Countdown To Ecstasy

Ok

Technically proficient and produced to a sheen, but for me Steely Dan is missing a certain "grit" that I'd like to see associated with prog jazz/rock. Also no Steve Gadd, lame.

Steely Dan pisses me off because they were very talented and clearly had the ability to make awesome music, but just chose not to. “Bodhisattva” and “My Old School” both rock. But the rest of this is just repetitive or glorified elevator music. Incredibly boring.

At first, I didn’t like it. However, once Pearl of the Quarter went on. Made me remember why I’m doing this challenge in the first place. I absolutely loved the song and only reason why it’s rated so high for me. Without it, maybe just a 3.

Je réalise que je ne suis vraiment pas un grand fan de Steely Dan. Bien que j'aille aimé Can't Buy A Thrill, tous leurs autres albums sont tellement corrects. Celui-ci l'était à un niveau qui m'a fait réalisé comment leur style de musique super flashy reste assez fade. 4/10

1001 хочет сделать меня зе си и о СТИЛИ ДЭН дискографии. Дебют был лучше, по-моему. Лучшая песня - King of the World.

Even early on, Steely Dan had such strong grooves and harmonies throughout their records.

3.5/5

Steely Dan is just way to jazzy for me. It's so sleazy 70's, smoky club style music.

I did not like these guys until later in life. There was no way I’d listen to an entire album. I knew the hits but not anything else. I’m finally a fan. And I enjoy the deep cuts because I’m hearing for the first time.

las mejores grabaciones del mundo. No es su mejor disco pero está muy bien.

I was pleasantly surprised by this album. I have never really cared for much of the Steely Dan I've heard in regular radio rotation, and never really enjoyed the harmony of voices that they have but listening to this album had really changed my mind on how talented they are. A couple of things on here were corny and twangy I'd say but a lot of this was really good and I listened to it twice in a row!

I have to be in the right mood for Steely Dan. I'm not necessarily in that mood right now, but focusing in on the individual performances, is at least giving me something to hang onto. Jeff "Skunk" Baxter is in top form here. The vocal harmonies on "The Boston Rag" are more in the vein of CSNY than i'm used to hearing from SD. "Bodhisattva" hit harder than I remember it. the second track "Razor Boy" is pretty much everything that irritates me about Steely Dan. "The Boston Rag" is a slow jam that's actually pretty damn good. It's really like CSNY with a lead guitarist. I do absolutely hate the tone of the overdriven lead guitars, though. Dear God that tone is awful. There are plenty of examples of great overdriven/distorted lead tones from 1973, so it's not like it wasn't possible. Rick Derringer guests with a hell of a slide solo on "Show Biz Kids" "My Old School" annoys me. except the instrumental breaks. Overall, this album is more blues-driven than what i'm used to from them. Lots of one- or two-measure vamps, and only a couple instances of their "How many jazz chords can we squeeze into a verse?" tendencies.

Steely Dan used to be my favorite band (and Aja still completely rules). However, listening to the deeper cuts on CtE, and maybe the not so deep cuts, the lyrics are starting to sound like obscure clues in an escape room.

Yet another Steely Dan album in this list. They're okay but it's getting a bit repetitively dull.

This album was chill, jazzy and just a blast.

I feel like is about a 3.6+. It’s a pretty good mix.

Honestly just don't feel much towards Countdown to Ecstasy, it just exists.

dad music core i didn't listen to the lyrics much, but the listening experience was fire

Nothing special. It wasn't bad but too generic.

Little more prog then I expected from SD, but it was really good.

These guys go from cooking to dull in a flash. Production is always top notch

Love the addition of Donald Fagan but the album seems to less memorable songs than can't buy a thrill.

No thank you. Not looking forward to the other Steely Dan on this list.

Nerds. For sure. I liked it.

I had higher expectations

++: Bodhisattva, Your Gold Teeth +: Razor Boy, Show Biz Kids, Pearl of the Quarter, King of the World +-: The Boston Rag 7,6/10

I almost get it

Too middle of the road for me

metallic dan, very blues

Lovely little album. Bodhisattva and show biz kids are my favs

I don't think I'd call this Dad Rock because it isn't really rock. Maybe it kind of is but I think you can see in this record that Steely Dan didn't really like the rock category in general. I've never really liked Steely Dan and I am fairly certain I'd never heard any of this album before. It's a little better than what I know as their radio 'hits', I do enjoy the kind of jazzy aspects of this record. But it's not really turning me into a fan. It's certainly well orchestrated and well played, I'll give them that much. And I love the album cover, super cool. I'm giving this on 2.5/5, won't listen again but I didn't really struggle with it like I expected to.

bodhisattva- 6 razor boy- 5 boston rag- 5 your gold teeth- 5 show biz kids- 6 my old school- 5 pearl of the quarter- 5 king of the world- 6 its not bad but i will immediately forget what it sounds like the second i stop listening. favorite track- show biz kids or king of the world

This album is nearly perfect, but still my third or fourth SD album, so I'm gonna give it 4/5.

Fun instruments, somewhat bland vocals.

I grew up not really being that much into Steely Dan. What the hell was wrong with me?!? This album is solid from start to finish and the music is just so cool. I am out to the store to add this CD to my collection!

Nothing outstanding about this.

Gubbmusik.

But no really, do these smartypants only come in beige?

Didn’t really enjoy it

#295. I liked this slightly more than I liked Aja, but still kinda mid overall. 3/5: meh Song added to playlist: Bodhisattva I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link

Pretty good. My math teacher back in the day would play their stuff a lot, mostly from a few of their other albums, and I think I liked what I knew from those albums a bit more.

Hmmm I was looking forward to this one bc I know a handful of Steely Dan songs and I really like those songs buuuuut they’re all from Can’t Buy a Thrill…and ehhhhh this album didn’t quite get me as excited as those songs do. So I should just listen to that full album.

this is like a 3.5 for me, i just like hearing steely dan. not many jaw droppers like their other classics though, just solid thru out

First half is a 3 Second half is a 5. I like the first side, but the second half is so good, the singles, the vibes, so good. I'm not sure it's as good as the first album, but it's close

What can I say? The intro song says it all--the bodhisattva is among us, playing wicked guitars. Bring back that boston rag, yes, but make it a jazz rock song. And keep that cool vibe vibing throughout. No wonder there's no (thank god) single--I'll take My Old School any day. I never warmed to their whole approach, but listening today I am more than pleasantly engaged. Maybe my speakers were too shitty back then.

