Aja

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4.8/5 Best Track: Deacon Blues

Mediocre

amazing album-- this is the second album from Steely Dan. The first was great, this is even better. Aja has always been a favoutite of mine,

Don't like

All time album. Gets a 5 from me.

AOR, musica interesante y entretenida

Sin más. Cortito y al pie, está bien.

Out of all jazz-containing albums this one is the closest to my liking. Nice and relaxing

not exactly feeling a 4 but its not a 3 and I like the album art so ill give it a 4

Some great songs on here but it also lacks some of the grit I like on the earlier albums. The songs feel almost too crafted.

Yay!

Very nice, liked few songs, Deacon blues was my favorite

3.5. I like the funky lounge sounds! Also, has a yacht rock feel. The lyrics of the songs are out there man!

What is a Black Cow? Is he telling her to drink her milkshake and get outta here? Love a good yacht rock album

So good. The ultimate yacht rock album. Transports me to another time and place.

Sweet Grooves

Gosh idk it was fine

Decent album I hadn’t been aware if

A very classy album. Has great replay value.

Blues smooth , not sure

When someone explained to be what the term “yatcht rock” was and how it was a lessened down version of true “soul music” I was disgusted. And I made a guarantee that I would never purposely find myself to hearing that genre. Why listen to the drier version of something that’s great you know? However, when it was brought to my attention that Steely Dan was considered a part of this category and this album is a beautiful execution of how well that genre expanded into I came to my senses. Aja, as a whole felt like an painter beginning the process of painting and watching the picture begin to become complete, each elegant stroke at a time. Definitely in need of a deep dive into Steely Dan as a whole and how they came to be as a group. 4 and a half out of 5 stars.

What an obstinately, aggressively bland album.literally nothing stands out, and everything goes on for far too long. Dire.

Aja came out my senior year of high school, and was pretty much inescapable for the 2 years. The overexposure turned me off at the time, and I wasn’t a fan. Steely Dan had always seemed like a band that took themselves a little seriously, and they really ramped that up on Aja. I saw a quote on Wikipedia that perfectly sums it up: “the conceptual framework of [Steely Dan’s] music has shifted from the pretext of rock & roll toward a smoother, awesomely clean and calculated mutation of various rock, pop and jazz idioms” (credited to Michael Duffy of Rolling Stone). That quote even captures the pretentiousness that I associate with later Steely Dan. That was 46 years ago, and as I’ve mellowed, I’ve come to appreciate this album. All that other stuff is still true, but that doesn’t change the fact this is a very good album. Yes, it is “clean and calculated”, but it’s also nearly perfect. It is heavily jazz influenced, the sound is really (really, really) great. The instrumentation is detailed and varied, it features the best takes from the best players they could find. The individual songs are all great. That said, it is almost too perfect, clinical. Perhaps a little lacking in soul or depth. The lyrics are sometimes too clever, and faux “deep”. But that’s just a Steely Dan thing. At 18, I would’ve rated this album a lower, but my tastes have broadened. I married into this on vinyl and eventually picked it up on digital. I’ll give this a solid 4. I’ve complained a lot about the flaws, but that’s just because they bring it down from a 5. 4/5

Not my cup of tea, and a lot like tea, I drink these songs once in a while for change of pace and to see if my taste has changed. My opinion of these songs have not changed: good musicians playing some catchy hooks, lyrics that are banal, and not especially moving. I enjoy Peg and and couple other songs. But not gonna cry or fuck to the album. Ever.

