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Tue Jan 11 2022
4
It's a quick shot, barely ten seconds. "I'm a fool-to-dooo your-dir-ty work, oh yeaaaaah! I don't want-to-dooo your dirty-work, no mo-o-ore." It's nighttime, the radio plays an old Steely Dan hit, and Tony Soprano is singing at the wheel as he drives somewhere. The endearing yet sociopathic mob boss has the same bored, weary eyes as ever, but that scene is probably the closest thing in the whole series to a moment showing him having the time of his life. Tony knows them oldies-but-goldies standards. And he knows it's always deeply pleasurable to sing along to one of those as they pop up between Journey and Cream on the car's radio.
The thing is, would Tony Soprano enjoy *Countdown To Ecstasy* in the exact same way he enjoyed the early hits from Steely Dan's debut, *Can't Buy A Thrill*? Probably not. Very much a transitional effort leading the L.A. band towards the more refined soft-rock soundscapes for which they'll later be known for, *Countdown To Ecstasy* is maybe too sophisticated and left-field for Tony's more immediate, impulsive, 'it's-either-hit-or-miss', tastes.
Not that Steely Dan would have cared, at least at the time. Having dumped co-singer/songwriter David Palmer (of "Dirty Work" fame) for this second album, now penning cryptic lyrics with a somewhat dystopian flavor (in keeping with the William Burroughs influence on their band's name), and electing for an ethereal cover that would nicely fit in Brian Eno's discography, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker took very much of a gamble here, even if the years that have passed since 1973 might have erased the extent in which those risks were actually *that* bold. First listens today indeed suggest Steely Dan was mostly a band perfectly content to rely on their earlier charts success and technical prowess to write and perform quite innocuous songs ranging from old rock'n'roll, country and rhythm and blues. Admittedly, they did spice things up by adding a fashionable form of prog-rock once in a while. If only said prog-rock didn't sound so irremediably tame compared to the Floyd or Can, this could have well turned up as a lengendary endeavor. Not in here, though, unfortunately.
Such harsh preliminary assessment might not be the full picture, however. As subsequent spins soon reveal, this missed opportunity might actually be a blessing in disguise for amateurs of truly *original* sounds. And playing a huge part in this overall originality, you have the jazz inflexions throughout the album, either in the instrumentation (those vibes in "Razor Boy") or the chord changes, bringing a welcome uneasiness and chiaruscoro ambiguity to the whole shebang, very much in line with the dystopian atmoshere already evoked earlier. Opener "Bodhisattva" is a very striking example of such artful sprinklings. Starting as an old R'n'R standard not sounding too fresh or daring these days, with a vocal hook even bordering on parody or muzak, the track's five minutes still fly by, thanks to those unexpected chord changes, along with slyly imaginative bridges and a synth part whose glossy crispness does a great job as it finally circles around you like a flock of pixellated sparrows, forcing you to let your guard down in front of their aerial spectacle. If this is elevator music (make no mistake, it very much *is*), this might be the sort of elevator music you can hear in Stephen King's "dark tower", granted such tower has an elevator in the first place (can't recall, does it?). The irony that you felt under the surface at the start of the song ends up screaming at you toward its end, and quickly, you begin to reconsider how performative the track really is. Is this stuff *cheesy* music? Or is it a *semblance* of cheesy music, with a more sophisticated agenda behind it, even more shrewd and cunning given that Steely Dan have more or less managed to hide their true game until the very last minute?
Retrospectively, it seems that Fagen and Becker have always aimed at straddling that fine line, being the sly, witty bastards that they are. Fans sometimes see in Steely Dan things that non-fans are unable to imagine or even comprehend while listening to their music for the first time. Sometimes it just takes one weird, off-kilter note in a guitar or keyboard solo to change the picture, as in the hard-bop but otherwise predictable and standardized "Your Gold Teeth". Other times, you find yourself being entranced by the implacable grooves of the rhythm section, even though the rest of the instrumentation sounds a little too nice and dandy overall. Not to say 'bland'. You know this is imaginative writing here, no matter what. Too bad you can't *feel* it sometimes.
