, and musically impressive 70s rock record. Kudos to the hell of a gong player (gongist?) on "East St Louis Toodle-Oo"
Steely Dan is great jazz/rock. Very enjoyable, excellent guitar work, very clean and crisp changes. Great album.
What more is there to say about Steely Dan that hasn't been said before. This album is SOOOO good. There are some songs here that aren't my absolute favorite, but this album is great! The vocal harmonies and hooks are sooooo good. Solid 4.5 album Liked Songs: "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" , "Night By Night" , "Any Major Dude Will Tell You" , "Barrytown" , "Parker's Band" , "Charlie Freak" , "Monkey In Your Soul"
liked songs: Through With Buzz Good 3
my first steely dan album. not sure how I feel about it yet. is it bland and boring? without a doubt. but not offensively so. I'm perfectly happy to leave it on in the background and float away in its fuzzy sound. not a single song is even slightly memorable, but it's not awful. slightly toasted white bread of music.
Production sounds great and the musicianship is unquestionable. This is my third Steely Dan record and I think I could tentatively call myself an enjoyer. This isn't as hook-y as 'Can't Buy a Thrill', which is still my favorite, but it left a better impression on me than 'Countdown to Ecstasy'. Dad rock maybe, but good, smart dad rock.
Shit
Pretty solid SD album, anchored by Rikki, a definitive song of the seventies.
Great album, steely Dan is know for excellent session artist, this album shows that
Nice little indie vibe. Reminded me of the velvet underground
Great :D
Loved it! I never listened to much early Dan, but this is a terrific record.
I recognize that this is good, but I really am not a fan
niet me ding
That was surprisingly good - I listened to it during a car journey and I was in a good mood all the way despite some pretty bad traffic
This is my 3rd Steely Dan on the list. I think I feel bad for them because every album so far has had some of the greatest songs I’ve heard in the list mixed with stuff I just couldn’t vibe with. Deacon Blues is still in the top 10 of songs I’ve discovered this project. This album is a little different. I knew Rikki already but other than that song nothing on this album really stands out as something I’d want to listen to over and over again. But it’s also the most consistent listen of there’s I’ve heard
Middle of the road dad rock. Few of these songs would be out of place in a 70s sitcom opening
Not a band I’ve ever understood the hype for. Two albums we’ve had now and only one song has stood out as ‘good’. Although Parker’s Band stood out for sounding like it was from the Peanuts Christmas special.
Gøy
An album to bond teen girls and middle aged dads - make a reference to this album on a road trip and you will be raised to the highest levels of approval in dad world logic. Didgeridoo kinda beat that makes you wish you owned a boat.
It was fine. Adult contemporary I guess?
5/5/2025: solid, just not quite my vibe.
You always hear so much about them, then you listen, then you move on. This is a definitely a keeper. The 70’s all summed up in one album.
Good album!
Appreciate it, but do not vibe with it
First Introduction to Steely Dan, it’s pretty nonsensical, almost always a piano or some sort of keyboards, the harmony vocals and jazzy instruments mixed with late 60s sounding rock gave it quite an interesting sound. Great album overall, I’d rate it 4.5, unbiasedly it’s probably more like a 4.0 or 3.5. It’s a good album but admittedly I like it better than it actually is, + album standouts: Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, Any Major Dude Will Tell You, With A Gun, Charlie Freak and Monkey In Your Soul, honorable mention to East St. Louise Toodle-Oo, not one the best tracks but one of my favorites.
Trashy tunes! 1/5 rubbish bins
As a Caucasian 39-year-old man, I am legally required to give a Steely Dan album a five star rating.
I just… don’t think I like Steely Dan. I’m not sure why because I like stuff like The Eagles and Grateful Dead which they sort of remind me of. But I just don’t find them interesting or memorable at all. At least not so far.
Unremarkable
Good
I listened to it but forgot to come back to review. Then I realised most of it wasn't memorable except for the single "Ricky Don't Lose That Number". Maybe because looking back it sounds like generic 70s pop.