It only gets a second star cause people liked it I guess

5/5 Didn’t know I needed this

love steely dan

01) Black Cow - 7,0 02) Aja - 6,5 03) Deacon Blues - 7,0 04) Peg - 7,0 05) Home at Last - 6,0 06) I Got the News - 5,0 07) Josie - 6,5 TOTAL: 6,43 (64/100)

I can see how TECHNICALLY this is great, but I found it dragged on and on

3.2 Decent background music kind of album (as most of Steely is for me). Fave songs: Peg, Aja

Second Steely Dan album to show up on the list; this one I've listened to sometime in winter 2021 prompted by a reason I can't remember. As with their debut, everything kinda blends together for me to a point where I don't dislike the music, but there aren't a lot of moments where I notice myself enjoying what is happening. Two years ago I liked Black Cow, Peg, and Home At Last the most, and the same songs remain my favorites with Josie joining them. This would be a boring record to listen to in most contexts in my life, but maybe around a cozy campfire at the end of a night it could be nice. 5.5/10

Steely Dan

3.5

Ooo yes. Super smooth, hella enjoyable.

Siendo más o menos del mismo estilo, me ha gustado más que Yes. Lo volvería a escuchar

Not quite as good as The Royal Scam and Pretzel Logic, but still mighty fine

S A - Black Cow, Josie, Home at Last, B - Aja, Deacon Blues, Peg, I Got the News C D F

The Orla Kiely of music - so popular but nothing I ever bought into it. It’s easy to have in in the background but ultimately I just don’t care.

I love Steely Dan.

Funny this showed up today as we spent the holiday with a friend who professed to HATE Steely Dan and I couldn't quite get what could be so divisive about this band. I mean, you may be able to quibble over some lyrics here are there, but what's not to like? Upon listening to Aja today, I'm even more perplexed. Every sound on the album is fantastic. The instruments sound amazing, the songs are all excellent, the performances are almost too flawless. This is one of those rare albums that could be mistaken for a "best-of" collection. Fagen and Becker absolutely nailed it.

I'm pretty ambivalent about Steely Dan. The musicianship is top-notch (I especially dug the drums on this one), and the songs are catchy and the lyrics are interesting, but the overall feel I get is cold and sterile. And also kind of rapey.

Oh boy did I enjoy this listen. I was a huge Steely Dan fan back in high school. Every single song is a banger. Always thought this cover was captivating.

Smooth as a baby’s butt-ass white boy jazz. Not bad.

mmm bien ahi maestro

On the fence I think it's more of a two and a half and there's definitely better steely Dan albums

Nr. 50/1001 Black Cow 4/5 Aja 3/5 Deacon Blues 3/5 Peg 4/5 Home At Last 5/5 I Got The News 4/5 Josie 4/5 Average: 3,86 Thorougly enjoyed this record. Super laid back, jazzy and funky.

it has good vibes and i was familiar with a few songs because they were sampled or i knew them outright!

3.5/5

La première et la dernière not bad, sinon j'ai préféré l'autre album d'eux.

Very passive, felt like background music :/

Enjoyable jazz-pop-rock album. It's the Kmart Radio Network nightmare all over again.

Technically sound, but it's so unexciting to listen to.

4.5

ameno

Jazz rock. Bastante agradables.

2.5

This is one of my favorite Albums.

really cool

Eentonige hippe jazz, muziek is aardig maar tekst is kut 1.75

I consider myself a Steely Dan guy but this isn’t their best album, high 3 but not a 4.

Enjoyed it, at least.

Like being lightly sprayed with magnolia paint while eating a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Non mi ha particolarmente colpito. Quando sarà uscito sarà stato sicuramente un album innovativo. Non mi ha suggestionato particolarmente né interessato. Del resto è comunque un buon album.

Kinda boring

Very classy, timeless beautiful groove

Awesome album

This album sounded like Marvin Gaye but jazzier. I loved it. The soulful harmonies with the jazzy piano followed by a saxophone solo or the sax playing in the background sounds incredible. Even though 1 or 2 of the songs didn't really do it for me, they are still objectively very good songs. I am very glad I listened to this album.

Genuinely enjoyed a lot. Funky and bass-driven to my liking. Will be listening more in the future. W Steely W Dan.

Probably would have liked this much more a few years back

Chill

Aja is hailed for its production value which is undeniable but the album as a whole is quite boring.