As a consequence, one could easily argue that the prog-rock flavors in Steely Dan's music would have gained from being a little more pronounced than they actually were. Or that a true manifestation of genuine psychedelia during those very specific forays would have helped them faring better today, at least. But maybe it is unfair to compare apples and oranges, and expect from Fagen and Becker a program that was far too much in line with their contemporary day and age--it's a program the band visibly had no genuine interest in, for better or for worse. And ironically, Steely Dan's overall sound was nothing but ahead of the curve in 1973, foretelling the set of styles countless "mainstream" soft rock bands would embrace later on, from Eagles to Supertramp (not to mention other 'neat-sounding' acts even further down the line, during the eighties--Dire Straits, anyone?). Yet there is *another* layer of irony to point out, at least from our vantage point in the 21st century, and this one is far more cruel than the first. None of those groundbreaking aspects objectively present during the course of *Countdown To Ecstasy* are easily discernible today, after all that has transpired since. The music is good in this album, there's no arguing about that. But whether it is still *relevant* remains to be seen.
A good chunk of the tracks are saving the record from complete stylistic oblivion though, first because Steely Dan's pop-leaning, post-modernist agenda actually does conceptual wonders from time to time. Or, on the contrary, because the band *also* knew how to drop that agenda in key points of the record so as to focus on the music first and foremost. The mock-country highlight "Pearl Of The Quarter" for instance, is a convincing exercise in style, with its evocative albeit over-the-top steel guitar. And "Show Biz Kids" is a somewhat linear, overlong jam that's probably a little too on-the-nose, but it's stiil part of that interesting postmodern group of songs, thanks to its wry lyrics about poverty (and the fact that "Steely Dan T-shirts" won't save you from it). If nothing else, such attempts are showing how smart and topically meaningful the band actually intended to be. And in the more straightforward tracks, you have rhythm 'n blues homages such as "My Old School", whose Motown-sounding backing vocals suffuse much needed life to the proceedings.
But most of all, you have two stunners, not hits per se, but still the liveliest tracks of the whole program. As a centerpiece of the record, "The Boston Rag"' evokes a sense of nostalgia only belied by the animated performance that supports it. And closer "King Of The World" is an apt, skittering conclusion for the countdown uttered in the album's title, a promised "ecstasy" here tainted by heartbreaking descriptions of a post-nuclear America where said "kings of the world" are actually none but a scattered group of survivors slowly dying from radiation poisoning. From the barren realm of The Dark Towers, we've plunged right into the waste lands of The Stand, but the overall effect is the same. And yes, the shakespearian references do help set the appropriate, despondent mood, finally revealing that the titular countdown was nothing but a countdown to nuclear annihilation. I bet not a lot of listeners saw that one coming, whether today or at the time--even though the cover was an ominous sign of the disaster about to surge. *Gravity's Rainbow*'s Thomas Pynchon, would surely have appreciated such a nice touch here. Wasn't Pynchon's mammoth published in 1973 anyway? If a rock album cover could have been used for thsi novel, the one of *Countdown To Ecstasy* would have done a fine job paying homage to its grim-but-carnival-like contents, if not the music itself.
To be honest, however, all the tragic post-apocalyptic memorabilia displayed by Fagen in that song is NOT the first reason why the latter should be singled out, along with "The Boston Rag". The real reason is simple, as simple as a back-to-basics New Jersey mob boss's playlist. And the reason is that those tracks are catchy and direct enough to allow you to sing along to them, in spite of the other jazzy flourishings out there. This does not lessen the other merits of "King Of The World", and yes indeed, the admirable guitar interlacing in its introduction is still very much in keeping with the other sophisticated arrangements thoughout the album. But here you have that extra cherry on the cake, and you can eat it too: a glorious, roaring, heartfelt, take-no-quarters chorus. Sometimes Tony Sopranos was right, at least when it came to music. It's not always necessary to split hairs if you want to have a good time. Life's too short for this, with or without a nuclear apocalypse looming on the horizon.
[[Number of albums I listened to from the list: 3
Albums left to listen to: 998
Number of albums I've found genuinely relevant: 0
Number of different albums you should *probably* listen to before you die: 1 (so counting this one out, maybe)
Number of different albums you should *definitely* listen to before you die: 2]
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Tue Jul 20 2021
3
Classic dad rock. Didn’t really stand out as much as I hoped.
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Fri Jan 22 2021
4
Day 10 of Music You Must Hear Before You Die and the album of the day is Countdown To Ecstasy by the legendary American rock band Steely Dan.