This is peak '70s chill, man. It’s the kind of record that makes you wanna lean back in a recliner and let the hi-fi do its thing. Smart, but never smug. Cool without trying too hard. 11 songs clocking in under 35 minutes is super impressive too. Spins: 3 Playlist Additions: - Rikki Don't Lose That Number - Any Major Dude Will Tell You - East St. Louis Toodle-Oo - Pretzel Logic
Sympa sans plus. Plus calme
Will be back for more!
Ikke like bra som Aja og Gaucho, men en fin gjennomlytting. Litt varierende i kvalitet utover plata, men de som scorer høyt er veldig bra 3,5/5
Enjoyed the album. Nothing special that I could point out. This particular sound I have heard before. Plus I didn't have enough time like I usually do to breath with the album to think over it carefully. But from my one listen, the album is nice and gets your going. It's moving in the sense that it lifts my spirits. The final rating based on my current music taste: 6/10 21 April 2025
To me this sounds like the embodiment of my memories of inoffensive AM radio. Real Boomer music here. It’s all very competent and pleasant and may even have been innovative for its time but there’s nothing here that gets me excited.
Don’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t that. It was kind of all over the place and you never knew where it was going to next. Weird album. but not bad weird.
It will not take any Pretzel Logic to come to my conclusion on this Steely Dan album. Which is kind of a bummer. The opening track Rikki Don’t Lose That Number is one of my top five Steely Dan songs. It’s followed by Night by Night, another good song, and I thought we were off to a good start. Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there. The only other song I like is the title track towards the end. The rest of Pretzel Logic reminded me more of songs better meant for a B-Sides release. Just not good material. This is a 2 rating for me. 2/5
Not really a fan and was really glad when this was over.
sleepy
Partially listened before Fav tracks: Rikki Don't..., Any Major Dude..., Through With Buzz
Light easy-listening funk. Solid musicianship. Sits pleasantly and unobtrusively in the background.
OK. Middle of the road
Not my jams
All Dan is great, but not all Dan is created equal. This is certainly overshadowed by Aja and other late period masterpieces, but still a great album in itself. 4/5
Inoffensive, middle of the road album. Standard Radio 2 fare, but not really my thing.
Rikki Don't Lose That Number is giving Sims 2 build mode in the best way. Nostalgic and I love it instantly. LOVED it. 4 or 5 stars, probably 5.
Not their best
Gentle rock and roll. A few good tunes, enjoyable
3.5
I like Steely Dan
Feel like I need to give this one a few more listens. The three “hits” are super groovy. But some of the songs sound a little kitschy to me on first listen, which I know is sacreligious to say about the Dan. I’d never cut it off, but might not grab for it either.
precise, yet swinging - wise, literate, sharp tales with a band rooted in jazz, looking for the next wave to catch
always loved this one
not my favourite of their albums ( i'd go for goucho or can't buy a thrill) , slightly too many clunkers amongst the gold. 3.5
Overall: 9/10 YEAH STEELY DAN WOOHOO STEELY DAN GIMME DAT STEELY DAN WOOHOO YEAH My love of the Dan kind of started out as a joke cause all my friends would laugh whenever I would play them and constantly yell STEELY DAN, but after a while the joke turned into a full on obsession. Now I listen to them pretty much every day. I love all of their albums but I think this is the one they really hit their stride. There's more emphasis on the jazzier elements compared to the first 2 albums and Donald Fagen sounds more confident than ever. I think I slightly prefer Aja but this is a close second for me. I wish Gaucho was in the list but it's not like it's going anywhere lol Fav Song: Rikki Don't Lost That Number Least Fav Song: Through With Buzz
Reminded me of the music my mum would play on road trips when I was a kid
Lively and funky. I like the harmonies and groovy instrumentals. A classic feel like a musical.
couple good jams on here. I feel like if I listened to this album 10 or more times I'd fall in love with it. Will I do that? unlikely.
