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Aja
Steely Dan
1977
Wikipedia
Reviews
Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!I never got the fuss over this album, or indeed Steely Dan in general. I don’t know what this is or who it’s for. The whole thing feels like after dinner entertainment at an all-inclusive holiday resort - it’s not the worst evening you’ve ever had, but if you’re being totally honest with yourself you’d rather be somewhere else.
Even trying to have an open mind, I spent the majority of the album hoping it would end soon. Each song was followed by another somehow even less interesting.
Look, I'm willing to admit the possibility that I'm listening to this album from too modern of a perspective. But it's not good is it? The songwriting is bland, the arrangements are mediocre, and the performances are lackluster. The ONLY reason this album is saved from a one-star review is that the engineering and production are out-of-this-world good. I don't know when the last time was that I heard such crispy drums and such a perfectly balanced stereo mix. This production is so good. It's just a shame it's wasted on such a turd of an album.
Goddamn Steely Dan, you dildo-name-thieving fucks. You make lackluster songs, bathe them in sanitizing liquid until the recording is so clean it could be eaten off of, and then you get the fucking best musicians in the world to actually make them sound good. How do you expect me to cope with Gadd and Purdie on the same album? Fuck you. Four Stars.
At one point during the title track, I thought to myself, "This one has to be over soon, right?" and when I looked at the elapsed time, it wasn't even halfway done. What a slog. Give me their earlier stuff, but not this. This is yacht rock with extra steps. Best track: Josie
i just really don't like steely dan. the drummer on this album (apparently bernard purdie) was excellent, but i just hate everything else about them.
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
I mean... Not only is there not one bad song on the album, there are a bunch of absolutely classic bangers.
The songs on this album are more homogenous and less adventurous than prior Steely Dan albums but the production, arrangements, and the cast of thousands (including Wayne shorter) who played and sang are brilliant. Full disclosure: I watched the making of Aja on Classic albums (Youtube) a few years ago. For one track they had different studio musicians submit guitar solos and then they picked the best one. Definitely not rock n’ roll.
Another incredible Steely Dan album. I prefer Countdown to Ecstasy/Pretzel Logic/Katy Lied, but this album hits all , the right notes and has some amazing songs. “Deacon Blues” might be one of my favorite Steely Dan songs, and it might well be a paradigmatic Steely Dan song. They write about losers and castaways and shady, shitty characters down on their luck and this song captures that ethos so well (“They’ve got a name for the winners in the world/I, I want a name when I lose/They call Alabama the Crimson Tide/Call me deacon blues”). “Peg” is another song about a figure with aspirations down on their luck, this time an aspiring actress who ditched her boyfriend for her dreams of stardom. “Black Cow” is about some down on his luck schmuck confessing about his faithless girlfriend. However, this album has more of Steely Dan’s cryptic songwriting on it than albums past, and less of their sardonic wit. The title track is almost impenetrable, it seems impossible to make meaning out of it (although the instrumental break that punctuates the middle of the song is hypnotic). The three closing tracks stand over the end of the album like a riddle, each growing more convoluted than the last. There isn’t much hope of finding a consistent story in any of them, but they’re fun to listen to and the lyrics can provoke a response even when they fail to cohere into a story. An incredible album, I love it. 9/10.
4.5/5. I'm surprised I enjoyed this one so much, it's not the kind of genre I usually listen to. Everything just works for me, fav tracks: deacon blues/peg
The title track is worth the price of admission. Add "Deacon Blues" and "Peg" to the mix? Amazing. Fantastic album. The players are just fantastic. The drumming on the title track has been so talked about that any comment feels redundant. It's just beautiful.
5 stars. I think this album is as close to perfect as Steely Dan gets. It has everything I want when I’m looking for something chipper and interesting
Somehow overrated and overlooked at the same time. It’s an exceptional album, one of the best of that decade. But let’s talk about Led Zep IV or Dark Side of the Moon some more please.