I grew up hearing Steely Dan on the radio and know most of their popular songs. I must admit that, shamefully, I’ve never owned any of their records or dove deep into any of their deeper cuts. I must say, the music these guys have made is as American as it gets, especially when it comes to rock n’ roll. Sure, this is rock music but it has elements of rhythm & blues, jazz, soul, latin and a little funk sprinkled in as well.
The biggest standout is the guitars, vocals, and horn arrangements. Lead singer Donald Fagen’s voice is iconic. So warming and haunting at the same time. The songwriting of Walter Becker (RIP) and Donald Fagen is very catchy and intelligent. You can tell that these are some really smart fellas and care A LOT about how their music is crafted. The arrangements and mixing are impeccable.
The singles released from this album are Showbiz Kids and My Old School. Both are great songs. My personal favorites were Pearl Of The Quarter, Bodhisattva, and the closing track, King Of The World (very funky almost Isaac Hayes sounding instrumentation). What I like the most about Countdown To Ecstasy is each song has a theme. I was introduced to different characters and felt immersed in some of the stories.
I’m so glad I got to listen to this album and get to know more about Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, Steely Dan!
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Fri Aug 13 2021
3
The album name is exceptionally appropriate as it never actually manages to reach a climax, just slowly builds to what one assumes is one. Maybe it's performance anxiety. I hear it's very common.
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Wed Feb 03 2021
5
Steely Dan is one of those sharp break artists for a lot of people, love it or hate it... I fall firmly on the love side, though I can see the objections of a superficiality... But to me that all-surface high gloss is what it's all about. Hardly needed to listen to this one, it's basically on repeat somewhere in the back of my head, along with Pretzel Logic and Can't Buy a Thrill - to me, jus gr about perfect.
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Mon Aug 16 2021
5
Hell ya some steely Dan! I wish I had heard this before Aja as I think this is a great intro to Steely Dan. It’s slightly jazzy and proggy, but still has catchy tunes. King of the world doesn’t sit with me right as an album closer
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Mon Oct 25 2021
5
I mean, I've loved this album for years, so. This is not going to be an objective rating. All the reasons people tend to not like Steely Dan are the reasons I like them, I think. I know every song on every album. I mean, My Old School is a pretty great song however you cut it. It is what it is.
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Wed Apr 21 2021
2
Seriously underwhelming dad rock that fails to try something new
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Sat Jan 23 2021
5
An album that lives up to the expectations of a band named after a steam-powered dildo in "Naked Lunch." In some moments, they are taking something seriously enough only to cut it apart, whether it is the new-age spirituality of the West-coast (Bodhisattva) or its excessive consumerism (Show Biz Kids). In other moments, they offer up vignettes of life's losers (The Boston Rag; My Old School; Pearl of the Quarter). And, at their very best, they are offering up an often impenetrable statement on the state of their world (Razor Boy; Your Gold Teeth; King of the World).
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Thu Jan 21 2021
4
I wasn't sure what I thought about this one, but I read that they focused on incorporating some jazz into their sound, so I listened again, and it was clear as day. Kind of weird how articulating a genre or influence of a genre can lock everything into place. Not as single-friendly as Can't Buy A Thrill, but still just as enjoyable. Best track: King of the World
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Tue Aug 31 2021
4
Steely Dan sind einfach großartig. Reicht nicht ganz an die Pretzel Logic ran.
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Mon Feb 13 2023
2
So uninteresting even the repetitive parts didn't annoy me
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Fri Feb 24 2023
2
*sigh*
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Sat Feb 25 2023
2
It's largely horrible like I expected, but competent enough not to be a 1
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Sat Mar 04 2023
2
Most overrated band in existence in my opinion. Boring and then they are pretentious about it. No favorite track, I'll give it two because it's fine for background music you ignore
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Sat Apr 03 2021
1
Sweet Rosalie, she's working at the five & dime
train back to Hackensack with rosemary wine
Yo-deedle doidle dee, cocaine
We both like to do cocaine
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Mon Mar 15 2021
1
Wow, I guess I hate Steely Dan. This is so boring. It’s like when you go to a bar and there’s some house band playing. Couldn’t wait for it to be over. No thanks.
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Wed Apr 21 2021
1
I'm not a steely fan. I found this incredibly bland and uninspiring.
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Mon Oct 04 2021
1
I've listened to it twice and disliked. Disliked it the first time. Disliked it more the second.