Not interesting
Meh
Ongelofelijk comfortabele dadrock. Ik gaf ze hier al een keer 5 sterren, en bij dit album is het vanaf het begin af aan twijfelen geblazen tussen de 4 en 5. Het is heerlijke paparock met een gitaartje, pianotje, drums, bas en de zang verre van het slechtste van deze lijst. Af en toe een blazertje. 34 minuutjes. Ik hou het toch op een 4 en dat is deze keer niet omdat ik geen twee vijven wil uitdelen, maar meer omdat er echt geen enkel nummer van dit album bij me is blijven hangen. En dan reserveer ik de 5 sterren toch liever voor de Neverminds en Siamese Dreams's van deze wereld.
My only knowledge of steely dan was that there was an insufferably annoying person I knew in college who made steely dan their entire identity. They were always like 'duuuude you have to listen to him it will change your life' and I never did because they were annoying. Honestly after listening I can kinda see where they're coming from, some pretty catchy stuff in the beginning but the last 5 songs got super boring. idk if he ran out of ideas or if his ideas just weren't gripping enough to maintain an entire album. Either way, my life remains pretty unchanged.
Overall, I enjoyed this, it was easy-listening soft rock. There were some interesting instrumentals here, like the intro flapamba in "Rikki" and the cover of Duke Ellington's "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo", relying on guitar wah-wahs instead of a brass section. Perhaps most of the tracks were a little too soft-rock/clean, everything was a nice mainstream neat package.
Another day, another chance for me to not have an interesting review. The best part of the album is the album artwork. Musically, things are fine and interesting enough. The blues-y guitar is nice, and the vocals are only slightly tainted by that 70s pop jangle. A 3.5 rounded up
Getting started. Song 1: a little too poppy and smooth. Vapid? Maybe. We'll let 'em cook. Alright, getting better on this second track. This album feels super uneven. Half the time it's the most boring radio-friendly rock, but then its got these wonderful interludes like East St. Louis Toodle-Oo. Basically, any time they're singing, it's worse, but intrumentals are solid. Bizarrely, all the most popular tracks are the worst ones (thought Night by Night is good and pretzel logic is okay). 3.5 Rounding down
*Gordon Ramsay voice* "Delicious. Finally some good fucking dad rock" (and by good, I mean four stars). The emergent-yacht rock sound of some of these songs is great. And I think its what I want from my 1970s rock, a group that doesn't take itself too seriously and is willing to have fun with their music.
this was a fun album. some of the songs were surprisingly complex, other songs I didn't even notice while they were playing.
quite good for bg, but nothing stood out, only 2 songs saved
There's a lot of competition for this title, but this is my favorite Steely Dan album. It's so tight, front to back. To me, it's always felt like the most Beatleseque album in their catalog. The songs are mostly short, catchy pop tunes that each have their own sonic flavor and style. "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is one of the most purely enjoyable pop songs Steely Dan ever wrote. It's a great opener. And the funky "Night By Night" is a fantastic, high-energy follow-up. I also love the folk-rock of "Any Major Dude Will Tell You." Later in the album, there's an instrumental jazz cover ("East St. Louis Toodle-Oo") and the blues rock of the title track. There's a lot of different styles on this album but they flow seamlessly from one to the next. This is a fun album to try to decipher the lyrics on. Other than "Rikki," which is a pretty straightforward love song, most of these songs have lines in them that make you go, "Wait, what is this about?" And for me, that's one of the fun things about Steely Dan. "Parker's Band" is about getting high and listening to Charlie Parker, "Pretzel Logic" might be about time travel but I take it be a metaphor about nostalgia, and "Monkey in Your Soul" is about... I have absolutely no idea. But that horn solo is awesome. And shoutout to the album cover, which I really want to frame and put on the wall one day.