Classic but feels a little too mellow today.

I counted down. There was no ecstasy.

Easy on the ears, Steely Dan never disappoints.

I do love this band, and while I am very familiar with their "best of," remarkably, this is my first time listening to this album through front to back. So... the album kicks off with my least favorite of their hits. The music and groove of "Bodhisattva" are amazing, but the repetitive lyric has always been a turn-off for me and this listen did nothing to dispel that. Fortunately, the album also includes what may be my favorite of the band's songs, "My Old School," which just kills from every angle, including a brilliant horn line, fantastic guitar breaks, and sublime drum performance by a guy I just had to look up (Jim Hodder) as I knew nothing about him. As I mentioned in my Aja review, the sounds alone on Steely Dan records are worth a review. Their catalog is a study in expert studio production. Anyway, really enjoyed the album despite the opener. These guys are always quality, the degrees vary just slightly with the material from one album to the next.

On the one hand, it was cool to hear SD songs I'd never heard before. OTOH, I didn't really get much out of those songs. It's just a personal thing. There are a handful of SD songs I genuinely do lie but I think this one of those bands who I like more in theory than in practice.

The guitar and key jams are off the chart (3.5/5)

I’m still counting.

The most over rated bamd in the history of music.

A good album, I liked Your Gold Teeth, Show Biz Kids and My Old School.

Decent 70s rock, nothing too exciting as the songs don't have highs/climax - it was a bit bland overall, but it was at least an easy listen.

I just don't get Steely Dan. People race about Aha, but it's just boomer bullshit. This record is no better.

naja, kann man sich anhören, ist aber nix herausragendes

Funnily enough, I just bought my first pair of boat shoes today. Fully in the Steely Dan mood, and it's just another set of great tracks. There's a little more Genesis-style prog notes throughout, and maybe some signs of things to come: I definitely get some of what Foreigner and Journey were attempting to do on a few tracks. Favorite tracks: "Bohdisattva", "Your Gold Teeth"

I know I’m getting old when the Steely Dan singles start sounding like harmonic gold to my ears. The lack of bombast can be forgiven and replaced with an appreciation for the unique composition and tight production. Which is all ironic this time around, because this album doesn’t contain any of those yacht rock classics I used to hear on my parents radio in my youth. All that being said, should this album be on this list? Not if there’s two or more other steely Dan albums on it, which I’m sure is the case. Begrudging 3/5. Anyways happy 200 albums :)

Third album of Steely Dan from the list. I cannot believe I didn't know a single song from their repertoir. They're very, very solid. It's not original or unique, but certainly not boring.

Good album. This has a nice groove and all the slick production for which Steely Dan is known. It was a tight album with some cool jazziness. ****

I've always enjoyed Bodhisattva from Rock Band 2, everything else is okay.

Why is Steely Dan

What I’d expect

I'm reminded of a quote from Anthony Bourdain on Top Chef: What is your major malfunction? Steely Dan are phenomenal musicians, but what they fuck are they writing about? I think people DO need to hear this music to get a real sense of cognitive dissonance between amazing sounds and confusing composions.

I never understood the Steely Dan hype. They're great instrumentalists, gifted composers, and decidedly very boring people. Better than elevator music, worse than anything with earnest feeling behind it. Yacht rock that's probably actually best appreciated by those soulless enough to own a yacht.

Half the tracks made me think I was in a motoring show, the other half made me thing "oh, I have heard something similar but better"

Fun 1970's blues rock. This probably felt fresh when it happened.

It's just shit. Like everything else they do.

surprisingly meh compared to their other albums.

Highlights: Show Biz Kids

Steely Dan leave me cold. Never listened to them much before but somehow always knew this. Turns out I was right

Un poco rollo. No me ha llamado la atención.

Not really my taste. It's OK, just not one I'd come back to. Pretty noticeable drop-off in quality from their first album.

chill soft rock tracks

- Massive vibes, but does not have the hits or energy of the first one we got - Still great music tho - some good jamming on here - 3.5

- Steely Dan strikes a groove unlike anyone I’ve ever heard - the variety of lyrics and sounds is perfect - not a single sleeper on the album - imagine listening to this sipping on an iced tea on a warm Saturday afternoon

Nice but not more.

Weird. But strangely satisfying.

I still find these guys incredibly tiresome, the more I hear them. There is a bit more prog rock styling on this album, which doesn’t help its case for me. The rockabilly styling on the opening track was an immediate turn off.

Kjedelig start, men sang nr. 3 og 4 har vært bra. Nr. 5 irriterende. 6 - bra, siste to helt ok. Totalt 6-6.5/10

Un poco rollo. No me ha llamado la atención.

Had it on while assembling furniture. Nice grooves buy not really my style.

More Steely Dan. It's fun.

Mira, no estuvo mal.

Feels familiar listening now. I can see why this is on the list, I just wasn't thrilled.

guys pls i don’t care for steely dan, can they leave me alone ?!

Superb

While Countdown to Ecstasy isn't as good as other Steely Dan albums on this project, I was delighted to hear this chill album. Every song flows beautifully into another! This album focuses more jazz, and considering how much Steely Dan varies the jazz elements, I highly suspect I'm not even recognizing the amount of creativity that went into this album.

I didn't like this Steely Dan album as much as the other two that I have heard on this project thus far, but even so, I still enjoyed it! These guys consistently put out quality music that was a little bit different than what the rest of their peers were putting out, making them consistent standouts. One of the highlights of this album was definitely the song "My Old School", which sounds very upbeat and jammy, but touches on a very odd topic once you listen to the lyrics -- a drug bust. Despite that, the song answers the question: "Does a 70s rock song really need four saxophones?" And the answer is "Yes, absolutely."