Also, my father-in-law LOVES Steeley Dan. Which may also play into my opinion
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Sun Dec 13 2020
5
More of this, please. The polish of the debut with good instrumentation, complex arrangements (but without the noodling of full-on prog), and nothing cheesy in the songwriting. An optimistic five, but the contrast with the earlier album is what sells it for me. Fitting to look back and see my previous exposure to Steely Dan was the closer of this very album, arguably the weak point of the tracklist.
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Wed Oct 28 2020
5
helt okej grej
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Tue Mar 23 2021
5
Won’t you take me by the hand?
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Wed Feb 17 2021
5
This was definitely easy listening. I have heard a lot about Steely Dan but never really taken the time to listen, I could listen to them some more.
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Thu Feb 25 2021
5
Perfect
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Fri May 28 2021
5
What a fantastic album. My Old School is a top 3 Steely Dan track and is a blast to hear. The whole album rocks pretty hard, and you know it’s going to right out of the gate. An absolute gem.
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Mon Oct 25 2021
5
Baby's first Steely Dan album, maybe the least satisfying from their initial run, save perhaps their debut. And yet, guess what? It's five stars from me, because it's Steely fucking Dan
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Tue Oct 26 2021
5
This is the third Steely Dan album we've had so far (their second chronologically) and I've definitely learned I really like Steely Dan. I liked them before this 1001 Albums thing, but I can't say I listened to their albums closely before - mostly just listened to best of. There's so much I like. Every time they break into an instrumental section, I know I'm going to enjoy it and the songs have such a great groove. Favorite songs on the album: "Bodhisattva" - love the guitar and keys interplay. "The Boston Rag" - the chorus is very CSNY. Great guitar solo. "Show Biz Kids" - Love the beat and the chorus. Of course, I love the repeated "Las Wages" line. Also, did they play a snippet of Reelin' in the Years after the line "They got the Steely Dan t-shirt"? "My Old School" - classic Steely Dan. Great stuff. Easy 5.
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Tue Oct 26 2021
5
This is the most solid of the Steely Dan albums that are on this list. The album has a good balance between jazz and rock never letting the rock aspect get too overtaken by the jazz. Amazing guitar work like usual and solid song-writing. I think they peaked on this album although I still enjoy their later work especially Gaucho.
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Tue Oct 26 2021
5
Nice to hear Steely Dan again. I like this album better, the songs are a bit longer, seem to be more developed. Bodhisattva Vow is one of my favorite non-radio hits of theirs, so I will always give this a high ranking. I should just break down and get all of their stuff.
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Fri Nov 05 2021
5
Loved it
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Thu Nov 11 2021
5
Nice easy listening. Could put on and relax and zone out.
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Mon Nov 29 2021
5
The great famous rock and roll.
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Wed Dec 01 2021
5
[Rubs hands together in aniticipation] Ohhhhhh man. This record. I love it. It's one of my favorite records from one of my favorite bands. Before I go any further, let me just say its a five. No question.
The single "My Old School" is one of my faves from the Dan's greatest hits. But the real gem here is "King of the World" which might be my favorite song by the band. The concept of the song is great - last many on earth is king of the world. The western-style but totally weird guitar on "Razor Boy" is a highlight too. This record is the band at an early stage before everything in the studio became pristine and perfect. Still feels like a band of humans playing totally live, instead of a bunch of androids playing live like on Aja.
Also want to talk about the cover art. Front cover is a really interesting water color that looks like it is water damaged, which has a cool effect on a record sleeve. Looks broken in already....ha. And the back cover photo of the band in the studio...who wouldn't want to be there!!??
I don't think this record is particularly loved so I'm optimistic that we'll see more Steely Dan on this list. All of their records (sans Pretzel Logic) deserve a place on this list.
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Wed Dec 01 2021
5
Bangers.
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Thu Dec 09 2021
5
Strangely, but I liked it
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Sat Dec 11 2021
5
Steely Dan is one of the best things to come out of this list for me.
Perfect meld of Dad Rock, Yacht Rock, and Psychadelia.
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Tue Dec 14 2021
5
Two Steely Dan albums in a row! And in chronological order no less. This is where they really start to refine their sound. Not a dud in the bunch here. I see some people disparagingly calling this "dad rock" but I think that's a pretty big misnomer. Cheese this ain't.