There's an attention to detail that is perfected on Steely Dan records. I think it's part of their lasting quality- that you can put these albums on no matter the year and you can always appreciate the artistry and production. Every note feels intentional, every section is tight, and everything is really locked into a BPM. There are a few tracks on this record that I don't fully connect with, like as I listen to "Barrytown" it feels like a bunch of musicians going through the motions without much connection to the actual song. It's almost a bit too perfectly attached to a metronome grid. It's not often, but noticeable. Aside from that, this is a really spectacular rockin' album. Great mix of genres, great performances (the guitar work really hits a ton of different styles and techniques), and I feel like there's something else deeper going on here too- like I have no idea what "Pretzel Logic" even means. Great album cover. Composition wise it's great but I love the black and white and how the guy and his cart kind of blend into the nature behind him. If you squint it looks like some weird amorphous thing on one plane/layer. Also it's another great "moment in time" photo- which I've mentioned before on this list as something that I really enjoy.. like it stops me and makes me think "where is this guy now?".
I down with the Dan. Why don't people sell hot nuts and pretzels where I live. Still, I'm a man of a certain age and I've been swept up in yacht rock since those early YouTube days. And whether or not this album is on the boat, I'm all aboard for the smooth vibes. Four easy stars.
very solid. i think i prefer aja and can’t buy a thrill, but steely dan rarely disappoints.
Reminded me of my Mum's abusive boyfriend so it was a hard listen.
Much better than Coldplay
Love me some Steely Dan - this one is great, not quote their best. Few new tunes for me.
Obviously great musicians, but for me, it all comes out largely generic.
Highly killed musicians, but I can never help feeling, like with Coldplay, that if it wasn't for the voice, it's largely slightly bland and generic.
this album starts with the only steely dan song i know so i already at least kinda liked it immediately. i don't consider myself a fan of this brand of jazzy rock but it was a really fun and enjoyable listen. i may not have loved every song but i have nothing bad to say and i can imagine it was a blast to write and record. this is an easy 4 from me. album cover looks like danny devito. 4/5 where is his brother irony steve
as a Steely Dan Stan it’s really hard to not immediately give a 5 any time i see them show up in this exercise it’s just not as loaded as Can’t Buy a Thrill or Aja but it’s still a great album
THE DAN RIDES AGAIN!!! I love the Dan. Not my favorite of the Dan. Rikki don’t lose that number is a top five Dan though. When the Dan hits, it just hits. Not as strong as can’t buy a thrill but still the Dan continues to provide jams in only the way that the Dan can, bite sized morsels of incredibly tight pop jazz.
Another great Steely Dan album. Rikki don't lose that number is a fantastic song. The way the chorus develops halfway through is so good. Forgot all about this one. Night by Night is also a fun song. Very groovy. Barrytown is great once you get to the chorus. Pretzel Logic has a great blues vibe to it with great guitar. The composition in Charlie Freak is super unique with the arpeggiating piano lead. I don't know if this album is better than Can't Buy A Thrill, but these white bois certainly know how to catch a vibe. Strong 4/5
Is this better than the debut? Idk, but someone else could make that argument and they might not be wrong. I love the compact songs here - 11 songs 33 minutes that’s what I’m talking about. Favorites are Rikki Don’t lose that number, night by night, with a gun, and Charlie freak. Strong 4/5
This isn't quite where Can't Buy a Thrill was, but it's still a great album. Also my daughter loves Steely Dan and stops crying when I put them on so bonus points for that.
I like the style of music they play, like a mix of 70s easy rock and blues is a great combination. Unfortunately, it just seems to lack any real big songs, maybe just not great writing?