Far and away the best Steely Dan album, it's not even close. 4.5/5

middy dan

This gives me really weird feelings. The more I listen to the music the more I get it, and the more I listen to the lyrics the more I don't want to hang with people who like this. There's a song about playing the sax, drinking scotch, and dying in a car accident that feels odd. Outside of all of that the production and quality of play is very tight. I don't know if this genre for music is for me but there are incredible tools at work here. My heart doesn't give this a four though.

Don't know much about this band. This album art would trick a teenager into not getting what they think they paid for. Sounds like rock with foam taped to all the sharp corners. It's fine. I picture them smiling to each other having fun performing for 12 people at a bar on a Thursday afternoon and 4 of those people work at the bar. Is edging rock a genre? Comes as close to rocking as possible, but never does it. Good music to sample and make better. Solid production. 3.5

AJ: Peg!

Steely Dan just has a great jazzy rock sound that is always welcome to hear. Very solid album.

Really enjoyed it at first, but it got old fast. I would rather just listen to an actual jazz album.

3/5

Jazzy soft rock with synthesiser piano. Enjoyed it.

Back half not so good

Love the jazziness of this bitch. I’m a slut for horns so you already know the state of my tip during this listen. However I did forget most of this album by the end of the weekend regardless of love me some slutty steely Dan but love my friends more. -B

Fantastic. Great songwriting, great lyricism, inventive sounds that do not sound dated at ALL imo. So good

Honestly, super upset with myself for not listening to steely Dan more often. I feel like I know many people with great music taste who all love steely Dan and I never really took it seriously. I grew up listening to this kind of music so I assumed that I had already given it a fair chance, but I don’t think I ever actually listened it’s always been background music. This album is so fun and vibey, I especially liked “Deacon Blues”. The musicality of this whole album is next level. It feels like it was composed like a jazz track, every instrument has a voice and story that keeps the listener engaged. I really get a sense of harmony as if the instruments are in conversation with each other. Definitely want to listen to more Steely Dan.

First Steely Dan I’ve listened to

Highlights: Josie, Deacon Blues This would have been a bitch to record and mix, sounds like there are so many components to organise (props to Katz and the music engineers there). Much respect to the session musicians and singers who made an appearance (including Doobie Brothers frontman Michael McDonald, he actually has range!?!), they are on fire. There's something about Aja that feels off that I can't put my finger on. 'Black Cow', 'Aja' and 'Home At Last' would benefit from pruning. The title track is cringe by today's standards. I dunno? It's not my favourite of the four in the book. Overall: 5/10

Was decent but not really an artist I love. Bit down the middle of the road for me.

This album is great. Steely Dan gathered the best studio musicians to create a masterpiece. Peg was the standout track on this for me. But every song was great, Black Cow, Deacon Blues, Josie, and the title track Aja, all great.

Loved this album

Love it, have loved it for a long time, despite it being a moustachioed cliche. Peak smooth AOR

Boring. 70s muzak.

This is a five star without listening to it again. I'm a huge Steely Dan fan and would rank several of their albums as five stars from memory without re-listening. Simply stunning production, great songwriting, fantastic performances. The epitome of what a studio band can be.

I went into this ready to dislike it based on the first few seconds but man it grew on me so quickly. It’s one of the cleanest sounding records I think I’ve ever heard. Every instrument, word, and note feels perfectly placed, recorded, and played. The only reason I don’t think I’d give it a 5 is that I don’t really see myself throwing many songs in my regular rotation, but I doubt I’ll ever skip another Steely Dan song after this.

A bit too slow for me, feels like 1 continuous long song.

Black Cow zawiera sample użyte w Synu u O.S.T.R.ego Bardzo dobry rockowy album

There is only 2 songs on this album that is under 5 mins long. I just read that this was the first yacht rock album. Like Yacht rock seems like it should be barred.

Earth, Wind and Fire vibes, great solos! Sax pieces. Named after a sex toy xD

5/10

Jazz fusion at its very best, with instruments working extremely well together. The sax goes extremely well with piano/guitar parts. Walter Becker and Larry Carlton's guitar solos/phrasing is extremely smooth.