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Tue Dec 14 2021
5
Another rock sold album from SD. A handful of legendary classics. Love it when they veer into jazz like they do on a few tracks.
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Thu Dec 16 2021
5
I've written before about how much I admire and love Steely Dan. This album, only their second studio album, contains some outstanding songs with the typical elite-level musicianship, obtuse and ironic (and often funny) lyrics, and great energy. Portends the string of albums to follow that I listen to frequently.
[Yes, I know: Becker & Fagen, the songs they write, the musicians they bring in, and Fagen's voice aren't for everybody; I'm simply reporting my experience of their music, which I find in a league of its own.]
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Wed Dec 22 2021
5
Good. Fun. One of my favorites so far
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Tue Jan 18 2022
5
las wages las wages las wages las wages la- oh snap did Donald say the f word??
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Thu Jan 27 2022
5
Great
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Sat Feb 12 2022
5
I REALLY love this album! I probably have heard a few of the songs before, but they all felt new to me and I didn’t immediately recognize any of them.
“Bhodhisattva” sets things off on a perfect, quasi-religious tone! Really awesome start to the album. ‘And I'll be there to shine in your Japan
To sparkle in your China, yes, I'll be there.’ There’s a great guitar ending to “The Boston Rag” that I loved. “Show Biz Kids” is really good. Could there be a more perfect Steely Dan song than “My Old School”? I REALLY love this song! “Pearl of the Quarter” and “King of the World” are also awesome.
These guys have super talent, incredible wit, and a cynicism enveloping smooth, jazzy songs that you only think are going down easy. The world and I are both in a place where this seems to be the perfect tone. How interesting that it comes from a 50 year old album.
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Sat Feb 12 2022
5
It's interesting that there were no hit singles from this album. There were no songs that I had known from it. However, I have always loved Steely Dan, and despite being wary of the unknown, I loved this whole album. I understand that there wasn't a standout song, but that also strengthened the idea that the whole thing was consistently wicked-good.
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Tue Feb 22 2022
5
Incredible blend of rock and jazz
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Wed Mar 23 2022
5
Classic Steely Dan
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Tue Mar 29 2022
5
Very good, remember that from my youth (i'm not 60)
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Sun May 01 2022
5
Just sublime piece of West Coast Rock - and the lyrics...
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Thu May 05 2022
5
Vraiment nice, de bins jams, bonne tounes, tres musicale. Je me tanne pas decouter ce style de musique. Cest 4.95 mIs pour la note
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Thu Jun 23 2022
5
A unique sounding album with some fantastic guitar playing. My favorite songs were “My Old School” ( both of my friends who went to hard transferred out) and “The Boston Rag” which really wowed me in its arrangement.
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Thu Jun 23 2022
5
I love this album. Really strong opening track -- Bodhisttva. For years I thought they were saying Old Disciple! My Old School is a classic as is Show Biz Kids. Still this isn't my favorite Steely Dan album, The Royal Scam is. I was shocked when I checked the index that that one didn't even make the list. It should!
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Thu Jun 23 2022
5
The jazz elements start to appear on Steely Dan's second album. Less poppier than their debut, they rock harder on this disc that they do at any time in their career. The cryptic lyrics are present, which are better suited for Donald Fagen than David Palmer (who left after the Countdown to Ecstasy) Bodhisattva is a stunning opening track and the band is running on all cylinders. This is also the last Steely Dan band album. The Fagen/Becker studio-craft took over after this. Steely Dan would continue to morph throughput the 70s, but always maintained a very high level.
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Thu Jun 23 2022
5
Absolute genius.
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Sat Jun 25 2022
5
This grew on me so much in the past year. Must be because I got the Steely Dan T-shirt. 10/10
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Sat Jun 25 2022
5
9/10. I really like Steely Dan, but it was a long time before I liked this album, and even now it is not my favorite. Most of the songs on this album have grown on me, but few of them need to be nearly as long as they are, which can make the album feel rather boring. Still, My Old School and King of the World do a lot of work to carry this album.
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Sat Jul 02 2022
5
Excellent. I'm a convert.
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Tue Jul 19 2022
5
My previous exposure to Steely Dan had only been through classic rock radio stations. It always felt too busy with so many layers it seemed like such a mess. What a difference listening with a pair of headphones made for me. I'm excited to check out the rest of their work.
