Reviews (page 9 of 14)
It's a pretty solid showing from Steely Dan. However, I just don't like Steely Dan's sound that much. They're fine, but they're not my favourite, and I don't think they will ever be (but I'm always willing to change).
I honestly got so distracted by how good this album is that I forgot to finish it
Mostly dad/yacht rock and easy listening, but there were a couple of songs where it seemed like they were playing with sound in a fun and interesting way. "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" is kinda a bop. And "Charlie Freak" was unexpectedly fun.
better than aja but still not my vibe
cat stevens esque
I was expecting more tbh but it was still fine
Just fine. A few songs stood out to me like Rikki Don't Lose That Number and Night by Night. But the rest kinda fell flat.
Not what I was expecting pretty good.
Rikki don't lose that number - 2/5 Night by night - 2.8/5 Any major dude will tell you - 1/5 Barrytown - 1/5 East St. Louis toodle-oo - 3.2/5 Parker's band - 1.5/5 Through with buzz - 1/5 Pretzel logic - 1.8/5 With a gun - 1.8/5 Charlie freak - 1.8/5 Monkey in your soul - 1/5 1.7/5 Dad rock (Not my thing?) Dire Straits are better, sorry not sorry.
Only liked a couple on this steely Dan album.
Steely
I suppose this is nicely crafted AOR, but for that reason I found the album really unengaging. I can't relate at all to mid-70s AOR albums. Dull stuff to my ears.
For every song I really liked, I felt like there were 2 or 3 that didn't do it for me.
I really enjoyed this album also. Aside from Ricky don’t lose that number, i knew none of the rest of the music. It was a far better album than I was expecting.
It's just so dull. There was one great song at the end of the album that surprised me, but then I saw that Spotify had moved on to something else and it wasn't Steely Dan anymore
bit of a mixed bag for me this one bridges the gap between can't buy a thrill and the royal scam/aja nicely overall it's probably my 2nd least favourite dan album ahead of two against nature but when it's good it's really fuckin good best song: any major dude will tell you worst song: east st louis toodle-oo
An enjoyable jaunt this, you could almost call this one of the presagers of yacht rock, if you were pretentious enough to use the word 'presagers'
Another one that sounds like childhood and summer road trips. Nice mix of rock and blues with a dash of jazz.
Almost perfect pop-rock album with a little sprinkle of progressiveness.
Usually love Steely Dan but this one is kinda like a lead up album where the foundation of the artist is still being made. Aja is still the best album I’ve heard from them so far but I love their melodies so much. 8/10
Pretty good
Didn't like it nor hate it
A bit less jazzy than some other Steely Dan albums, but I like it. It has a more rock feel to it. I’d give it a mid four.
Loved!
Steely Dan is an artist I’d heard of but never listened to before this challenge. 3 albums down, I think I’m starting to get it. Music that sounds like it belongs in TV theme tunes. Technically very good music, but all very sanitised and safe, while the lyrics make little or no sense most of the time. I don’t hate it.
Great listen.
Not bad
Generated Countdown to Ecstasy two years ago, I have been on a major Steely Dan kick ever since. I prefer the first three albums just because I love Skunk Baxter's guitar playing but the following albums are great as well. I love the disparity between the somewhat easy listening jazzy music paired with the dark lyrics, I don't why but I like it when things aren't what you imagine they should be. With music like this, shouldn't they be talking about love and dancing? Nope, we are gonna talk about a guy selling his only possession of any value just to get another hit and it kills him. Wonderful playing by everyone involved and the two leader's vision coupled with their perfectionism results in timeless and great songs. Check out all of their albums and read the lyrics.
I like it, reminds me of The Mamas and The Papas, it's rock, it's fun, it's 70's vibes. Good background music. I'd hear more of them.
I thought it would be better.
Some big hits, but the rest? Ehh… inoffensive and easily forgettable background.
This sucks so hard. It's soulless trash Rick for people who think they like music.
Already knew and liked the album. Now I like it even more
I think this is the 4th Steely Dan album that I've generated. I get it, virtuoso musicians weaving pop and jazz into the most well executed yacht rock around.
better than the other one tbh
Easy listening. I've heard these songs before, and I've heard of Steely Dan, but I never knew to put the two together.
5 out of 5. Any major dude will tell you this album is great.
Worse than I could imagine
Definitely a band I grew up with, but not an album I knew as much as others. I think if their jazz/funk/rock or funk/rock/jazz sound is not your thing, then they are not a band that are worth pursuing. But I think they are just so consistently good. Love his voice and lyrics. Amazing performances all round and the arrangements are always interesting Having revisited it today, I don’t think it quite stands up to some of their other albums, but I loved it nonetheless. Highs: ‘Rikki’ is up there with my favourite Steely Dan songs and a great opener. The title track is glorious. Donald Fagen at his very best Lows: Not sure about the instrumental ‘East Street Toodle’ song.
I quite enjoyed this. I’ve always thought of Steely Dan as very serious musicians so I like that this is more playful and fun than I’d expected. “With a Gun” is my stand out track. I did enjoy “Aja” more and felt was the more immersive and consistent album. Although clearly incredibly accomplished musicians with a deep understanding of structure and form I still find that their songs are often missing a really strong melodic hook.
Not for me
Not a patch in Aja/Asia.
Had taken a break from listening to these but I'm back! And this album was a reminder for why I took a break.
Rikki don’t lose that numbah 💯 This passes the great-grandpa-enjoys-my-rock-album test, and I’m not mad about it
A bit boring
I like the music of Steely Dan. I like the singer's vocal timbre, I like the presence of vocal harmonies, I like the spotlight on the rhythm guitar, I like the simple background rhythms, I like the guitar sound they've chosen, and the mixing itself. Everything comes through pretty clearly.
Genre-bending jams; smooth, clean, and jazzy; almost big band vibes but with ripping guitar solos. Tight band.
Good album, will probably listen to it again
P good
Maybe one good song. The 70s sound isn’t my thing.
met Steely Dan is het altijd fun (en ik bedoel de groep, niet waar ze hun naam vandaan haalden).
Enjoyed this, 3.5
there was nothing too outstanding about this. Pretty standard rock album with nothing that caught my attention. Was it terrible? No, would i listen again, No
Ever been to a fancy burrito place that prides itself on super high quality "artisan" ingredients? They carefully craft each part of the burrito with their own special recipe, but then when they put it all together, something is missing from the completed package? That's kinda how I feel about Steely Dan. I enjoy listening closely to Steely Dan because there are so many layers of quality. Yet, when you pull it back and listen to the whole, I never find myself really loving any Steely Dan songs.
One of my top 5 albums of all time.
One of the best jazz rock albums ever and one of my favourite Steely Dan albums. Standouts: Any Major Dude Will Tell You, Monkey In Your Soul, Night By Night and Rikki Don't Lose That Number.
Steely Dan's ability to seamlessly blend rock with jazz and funk is unrivaled. Their music somehow manages to sound so 70s, yet so timeless at the same time.
Mostly bland and dull, occasionally mildly irritating.
I like Steely Dan I’ve discovered, but the number of their albums on this list is absurd.
I wouldn't listen it again :-/
Really enjoyed the offerings on Pretzel Logic. Some classics as well as great songs that had limited airplay. Can't go wrong with Steely Dan.
it's so corny! while it has its merits, I just can't really get into it
Perfectly competent and even interesting at times. Not sure if my life is that much more complete after listening through. Might be worth a revisit.
I can see the appeal, but not for me.