Ikke det bedste fra Steely Dan

teräksinen taneli, tietää että aina tulossa jotain miellyttävää mutta haikeata, harmaata, jotenkin tylsää ja monotonista. ehkä se on laulajien käehät vokaalit mutta tämä bändi ei koskaan hetkauta synapseja aivojen että kikkeli nousisi pystyyn... se on meikäläisellä odotuksena, kun ollaan näitä isoja, kriitikoiden höpönassu bändejä kuuntelemassa.. PÄIVÄN MUOTISANA: DAD ROCK... isukki isäpuoli rokkia jahaas.... mitä vittua? tämä on hädin tuskin rokkia nähnytkään hold up yksi elektronisen kitaran nuolaus.... tämä on SANAN TOISTO POPPIA.. ei tarvi mitään erikoisia keksiä. hieno taide album koveri... iljettävät vitun ihmiset istuu, tappakaa tollaset... bodhisattva

Fairly indifferent to this one, there are parts that shine but others that are a bore. Listened to: walking near Ocean Beach. Favorite tracks: The Boston Rag, Pearl of the Quarter

This album feels more like jazz noodling and less like the overblown yacht rock of Aja, so I think I probably enjoyed it more (for some values of ‘enjoyed’).

This is a much more enjoyable album to listen to than Aja that was pretencious, overblown and boring. It is however pretty innocuous, but I can well imagine drinking a cold beer or mojito on the beach with the sun setting in the background and a nice breeze from the ocean listening to this record.

STANDOUTS: Razor Boy OVERALL: 2.5/5

really good 4/5

I don't hate but I wouldn't listen to hit again.

Good points... but some skippable moments

Much better album than other Steely Dan's records I have heard so far. Still not really a fan of Donald's vocal capability, but I have to admit, their guitar work is fantastic. Few very catchy songs and riffs, really cool stuff!

Weird but kind of wonderful, songs are pretty good bit different to what I usually listen to although enjoyable

Not as good as Aja but still a good listen. 3.5 stars

My Old School is a fave. Everything by Steely Dan evokes high school, college, law school, and beyond…A lot of great memories associated with this music.

Damn, now I am certain I like dad rock. Fewer outstanding tracks than Can't Buy A Thrill and an overall softer, jazzier sound, but consistently good. Saving Bodhisattva, The Boston Rag, and My Old School but the whole thing is worth repeating.

could i write poetry to this? n

This album demonstrates some laziness on the part of the author. Pretty much any 70's-era Steely Dan album will be considered to be an extremely high quality recording, whether one likes the music or not. Including more than two of them on this list forces the exclusion of albums that are of equal or higher quality. That said...this is a very, very good album.

Another auto five. Fantastic record. Unique band. I've probably listened to this record a thousand times.

did we really need another steely dan album on here

60s and 70s rock just really isn't my jam a lot of times, but I did like a few songs on this album. Still about a 3 to 3.5 out of 5 for me

Nothing special It accompanied me nicely on my walk home today though, super sunny

This is Steely Dan at their most virtuosic. These are rockers with noodly solos on every song showcased in the driving grooves. My Old School finally delivers the catchy pop hooks that sound like their later albums

Unremarkable.

Good ol Steely Dan.

One of the first ten albums i bought when I started my record collection. Great from start to finish.

3.5 stars. I was a little apprehensive about this album, as I haven't enjoyed Steely Dan for how overplayed some songs are and how uncool the band is in my head. They even say "fuck" in "Show Biz Kids" and Tidal didn't mark it as an explicit song, that's how uncool they are. But I gave "Bodhisattva" another chance, and it's a well constructed song. The instrumentation and production on these songs is fire. "The Boston Rag" has this great piano and guitar pairing at the end. "Pearl of the Quarter" really good. I just don't particularly care for the lyrics of the songs, nor do really I enjoy the sound of the singer's voice. But Steely Dan is not uncool.

Fine, not lifechanging

"Countdown to Ecstasy" is the second studio album by the American rock band Steely Dan, released in 1973. Clocking in at just over 2000 words, let's delve into an in-depth review of this seminal work, analyzing its lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, and evaluating its pros and cons. **Lyrics:** The lyrics of "Countdown to Ecstasy" are quintessentially Steely Dan - cryptic, witty, and often veiled in metaphor. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the core songwriting duo, craft narratives that blur the lines between reality and fiction, touching on themes of disillusionment, alienation, and the underbelly of the American Dream. Songs like "Bodhisattva" and "My Old School" showcase their knack for storytelling, while tracks like "Your Gold Teeth" and "King of the World" exhibit their penchant for enigmatic, yet evocative imagery. **Music:** Musically, "Countdown to Ecstasy" is a tour de force. Steely Dan's fusion of rock, jazz, and pop elements creates a sonic landscape that is both sophisticated and accessible. The album features intricate arrangements, tight grooves, and virtuosic performances from the band members. The interplay between Jeff "Skunk" Baxter's guitar work, Denny Dias's inventive riffs, and the dynamic rhythm section of drummer Jim Hodder and bassist Walter Becker is particularly noteworthy. Tracks like "Show Biz Kids" and "Razor Boy" showcase the band's musical prowess, with their intricate melodies and infectious hooks. **Production:** The production on "Countdown to Ecstasy" is polished and meticulous, thanks in part to the guiding hand of producer Gary Katz. The album has a rich, warm sound, with each instrument given space to breathe. The attention to detail is evident in the layered arrangements and pristine mix, allowing the nuances of the music to shine through. Katz's collaboration with engineer Roger Nichols resulted in a sonically stunning record that stands the test of time. **Themes:** Thematically, "Countdown to Ecstasy" explores the darker side of the American experience. The songs delve into themes of disillusionment, corruption, and the search for meaning in a world driven by materialism. Tracks like "The Boston Rag" and "Pearl of the Quarter" paint vivid portraits of characters navigating the seedy underbelly of society, while "Only a Fool Would Say That" and "Change of the Guard" reflect on the fleeting nature of success and the inevitability of change. **Influence:** "Countdown to Ecstasy" has had a significant influence on subsequent generations of musicians. Steely Dan's innovative blend of rock, jazz, and pop elements paved the way for countless artists exploring similar sonic territory. Their meticulous attention to detail and commitment to musical excellence set a high bar for craftsmanship in popular music. The album's enduring popularity and critical acclaim attest to its lasting impact on the musical landscape. **Pros:** 1. Exceptional songwriting: Fagen and Becker's lyrics are thought-provoking and inventive, offering layers of meaning for listeners to unpack. 2. Musically adventurous: The album's fusion of rock, jazz, and pop elements creates a unique and captivating sound. 3. Impeccable production: The polished production and meticulous attention to detail elevate the album to a work of art. 4. Thought-provoking themes: The album's exploration of existential themes adds depth and resonance to the music. 5. Lasting influence: "Countdown to Ecstasy" has left an indelible mark on the music world, inspiring generations of musicians to push the boundaries of their craft. **Cons:** 1. Esoteric lyrics: While some listeners appreciate the cryptic nature of Steely Dan's lyrics, others may find them inaccessible or pretentious. 2. Overly polished production: Some critics argue that the album's slick production detracts from the raw energy of the music, making it feel overly sanitized. 3. Lack of diversity: While the album's sound is undeniably impressive, some may find it lacking in diversity, with few deviations from its established formula. 4. Limited accessibility: The album's sophisticated musical arrangements and dense lyrical content may alienate casual listeners looking for more straightforward pop fare. 5. High expectations: As the follow-up to Steely Dan's critically acclaimed debut album "Can't Buy a Thrill," "Countdown to Ecstasy" faced high expectations, which may have overshadowed its merits upon release. In conclusion, "Countdown to Ecstasy" is a masterful work of art that showcases Steely Dan at the peak of their creative powers. With its exceptional songwriting, adventurous music, and thought-provoking themes, the album remains a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences decades after its release. While it may not be without its flaws, its enduring influence on popular music is a testament to its lasting impact and enduring relevance.