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Mon Aug 08 2022
5
Steely Dan being one of my all time favorites, I will give this a great Friday 5 star. I had this on 8 track....
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Wed Aug 24 2022
5
Always been a fan. I love their style and sound. It’s very unique.
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Wed Aug 31 2022
5
Love it!
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Wed Sep 07 2022
5
Belter! I didn't know about the MDGAF track sample so a joy
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Thu Sep 08 2022
5
I’m a massive Dan fan. After waiting over 30 years for them to tour Australia, I saw them in Sydney and in Canberra in 2007 and was not disappointed. I love this, their 2nd album. I love the photo of the band in the studio. Becker looking cool with the sunnies, Fagen looking like a rabbit in the headlights, having finally been lumbered with lead vocals on all 8 tracks, and Skunk Baxter with his feet all over the mixing desk, looking like he has no doubts about his own ability on the guitar. The opening two songs on each side of this lp are outstanding. The album’s opener, Bodhisattva, is unique in their catalogue - breakneck rock’n’roll, with Baxter & Denny Dias ripping it up with some dual guitar harmonies. It’s followed by Razor Boy, once described as based on a bruised bossa nova groove, featuring the vibraphone of Victor Feldman & Baxter’s pedal steel. Side two begins with the funky Show Biz Kids, featuring the outstanding slide of Rick Derringer’ and the very soulful My Old School, with 4 saxes & a terrific Baxter guitar solo. There are no dull spots on this album and, as usual, the lyrics are often a mystery, but compelling nonetheless. Not my favourite Steely Dan album but easily 5 stars here.
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Sun Oct 09 2022
5
This is a case where the whole is greater than the sum if it’s parts. And the musicians are excellent. I don’t have the vocabulary to describe it as I wish, but this is my attempt. The production value is top notch. As I listened I imagined each instrument recorded alone and placed on a separate track. I could actually hear each note of each instrument. Everything was crisp and clear in perfect balance. If you are a fan of guitar you can focus and hear it. Drums the same. Bass, backup vocals, keyboard horn. Heck if they had a triangle on the song you could separate it from everything else and give it your sole attention. The beauty lies in how each of these parts combine, all contributing to form an amazing sound. I’m also amazed how the different parts play off one another. When one instrument is brought to the front, it will pause and give space. Instead of being a void, something like bass or drums will pop in with a fill. Not overpowering, just reminding you “I’m still here”. “Your Gold Teeth” demonstrated this well.
Steely Dan is Lambda Lambda Lambda of “Revenge of the Nerds”. If not already a fan l, they are easily overlooked because of their unique style. But one introduced, they will knock your socks off.
I loved Bodihisattva (thanks Rockband), Show Biz Kids (lost wages) and My Old School even before this listen to the whole album.
I wanna give this a 4.5, but gonna give it a 5 for how well it compares to a lot of the 1’s I have heard recently.
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Sun Nov 13 2022
5
I don’t know what to say
it’s just a perfect album - 10/10
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Thu Nov 24 2022
5
absolute banger, great for music to keep ya upbeat whilst you work
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Fri Jan 06 2023
5
Good tunes that bring back nostalgic memories
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Fri Jan 06 2023
5
some of y'all nerds must love going back to your old school
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Thu Jan 12 2023
5
Never listened to these guys before but this was awesome
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Fri Jan 13 2023
5
Easy listen
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Thu Jan 26 2023
5
Maybe not their best but my favourite. Almost never off the turntable until Pretzel Logic came along. The hallmarks of the 'band' are all in this collection.
I never got a t-shirt.
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Sun Jan 29 2023
5
dd
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Wed Feb 22 2023
5
Epic
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Wed Mar 15 2023
5
I'm pretty sure that all boomer-dads were issued a copy of Steely Dan's greatest hits during the 90's, so I'm pretty familiar with some of their catalogue. Growing up, I found their songs like "Reelin' In The Years" and "Do It Again" to be pretty inoffensive, but they weren't my favorite. Several months ago, I listened to Aja from start to finish on a whim, and I really enjoyed it. I found this album very enjoyable as well. I think the jazz-adjacent sound works here, and I liked the longer songs. The only song on this album that I had listened to prior to today was "Bodhisattva," which used to kick my ass on some iteration of Rock Band or Guitar Hero (I was mediocre at those games at best). I've never heard any of the guys in Steely Dan mentioned as being the best at their instruments, but I think that's a mistake. Everyone here seems to be a master of their instrument, hitting each note with precision. Sure, there aren't any Bonham's or Van Halen's here, but that's fine, because these guys know how to craft great songs. I thought the lyrics and vocals were great too, with "My Old School" being a standout song. Overall, this was a great album, and I think Steely Dan's work deserves more recognition as some of the best music of the 70's.