A jazz-rock album which fuses cool jazz, blues, and pop into a masterpiece of an album. The production and mixing are amazing; filling soft melodies with jazzy solos and rich background instrumentals which flow seamlessly with each track. Favorite tracks: Aja, Deacon Blues, Home At Last
Great Jazz-Pop-Rock fusion album. Very well produced with no filler. So many dynamics and rhythm changes and syncopation throughout, really fun listen. Favourite Tracks: Peg, Deacon Blues, Home at Last
Getting some Billy Joel vibes with this one in some songs, but man what a good listening, well produced album. Thoroughly enjoyed
Difficult to look at this impartially, being one of my favourite and frequently played albums, so I’ll just gush. I kind of understand some people’s “bland/Muzak” perception. I don’t often “get” much punk, early Country or a lot of hip-hop, but... ... This album has amazing musicianship - albeit very calculated and brilliantly produced. The antithesis of punk. Love the funky pop of Black Cow, I got the news, Peg, the mature jazz crossover of Aja, the sophistication of Deacon Blues and the rock of Home at last and Josie. A perfect timeless album.
This is my favorite Steely Dan album and one I’ve listened to many times in my life. My Dad used to play it a lot, and it holds up. It’s not my typical type of music, but I really love it.
Meni je ovo bilo savršeno. Ovaj lagani jazz/rock je melem za uši. Čak sam dva puta poslušala. Evo jedna petica.
I get that some people just do not like Steely Dan. Heck as a kid when they would come on the radio - and they did, often - I pretty much hated them. Smooth but weird...songs that didn't necessarily have the standard structure I was accustomed to. Then again I was a stupid kid. It's different and I guess that was what i didn't like at the time or freaked me out or whatever, but this is ridiculously-complex and good music. Is/was it pop? rock? fusion? jazz? who knows, probably all of the above and who cares. Can't even pick out a favourite song - literally good from beginning to end but if forced I might pick "Aja" as the unique standout. Also of importance: you just cannot listen to this album through a phone speaker, you've got to put on either earbuds/headphones, or play it through a decent stereo. Without succumbing to boredom about how amazing the studio techniques and worldly session musicians were... if you're listening to this for the first time just make sure you at least give it a chance in this way. It's one of the most celebrated *recordings* of all time for a reason - the clarity and fidelity are pretty much perfect. Jazz rock may not be my favourite subgenre but I'm not sure an album gets much better than this. 9/10 5 stars
Now that's what I'm talking about! I thoroughly enjoyed this album. Steely Dan combines jazz and soft rock so well. Highlights: Black Cow, Peg, Home At Last, I Got The News, Josie
Amazing album, would almost say its a no skip album. Amazing fusion of funky and jazzy styles with a consistent upbeat rhythm. Favourite songs are Black cow and Deadon blues. A suprisingly short album considering the amount of great songs in it!
One of the best-sounding records ever made. Even if lush 70s jazz-rock is not your thing you can marvel at the playing and production. Wayne Shorter's solo, the chorus to Deacon Blues...it's pleasures are endless.
It’s amazing how on paper this band sounds like the most uncool thing, but in practice they’re cool as all fuck.
The legendary stories about the production and musicianship of this album are true. It sounds amazing, the quirky narration pulls you into the stories about these characters, and it's just an overall enjoyable listen. I liked every song except two: Aja and I Got the News.
Man! Shoutout till denna skiva prpr. All kritik om överprocessering tycker jag att är dum, det vanliga felet med album som förädlas för mycket i studoon är att de låter tråkiga. De låter sterila, inget unikt eller intressant. Överprocesserad musik tappar all swag. Det här albumet är inte en gnutta överprocesserat trots att det låter helt perfekt... för INGET låter så här, liksom på riktigt. Alla instrument låter härliga och fylliga, lager kommer in och ut, saker kommer in och ut ur låtarna på ett så absurt perfekt sätt.... och musiken har swag, den greppar en, vilket är det viktigaste. Donald Fagen äger också, hans nasala scumbag ass sångröst ger de elaka nedlåtande lyricsen liv, men visar ändå nån sorts iakttagande empati för de patetiska karaktärerna som fyller ut låtarna på albumet. Önskar det fanns mer sånhänt pr, det rör mig på ett sätt få saker kan, ofta är musik om empati lite väl... ointressant? Deacon Blues är en av mina favoritlåtar nånsin, och resten ligger inte långt bakom. Peg, var jag svär att backup vocalsen byter ut Fagens "Foreign movie" till "Porno Movie", något som får karaktären som sjunger sången (som ja feelar e om att få en skådespelerska av en sort eller annan att fortsätta sin karriär fast hon int alls vill) till henne att kännad så vidrig att jag spyr medan Peg då indirekt får lite empati från låtskrivarens håll. Och en hel massa från lyssnaren... (Teorin e kanske ba bs fö ja ha int läst lyricsen) Black Cow karaktären låter så småsint att de bara äger, Aja förutspådde patetiska anime-nördar 1977, Josie får jag mer sliskvibbar av... helt enkelt en lätt 5 stjärna....