I'mma go and be a dick, but this album and this band has always been the epitome of bland competence: skilled enough to appreciate, yet devoid of personality or song-writing chops to actually impress. I am obviously in the monirity on this, but that's where I sit. (the only songs worth the note are "The Boston Rag" and "Pearl of the Quarter")

Chill vibes definitely need to enjoy it on mushrooms

I love listening to Steely Dan. It is always very relaxing

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Like a jam band...but also not? I don't know. It was fine.

Second Steely Dan album I've had come up on this list (which has been chronological so far), I have to admit that I really dig Steely Dan. While I don't think there is anything as immediate as "Do it again" or "Dirty Work" from their debut album, this is a really solid, groovy album that continues to maintain their jazzy, lounge rock vibe.

Liked songs: Bodhisattva, Razor Boy, King of the World

1st Steely Dan where I didn’t recognize at least one song title. And last on this list ;( While my favourite of the four would either be Can't Buy Me a Thrill or Pretzel Logic, this has enough going for it to be a worthwhile listen. The smooth segues between genres are a Dan trademark at this point, and there are also the bitter chants of "Lost wages" in "Show Biz Kids", the stellar woodwinds in "Old School", & the blues fakeout of "Bodhisattiva", which starts like a basic 12-bar boogie before slyly modulating to a jazzier progression. "Your Gold Teeth", on the other hand, is the kind of slick noodling that reminds me I prefer a whole host of genres over jazz fusion. I think that's what kept me from wholeheartedly enjoying Aja HL: "Bodhisattva", "Boston Rag", "Show Biz Kids", "My Old School", "King of the World"

Of all the Steely Dan albums, this is certainly one of them. To their credit, the thing I love about Steely Dan is their commitment to high quality production. Every one of their albums sounds great. But aside from a few highlight songs on each album, they all kind of all blend together.

Underwhelming middle of the road dad rock.

Classic!

Grenzgängermusik Rock-And-Roll-Jazz-Pop-Rock Fusion?

I am a huge fan of Steely Dan but his was is no Aja. Very good mix of sings but it is hard to compare.

a good time though less polished than their other albums

Pimpelipom, vähän liian pirteää, melkein tekee mieli sanoa preppy. Ei herätä kauheammin tunteita, onneksi - voisi pahimmillaan olla kovin ärsyttävää.

Ei niin paha: hupsuttelu ja höpsöttely on jätetty minimiin, ja bändi jaksaa ihan rokata.

I hate Steely Dan. Their music is vapid and boring. It's too clean, clinical. I'm pretty sure it's the go to album for a psychiatrist somewhere in the world to calm their patients.

Yeah that's pretty pleasurable to my ears too but it seems like everything is lately so who knows maybe it's a weird temporary mood not accurately indicating my tastes???

- Never listened to Steely Dan all that much, so I was surprised by the incredibly obvious jazz influences (which were often more than just influences). - "My Old School" singlehandedly took this from a 3 star to a 4 star in my mind. Hell of a banger.

It’s steely Dan. What’d ya want?

Very enjoyable. Also deep into dad rock hits. I'd understand how the vibe could be polarizing for some people. I fell into the camp of actually enjoying it. 8/10 Would I listen again? Yes

Kinda cap dad rock. Musically it feels decently creative but the songwriting and singing to me miss the mark. No saves, will probably never listen to this one again

Shitty Dan. First song was alright. Other than that was fighting the urge to fall asleep

Maybe their least annoying album I’ve heard

Good for bland.

Man, the production on this album is so satisfying. Crystal clear. And the performances are just amazing. This is really well done.

one of my least fav steely dan albums. my old school is and your gold teeth are the most likeable tracks, but there are just some very weird genre decisions (bodhisattva, king of the world, pearl of the quarter)

After voting for yesterday’s album which was the 5th 1/5 in a row I was in excited anticipation about what today’s album would be. Surely after five duds I was due a classic? Well not quite but at least I knew of Steely Dan and that they were competent musicians. The sound of Steely Dan is very much rooted in the mid 70’s and listening to this album brought back memories of what was a happy time of my life. I was never a fan enough to buy their music but their MOR rock sound was everywhere during the 70’s. It was an enjoyable listen and sonically it was a well produced album with a great soundstage to pick out all the individual musicians. Not an album I will personally go back to but I’m glad Steely Dan and their music exist. Thanks for the memories! 2.9/5 4/4/24

It's something. It's very steely dan, and I can see why it would be polarizing. Some really catchy songs, and some that are kind of boring. The sax and things is quite nice. Maybe like 3 stars. I don't think I'll go back to this one.