I'm a sucker for this type of layered, harmonicas complex music in short snippets. Really enjoyed it.
Steely Dan caught my attention recently when i realised what a banging track "dirty work" is. I can't say this album thrilled me as much of that. Maybe I should have paid more attention but it seemed pretty unremarkable.
very unexpected to like this album rock and roll yet with a twist of jazz favourite song Night by Night a good start to the 1001 album generator
One way to know without really paying attention to whether you like an album or not is to think it was super short. I was "surprised" when this album "suddenly" ended and looked to see if something was off, but no, it just went by smoothly and it was just easy to listen to. I knew a couple of the songs as they are well known and quite good anyhow, and the rest sort of floated by seamlessly. I am not even a big fan of the soft rock classic rock genre I would place this in, but it is, as I said, easy to listen to and easy to like.
steely stans RISE!!!!! my dad played (and still plays) a ton of steely dan (actually plays it, like in a band lol) so i was primed to love this. stop fighting and let the dad rock into your heart.
Not the best Steely Dan album, but it does have a couple of their best loved songs and there is enough from the deep cuts to keep me listening without reaching for the skip button
This was pretty good. There was a lot that I didn’t enjoy. But there is also such a clear influence on other artists at the time. And you can see how easily this fits in the pantheon of popular music. There’s no doubt this belongs on this list. I don’t need to love it to respect it.
Such a multi-layered album! Love the jazz elements. No skips. *Favoroties: Rikki Don't Lose that Number Night by Night Barrytown East St. Louis Toodle-Oo Through with Buzz Pretzel Logic
My Favourite Album ever
First song. Fuck am I going to have to like Steely Dan? (Turns out no, but can tolerate it)
pretty good
Steely dan es placer Su disco mas beatle?
Es un 9 porque hay un par de Steely que me gustan aun mas, pero redondeo para arriba. Barrytown es igual a Tell me What You See de los Beatles
I don’t understand the appeal of Steely Dan. Their music feels so sterile to me. There’s nothing really bad about it, it’s just boring and lifeless.
pretty good, not the biggest steely dan fan, but they do put out some good music.
This is #day81 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it's already the third album by Steeley Dan that I've got. Unfortunately, this one's my least favorite among the three. It's way too "dad rock" if you know what I mean. And I know, when reviewing Aja, I said I might be turning into a dad for liking it. But that album was different. Pretzel Logic offers nothing too offensive, but nothing too extraordinary to be willing to revisit it in the future either. It's a 2 out of 5 this time. Looking forward to #day82.
J'ai vu cet album comme un hommage et une réinterprétation rock de styles blues-jazz. S'écoute bien, mais je ne suis pas outillée pour voir l'originalité ou la virtuosité du groupe.
A decent 70s record with “Dad Rock” vibes. Favorite track: Night By Night
****a good album, great variety, easy listening
Good one
Steely Dan incorporates more Jazz and shows off some great songwriting on Pretzel Logic, but it doesn’t live up to Can’t Buy a Thrill for me personally.
A bit MOR for me but I gave it a few listens and it was quite nice to listen to. Not sure I’ll be adding it to my collection but I may revisit it on my streaming service
Favourite track: Rikki Don't Lose That Number.
Very catchy, easy listening
A classic - Amazing musicianship
Day 54 - Oct 21, 2024 Mother of a proud Steely Dan dick rider!!!!!!!!!!!! 5/5
Cualquier disco de Steely Dan es una obra perfectamente compuesta y ejecutada. Su influencia en los 70 marcó a grupos tan importantes como Supertramp que ese mismo 74 publicaron Crime of the century, el disco que les condujo al camino del estrellato, marcado por los parámetros de Fagen y Becker. Igualmente bandas tan impresionantes como Tears for Fears o Prefab Sprout presentan una huella de Steely Dan, por no hablar de Deacon Blue que se pusieron ese nombre a partir de un tema suyo. Son una banda para oídos exigentes. A mi particularmente no terminan de gustarme, prefiero a los antes mencionados, pero eso no quita su valor. Pretzel Logic es junto con su debut el disco mas disfrutable. Lleno se canciones AOR en el buen sentido y con una gran variedad de matices y estilos pero siempre con la calidad marca de la casa. Rikki es su tema más conocido pero la titular es otra joya. El grupo suena fenomenal con buenos teclados y metales. La producción exquisita. Otros discos de 1974: Brian Eno, Neil Young, Stevie Wonder, Gram Parsons, Kraftwerk, Gene Clark, Supertramp, Genesis, Bob Marley, Big Star, Neil Young, Tangerine Dream o los imprescindibes directos de Van Morrison y Bob Dylan. También los de New York Dolls, Tom Waits, Mike Oldfield, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steely Dan, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Minnie Riperton, Brian Eno, Roxy Music, ELO y King Crimson
Pretzel Logic Rikki Don’t Lose That Number kicks things off with a classic SD pop song, the piano riff, the jazzy acoustic underneath, the rippling jazz inflected piano in the verses before ceding to a great soft rock chorus with interesting melodic lines - like a lot of their great songs it just feels right, meticulously constructed, crafted and considered. There are 70s cop show theme vibes to Night by Night with the chugging guitar, but it's better than that, again their sense of easy melody elevating it and the acerbic lyric taking it to a different space. Any Major Dude Will Tell You is a lovely track, the unhurried melody and beautifully soft arrangement giving it charm and poignancy. A clear SD classic. Barrytown shares some similarities in the verses with Tell Me What You See, but its a great track, rolling along with the piano line with a great middle eight. Apparently it’s a backhanded compliment to Dylan, but I don’t quite get that. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo feels like a vague misstep, as if they wanted to highlight their already clear jazz influence. It’s not necessarily terrible, but if it wasn’t on the album you wouldn’t miss it. Jim Gordon’s drumming is excellent on Parker’s Band and that repeating hook is great, giving a sense of release, echoing the joy found in Charlie Parker’s music in the lyrics. I like the switch to a more orchestral arrangement on Through with Buzz, you can hear bits of Eleanor Rigby, but filtered through their hands it gives it its own unique feel, and at 90 seconds long it doesn’t outstay its welcome. Along with Rikki and Any Major Dude, Pretzel Logic is the other ‘big’ song on here. Again one of those songs where every decision feels right, from arrangement to instrumentation, feeling like a classic from the first time you hear it. The horns giving a bit of rhythmic propulsion are great. Love the country-jazz guitar on With a Gun, and there are some great harmonics on the transitions between the verses and the refrain. That piano line in Charlie Freak moving around the vocal line is lovely, catching the ear, but not distracting from the song's structure. Monkey in your Soul is great in how it pulls the rug from under you, as from the opening notes you might feel like it would be a standard blues rock song, but its stabbing rhythm and electric piano gives it an unexpected quirkiness. Great track. The 34 minutes breeze by and if you’d told me 10 years ago I’d be handing out 5 stars willy-nilly for Steely Dan albums and all the associated jazziness of them I would have looked ASKANCE, but here we are. As much as I love Can’t Buy A Thrill, I think this is a step above, the arrangements tightened and the craftsthemship dialled up, and it sounds great, that 70s analogue warmth to the production. It can only be a 5. 🥨🥨🥨🥨🥨 Playlist submission: Any Major Dude Will Tell You
Ja, lässt sich hören.
not my thang
Steely Dan just doesn't really do it for me. Nothing here that I hate but nothing I love either- very middle of the road. The guitar/drums are nice but I can't get into the vocals. 5.25/10 (2.625/5)
I got a noogie from an older kid when I was in 3rd grade for saying Steely Dan sucks, that was my intro to the band. They weren't KISS or Earth Wind & Fire or the BeeGee's so in my young mind they weren't worthy. Today, I know their greatest hits and all the radio songs really well from all the airplay and movies they were in. They grew on me over time. I consider the opening track, "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", to be a true classic rock radio track. The songs after that are mostly new to me. I had heard "Night By Night"I believe, and "Any Major Dude..." felt oddly familiar. It's a very accessible album with mix of rock, mellow,ness horns, jazz and pop. I didn't feel compelled to skip tracks. I can't say it would make my Top 1001 but I enjoyed listening to it and understanding where their popularity came from.