This is the sound of a suburban dad in socks and sandals and its fucking awesome
Never listened to this album by Steely Dan. It's so good! Instrumentally, they are one of my favorite artists. It's just produced so perfectly. An album i'll be coming back to for sure
Wow - this album is awesome. The instrumentation, the vocal performance and layering, the unique identity and sound, chord progressions... This is something I am really wanting to revisit. It gives off such a feel good vibe. I really had a hard time picking a favorite track - the opener is so killer and really sets the tone for the whole album. If I had to pick a favorite though it would be "Any Major Dude Will Tell You". The guitar riffs on that one feel almost nostalgic in a way. This is a classic - it has to be. I loved it all the way through. 5/5
Nice
It's good, a step back but i can see what they were going for. Would result in much better albums
I listened to this driving down a 2 lane road at sunset, surrounded by Joshua Trees, pink sky, orange hills. The vibes were right. Some interesting and unique arrangements. I like the country rock more than the jam band stuff.
Im not sure what to make of this. It was entirely bland. I listened twice and cant remember a single thing.
These guys suck
Music critics love Steely Dan and I'm paying the price. Rikki Don't Lose That Number is the hit off this album and maybe one of their biggest hits. Night By Night sounds like porn music. Any Major Dude Will Tell You is one of the stupidest titles of a song ever. This album may have launched easy listening as a genre. They say these guys aren't technically "yacht rock" but if that's the case I'm not sure what yacht rock is. These guys make The Eagles look like Megadeth. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo is terrible, Walter Becker and Donald Fagan are the most fart-sniffingly pretentious "rock" musicians ever. They want to travel the Southland in a traveling minstrel show? Maybe they could play East St. Louis Toodle-Oo?!? This album is short and feels like it goes on forever. Rock musicians, but particularly rock musicians I don't like, love cowboy themed music.
On paper this album has things I should love - great musicianship, varied tones and styles - but it just felt empty. There's very little emotion or feel behind any of this, it's just bland musak for yachts.
There a couple of tracks on this album that I really like, but most of it is a bit too vanilla for me. I don't think I would seek the album out again, but certainly wouldn't mind if somebody twisted my arm to give it another listen.
5.5/10 Inoffensive and not particularly exciting, but the execution is very good I suppose. Highlights Barrytown
Classique depuis 2011
Fun! Not as refined as aja
Favourite tracks: Any Major Dude Will Tell You Barrytown Parker's Band
3.5/5. Sometimes I am simply not white nor old enough.
Prior to Steely Dan, Fagan and Becker were in a band called Leather Canary. Guess who played drums in that band? Chevy Chase. I've heard that Chevy is a dick in real life... It's a shame he wasn't in this iteration of the band that put out this album. It feels like It could use a bit of the rough. WTF is this toodle-oo bullshit?
This album was a pleasure to listen to. It was easy listening and relaxing, so I’m sure I’ll revisit. I liked the instrumentation. I did have it on whilst not giving it my full attention in the car. I had a sense it was stronger in the first half but that may be because I was listening more intently then. Either way I enjoyed :)
Fine. Great cover, interesting at times, pretty unremarkable otherwise.
Now I get what yacht rock is.
I'm always down to listen to some Steely Dan. Almost all of their albums contain high quality music. This album makes me think of Fleetwood Mac and everything that's good about the soft rock from the 70s. 4 stars
Heerlijk
Ok
Really fun album full of funky/jazzy/rock tracks that as a whole are unique, but retain trademark Steely Dan sound. First half is full of feel good(ish) tunes that make for easy listening, back half is cooler and darker with creative and cryptic lyricism and storytelling. Fav track: Rikki Don’t Lose That Number
This album has elements that I'd typically like quite a bit. 70s rock with variety in sound, pretty solid songwriting, cool instrumentation, cool guitar tones in certain songs, and some jammy elements, but I just really couldn't get into it. I've never been against Steely Dan, but I just haven't really been able to connect with it.
This was fun. Cool fusions of sounds. Jazz, psych, soul, rock. I enjoyed this!
Enjoyed it. Apparently was their third album that started their studio perfectionism. Didn’t perform publicly after this album for decades. Overall kind of saying they’re done with the past and they want to move forward on their own terms.
Don't lose that number ... ganz nett sonst