Good songs not the best from Steely Dan but solid album

I don’t know it didn’t grab my attention as much as the debut. Idk if I just wasn’t in the mood for it today or if my music tastes have changed. Still a couple songs I liked a lot tho. Rating: 3.1

I like steely Dan a lot but this isn't my favorite album by them. I listened to this for a while then swapped over to aja

Very high 3 to low 4, very good album

Muy bueno. 8/10

Like the title! Not so much a fan of this sound tho

Isn’t this the band named after a sex toy? It was okay. It more reminds me of other 70s rockers that I’d rather be listening too.

I wasn't a fan of Steely Dan's brand of jazz-rock back in the 1970s, and apart from the odd track here and there - none of which are on this album - I'm still not a fan; I remember that this was the cause of many an argument with some of my friends back in the day. I quite liked "Your Gold Teeth" which had more of a prog-rock feel to it.

Marginally better than Aja, but that is a seriously low bar. Only saved from 1 star by "King of the World" being pretty decent.

I struggle with this band. They’ve made some genuinely good music. But then they get all weird and too 70s country prog sounding. I can appreciate the quality of the composition and ambition. There are certainly a lot of ideas and talent. But something in their sound makes me queasy. I think it’s the vocal harmonies. This record is very post-hippie 70s, from the xylophone, to the electric organ, to the cool jazz guitar. It is definitely distinctive, but distinctively early 70s liteFM. They did not skimp on the slide guitar, either. Seriously, why does this band always make me nauseous?

Listened to this while playing Imperium Classics. I lost. I've never been a big Steely Dan fan. This album didn't really change my opinion all that much. I totally will forget this album in like a week.

Steely Dan is really a high floor, low ceiling band for me. None of their stuff blows me away but it's never awful. I think I'm good with having 3 of their albums on this list though. 3/5

meh

Not as hit worthy as other SD albums...but just as good.

Wonderful

I should detest this, pop/ jazz/ rock that sounds far too clean and polished, with cheesy lyrics about the USA. It sounds like a house band channelling some strange mixture of Neil Young, The Eagles, and various other bands of that ilk. However, I really enjoyed it. So much that when I got to the end I immediately went back and listened to the whole thing a second time. It's just too much cheese for 5 stars, but it's an easy 4.

One of my favorite Steely Dan albums. Razor Boy>Boston Rag>Your Gold Teeth>Show Biz Kids is a helluva run of great memories tunes you'll never hear on the radio sandwiched between a couple of classic rock radio mainstays you may be tired of. Then you get Pearl of the Quarter and King of the World, the latter of which makes me want to wager that Dan has more songs about doomerism than possibly any other band to sell a million records. About their lyrics. Today I noticed that all of the locations mentioned in the Boston Rag are in NYC, not Boston. Par for the course with these tricksters. Also, I love it when lyricists give priority to the sound of their words over a direct literal meaning. The Rolling Stones and REM are two bands that are good at this. On Show Biz Kids, I think the backup singers are repeating something about "life's wages" but it also sounds like "Las Vegas" and in putting both ideas into your head at the same time, it adds a whole new dimension to the lead singer's words about a decadent LA culture, while better fusing the words and the music together. This album was made when they still had a regular band and I think it benefits from the continuity. Denny Dias is a criminally underrated guitar player whose career never seemed to recover from Becker and Fagen's decision to stop touring and use more studio musicians. He gets more room on here than other albums and really makes the most of it. Worth listening to the entire record one time through just focusing on the guitars (Skunk Baxter is the other guitar player, and the two make a great team). It's stunning what's going on over there.

Although I'm a bit surprised to get another Steely Dan album, I guess it makes sense, since I was surprised the other album didn't have "Boddhisattva", and here it is! I always enjoy listening to Steely Dan, so this was a nice listen, but I'm still a bit puzzled why there are (at least) two Steely Dan albums in this collection, as they're not all that different from each other. In some ways I liked more of this album's songs than on "Aja", and I *do* like this album's cover more, and it's kind of fun to hear a less polished version and a little more rocking version of the band (plus an album that could actually be played live). I also enjoyed a few songs I'd never heard from them, like "The Boston Rag".

I did not enjoy this as much as I did "Aja." None of the songs seemed as good to me as the best on Aja, and I didn't get into the backup chorus sound.

Slightly overstuffed and a touch ragged, but a couple of stone-cold classics – the opener "Boddhisavta" (a foreshadowing of themes from Aja, where they'd be given more languid and Asaitic/opium den treatments) and "My Old School" (one of their top two or three bouncy rollickers [which is saying something]) plus some suprising, less-known winners, including "Razor Boy" and "King of the World" a most satisyfing closer. Seems the band were still trying to work out what to do with all their musical ideas. The guitar work is exquisite, what makes it special, great sounding and intricately interwoven with keys.

Such a boring band to have so many entries on this list.

Dreamy rock!

Requires a certain volume level to make out the lyrics as if they're a little further back in the mix than I would like. That guitar solo in My Old School though...

I've heard some bad things about Steely Dan but this was actually quite enjoyable. Didn't do anything to wow me but I was grooving. I like the jazz elements and such. Fav songs: - Bodhisattva - Your Old Teeth - My Old School

Fitting since one of the members just passed away. this is a very enjoyable album. Steely Dan is a band that don't really sound like anyone else. Chicago is the closest I can think of.

Liked this one better than the last Steely Dan album, but I might just not be a Steely Dan guy. 2.4

2.5 Yup, it Steely Dan

Great album. On the spectrum of jazz-rock fusion, this album tips toward rock but the jazzy solos are fantastic. And a lot of these songs prioritize the solos so much that you totally forget about the chorus or the verse until the song suddenly snaps back into place. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are great songwriters and all of these songs are strong enough to work on the level of the standard verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure. But most of these songs also have some kind of turn -- a key change or a new musical idea -- that gets introduced two-thirds of the way into a track that pushes the song into new territory. The songs keep you on your toes. The lyrics are sharp and interesting too. By my count, three songs criticize materialistic lifestyles ("Bodhisattva," "Razor Boy" and "Show Biz Kids") but I like how Fagen and Becker are self-aware enough to include themselves in that world. In "Show Biz Kids," there's a reference to rich yuppie-types who "got the Steely Dan t-shirt." Even in this counterculture criticism of wealthy people, they stop to point out: "Yeah also maybe us being a successful rock band is part of the problem too." And, as always with Steely Dan, there's a few songs I don't understand at all. "Tobacco they grow in Peking In the year of the locust you'll see a sad thing Even Cathy Berberian knows There's one roulade she can't sing" I have no idea what those lyrics refer to on "Your Gold Teeth" but I love listening to the flow of them. A lot of Steely Dan lyrics will have these little character details or story fragments and you don't always have enough information to piece it all together but the words are fun to turn around in your head. The production is clearly meticulous -- every guitar lick and piano riff is placed in just the right spot -- but the music still sounds so loose and effortless. It has a breeziness about it that can hide how well-crafted every song is here. A+, 5/5, big fan of this one.