Eh not bad.
Sorry to the Deely Stans in here but I have yet to be completely moved by them.. but I think it can be done! I thought this was good but just didn’t click for me entirely. Awesome cover though
I also thought this was Steely Dan's weakest album but man did I have an incredible time listening to this. Guess it's time for another complete discography listen!
Of course as everyone knows this is my fav band... but pretzel logic is sadly their weakest album! there is some low points, and I hate to admit it ! I love steely dan!!!!
Nice vocals
Couple of classics. Not their best.
Really enjoyed this! Not so many standout singles as Can't buy a thrill, but I'm also more familiar with that album. Generally a very pleasant listen, I really like Steely Dan! 4.5
The writing is good, the music outstanding, the vocals excellent. Lots of good songs on here.
Smooth jazz pop. Truly the best of the Steely Dan albums. I enjoyed the hit single, the bossa nova inspired "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" the most, but there is certainly some quality arrangements and performances on this album. I think some, if not most, will think of this as just pleasant background music unfortunately.
Prefer some of Dan's other work, but nothing wrong with this one.
I think this might be my favorite Steely Dan so far but need to do a deep dive. Really fun and like that they tried to trim the length of the songs down. Rating: 4.4
Tight horns. Cool harmonies
Quite enjoyable
There are a few good Steely Dan tracks out there. They are not on this album. This sounds like college boys with cable knit sweaters draped over their shoulders.
2.5-3/5
This was cheesy af... guess I had to be there but bruh...
I have never ate pretzel that I would rate 5/5. I think that all of them were 4/5. Exactly like with Steely Dan's albums.
Blues-funk-jazz vibes. Très chouette, bonne énergie, donne un coup de boost quand je suis fatigué. J'ai malheureusement pas eu le temps de le finir. Mais sinon c'était sympa.
not for me i think
This is a brilliant album, I find myself recognising several of these tunes from the Jim Carrey movie, Me, Myself and Irene. It's a short, impactful listen and one I will come back to over and over again.
- Well...I liked this more than Aja, but less than Countdown to Ecstasy. I have heard a lot of Steely Dan recently. - Found "Barrytown" to be a fun groove. And there was some interesting guitar in "Charlie Freak." - Get out of here with "East St. Louis Toodle-oo"...pick a lane! Are we old timey jazz or something modern?
Surprisingly cool little rock band. Nothing that special, but was a fun listen and something new to discover.
Gear: Abyss DIANA MR (vegan) Artwork: 🥨😎🌡️ Produktion: 🎧😘🤌 Musik: 🎸🎷💎...🤷♂️ Wertung: 🥨🥨🥨/5
i don’t CARE!!!!!! i just don’t give a CRAP about this stupid ass easy listening music. obviously it’s not bad but it’s just so boringgggg and cheesy my god. the guy’s voice is so fuckin goofy. whatever. grocery store/dentist’s office music.
I didn't listen to the whole album but I listened to most and feel like I got the gist of it. It's easy listening and peasant enough but not super interesting to me.
4/5
None of the songs stood out to be but a nice album overall
Could be worse.. But could also be a whole lot better
First song is great, the album peters out after that.
Not bad
This was my introduction to Steely Dan - a memorable album, but memorable only because I discovered them through here. I’ll give it another listen but I doubt that it will change my mind regarding the scoring.
Great, I liked this
Pretty good not my favorite steely dan
Not a fan of the Dan
Honestly, a little underwhelmed by this album overall. With Steely Dan songs I'm more familiar with, what sets them apart is their long, intricate solos and musicianship as opposed to the songwriting itself. Seeing as this record only had a 33 minute runtime, none of the songs had time to really breath, let alone go on to showcase the instrumental skills that Steely Dan are known for in my eyes. Still a terrific band, but this record didn't have a lot to write home about for me. Notable Tracks: - Rikki Don't Lose That Number 5/10
Good listen.
Rikki Don‘t Loose That Number - schon in der Kindheit gehört. Mir gefällt es als solide Hintergrundmusik mit viel Gitarre und einem Touch Jazz/Funk darin.
Bekannt für Eröffnunssong, kannte aber Band nicht. Solide Platte mit hörenswerten Lieder.
"Pretzel Logic" is a great little album, distilled down to a couple hits, and a lot of great tracks. However, it's not my favorite by them, and it sometimes feels cheap at how much they tried to just write an album of hits. Overall, I still really like it, and "Rikki Don't Lose that Number" is a classic.
I really liked the opening song, but I wasn't a huge fan of a lot of the album. I think it just isn't my type of music.
The number of times I’ve heard someone (usually either someone my dad’s age or a stoner friend) dump heaps of praise on Steely Dan is a number high enough that I can’t count it. Same with the number of times I’ve heard “Reelin’ in the Years” on classic rock radio. So I was relieved to know that song wasn’t here. I would say, however, that they did live up to the hype. Just such a tight band. Amazing blues rock here, funk-influenced stuff there, and the ability to switch between those genres and more mid song. Truly brilliant stuff. Throw the vocal harmonies on top of all that and you have a great time. They do at times inch a little too close to being corny or sounding dated. But it never quite gets there and honestly, even if they did I wouldn’t care. The horns, the grooves, and the vibes are more than enough. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Night by Night, Parker’s Band, Pretzel Logic, With a Gun
Kinda funky jam tunes. Pretty boomer-y but not bad.
High 3+. Solid album.
Andrew Hickey (A History of Rock in 500 Songs) has this theory about songs that fade out as opposed to songs that end on the beat, as it were. The latter are favoured, he claims, by bands who intend to go out on the road with their music - fading out is an artifact of the studio, and clearly won’t work on a stage. The Beatles, for example (he says) favoured the abrupt halt until ‘66, when they stopped touring. This got me wondering how music may be changing today. We already know that songs are getting shorter, and tend to leap straight in, in media res, so to speak - both the consequence of streaming dynamic. Streaming, also, has eviscerated the recorded music industry (not, as was the case of every major change in the industry before then, where the money was redistributed but remained in the game - streaming is taking money out of the industry and putting not very much back in); touring hard and heavy (as opposed to Live Nation spectaculars) and live performances are increasingly the bread and butter of the recording artist. I wonder how this reality is shaping their output? Anyway. Pretzel Logic is supposed to be the halfway point between the gigging Steely Dan and the studio perfectionists Steely Dan. And, unsurprisingly, it’s neither fish nor flesh. Ricky… and Any Major Dude… are AOR classics. The rest of the album is…not fully formed ideas, I guess. A bit over thought through, and not to good effect.
Fire, left it playing all day 4.5 rounded up
Generic meh
I'll have to come back to this one because it's the second Steely Dan album I got in a row. Maybe I'm just Steely Danned out, but this one seemed to blend with the first I listened to, although the first one was better in my opinion. No specific notes on the songs themselves because I listened at work, but it was good enough to have me bobbing while working. Pretty meh though. Will update when I get around to listening to it again
Steely Dan is revolutionary.