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Thu Mar 23 2023
5
Steely Dan does it like no one else. absolute perfection from song to song.
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Wed Apr 12 2023
5
Oh am I a slut for Steely Dan! God I love this band! Nothing I’d rather be doing that listening to one of these albums! Classic tho cannot best this, love this one, Aja, and Can’t Buy a Thrill the best! Of course this is a 5 star album how couldn’t it be??
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Thu May 04 2023
5
Steely dan is one of those bands I still wanted to look into. After this album I definitely will! Great album, great layers, great guitar solos. Love the sound of rock highly influenced by jazz!
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Sun Jun 18 2023
5
stupendous!
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Thu Jun 29 2023
5
Hell yea. Boston Rag is where I need it this morning. Like all Steely Dan albums, this thing is so polished its a goddamn disco ball. it kills. every song is perfect.
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Fri Jul 21 2023
5
Hard not to love Steely Dan. Just so enjoyable to listen to!
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Wed Jul 26 2023
5
Como todos los trabajos de Steely Dan, este es excepcional en todos los sentidos. La banda demuestra una y otra vez por qué es una de las más interesantes del catálogo norteamericano.
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Wed Aug 02 2023
5
great album, some classics on here, good jazz/rock vibes, no notes. harmonix seriously needs to rewind bodhisattva for rock band 4.
favorites: bodhisattva, my old school, the boston rag
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Fri Aug 04 2023
5
I really enjoy it and I think it was too short
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Thu Aug 10 2023
5
I was reading a weeks-old article about Countdown to Ecstasy from PopMatters over the weekend and, as always, I sat there entrenched in the overall fervor exhibited in the "white dad rock" fanaticism over Steely Dan and how it pertains to this day and age that makes it not only wholly accepted but entirely prophetic in the descriptions depicted throughout.
In short, this is where the myth of Steely Dan begins to take shape and coalesces. After this, every album they would do would scale further and further highs until they felt they've done all that they could for the time being. The characters and settings created here could only come from the Dan and it feels as though they are everywhere, now more than ever. If one needs to start their Dan journey, start here. There's plenty to love, so plenty it's outrageous. Now, let me grab my Dan shirt and begin my coup de grâce.
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Tue May 25 2021
4
More I hear of this band the more I love. Yacht rock on warm spring days by the beach... perfecto!
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Thu May 13 2021
4
A classic. Great jazz notes and they nailed down the lead singer (Donald Fagen) in this album. Really dig it.
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Mon Sep 28 2020
4
Really liked this jazza rock album. Fav track is probably King of the World
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Thu May 06 2021
4
Groovy, rock/pop, varierende, lækre hooks, Chicago-vibes
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Fri Jun 04 2021
4
i like steely dan they show a nice mix of styles that you dont see anywhere else, only lacking a real 'hit'
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Thu Nov 19 2020
4
It was really good. The guitar riffs were excellent - a classic rock album in every respect.
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Thu Feb 11 2021
4
Great, clean, sparkly fun.
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Sat May 08 2021
4
You got the Dan man?
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Mon Feb 01 2021
4
Good outing. Steely Dan’s vibe is perfect for a Friday.
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Tue Feb 16 2021
4
Ok, no can’t buy a thrill
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Fri Feb 26 2021
4
'Bodhisattva' by itself is enough to give this album 3 stars, but the rest of the album was really enjoyable, too. I definitely prefer this album to 'Can't Buy a Thrill'
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Tue Mar 16 2021
4
I had fun with this album.
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Tue Jan 26 2021
4
Some very cool tracks on here, all of them well crafted.
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Mon Mar 22 2021
4
Твёрдое четыре с плюсом:)
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Wed Mar 17 2021
4
Good album
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Tue Mar 16 2021
4
Why was this album so fun? Steely Dan rules so hard
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Thu Jan 28 2021
4
Nice as
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