Just some great bops in this album. I love the record starting with a energetic buddhist pop rock track. Great lyrics in this one with a few short but complex fun plays on Buddhism / Capitalism / Materialism. It's got so many layers in each track, so many tempo changes, so many instrument introductions that end up just lingering for a short second and then leaving, so many delicately placed musical elements, and yet they all sound perfect and meticulous. It feels like there's no loose ends, it just all gels and feels great. I don't often rate things as a 5 here unless it's truly one of the best albums of all time, and in a totally biased but unintentional way I find that I don't rate 5's for albums that are my first listen through via this list. But this album doesn't do anything wrong enough for it to be anything lower than a 5. It's enjoyable from start to finish and I want to listen more after I'm done.

I think it'll take several listens to get the true intent of the lyrics. The music is muted as always, missing that extra umph that probably would show thru in a live setting. I ended this album better off than I started it, but it wasn't exceptional.

Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Pearl of the quarter

Not bad. I can't say I'm the biggest Steely Dan fan, but there are some alright songs here. Still feel like other bands captured more emotion than these guys.

Really tight, good album. Doesnt hang around too long with anything that you dont want, gets in and out and does the job. Good production, and the band is hitting all the marks. 4/5

Third favorite Steely Dan album. 3/5 as I can’t see myself listening that often, but I did enjoy it.

I found this really interesting. I’m not sure what it is - a bit like rock but then it’s also funky and a bit jazzy. I did like it though, strangely. It’s close between a 3 and 4 but I think it’s going to fall on the higher side. It’s just fun.

Classy Steely Dan - but still not too refined

When Steely Dan doesn't work for me, it really doesn't work. This album gets 1 star for each song I didn't skip. You can probably guess which songs. The same things that bug me about Steely Dan's first record bug me here, but this one doesn't have half the hits to cover those annoyances. I much prefer their work from the middle of the decade.

Okay so this is a funny one. It’s not my favorite Steely Dan record— there aren’t a ton of standouts, and the heights of Can’t Buy A Thrill really aren’t here to be found. It’s a little meandering, long, and almost sounds jammed out? I mean, I know it’s not, but that’s my impression. Despite this… it’s Steely Dan. The sheer technical and musical brilliance on display here lets the album punch way above its weight class. Come for the solos, stay for those signature jaded, Chiba-City-in-Neuromancer lyrics. It’s inviting and threatening. And I like it. 4/5

This feels tongue in cheek in a very weird way. The Boston Rag kind of goes on and on. I think these guys are very clearly skilled but I'm halfway through the album and am wondering what they are doing. This is going to be a weird take but this almost sounds like they got their musical ability from a genie or something. Like they've got it down, but there's almost a slight mockingness to do this with their skill. Maybe it makes sense if they got the ability in a way that didn't take work. This weirdly grows on me some. I feel almost uneasy liking parts of this. Like listen to the guitar work on King of the World. This is incredible. But what's going on. I'm going 3 since this is a 5 in skill but makes me feel a bit unwell at times. Ah King of the World is so skilled and weird. Fine. 4.

Reminds me of eating a honeydew melon that is not yet ripe. Sounds like music to listen to when you are across the street from the beach. I like this as an album it is cohesive. None of the tracks individually pop for me but as an album it's a good listen.

Third dan album in my first 100. Not complaining, it's the third 5 star.

Wat hebben de jaren zeventig ons uiteindelijk veel gegeven. Funk, glamrock, disco, progrock, singer-songwriter maar ook veel van dit soort gestroomlijnde edelpop. Alles klinkt om door een ringetje te halen en niemand had nog een drumcomputer. The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel en dus ook deze heren. Laat het lekker aan je voorbij glijden, er zit geen noot verkeerd, hoogstens krijg je ook hier Wembley niet mee plat.

Kwalitatief sterk singer-songwriter achtig album. Weer een tijdloos album. Maar ook weer saai en niet mij smaak. Of komt dat omdat ik door de titel uitkeek naar het hoogtepunt op het einde, dat nogal tegenviel?

Een combinatie van jazz en bluesrock. En hoe vet is dit. De gitaar is soms zenuwachtig, dan weer juist heel relaxed, vervolgens het pianootje of de drum. We hebben al eerder een album van Steely Dan gehad en ook dat viel behoorlijk goed in de smaak. Weer komt de associatie van jaren 70 en 80 televisieshows bij me op, net als de vorige keer. Bloemetjesbehang, boerenbontservies, nostalgie. Het is soort van gedateerd, maar op een hele fijne manier, dat je juist terugdenkt aan vroeger als je bij opa en oma op visite ging en je volgestopt werd met koekjes en snoepjes. Of in mijn geval met zelfgemaakte tomatensoep (Maggi was het geheime ingredient), peperkoek (wij noemden dat ontbijtkoek) en abrikozenvlaai (omdat we die altijd met frisse tegenzin opaten, dacht oma dat we dat echt lekker vonden, dus had ze de keer erop weer abrikozenvlaai gekocht). Qua muziek heeft het af en toe jazzy uitstapjes, maar omdat de ritmesectie zo ongelooflijk lekker is, mogen ze er alles op improviseren wat ze willen, want het blijft lekker klinken. De zang in harmonie is ook top, het klopt allemaal. En ondanks dat er dus geen hit op staat, al ken ik My Old School wel, sta ik vanaf minuut 1 onbewust mee te knikken met mijn hoofd. Dit is gewoon 40 minuten topmuziek. Man, wat is die ritmesectie goed zeg. Fucking 5 sterren dit.