Hi Danielle! I'm watching you.... Steely Dan is always shockingly relaxed and happy compared to what I expected. Steel... Led... Led Zeppelin... Hard Rock!.... nope... it's closer to Sunday vibes. And then East St Louis... old timey tune?!? -yeah I really liked east St. Louis and Parker’s band. Feel like it’s super varied. Started off a bit slow but like the latter half more than the beginning. Which is funny because I’ve only heard the first track from this album
First album I listened to on 9/25/2024.
I like Steely Dan but I'd probably only listen to a few of the songs on this album.
Love a few songs from this album, already had it saved. Don't know if I would listen to the whole album on repeat
Solid album. Not really my style
Before this I hadn't given Steely Dan much of a chance. The few songs I had heard didn't strike me. This album did. It was funky and smooth and mellow. It was short but high quality and takes all that good 60s guitar stuff and incorporates it with better recording quality, and nice clear songwriting. Between a 4 and 5 for me, I guess how it compares with the other Steely Dan albums will determine what it should have been.
Backyard summer beer drinkin music. Not as good of a record as Can't Buy a Thrill, but it's still very much a Steely Dan album and that's good enough for me. All the hallmarks of that jazz/rock style they're famous for are there: the odd key changes, the technical keyboard, guitar, and bass parts, the offbeat instrument thrown in here and there. Highlights are "Night By Night", "Any Major Dude Will Tell You" (what a ridiculous and great title, btw), "Monkey In Your Soul", and "Pretzel Logic". I could very much do without "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" which sounds exactly what you think it sounds like. For a weirdish band, this is a remarkably short album. I think that works in their favor though; the album as a whole isn't nearly as complex or put together as Aja or the aforementioned Can't Buy A Thrill and it's good that they didn't try to stretch out anything to make a long record for no reason. I wish I could make this a 3.5, but I'll round up because I like them.
I've never been happier to see an album is only 33 minutes long. Ended up not hating it. Poppy and upbeat. Not like the Steely Dan my dad listened to.
cool vibes ong
Monkey song, 10/10
Classic
very fun
Enjoyed this, something different to my usual fare!
Hadn't heard anything from this album other than Rikki Don't Lose That Number. Steely Dan is one of those bands where I'm content with the hits and don't feel a need to explore their deep cuts.
First couple tracks were bangers! Then it kind of fell off for me personally.
Ok Steely.. I dig it.
I expected boring classic rock, I got really enjoyable and interesting classic rock. Cool.
Very undecided on this one.
another masterpiece from the kings of yacht rock. highlights: “rikki don’t lose that number” “night by night” “pretzel logic” “with a gun”
Not as memorable as Aja or Can’t Buy a Thrill.
everyithing in its right place
# 324 : They've done a pretty decent job, good album, I like the hits of course, I wouldn't spend my hard earned money on this, but I'd listen to someone else's copy again ;-) Favourite track : Rikki...
- .... the kids just don't understand. -
Although there are a couple filler songs -overall I think this is an excellent album blending jazz and light rock with exceptional musicianship.
Shorter, and funkier, than I expected.
I’m preemptively giving this album a 2 without listening to it knowing full and well that the last Steely Dan album I listen to was a major letdown and a waste of my time.
Too sterile.
When this popped up my reaction was “I know the name Steely Dan, but I don’t think I know any of their material”. Then ‘Rikki Don’t Lose That Number’ opened the album and I immediately knew it from the odd radio play here and there. ‘Pretzel Logic’ has every element of it that would scream “yeah, that’s up your alley”. However, I found this to be a bit underwhelming. As if the half hour just zipped on by followed by my immediate “well that’s that then” reaction. This is essentially jazz fused with rock and blues and at no point could you say any of it is particularly bad. But nothing here is lighting my musical tastes on fire. The musicianship is efficient, the vocals are fine, and the production is clean and slick. It's just that if there was ever an album that could join the pool of standard sounding dad rock from the otherwise golden age of the 70's that hasn't aged particularly well: 'Pretzel Logic' would be it. This is one of those LP's where I can appreciate it for its elements, as I didn't dislike the album. But I simply wouldn't be seeking this out when there's a plethora of similar artists who made far more interesting music. So it rounds up into the appreciative 3/5 category for me. Good, but ultimately forgettable.
82% Best: Rikki Don't Lose That Number; Night By Night; Pretzel Logic Must-Hear? Sure
I think I like this. And I’m sort of surprised. I’ve never really investigated Steely Dan. The name just suggested MOR rock bullshit to me. But actually listening to it, there’s lots here I like - the electric piano to start with brought me on board. I saw it described as “Jazz Rock” on Wikipedia and that sounds like exactly the sort of thing I would like. It’s musically interesting without being disgustingly cheesy a la ELO. It seems to have a bit of side to it. I listened to it twice and will come back for more!
Need to revisit…. Unsure of….
i love me some classic yacht rock to ease the mind, and steely dan is a good example of that! groovy and relaxing rock music with moderate funk and jazz influence, with lyrics that are sometimes simple and emotional, sometimes batshit and surreal. it all blends together nicely throughout, consistently upbeat and engaging; tracks are progressive and complex but not too strange, making it perfect for the casual and the hardcore rock listener. the strums of the guitars paired with the lush rhodes electric piano create this... wonderful, wonderful album.
Rating: 7/10 Very good, they have better albums though.
Solid record, with impossibly close harmonies and typically impeccable recording of Steely Dan's output. Overall, doesn't quite meet the scale of it's own ambitions, which seem to be to combine all popular American music forms (and a little English folk music) into a cohesive whole. The record is predictably strongest on tracks where Fagen and Becker are in their most comfortable milieu of jazz-pop synthesis. 'Ricky' is one of my least favorite of their more popular songs, but it and the album's namesake track due have more confidence than the groups forays into other genres.
Never gets old. Love it.
Great vibe. Talented guys
I tried to resist but it got me
Steely Dan at their finest. Wonderful jazz rock classics 50 years later.
Elismerem, de nem nekem szól.
I like.
I liked it, but have to admit, it hasn't dated brilliantly. Some wonderful guitar playing, piano, keyboards, trumpet, etc. But the start of track two sounded like the start of CHiPs.
It's amazing how many songs I've known forever and had no idea were by Steely Dan. I guess Rikki Don't Lose That Number is another one. This album was very strange. I thought it was going to be more yacht rock, but I was mistaken (kind of). It starts off that way, and then it kind of meanders everywhere. It's a weird mix of blues, jazz, show tunes, country-western, and whatever the hell else they felt like doing. Night by Night is a great song — goes much harder than I was expecting, with a super funky bass line and crazy guitar solos. The guitar riff on Any Major Dude is pretty sweet too. Parker's Band is a fun jam. I have no idea what's going on with most of the rest of the album. There's a bizarre foray into burlesque music on East St. Louis Toodle-oo. With a Gun is like a mix of Billy Joel, The Who, The Monkees, and Johnny Cash. Charlie Freak could be a Regina Spektor song. The musicianship on this album is ridiculous. There are tons of amazing bluesy guitar solos, fun sax riffs, and good drum and bass grooves. But it's so all over the place, and there's always a weird undercurrent of yacht/dad/lounge rock to everything. 3/5 — I guess I didn't hate it, but there aren't many songs I'd put on repeat.
Decent made it halfway.
always a fan of steely dan
It's fine. Very good in parts. It's very white.
again? goddamnit. this motherfucker on the cover selling pretzels has more grit in his pinky toe than these herbs have in their entire discography.