This is like Revenge of the Nerds but instead of sexual assault they made one of the best (produced) albums of all time
I mean, what can you say about a classic like this that hasn't already been said. There are so many hits on here. I think I had a best of album when I was younger because I do recall listening to these occasionally. The only track that got a little manic was I Got The News. It was a little too experimental for me. Not the normal smoothness of Dan.
Incredible playing, but in places, a little too slick. I prefer some of their other albums, but it's still a great listen.
This is on-paper not up my alley, but I cannot help but be charmed every time I hear it.
A very tight set of songs. Reminds me of Weather Report, but slightly more accessible. My former boss is a huge fan, and while it's not totally for me, I see the appeal. Favorite tracks: "Deacon Blues", "Peg"
This album is a straight vibe. Great intersection between rock, jazz, and new age sounds. Album is a collection of art. Stand-outs: Deacon Blues
top track black cow really vibes jazz. every track was about 6 mins and u could tell. but I liked the music lol
Truly a classic - Peg, Black Cow, and Deacon Blues alone are worth putting it on the 1001 list, but there's 4 more great cuts as well! Only reason I'm not giving it 5 is that I rank it 3rd in SD's catalog after Pretzel Logic and Gaucho
(Jazz rock / Pop rock) Extremely well-written jazz rock that still sounds contemporary thanks to the quality of the session musicians and production. However, the 'softness' of yacht rock detracts from an otherwise stellar album. 8/10
Superbly produced album with expert musicmanship. I read a long time ago that Deacon Blues has the best lyrics ever and I can't argue with Learn to work the saxophone (I) I play just what I feel Drink Scotch whiskey all night long And die behind the wheel They got a name for the winners in the world (I) I want a name when I lose They call Alabama the Crimson Tide Call me Deacon Blues The rest of the album is not as brilliant, but it is still pretty darned good so it gets a 4/5 from me
Highlights: Deacon Blues, Peg Lowlight: Ironically...Aja 70's Jazz/Rock fusion and velvety lyrical prowess never sounded better. This isn't just a musically excellent album, it's also a sonic masterpiece; Every beat, crash, strum, pluck, and chord is deliberate and represented with crystal clear clarity, with plenty of space between to catch your breath. There is nothing overwhelming here, classics like Peg will have you tapping your toe...Even with tracks like Josie where there is more complexity, nothing is edged out or muddy. This is a well-built album.
Zum ersten Mal aufmerksam geworden auf Steely Dan bin ich, als Carsten "Erobique" Meyer ca. 1997 in der "Komm Küssen" irgendeine Plattenbesprechung abschloss mit den Worten "Ich muss jetzt erstmal Steely Dan hören". Ich kannte die damals nicht, fand den Spruch aber sehr gut und hab dann versucht rauszufinden, was es so auf sich hat mit der Band. Die waren dann lange und sind mir eigentlich bis heute ein Rätsel, vermutlich weil einfach zu schlau für mich. 2 Konservatoriumstypen, so weit wie nur vorstellbar von Punk und/oder Rockstarattitüde entfernt, aber ihre Band nach nem Dildo benennen. Sowas schon allein. Hab ich mich mit abgefunden, und steh jedenfalls schon seit einigen Jahren immer mal wieder total auf diesen yahzzigen Yachtrock-Style. Und möchte mich jetzt auch noch mal kurz für diesen Ausfall neulich gegen YES entschuldigen, von wegen "Angebermusik". Weil: eigentlich find ich sowas ja total gut, und Steely Dan trifft natürlich voll in dieses Klischee, dieses ganze ausgestellte Raffinement, die audiophile Produktion, Saxophonsolos von Wayne Shorter etc. Dabei aber halt viel luftiger, samstagmorgentauglicher verpackt als eben YES - und also meinen Nerv trifft das. Voll. Aja (auch wieder son Rätsel: wieso man eine Platte nach der Freundin des Brudes von einem aus der Highschool-Klasse benennt, mit dem man nicht mal viel zu tun hatte) werde ich mir jedenfalls gerne noch öfter, und gerne mit guten Kopfhörern anhören. Und freue mich dabei schon auf die ganzen neuen Ideen jedesmal.
Echt heel tof en nog best wel van deze tijd! Heb dit album ol vinyl, maar pas een keer geluisterd. Echt een eye-opener.