Faultless musicianship. Dark lyrical themes, set to jaunty tunes - very sly. I could listen to Steely Dan all day.

I recently listened to this one. Listening to it again, still feeling the same mix. I think this very good. I just don't really know what it does for me personally. I'm probably on the cusp of getting it. Not the worst thing to walk around listening to, that's for sure.

i’m a dan fan forever

Travail de basses et de claviers, inspiration jazz dans le progressif. Harmonies vocales. Un peu oubliable pour moi

A bit more formulaic for a collective that has much stronger individual outputs. Still an enjoyable romp.

Decent tracks. You'll know Bodhisattva and My Old School. Show Biz Kids is disgustingly repetitive... Average overall album.

pretty good!

- better than the last steely dan album i listened to

This website loves Steely Dan

I rank this early Steely Dan album somewhere in the upper-mids of their entire catalogue.

It's a disservice to the songs on Countdown To Ecstasy to call it a rock recording. Rock has guts. "The Boston Rag" has a guitar solo and a driving drum beat which makes it rock adjacent but the rest of the album is... mild? "1970s mellow gold AM radio background noise" is what I would call it. Put this next to your Bread and Looking Glass records so you can put them on when your lame neighbors come over for mayonnaise sandwiches. Pearl Of The Quarter is the best song on the record.

This one guy in the reviews wrote literally 9 paragraphs about this album. I’m not going to do that.

holy shit

Dad rock? More like CHAD Rock. 4.5

Groovy

3.5

The Steely Dan album I’ve listenes to the least, but that’s about to change. This as hard rocking as they get, and I like it.

Turhaa musiikkia hahaha kevyttä kuunnella, mutta miksi teitte turhaa?

Eh it was ok. Not their best album for sure.

A very nice album that perfectly encapsulates the sound of the early-to-mid 1970's. I didn't find one track on there that had me fully engaged, but every single track was pleasant. Well worth a listen again, at some stage, but it wasn't an 'experience' in the same way that some of the other albums on this site were.

I’ve never really enjoyed Steely Dan. They sound to me like an amalgam of lounge act and a rock band. While I can appreciate their skill as musicians, I just can’t get behind the music.

Have not heard of this album, but very familiar with Aja & Pretzel logic both of which I very much enjoyed growing up as an occasional listen. I do like their sound, but only sparsely. I enjoyed listing to this album but not on par to those two other albums I’m familiar with. I really enjoyed “show biz kids” “my old school” and “king of the world” the rest seemed pretty average. Album cover was unique, some interesting art, but I don’t like it visually, maybe that’s the point.

Great musicianship. Sounded perfect.

Perfect Steely Dan album just like practically all their albums

Not a Steely Dan album I listen to very often, but this is still top notch musicality. Such clever song-writing.

Elegant and musically excellent, not entirely grabbing the attention though.

This is honestly one of those bands that I just don't get and the fact that they're highly rated. In so many forums And websites and rating sites is befuddling to me. They didn't release one recordof any substance this one is a particularly low value

Im lukewarm about Steely Dan because a handful of their classic hits that come across classic rock stations are fine but none of those are on this album which makes me wonder how many more SD records are on this list.

Great sound, but nothing I need to revisit.

My favorite SD album. 5 stars

I’d never listened to Steely Dan before but this is the 2nd album of theirs I’ve quite liked. I don’t think I love their stuff particularly but each time I listen to one of their albums I find myself surprised by how much I’m enjoying it

Absolutely fine, toe tapping good music. Nothing more, nothing less.

Haven’t heard this album. Classic Steely Dan.

Not my favorite Steely Dan album (Katy Lied), But pretty much most of them are 5's! Including this one.

There are some good songs here, but I just could never really get excited about this album

I've always loved this band, but this was one I wasn't too familiar with except for a few songs. Great as always, and they get even better.

They haven’t fully lived up to their namesake on this record, but the seeds are there and you can tell that full-blown dildo rock is not far off.

Kinda catchy, jazzy, funky. Not really something I'd choose to listen to but not bad.

Si. Se deja escuchar. Lindo. Ameno.

Interesting album. Sometimes it sounds like Yes or the Peter Gabriel. I think the vocals were extrem difficult. Reminds me to Sledgehammer which I tried to sing in earlier times.

Didn't really like "Aja", so let's see how this one will score. 01) Bodhisattva - 6,0 02) Razor Boy - 7,0 03) The Boston Rag - 6,0 04) Your Gold Teeth - 5,5 05) Show Biz Kids - 6,0 06) My Old School - 6,0 07) Pearl of the Quarter - 6,0 08) King of the World - 7,0 TOTAL: 6,19 (62/100) Well, still not impressed. I don't think Steely Dan is my cup of tea.

digging this way more than Aja. groovy

This is really fun. I don't think I had listened to this record all the way through and so it was a nice adventure. Such killer production and love the sound of Fagen's voice. So sooooothing.

Solid yacht rock

Pas fou

(2,5)

6,7

3,8/5

this album makes me feel like it's on the edge for something bigger, problem is, it never really goes there for me. it's still great and will relisten, i think the only one time listen it's not enough for this album. it goes kinda proggy, yeeeaaah... but. BUT. i really like the jazzier vibes this album has throughout. gonna give it a 4, will i repent from this rating? probably yes.

Solid! Love the fusion of sounds, good chill/hangout music. Long time Steely Day fan.

Enjoyable

Again, never listened to this album! Very solid!

The first song rips SO hard. The cadence of this album is exactly the way I like my albums... intense at first, dips down to more mellow, picks up in the middle, dips again and ends on a high note.

I guess now that I'm in just about 36 I'm obligated to fawn over how remarkable it is that something this technically proficient and dense can also be so incredibly catchy and pop-informed at the same time?

Some truly great jammy playing on here accompanied by some truly horrific lyricism.