It’s all great music, but I just don’t love Steely Dan. I don’t know, I can listen to it all day but non of these songs stand out as hits. Maybe I’m not a big fan of Donald Fagen’s voice? Whatever it is, it has to stay a four I’m afraid.
The album was better then expected. First I was very skeptical but “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” is a very good song. Some songs were not as good as others but overall it wasn’t the best thing I heard but also not the worst and it’s something I would enjoy listening to again, especially the song mentioned above. I also noticed that I was a big fan of their instruments in each song, whereas the singing is kind of mid and nothing breathtaking.
Definitely was not my cup of tea
I had never heard of Steely Dan before this and had no idea what to expect. Based on the Wikipedia article for the album and some of the reviews here, I was expecting total generic dad rock, but I surprisingly liked this album! Compared to "Music From Big Pink" by The Band, which was the only other "dad rock" album I've encountered so far on this list, I feel that "Pretzel Logic" is a lot more interesting. The recording and production of the album sounds great, and I loved the jazz, soul, and country infusions, which elevates it beyond just pure "rock", which I tend to dislike. I thought that the opening track was the most boring on the album and was entirely prepared to dislike the album based on that, but it vastly improved from there. The cover of "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" was such an excellent surprise - I loved how playful it was and it was the clear highlight of the album for me.
4/5
Nicole vond t 1 ster. Ik vind een aantal nummers wel leuk
The song writing is very high quality at times, but the album is ultimately by the mundanity of 1/2 or more of the songs. Absent any noticeable passion, the well-constructed nature of the music is such that it begs you to listen carefully, which for me at least lacks the payoff in the songs themselves.
4/5 classic
Not my favorite by them by a long mile, but solid enough.
I liked this one, the vocals felt older and the instrumentals felt fresh. I remember reading not too long ago that Chevy Chase was in Steely Dan. Opening track was nice. High 4.
Really fucking good
8/10 - Got to say Steely and Dan worked really well together on this one. Rikki don't lose that number is the only song from this album that I had heard before but I liked Night by Night, Pretzel Logic and Charlie Freak alongside it.
Sorry Jojah. Steely Dan is boring. I’ll give this a 3 for production and a few good tracks towards the start
Amo Steely Dan! Aquela pegada meio yacht rock, um som pop mas muito experimental junto. Uma sonoridade bem singular. Já é um bom começo hahahahahaha
Generic classic-rock.
Había escuchado un par de canciones de Steely Dan y me parecían padres, pero no me esperaba este discazo. 33 minutos de pura onda.
When it comes to the Steely Dan classics, Aja is my favorite with Pretzel Logic and The Royal Scam right behind it. I feel like Aja is their Dark side Of The Moon given its high production value and beautiful mix. I’ve always loved the idea of the band being basically two individuals with many extremely talented musicians at their disposal. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are notoriously known for being demanding of the musicians. Having multiple musicians audition each part until the pair were happy with the result, it’s madness but it really did yield some amazing songs. A fun game to play is “can you hear Michael McDonald’s distinct voice in the backing vocals?” A friend and I used to cover “Ricky Don’t Lose That Number” and I gained so much appreciation for the craft that went into the complex chord structures and leads. I have always been impressed with how they wrote such quirky and complex lyrics that were also so catchy. Overall, Steely Dan wasn’t in the business of making mediocre albums, they’re all top notch and Pretzel Logic is no exception, any major dude with tell you.
Outstanding yacht rock album. I didn't have time to write down any notes, but I did enjoy the hits and non-hits on here. I'll throw a 4 on it.
I'm mostly only familiar with the "Can't Buy a Thrill" album from them. There have been a few times over the years I have enjoyed a song on the radio and wondered who it was only for it to end up being Steely Dan, so even though I'm mostly unfamiliar with them, I have liked what I've heard, and this album continued that.
So I have never sat through a Steely Dan album before. In fact today was the first day I'd asked myself whether Steely Dan was one guy or an actual band. I really dug the sound on this. It sort of gave me soft rock 70s era Billy Joel vibes. I liked all the genre shifting and how creative they were with the some of the backing instrument arrangements. Some of the choruses are really big, with multi layer harmonies. Within 10 seconds of the song Night by Night I had to add it to my 'Liked' list on Spotify. It absolutely jams. It's probably my favorite on this album. Going to have to check out more of Steely Dan for sure.
Easy to listen to classic rock. I thought the two best songs were the first and last with the middle being okay. It's probably a 3.5 for me if we could give half stars
Not really my thing. Didn’t make it past the end of track two.
I know I’ve heard music by Steely Dan before that I enjoyed more. This didn’t feel like their most interesting to me.
I never seen you looking so bad my funky one You tell me that your superfine mind has come undone Any major dude with half a heart surely will tell you my friend Any minor world that breaks apart falls together again When the demon is at your door In the morning it won't be there no more Any major dude will tell you This is unironically a great album. 4/5
A little too jazzy for my taste but still wildly unique and interesting.
Another slice of fairly mediocre American forgettable rock. It’s just about ok and that’s it
This is a Steely Dan album that I don't know as well as some others - Can't Buy A Thrill and Aja for instance - but I still really enjoyed it. They're so chirpy, but also just on the right side of weird, and technically they're tremendous. An album that both hangs together well and allows for some standalone big numbers is always an impressive feat.
steely dan
I never listened to a Steely Dan album before. It was much better than I expected.
Such great lyrics
An ongoing debate with myself is which band has the most perfect catalogue in music. Minimum five albums. Talking Heads were in there, but True Stories I feel increasingly is a real step down. The Pixies first five are a contender. So, if like the Pixies we are just going on first runs and regarding comebacks after a long layoff as inadmissable, the Dan are up there with the Pixies and Roxy Music. This, like all 7 - 7! - from their first run, is pretty flawless.
Liked it, will definitely have another listen. Steely D has been a nice surprise from doing this
Big Dan fan, but this isn't their best effort...though there are some classic tracks on the record for sure.
Decent enough, but the first track is the only memorable one.
Wasn't expecting to get my first 5/5 album so soon but wowee! I think I listened to this about 3 or 4 times within 24 hours because I loved it that much. Shout outs to Any Major Dude Will Tell You because I wanna slow dance in the kitchen whilst making pancakes on a Sunday morning with this song in the background, as well as East St. Louis Toodle-Oo for reminding me why I love jazz so much. What I loved most about the album I think is that to me it felt like the album was split into two. I just got two different vibes between the first half and the second half which I thought was super cool.
Good album, Saved 4 of the songs and would save more upon relisten.
Sounds like forgetting that you're not from the city you're staying in but knowing you'll never actually be from there. Pretty good overall. Had some pretty boring track but the good ones are really good Best Tracks: Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Any Major Dude Will Tell You, East St. Louis Toodle-Oo, Pretzel Logic, With A Gun, Charlie Freak, Monkey in Your Soul Light 7 to a Strong 7
Very good
I do not need to listen to any more Steely Dan
Felt like a worse version of the beatles
Uneventful
That was good.