I listen to this Steely Dan album and I learn EXACTLY what all the fuss is about: it's the most accessible music while still being dignified, eloquent, and fun. It's exquisite how good this album is, really. Jazz rock has never been more fun. I bet my parents will love this; we can listen to it over drinks and talk about current events or something, idk! People with taste listen to Steely Dan, and Aja has to be the pinnacle of this or I'll be damned.
This album was prob the first to fuse jazz and rock this well. The sax throughout exemplifies this particularly on Deacon Blues. Steve Gadd’s drumming on Aja (the song) is mind blowing. His two solos on that track are played like guitar solos - ie played while the band provides rhythm- rather than Bonham style snoozer solos. Thanks to mgravelle59 for bringing it home circa 1977.
Impeccable jazzy soft rock. I found it enjoyable and easy to listen to. Peg and Home at Last were favourites on this one.
I really liked the combination of classic hard rock and jazz that Steely Dan have going on here. A nice album to listen to and a band I'll definitely revisit. Not entirely gripping enough for a 5 though.
Is it a brag or flex to say I listened to my CD copy of this one? Pretty sure I have a vinyl copy tucked away too. I know this one and like it. Solid argument that it's Steely Dan's best album, though there is obviously room for debate and it's not my hill to die on. As far as I can tell, I can't rate in half stars but I'd probably go 4.5 on this if I could.
You kind of have to be in the right mood to listen to Steely Dan, but luckily I'm in that mood most of the time. "Deacon Blues" is the highlight of this album but the whole thing is great.
I have yet to hear a bad Steely Dan album, and this one is no exception. Their musicianship is always commendable, and the unique fusion/funk vibe they have going in a lot of these songs definitely makes this worth a few listens.
бляять какой же кайф включать и в первом же треке угадывать семпл одного из любимых треков мф дума. ну и альбик сам ниче так
Вот что меня удивляет - насколько все говорят о влиянии битлов, и насколько оно мало чувствовалось на самом деле (по крайней мере в то время). Казалось бы - не так уж давно они распались, оставив после себя практически идеальную поп-формулу, до сих пор актуальную формулу экспериментальной музыки и тд, но в 70х люди почему-то куда больше тяготели к дженерик рокенролу, который юзался жуками в основном в начале пути. Ну типа песни вроде Strawberry Fields Forever, Eleanore Rigby, Happiness is a Warm Gun, Tomorrow Never Knows - это же другой уровень развития, пусть психодел тоже не всегда бывал удачным, но его же куда интереснее было пробовать, чем серый антивоенный роцкешник. Но это ладно, мысли на полях, Стили Дэн не совсем про это. Тут скорее джаз-рок такой, без лишнего огонька, но с довольно приятными трубами и прикольной атмосферой. Впрочем интереса это всё равно не особо добавляет. Раздражения не вызывает, но в очередной раз толкает в голову вопрос: "а оно мне всё нужно вообще?" Что бы изменилось в моём восприятии музыки (как у слушателя и как у исполнителя), не послушай я этот альбом. Да скорее всего нихуя. Это не какая-то предъява к пластинке, просто интересно порой, откуда берётся легендарный статус и вот это всё. Легендарный статус группы creedence clearwater revival, например, оправдать легко - у них действительно был хит на века, который выстоял проверку временем и до сих пор попадает в нерв. Плюс пацифистская позиция, которая также актуальна в любое время. Ну и даже вот предыдущих тирексов мне не составит труда отнести к классике - хотя бы за прорывное (по моему мнению) звучание. А Steely Dan видится продуктом своего времени, качественно скрафченным, занимательным, скилловым, но неактуальным и эстетически пустым на данный момент. Thus said, лепить тройбан альбому всё-таки считаю неправильным, поскольку совсем уж дженериком назвать рука не поднимается, и наверное под пресловутое настроение он может показаться хорошим выбором. Но честно, сомневаюсь, что ещё когда-то вспомню о нём. 7/10
Steely Dan has a strange sound. I mean, on one hand, it's a funk, soul mix like Doobie Brothers or even Hall and Oates. But there's a Disco sense in it too that turns me off. The lyrics are a little more substantial than I expected, which is cool. The horns remind me of Chicago. Black Cow is quite a production. Aja is also pretty layered. Not sure if it's about a girl or just some other cultural observation The album cover seems to lean towards the former. This band always gives me a sense of a dark room with red lights, not a club or and not really comfortable. I just don't see them as "open air, and free. They seem confined I guess. Deacon Blues is a song I always kind of liked. It just sounds good. Definitely a story to Deacon Blues - which I admire as well. Peg is an uncharacteristically brief song for this album. Another log song but not ordinary. Home at Last is more of a return to Aja after Peg. This time its an ode to life at sea it seems, but with another solid groove that propels the song. I got the News - the title makes me think of A Day in the Life by the Beatles, but this appears to have nothing to do with that. Some great guitar work, really quirky jazz beats and is that Michael McDonald singing back up? Josie - Solid jam again. This was better than expected. I think I'd listen to this again for sure.