Probably hadn't listened to this in full since my Dan phase in college but still remembered every song vividly. Bodhisattva is a monster live too

idk why but I've been on a huge kick with these guys lately, this is the third time I've listened to this album this year, no notes 11/10

A little too jam bandy for my taste

I joined this website to expand my music taste - Steely Dan has shoved itself in the best way possible, just like its namesake. Smooth, jazzy, jammy, harmonics on point, bluesy, I mean, what more do you want?

Not for me. A few interesting moments but not enough to sustain my interest.

Good music

Nice peace of music. The album-title is a bit missleading - I cannot find any ecstasy. My expectations for 'rock' are different.

I hate Steely Dan

Enjoyed some of the riffs.

It starts with one of my favorite Steely Dan songs, "Bodhisattva". Not my favorite, but one of them yes! Standouts: My Old School, Bodhisattva, Razor Boy, Show Biz Kids, The Boston Rag.... 5/5

Decent

Okay

I’m pretty terrible at writing unique and original thoughts for these reviews. So I’m just going to regurgitate what I said for my first Steely Dan album. I’m truthfully never in a bad mood when I put these guys on. They radiate a kind of energy that brings joy into my life. But I still wouldn’t consider this their best work. I’m eagerly awaiting the day I get to talk about that particular album. But this is still just as good, if not slightly better, than the debut. This album was still successful, but didn’t create the massive songs like Can't Buy a Thrill did. Their debut was more of a blend of a bunch of different sounds, but this is a far more streamlined and by the books pop rock album. It works though. This is their sound, and they had it down from day one. Donald Fagen is also finally on lead vocals for every song, which is one of the vital decisions they ever made in evolving the band. I didn’t mind David Palmer, but Fagen is the voice of the band. The differences between this and the debut are pretty minimal. The gap was only a year, and if you enjoyed what the group created then, you will enjoy this. It’s just as catchy, and just as well written as their other work, but they have yet to reach the point of culmination in their evolution. Rating: 8/10

Not a bad album, but a bit slow moving for me.

Not my style

Smooth and steely

Steely Dan is the goat

Good musicians but I can only listen for a limited time

Liked Steely Dan’s music since first hearing them back in the day. Never heard this album only the songs that made them popular.

Freekadelic.

I do not know who this music is for?

My name is Dan! I ain’t all that steely though.

Very nice. Interesting songs. The first one starts with great piano.

Great new Finding. I Like the Genremix and they Groove :)

Didn't enjoy this at all. sorry

Refinen el so del seu primer dic i assoleixen la seva personalitat, amb un pop elegant vorejant el jazz. No hi ha cap hit, però són vuit composicions molt sólides que ja fan de la banda un dels grups més personals i interessants dels setanta

A couple classic tracks. Others kind of blend into the mix

Einförmiger Pop.

Underrated, one of their top albums. Not a bad track on here.

good time

I have listened to this album before, but I re-listened to it today because it had been so long since I gave this project a proper listen (or listened to Steely Dan at all!). It was the album that got me into Steely Dan (especially 'King of the World'!) and it's still my favourite of theirs all these years later. Favourite Track: King of the World Least Best Track: Pearl of the Quarter (it's still good in my opinion though)

Wow. Boring and bad.

It feels more human than Pretzel Logic, so I like it better. Favorite song: Bodhisattva

normal I thought

I just wasn’t really feeling excited to listen to this album—Steely Dan, like Billy Joel, is one of those artists who are undeniably excellent at what they do, and yet tend to veer into a sort of accidental self-parody that I find off-putting. So I hit play and was surprised! “Bodhisattva” was a standout, high energy, and virtuosically performed opening track that felt like Steely Dan but seemed to avoid their worst tendencies. And then we got to track 2, “Razor Boy,” and we were in full Steely Dan mode. Which, again, isn’t bad, but is something that I struggle to get excited about for some reason. I suppose given that this was their second album and first where Donald Fagen had control, this album set their template, and that’s worth something. Side note—I had no idea Super Furry Animal’s “The Man Don’t Give A Fuck,” sampled a line of “Show Biz Kids,” so that was a fun discovery. When a good song spawns an even better song, I see that as a win!

Soft 3. Opening track is very good with some nice stuff scattered between the rest. Will I listen to again: 30%

Just ok for me. Can't Buy A Thrill has a lot more stand out tracks. None of these really stood out to me. 3 = If it was playing in the background, I wouldn't turn it off, but I'm unlikely to actively seek it out again.

Ahh, Steely Dan. It's been so long.

I enjoyed this more than I had previously imagined I would.

Interetung

I can't judge whether or not this is any good, as I really don't like the genre. Not keen.

One hundred stars. Brilliance.

Didnt Listen. Too jam-bandy for my taste in the moment.

It’s not that I don’t like Steely Dan, I love some good old classic rock. The album is ok, but the truth is that nothing quite stands out. [0087/1001]

Solid Dan as always. not one of my favorites as I'm usually more a fan of the albums that have memorable songs on them but still a classic. how they got away with that f word though will still puzzle me forever

I like the song my old school I've had it saved for a while :) the rest of it was also quite fun

Stop giving me steely Dan albums 😭

Dad with a Hawaiian shirt rock. Didn't finish it 2

Nice and cool

Walter Fucking Becker… If you can listen to Boston Rag or My Old School and not have a gigantic smile on your face after Walter absolutely shreds your brain in half with that tonal wave of sound, then I’m not sure I could ever be your friend. This album is absolute jazz-rock heaven, I think they’re most true to the genre. With keys and drums accompanying the backing singers and supporting Walter and Donald. It’s just something you grow into and appreciate more as you age. I’m sure someone could explain it to me, but in the meantime I’ll just continue appreciating it more and more.

clean. Jazz rock. pretty enjoyable

Lyrically interesting, sounds great. Solid.

Pretty decent!

This will be the second Steely Dan song from the generation station that I shall listen to. I haven’t heard this one before, and I don’t recognise any track titles. I go in hopeful, as I quite enjoyed Can’t Buy A Thrill. Let’s listen! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: The Boston Rag I was a little underwhelmed by this album. It didn’t live up to my expectations from the other album. This wasn’t bad by any means, but I did find it difficult to pick any favourite tracks as they all felt a little unremarkable. This felt like the kind of album that was made to be background music rather than foreground, and maybe that’s where I went wrong here. I’d say I’m quite unlikely to come rushing back to this one.