**In-depth Review of "Pretzel Logic" by Steely Dan** Released in 1974, "Pretzel Logic" is Steely Dan's third studio album and often considered a high point in their discography. The album, characterized by its blend of rock, jazz, blues, and pop, showcases the unique songwriting duo of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. Known for their meticulous approach to music production and their distinctive lyrical style, "Pretzel Logic" stands as a testament to Steely Dan's ability to craft complex, genre-defying music with a cerebral edge. ### **Lyrics** The lyrics on "Pretzel Logic" are layered with ambiguity, irony, and wit, making them one of the album’s most distinctive elements. Fagen and Becker's lyrics are often cryptic, filled with cultural references, wordplay, and a sense of disillusionment with contemporary society. - **“Rikki Don't Lose That Number”**: The album’s opening track and biggest hit, features seemingly straightforward lyrics about giving someone a number to call, but the underlying meaning is open to interpretation. Some suggest it’s a lost love or a nostalgic call to the past, while others see it as a commentary on fleeting connections in the modern world. - **“Pretzel Logic”**: The title track explores themes of time, memory, and existential confusion. The lyrics reference nostalgia for an earlier era ("I stepped up on the platform / The man gave me the news") and feature a longing for simpler times contrasted with the complexities of modern life. - **“Any Major Dude Will Tell You”**: This song combines a sense of hope with Steely Dan's trademark cynicism. It can be read as a pep talk from someone jaded but sincere, with lines like "Any minor world that breaks apart falls together again," offering comfort while subtly acknowledging life's inherent instability. - **“Barrytown”**: A satirical take on provincial attitudes, "Barrytown" mocks narrow-mindedness in both a humorous and pointed manner, reflecting Fagen and Becker’s distaste for conformity and prejudice. The lyrics throughout "Pretzel Logic" demonstrate Steely Dan's ability to intertwine personal experience with broader social critique, maintaining a balance between introspection and observation. ### **Music** Musically, "Pretzel Logic" is a melting pot of different styles. The album is characterized by its sophisticated chord changes, intricate melodies, and tight musicianship. The sound is heavily influenced by jazz, but also incorporates elements of rock, blues, and even funk. - **Jazz Influences**: Songs like “Parker’s Band” pay direct homage to jazz, particularly to Charlie Parker, while tracks like “East St. Louis Toodle-Oo” (a Duke Ellington cover) showcase their appreciation for jazz history and its integration into a rock context. - **Blues Elements**: The title track, "Pretzel Logic," features a bluesy riff that drives the song, blending traditional blues structures with modern rock instrumentation. Steely Dan's use of the blues scale and their incorporation of bluesy guitar licks throughout the album add a gritty edge to their otherwise polished sound. - **Rock and Pop Sensibility**: Despite its jazz and blues influences, "Pretzel Logic" also contains accessible pop melodies, particularly in songs like "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" and "Any Major Dude Will Tell You." These tracks have catchy hooks and a more conventional song structure, which helped make the album commercially successful. - **Intricate Arrangements**: The arrangements on "Pretzel Logic" are complex and layered. The album employs a range of instruments, including electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, horns, and percussion, creating a rich, textured sound. The interplay between the instruments is precise, with every note carefully chosen to serve the song's mood and atmosphere. ### **Production** The production of "Pretzel Logic" is a defining feature of the album. Produced by Gary Katz, with Fagen and Becker heavily involved, the album exhibits a meticulous attention to detail. Every instrument is given its space in the mix, contributing to a clear and balanced sound. The production is clean, yet warm, allowing the complexity of the music to shine without sounding sterile or over-produced. - **Recording Techniques**: Steely Dan was known for their perfectionism in the studio, often recording multiple takes and using a rotating cast of top session musicians to achieve their desired sound. This approach is evident in the tightness of the performances on "Pretzel Logic." The album was recorded at The Village Recorder and Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, known for their high-end equipment and acoustics, which contributed to the album's polished sound. - **Innovative Use of Session Musicians**: On "Pretzel Logic," Steely Dan began their practice of using different session musicians for specific songs or even parts of songs. This allowed them to bring in the perfect player for each piece, contributing to the album's diverse sound. The lineup included jazz and rock heavyweights like Jeff Porcaro, Jim Gordon, and Chuck Rainey. - **Sound Quality**: The sound quality of "Pretzel Logic" is remarkable for its time, with a warm analog feel that complements the album's musical complexity. The drums are crisp and clear, the bass is punchy, and the guitars and keyboards have a rich, full-bodied sound. The vocal production is equally strong, with Fagen's distinctive voice given prominence while still blending seamlessly with the instrumental arrangements. ### **Themes** "**Pretzel Logic**" touches on a wide array of themes, reflecting Fagen and Becker’s eclectic interests and critical worldview. The lyrics often explore concepts of time, memory, and identity, as well as more concrete topics like nostalgia, existential confusion, and social critique. - **Nostalgia and Time**: Many of the songs on the album reflect a longing for the past or a simpler time. This is evident in the lyrics of “Pretzel Logic” and “Parker's Band,” which romanticize a bygone era. However, this nostalgia is often tempered with a sense of irony, suggesting that the past is not necessarily better, just different. - **Existential Reflection**: Songs like “Any Major Dude Will Tell You” and “Charlie Freak” delve into themes of existential uncertainty and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The lyrics reflect a sense of disillusionment and a questioning of the status quo, both personally and socially. - **Social Commentary**: Steely Dan's lyrics often feature a critical perspective on contemporary society, whether it’s the small-town parochialism of “Barrytown” or the self-deception and vanity critiqued in “Through With Buzz.” The band's ironic and often sarcastic take on American culture is a consistent theme throughout their work. - **Ambiguity and Irony**: Fagen and Becker are known for their use of irony and ambiguity, and "Pretzel Logic" is no exception. The lyrics often have multiple interpretations, leaving listeners to draw their own conclusions. This ambiguity adds depth to the songs, allowing them to be appreciated on multiple levels. ### **Influence** "**Pretzel Logic**" has had a significant impact on both contemporary and later musicians. It exemplifies Steely Dan's unique approach to blending rock with jazz, blues, and pop, influencing a range of genres from rock to jazz fusion. - **Jazz-Rock Fusion**: Steely Dan’s ability to merge jazz's complexity with rock's accessibility paved the way for future jazz-rock fusion artists. Bands like The Doobie Brothers, Toto, and even elements of Chicago's later work draw inspiration from Steely Dan's sophisticated style. - **Musicianship and Production Standards**: Steely Dan's use of session musicians and their meticulous approach to recording set a new standard for musicianship and production in the 1970s. Their influence can be seen in the work of bands like Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles, who also prioritized studio perfection and high production values. - **Lyricism and Storytelling**: The band's distinctive lyricism, characterized by its wit, irony, and narrative complexity, has inspired many songwriters, including Elvis Costello and Aimee Mann. Steely Dan's ability to tell stories through oblique, often surreal lyrics has encouraged other artists to experiment with non-linear, thought-provoking lyrics. ### **Pros and Cons** #### **Pros:** 1. **Musical Sophistication**: The album’s intricate arrangements, complex chord progressions, and use of jazz and blues elements showcase a high level of musicianship and a deep understanding of various musical styles. 2. **Unique Lyrics**: Fagen and Becker’s lyrics are intelligent, witty, and often cryptic, providing layers of meaning and encouraging multiple interpretations. 3. **Strong Production Quality**: The production on "Pretzel Logic" is pristine, with a warm, clear sound that allows the complexity of the music to come through. 4. **Variety of Styles**: The album covers a wide range of musical styles, from jazz-rock fusion to blues to pop, making it diverse and interesting to listen to. 5. **Influence on Future Artists**: "Pretzel Logic" has been highly influential in shaping the sound of rock, jazz, and pop music, particularly in its use of sophisticated arrangements and production techniques. #### **Cons:** 1. **Ambiguity in Lyrics**: While the lyrics are a highlight for some, others may find the ambiguity and irony off-putting or difficult to penetrate, making the songs less accessible. 2. **Lack of Cohesion**: Some critics argue that the album lacks a clear thematic or musical cohesion, with its eclectic mix of styles and influences feeling disjointed at times. 3. **Over-Reliance on Studio Musicians**: Steely Dan's use of numerous session musicians, while creating a polished sound, has been criticized for lacking the organic feel of a consistent band lineup. 4 . **Short Length**: At just over 34 minutes, "Pretzel Logic" is relatively short, which might leave some listeners wanting more from such a musically rich and diverse album. ### **Conclusion** "**Pretzel Logic**" stands as a pivotal album in Steely Dan's discography, encapsulating their unique blend of rock, jazz, blues, and pop. The album is celebrated for its sophisticated musicianship, complex lyrics, and high production standards. However, its ambiguity, eclecticism, and reliance on studio musicians may not appeal to everyone. Despite these potential drawbacks, "Pretzel Logic" remains an influential and innovative work that continues to resonate with both musicians and listeners alike, marking a key moment in the evolution of 1970s rock music.