Suuuuper cheesy seventies glam rock. It's nearly all ballads minus "Peg". Certainly not as good as Can't Buy A Thrill, bit the harmonies are nice and the mix is really solid.

I know is regarded as their best, it's a bit too sterile sounding for me, especially the tone of the bass. I prefer early Dan like Can't Buy a Thrill or Count Down to Ecstasy. I do like Big Black Cow and Peg, Michael McDonald's falsetto on the latter is transcendent!

Easy n boring

One of their best albums

The track Black Cow is pretty good.

Incredible musicianship

Jazzy, but different than most jazz I've heard.

Don't need to listen "again"... Have listened to this album all the way through several times over the last couple of years - and a couple of times already just this week! Definitely worthy of this list. Just great music and solid lyrics.

Great album. I listened to this album many times before this and enjoy it every time I listen to it. Steely Dan revolutionized what you can do in the studio and they weren't just a duo but a movement. Great selection of songs here my two favorite are Josie and Peg. Peg has one of the coolest sounding guitar solos of all time. Overall great album. Perfect gateway to someone who wants to get into their music

Steely Dan is a very specific guy for a very specific mood. This one is groovy and fun!

It really is my favourite foreign movie. I think if this album was just Peg for 40 minutes I'd still score it quite highly, because you can taste the Saturday night cup of tea and see a young Lineker on MOTD. As it is, the rest of the album is also absolutely brill. I sort of don't want to like Steely Dan, because they seem a bit daft, but this is a marvellous listen.

Absolutely amazing

So yeah, this is a classic rock album. Very crisp performance, but for a millennial like me, these songs are boring.

Plääh, ei oikein lähtenyt käyntiin. Innostuin lenkillä, mutta levy oli jo ehtinyt loppua ja artisti vaihtua. Ei aiheuta minkäänlaisia tunteita.

actually really liked it, giving it a 3 bc it's not totally deserving of a 4 imo, but I could see myself relistening and rating it higher

Fine background listening

Smooth. Sounds like money. Expensive studio, expensive band, expensive instruments, expensive drugs (so much cocaine!)

Good. Pling pling.

Love the chill vibes, so far music is great for when I am working. Done with Album.

Lots of familiar songs here. Enjoyed the ones I didn't know as well.

I liked the first song okay but my open mind started closing pretty quickly. The second song, Aja, reminded me that I don't like jazz any more now than I ever did. That feeling remained for the rest of the album. I'm glad that Peg got put to better use being sampled by De La Soul. I can appreciate that the musicians' skills and the production are really good, but the music itself just isn't for me. So it deserves to be on this list, and I can understand how people like it, but I won't listen to it again.

It’s probably not fair that I’m giving this the same rating as yesterday’s album— k.d. Lang’s Ingenue— but that’s the problem with the five star system. Lang would’ve gotten a 2.5 if we were giving out half stars, and Steely Dan would’ve gotten 3.5. But I rounded the former up and I’m rounding the latter down. I like Steely Dan, but I’m more partial to the earlier stuff.

This is a near perfect album for me, although I think the closing Josie is not as strong as the other tracks and more songs end with a fade out than I care for.

Heralded as one of their best - I still can't get into aja as a whole but upon my like 3rd listen, it is better than I remembered it. Black Cow, Aja, Peg and Josie are sleek and great balanced production. I will put this album on if I want to get work done but I dont see myself returning to it all the time. I get why its loved and I do like it - its just not an everyday album for me.

Pretty cool, I can see why people are into steely Dan but I would need to listen a lot more to actually like it

the songs are quite lengthy; i don't mean to be disrespectful, but it's just not my taste at the moment, and i'm not very familiar with the genre srry omg

I'm sure there is a market for this. Could workin a hotel bar.

Country Bee Gees. Appreciate the bass mix - hate the bass sound. Surprisingly chiller than I expected as background music. But still pretty bleak.