I'd avoided Steely Dan for so long because, I dunno, hipsters mocked them in the 90s? But this album is good. It has a very rich, complex sound, something that is evidence of how far audio production technology came in that part of the 20th century. The songs are just as complex, with dreamy worlds. But above all was my moment when I realised that "Peg" was the sampled basis of De Le Soul's "Eye Know".
Great Album! Have this in my collection, I Got The News my favourite track from this album. I do prefer "The Royal Scam" as an album, but this is a good one, with Backing Vocals from Michael McDonald. Also like Peg and Deacon Blues (which the eponymous Scottish band took its name from.) are also good tracks.
Eindelijk Steely Dan! Zeer coole groep, ook als je er meer van weet. Ik kende dit album niet maar vond het wel zeer leuk !
Warm, fun and smooth. The excellent drumming makes this a winner for me. Definitely interested in hearing more of their stuff.
Deacon blues is the song I recognize from this album. More good listening, but I think I prefer the countdown to ecstasy album over this one.
This album was quite good. Very chill and relaxing songs with really good instrumentation to keep them interesting. 7/10
Aaaaaaaa, pa viđam ovaj cover dost puta, al nikad nisam skužio žensku na njoj. Evo još jedan album iz 77'. Nisam očekivao ovakvu glazbu, više sam očekivao izdrkavanje po gitari, neki Rush tip benda, tako nešta jer gledajući koliko pjesama ima i koliko traju pjesme... Međutim, nije tak, drago mi je, zanimljiv album, gospodski, reklo bi se. Hvale ga očito s razlogom, i imaju zašto! Iznenadio me je jer stvarno nisam očekivao ovako pristojan album. Danceable, groovie, like it a lot! Pjesma Peg ima jedan sample koji se koristio u jednoj rap pjesmi (Eye Know od De La Soul) i to nisam znao, volim naučit ovakve stvari! Jedva čekam da i oni dođu na streaming platforme kad smo već kod toga. Aja (ko da ju volim još i saaaaaad) je jebena stvar! Top 5 albuma iz 77' na prvo slušanje, onda znaš. Love me some jazzy rock.
I already liked a bit of Steely Dan and enjoyed this too! I like the funky rockness of it. Good driving music
Normally i wouldn’t like music like this however i loved it. The music is just so funky and incredibly fun to listen to. the one critique is the song length but it was kept interesting so it doesn’t even matter - i really enjoyed this album. 9/10.
Snygg gubbrock, kluven på 3/4. Men det är så tight och groovy. Har ingen av mina riktiga steely dan favoriter dock!
Glimmering, uber produced jazz pop. Starts off very strongly, with Aja and Deacon Blue both being amazing, but I found myself losing interest as the album played out.
Great Band of white people that sounds like black ones. Good mix of different type of music of that times ('70s)
This is one of those records you can toss on, do whatever, and come back mid song and pick up on the lyrics right away. One of SD’s best, and deservedly belongs on this list.
Gli anni '70, quando la vita era tranquilla e i mutui al 20%. Un cocktail, una capigliatura sbarazzina e si va al mare perché fa molto caldo. Rilassante, mi piace.
Great and unusual combination of jazz and rock/pop. Couldn't stop myself from feeling relaxed and happy by the music
Now I understand why they’re so respected for their sound. Good passive listening, but the production takes it to a 4.
This used to be one of my less favorite Steely Dan albums (aside from Deacon Blues), in spite of being generally a fan. It has grown on me over time though, as repeated listening revealed the care and intricacy of its production. I’ve never really got the charges of their being cold or soulless. I find delivery of grown-up melancholy very poignant.
Bookended by a slightly too smooth version of the Dan for me but with a delicious centre. They've done several better albums, though.
Steeley Dan is underrated. Its like the background music of our lives. This is a really great album!