First song I was shocked u didn't already have on a playlist or two! Definitely went into this lp with a little controlled excitement as I kinda dig the yacht rock revival era we're living in. But ugh, maybe this album is a perfect example of why one band has one or two songs playing in the YR playlist/radio stations. Not quite one hit wonders, more like one or two hits per lp with loads of filler. This, 95% filler baby
Unremarkable dad rock
Nice bouncy start. Great recording of "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo". That sounds like it's crossing into other genres until you look it up and find that it's a cover of Duke Ellington! Altogether, an enjoyable, poppy album. Very radio friendly.
Nice Pop album, abit funky
I really liked this. I appreciate the different genres.
One thing about Steely Dan is you know what you’re going to get. I don’t LOVE Steely Dan but I do enjoy the music and I look forward to listening to the album.
I love SD bit this is my least familiar album. I like it but like all the others so much more.
Fav: Barrytown Least Fav: Through With Buzz
Steely Dan is the definition of Dad Rock. Even though I’m not a dad, I’ve got to admit, I’ve grown to like them. I didn’t really pay attention to Steely Dan until I stumbled upon one of their albums through the 1001 generator. Since then, I’ve dug into more of their albums, and I’ve found that they’re mostly a laid back, mid tempo band that just flows effortlessly. It’s easy music to listen to and enjoy.
2,5
Mehhhhhh - just really middle of the road dirgy - no thank you
According to every critical source, Steely Dan is that band than you're supposed to appreciate... and "Pretzel Logic" is 5/5, 10/10, A+, among the best albums ever recorded. But, alas, I really, really dislike their music. "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" just makes me want to forget everything, EVERYTHING about the early/mid-70s. A kind of creepy vibe moves through me as soon as I hear their melodies and strained vocals. Ugh. Ick. Yuck.
Really good, saved one song
Pretty good liked it . Any major dude ,night by night ,monkey in your soul. This is an amazing album
I had only heard Rikki Don't Lose That Number going into this, and honestly wasn't expecting much. This album was certainly better than I expected. The problem is it just didn't connect with me. I really can't see myself listening to this again.
It's okay. Very shiny. Easy-listening.
If I had been a 35 year old New Yorker in 1974 I might have liked this, but I was 6 and making dens in Haversham. It is quirky in places which I like but the overall sound is so polished it's a bit MOR and I'm not tempted to listen again. One of them produced 'Flaunt the Imperfection' by China Crisis 10 years later, an album I like much more, a soothing listen on a Sunday evening.
YAWN. PLEASE MAKE ME THINK OR FEEL SOMETHING.
A great sounding album and an interesting mix of different sounds. Only half an hour long but I never knew what the next track was going to sound like. All very well produced and mastered. — Rikki Don’t Lose That Number - sounds like Bowie Night By Night - Funky. Sounds like In The Gallery by Dire Straits. Sweet guitar solo. Barrytown - Reminded me of The Beatles - ‘Tell Me What You See’ on Help! East St Louis - reminded me of Raindrop Prelude by Chopin at the start, with a jazzy west side story Pixar movie type thing. Big wah Pretzel Logic - think I’ve heard this one. Sounds very bluesy Monkey in your soul - also sounds quite Bowie
to me steely dan are eternally frustrating because they always found people with insane musicianship, got the tightest performances out of all of them, only to then waste them on glorified on-hold-with-Telstra music. they flirt with being interesting but never commit to it. ohh look at our chord extensions and our add2 chords that we pretend are some fancy new thing we invented by giving them a stupid nickname ooooh. fuck outta here. you have all the ingredients to make me like you and you let me down. that is a far greater crime than just being shit in the first place.
really just fine on all marks.
Crazy to say, but other than a handful of singles, this is my first Steely Dan record. I've always had the impression that SD is a love-it-or-hate-it band. Which, having heard a couple full albums now (I sneaked in CBaT) I find that notion a little odd. There is something special in their blend of cool jazz and pop rock. I can imagine a different band trying to go for this sound coming out as boring. That said, I could see how this hyper clean, smooth, casual listening would have little appeal to some people. I might be one of them. The music is pleasant all around, but too safe for me to regularly listen to it. The outright hatred of SD I still don't get though. Feel like it's hard to have straight up bad time with something this chill.
Pretty solid. 3.5 if I could give it. No Aja or Reeling in the years
It’s like The Who meets Billy Joel, along with great instrumentation. Sounds amazing on my Beosound.
Not my favourite Steely Dan album - it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Aja or Can’t Buy a Thrill for example - but it’s still a great record with some top quality songs like Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, Any Major Dude Will Tell You and With a Gun
another 3, mot as bad as other steely dan albums on this list but i still cant stand them
Good background music
i wasn’t really sure what to make of this record. it doesn’t really seem to fit into any one genre, instead taking elements of many and combining them. there were songs i enjoyed more than others - ie rikki don’t lose that number - but for the most part, the sound didn’t hugely appeal. having said that, i would re listen to this album, because it’s interesting technically, and has some cool instrumentation.
A couple recognizable songs and overall a solid album but nothing here jumped out.
Steely Dan's the perfect mix of rock and jazz. Are there any better produced albums than SD albums? I don't think so. With Pretzel Logic, you can see a preview of future Steely Dan music for the next decade. Liked songs added: - Rikki Don't Lose That Number - Any Major Dude Will Tell You - Pretzel Logic
Guantanamo Bay torture music
I love Steely Dan's sound. But there's something so smug, unmoving, and off putting about their songwriting that I can barely get through three songs at a time. Applies to every SD album I've ever heard; including this one.
I think this one runs into a bit of a "worst of both worlds" kind of situation for me. It's jazzy, but I don't like jazz that much, and they seem to have discarded the best part of jazz: the solos. And it's pop-y, but mostly in a vocal that I feel wants a more defined melody, and the track length is shorter. Standouts With A Gun 2/5
First two songs were ok. After that, I couldn’t tell what was playing…
Rikki might not have lost that number, but I lost interest shortly afterwards. Great production and all that, but I had to remind myself a couple of times that it was still playing. As you can guess...this won't be added to my library (particularly as I now know that the baseline from Rikki was lifted from Horace Silver)
i dont hate it, but i dont get it
It's good enough but as ever I'm left wondering why they're quite so venerated
it’s good its just good there’s nothing to it, it’s just good music to enjoy life to
Never been in to the classic rock/dad rock scene. This album was a fine middle of the road outing that didn't overstay its welcome since it clocks in around 34 minutes.
One of the most overrated bands ever. Being "technically" good is just code for really, really boring. Aja is better but this really shouldn't be on any list.
Soft rock with some twang. Solid easy listening album. Best Song: Pretzel Logic
"Rikki don't lose that number" is decent (I hope Horace Silver was getting residuals for that intro), and musically it's pretty good, but I think I hate Donald Fagen. He just makes it so white and uncool. I'd probably like it if I listened more. 3.1
Better than I expected. I have a love/hate relationship with this band. Sometimes they are a bit too jazzy for my liking but this album has some nice funky bits that reminded me of Zappa. Also Rikki Don’t Lose That Number is such a classic that it makes up for some of the lesser tracks. Overall, a good listen!
Such a short album! I do enjoy their work but not a super high album in my head.
Pretty good, I liked it. 7/10
Steely Dan is definitely a band with a signiture sound, just not a sound that I am a huge fan of.
Stop trying to make Steely Dan happen for me.
I've come to accept that at least part of me had the musical taste of a middle aged midwest sorts. guy. In jorts.
70's American rock. Good musically
I like Steely Dan. Rikki Don't Lose That Number has such a nice bass riff.
Fucking hell, wat een album. Ik kende enkel Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, maar wat een album. Heerlijk. Ik ben oprecht aan het twijfelen om deze op LP te kopen.
Very fun listen. Nothing pops out but everything is streamlined perfectly. I wanna give it a 4 but I’ll give it a 3 cause it didn’t move me or whatever
Rikki>Night By Night>Any Major Dude is an amazing opening run of songs, it drops off slightly but it's still great.
Not my fav but still decent
AAH ROCK AND JAZZ, LOVE IT ALREADY. The album cover is also reaaally original tbh, and funny in a way. Have never heard of Steely Dan tho, but those two genres fused muuust be good. Their other album covers are equally good apparently, different and stuff. Well I already have high expectations and I better not hear some basic ass sounds and production. First song, what a weird staaart, idk even know what sounds were those. Ohhh the vibe is great. Oh I don't like his voice tho. Song is the most listened on the album so this is their best work here that is appropriate for every ear. This feels like yacht rock too with a little jazz, but the jazz part will appear more in the next songs I hope. That piano thing is the best part, the instrument before he starts singing. The chorus is so chill and the way it matches up with the song's sonical side, love it. The break is kinda basic, but it suits the vibe. The lyrical delivery of the song tittle is just perfect. At the end it just stopped, didn't fade away. Second song, it's giving War. This song is equally good tbh. The chorus is less unforgettable, but still it's a whole vibe. The break is more original and fun, ooh the rock part came in with that guitar. The ending is the same as before, repeating only the song tittle. Third song, seems a little sad. He sings differently here and a little fast. Long ass song tittles btw. Chorus is not as good as the last two I'm afraid. It's kinda country now I think. The lyrical delivery is the best part. Outro is just the instrumental part which stops then makes a quick quirky sound and actually stops. Liked this one less 4th song, this one's vibey and more energetic. His voice is kinda unpleasing to me idk why. Sonically I love tho, it's a concept I never thought of checking out, jazz and rock I mean. A lot of lyrics I must say, makes me want to learn them. Chorus is not catchy somehow. I think I just heard a bridge and it was the best part. Outro is the same as before. Liked this one a lot, but not as much as the first two. 5th song, THIS IS NOSTALGIC AND IDK WHY. That piano is so gooooood I'm already addicted to it, the jazz part is less desirable, but necessary. It's fully instrumental too, lyrics would ruin it tbh. It's so funky in a way too. This would be in a jazz musical, saying that in a good way. Outro has a gong in it, weird and not fitting, but Kate Bush also finished a song like that too so. 6th song, fast start. Relatively long intro. Catchy rhymes I must say. Chorus is really good, and this is rare, but so are verses. The instrumentals getting louder when the chorus is sang is the best part. There was a bridge here too I think, and this was delivered in such a good way. The ending is chaotic jazz. 7th song, slow and kinda sad start. It's so short wow. This vibe change is giving how "believe me now" was in electric light orchestra's album iykyk. Loved the sonical part the best. Sounded like Beatles for a second too. 8th song, this is classic jazz for me, plus the lyrics are delivered that way. The chorus is less classic jazz and more rock which is basically their niche thing. This one's relatively long, at first I thought this would be the average duration, but apparently not. The break is long, which makes sense, but it's not that good and kind of is a bad addition. Second verse has the best sonical and lyrical interaction. Outro is as long as the break, but it fuses the rock and jazz perfectly so it's more fitting and enjoyable. 9th song, short song againn. Sonically it's catchy. Chorus is fun and singable. This is a grower song for me, I see how better it'll sound as a second listen. The vibe changes too many times and knowing when that happens would make me less confused and invested in the goodness of it. The shortness of it is quite good, dunno what else they would have done. 10th song, catchy as fuck start. The piano is sooo good here, it's repetitive in the best way possible. The way he sings is also original. I heard a violin playing in the background, cool touch. Has jingles at the end. Overall it feels like it needs more, but it sounded to permanent wave at some point, but I'll add it to the playlist since I see it as a grower. 11th song, this is giving if Bob Marley did jazz. After the verse pure jazz plays, it's so unexpected and sounds so heavenly. This one is oddly not as good, buuut the jazz part, it's so addictive. I added this one too, it's too good to leave out. All and all I reaaally enjoyed this. The production of the concept and I really liked every part of it. There was not a bad song on the album, just the ones that were relatively worse, which to me are just slow growers. No other way to rate this, but 5 stars, I had high expectations and they were met in the way I wanted to.
Pretzel Logic: The act of twisting yourself into knots trying to convince yourself that something you know to be untrue is actually true. *Example: Listening to Steely Dan and coming to the conclusion that they are anything but one of the most boring bands on Earth.*
Saw someone else say this is the soundtrack of suburban dads in socks and sandals, and they’re not wrong. They rated it 1/5, but I think there’s a little more to appreciate here than they’re giving it credit for. Some tracks are funky and fun. Some cool vocal harmonies, melodies, and guitar solos. It was on in the background and I was never once bothered by it but also rarely had any reason to listen closer. I’m sure this is someone’s favorite album, but I’m having a hard time seeing it as anything other than benign yacht rock. 3/5 Highlights: Night by Night Pretzel Logic Monkey in Your Soul
It's fine, that's all. Not doing a lot for me. This seems to be their 5th best album on another ranking site, so I don't know if it needs to be here.
OH MY GOD I LOVE STEELY DAN!!!
7/29/24. Love Steely Dan, I think I've listened to this once before, but this style of music and very enjoyable and fun to me. I can never get bored of these songs!
Steely Dan……again. I like a song…..that’s about it.
Well, it’s their best offering on here so far. Still does nothing for me though
I'd put every Steely Dan album on this list if I were in charge
This is a generous 3, makes me realize how much I like Katylied, Can't Buy and Countdown. Here they largely overcomplicate some basic generes and suck the fun out of them.
Chill, easy listen. I like it. Its a 3 ½
I wasn’t expecting this album to be as funky as it was! The dynamics seemed to vary a lot, but the funk was the general running theme. Everything here sounded interesting. I love the music more than I loved the vocals, but do not take that to mean the vocals were bad. The music is just far more interesting. This isn’t my first Steely Dan album, and I’m pretty sure I was impressed the first time round too. I guess I’m a Steely Dan fan now!
Not bad, just not great. Cannot seem to find anything special about this. A couple songs are nice.