Damn, lekker muziekje. Normaal vind ik dit soort muziek al snel saai, maar hier blijven de melodietjes leuk. Doet me soms een beetje aan Paul Simon of Billy Joel denken. Leuke verrassing. ****
I thought that this album had a beautiful finish on it, and only had a few dull moments for me.
Technically brilliant but a bit forgetful, loved it when it started as can tell a lot of modern music has taken samples from this, but overall just didn't stand out. Suspect it's a get stoned and listen with headphones on album.
I have no idea what to expect here, I've only heard their one big hit and it's not on this... It's a bit more disco/funky then expected, but still just rock. Like softer but similar to early Toto maybe? Gets pretty jazzy here and there but without actually being jazz, which is a good thing. 3/5 - 1 for not being a genre I've been beaten over the head with already in this list, 1 for being good musos and 1 for apparently being a couple of real weirdos haha
Well produced, well played, just not my cup of tea. It was pleasantly listenable, but that's about it.
Gefällt mir super gut und ich will sie in meine Library aufnehmen, aber gleichzeitig weiß ich nicht, wann ich sie hören würde. Ich glaub, dass war beim letzten Album schon ähnlich...
Not a huge fan of the music, but max points for musicianship and production values. Immaculately produced record. 3+
It took me back to the 70’s, that cruise, that piano bar, a pina colada! I kinda liked it.
All very similar. Enjoyable for a first listen. Good to play in a group as it serves as good background music.
i was not expecting this to be so funky and energetic, so i was pleasantly surprised, but they didn't seem to diversify the funk
Mezcla de spandau ballet con música de ascensor sin tanta música. Sin más. Como vacaciones en el mar, pero menos alegre.
"When all my dime dancin' is through I run to you" (Aja) "They got a name for the winners in the world I want a name when I lose" (Deacon Blues) Entiendo que es por el género pero qué cuesta arriba escuchar canciones tan largas. Me gustan mucho a ratos pero en seguida pierdo el hilo.
Very technically gifted, jammy yacht rock. Not sure that it's all hitting very strong but there are some fun feel good tracks here.
never hit my radar and not an immediate win wither. the sounds is fine but not quite sure where it fits in
Not the genre I was expecting from the album cover. I really enjoyed a couple of songs, the rest weren’t bad, just not my cup of tea.
When I saw Steely Dan I got a little excited. Admittedly, my knowledge of their back catalogue is vicarious via Shorty and Vulfpeck but I know enough of their bangers to have anticipated a decent album here. Unfortunately, the bangers I know are spread across their discography and there is no great concentration of them on this record. Out of 7 tracks here, if I had 3 of the bangers this would have got 4 stars and possibly a 5 if the balance of tracks impressed me. “Peg” is the only one so I’ll have to give this album a 3. Credit where credit is due, Walter Becker and Donald Fagan have a hugely distinctive sound and are ground breaking artists in many many ways. There are some savage harmonies and musical rhythms here but nothing is luring me in like some of their bigger hits. “Reelin in the years” “hey nineteen” “do it again” “Rikki don’t lose that number” and “dirty work”. Definitely can see their influence on Vulfpeck and particularly on the Katzman heavy tracks. I anticipate another Steely Dan album on this 1001 so hoping I can start dropping some 4’s and 5’s.
Hard to imagine this came out in 1977, dated in parts obviously but not what I was expecting when I saw Steely Dan. "So outrageous" Track 2 is a journey. The rest is good but not my cup of tea but good to listen to but i don't have much to say on it. Probably a 3.5 but based on rating @enjoyed it, will listen again" it is a solid 3.
It's a fine album with great sound, flawless production and expert musicianship. Just not the type of music that draws me in. Sometimes sounds like elevator music. 3.5 🌟
Скучный альбом. Понимаю, что тут присутствуют вполне яркие и запоминающиеся мелодии. Выдержана единая расслабляющая атмосфера, особая эстетика. Подбор инструментов приятен, сами партии построены грамотно. Но всё это очень скучно, не находит внутри отклика, слышится лишь отзвуком прошлого. Вероятно, субъективный негатив в довольно приятные композиции для меня тут вносят фанковые нотки. В жанровом позиционировании альбома более весом скорее джаз, супротив которого в целом я ничего не имею. Но тут это не тот притягательный яркий, искренний джаз для народа, вроде свинга, а скорее претенциозный блеклый джаз для снобов. Вопросов нет разве что к вокальным партиям. По итогу вышел неплохой фоновый альбом, который лично мне даже фоном слушать не хочется.
Listened twice now, wasn't what I was expecting. Some of it sounds like smokey lounge bar music - a bit dated, and some of the songs are longer than they need to be. Really enjoyed "Peg" never knew that was where the sample was taken from.
I’m a big fan of yacht rock and quite a lot of steely dans material but this album was one I struggled to get into, and I really wanted to like it as well. I love the production quality, considering it was ‘77, the clarity of the instruments and vocals is very impressive even by todays standards
starts off strong then slowly loses steam. dentist's office jazz funk rock, but in a good way
3.1 - I can appreciate its musical complexity and technical prowess but I just don't enjoy this record. I gave it two spins. By most accounts it's a triumph - I've read critical reviews that say this sound is as \"ageless as intelligence.\" Then consider me part of the unwashed masses - I'm not a fan. That jazz-rock combo sounds sterile and smarmy as muzak.
Estremamente jazzy. Sofisticato, un po' faticoso, ma interessante. Peg mi piace (anche se non ho ancora notato sto assolo che dice wikipedia).
This is the second album by Steely Dan suggested to me from this list, and the second album from the band that I've listened to as a whole. I liked this album more than the previous. It was good to listen to the album and hear a full set of songs rather than individual tracks, which has been most of my experience with the band. Even though I enjoyed listening to the album, I just don't see myself coming back. I'm not sure why Steely Dan doesn't resonate with me. "Josie" is a potential track to replay, followed by "Aja" and "Peg".
Not really my cup of tea. We tried to listen to it on the way back from clamming with Harry and Leigh Anne, and there was just nothing there for us.
I fucked a 73 year old great grandfather for Christmas. That's a true white Christmas. Steely Dan was the name I used to go by when I was starring in low budget porn in the 90s. I gave gonorrhoea to so many people. So many.
A worthy effort by the Dan, and one I'm assured opens up into realms of audiophile delight under a close listen. But however well-arranged it is, the jazz influence is of a pretty lifeless variety. At least in the beginning: Thankfully, the sound loosens up as the record progresses. But the second half is not enough to convince me that Aja deserves acclaim within the band's discography.
I understand why some people thinks this album is a masterpiece but it just doesn't work for me. It sounds a bit dated and there are other records by Steely Dan that I enjoy more.
Lots of wank. Peg will be an all-time fave however. A few other good tracks, but pretty self-indulgent on the whole
Apart from 'Reelin' in the Years' Steely Dan were never on my radar. I didn't mind listening to this album, and like another person, enjoyed hearing some De La Soul samples etc.
1 note into the song and I'm recognize the song. Not from Steely Dan, but from a sample from the late 90s rap song "Deja Vu" by Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz. A few songs later, I hear "Peg" which was sampled by De La Soul on 3 Feet High and Rising I listen to this and I'm constantly reminded that older music seems way more musical than most modern music. Overall, pretty good album
Another proof that complexity and flawlessness doesn't guarantee an enjoyable listen. I mean, it's great; jazz rock fusion, incredible production, nice instrumentals... it's an easy listen. But I don't think I will come back to it. I can see why it's considered awesome, but ultimately, it felt bland as a listen.
Best Song: Aja. It almost doesn't feel like a song, more like a showcase of each band member's soloing abilities, but they're damn talented. Worst Song: Deacon Blues. This just felt a bit dull. Ho-hum, without the blistering musical prowess from the previous track. Overall: This was my first (that I know of) foray into Steely Dan. For some reason, maybe based on the name, I assumed they were boring dad rock. Turns out I was half right, because this is actually some pretty compelling dad rock. The musicality is top-notch here, but like many bands of this era, there is a sense of bloat as each song takes far longer than it needs. Still, a relaxed and groovy album that was fun to listen to.
Too much instrumental for my liking, couldn't stay focused for too long. Best song on the album in my opinion was Josie. It had a groovey beat, and some smooth lyrics.
I have never been a huge fan of Steely Dan. There's a certain "cheese factor" that gets in the way of me truly enjoying the music. And the vocals are not that pleasant for me. As far as supermarket jazz goes, they do it pretty well I guess. I have always felt that I "should" like them more since they are so well respected by people who's music taste I admire. But it's just not for me. This album is fine, not my favorite by them though.
I do not like Steely Dan. Their music sounds atonal and uncanny in an unpleasant way. This album is technically proficient, and I'm sure fans would enjoy it, but it is not my jam.
Da sprech ich Tags zuvor von Funk (ugh!) und schon kommt da was seitwärts angefunktes und die Ecke. Anfangs wollte es mir gar gut gefallen, bis mir schwerfiel zwischen den einzelnen Songs zu unterscheiden und alles zu einem langen Stück wurde. Wochenenden kann man die jedenfalls gut im Hintergrund haben, war bei Miriam Makeba auch so also gibt es: 2.0
Arjan kan jullie vertellen wat een Steely Dan is. Laten we het erop houden dat de muziek een stuk braver is dan de naam doet vermoeden.
Anders dan de bandnaam doet vermoeden (Fagen and Becker named the band after a "revolutionary" steam-powered dildo mentioned in the William S. Burroughs novel Naked Lunch.) is dit wel echt enorm braaf zeg. Prima om aan te horen maar het wordt nergens ook maar enigszins spannend. Zoutloos.
It didn't offend me, and as background lounge music it worked ok. Very forgettable though, couldn't tell you the name of a song after.
While the musicianship is good the songs are dull and all sound very similar. Although that may be due to the production that is, to me, too clean.
I’ve forgotten what I was going to say about this album and that in itself says it all
Like a mix of Fleetwood Mac, Hall and Oates, and Barry Manilow. I prefer the first two, but the title track swings a little too Manilow for me. Peg is a feel-good classic. Generally, the album feels like it's missing soul and is too rehearsed or produced to get at my rock or jazz tendencies. It ain't natural.
Too bland to escape beyond muzak-level recognition - some interesting melodic ideas, but nothing punchy enough to draw attention.
A ovo ono mi je glazba, lagani gay jazz. ali ova stvar "Peg" znam od prije, i super mi je stvar, i iznennadio sam se kad sam skuzio da je to on, ali to je jedna stvar, pa dvojka
I actually love how cheesy this album is. I just wish each song wasn't so long. I keep zoning out before I can get to grips with the vibe and the story then I zone back in and Steely Dan is singing about China and I really want to know why but I do not want to listen again from the beginning. So that's not ideal to me. Just make each song shorter Steely!! I do like the vocals and the music is very tight. I'm low level pissed off at three songs taking about half an hour though haha, finding it hard to get past that. Maybe I would get on better with another of his albums.
You either want killer songs or to be taken on some kind of journey. Don't really feel I got either with this. It just felt like an exercise in studio production
Steely Dan is an ok artist with about 3 decent songs. His album with reeling in the years on it was acceptable. This is just pushing it. It’s alright but there is nothing that says to me ‘this is in the top 1001 albums ever written’
Steely Dan was a term of abuse and now I see why, technically good but soulless. One star bonus for being sampled by De La Soul
This feels like a dentist office in 1983. Steely Dan is so weird to me---like, this was nominated for album of the year? Really? /shrug
Another reason why punk rock had to happen. What was the idea setting to listen to this when it came out? A sunken living room with shag carpet and smoking skunk weed? People rave about the production but sure, if you like sterility.
No sabía que existía el género dw Yacht Rock (anda, ve a buscarlo), pero me hace sentido. Eso sí, no es de mi gusto. No lo volvería a escuchar.
Om ja sku ha levt på 70 talet sku ja antagligen ha kunna lyssna på dehär... Men int just nu
Just a bit dull, really. Inoffensive, and a bit one-paced. No stand out tracks (unlike the last Steely Dan album we had), but it's well put together. 2/5.
Another one that just isn't for me. The sort of thing I could live with as background music in a decent restaurant, but I've no desire to actually sit and listen to it again.
ich will es ja mögen, aber es ist dann doch einfach nur scheußlich. und die alf-titelmusik hat jetzt auch was eingebüßt.
Initial thought after one song: It's "jazz" in the worst sense. Generic, soft, cheesy, and likely something played in the background. I feel a bit icky listening to it. In fairness, it's possible my brain has been programmed by worse albums and media that came after this to categorize this style of music as bad/corny/etc... or it was always that way. Also, most of my favorite music was probably recorded in a dingy basement on the cheapest equipment possible. Could this record be 'too clean' for me? It could be entirely subconscious.
Supposed to be a classic, and I suppose it is if you like this sort of thing. Personally, I think jazz and rock should always be kept separate.
This one is making 1001 feel really long. Not sure I get the entitlement of bands like this to have multiple entries on the list. Released in 1977 I'd suggest this helped inspire punk.
This album was absolutely awful. Matter of fact, it may have completely ruined the saxophone sound for me.
Awesome!
;-)
Don't like