Pretty chill to listen to. None of the songs really stood out for me to listen to again, but enjoyed overall.

It’s fine. Boring background music. 1970’s definition of “good production” means nothing to me.

Genius. Brilliant

Favourite tracks: black cow; aja; deacon blues; peg; josie

More funky and jazzy than expected... Sorry, but not good. Felt like jazz without much heart. SKIP: all!

Everything was so smooth and easy listening. Fun lyrics to just vibe with. I couldn't say I was a Steely Dan "fan" before this, only the hits, but now this urges me to dig deeper!

Groovy

Steely Dan's meticulous approach to their craft is evident in every track on "Aja." Their impeccable musicianship and attention to detail shine through, making for a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. From intricate guitar solos to intricate jazz-inspired arrangements, there's no denying their musical prowess. It's an album that showcases Steely Dan's musical finesse and their penchant for perfection. It was a delight to explore their discography more deeply, even if their occasional pop sensibilities weren't entirely to my taste. It's a testament to their artistry, and I look forward to further exploring their music.

Just OK

I came into this with no clue how to pronounce the name of the album, assuming it was maybe "aha", later learning it's supposed to be "asia". For the life of me I cannot tell if this album is taking itself seriously. Long-winded instrumentals abound, but there's some solid musicianship and interesting instrumentation to back them up. Overall this feels more like a collection of songs than a cohesive album. Definitely more fun in the back half -- it feels to me like the two sides should be directly swapped, to open with the upbeat classic "Peg" and close on the extended fade-out of "Deacon Blues".

Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: it was good Favourite song: Track 7 - Josie

Nostalgic cause my parents would play this album a lot

Very jazzy, ihop vibes

An incredible jazz adventure. Beautiful

Groovy 70's album Great voice Feel-good movie song vibes

Slickt. Genomarbetade kompositioner, om än några som bärs upp av produktionen. Superskickliga musiker såklart. Inte riktigt min kopp.

While only seven songs long, Aja packs more punch than any other Steely Dan album and just about any other album from the late seventies. It’s one of the rare albums in which each song brings its own flair, and if one were to ask me which song I like the least, I’d simply reply “No.” If one were to ask me which song I like the most, I might have a different response each day of the week. “Deacon Blues” rightfully serves as the backbone of the masterpiece. At first listen it may sound like glorified elevator music, as so many like to jab at Steely Dan about. But with each successive listen, you’ll find yet another jazz musician in the shadows clutching his brass. While short on lyrics, “Aja” and its several minutes straight of solos is worthy of Coltrane. I can’t imagine “Peg” and “Josie” would have been friends, but the reluctant star and the long-awaited homecoming queen each add enough personality to the album that it’s impossible to pick between them. It may be a long shot, but I’m tempted to think that Aja, Peg, and Josie might just be the three Sirens calling to Odysseus during “Home At Last.” It’s worth a shot. I may never learn to work the saxophone, but I’m sure glad these guys did.

I really enjoyed this one, very funky and everything is just so clean. Peg is of course a classic

4.5

Funky! I haven't heard much Jazz Rock so quite a new experience for me. Really liked the instrumentation but found the vocals fell out of my focus (rare for me) and the album became quite background music in a way that I don't often find. I liked it though! Imo there wasn't too much variety within the songs but it really held me in a certain mood (upbeat groove with some confidence, definitely not a bad place to be) Highlights: Black Cow, Aja, Peg (also Deacon Blues) Would I listen to again? At some point, sure! Would I recommend? Yes, for that particular vibe

Groovy. Loved the bass and sax

Sehr langweilig

I thought Aja (the song) was pretty great on the album. I didn't know any of the songs, but it was easy listening. I did not have any problems with any of the songs, but none of them really resonated with me too much.

Pretty good, an easy listen. Would I listen to it again? No.

Music to write 70s porn to.

Sounds like background music for a lounge bar, but the coolest and most well-produced one that you can listen. It would probably change my evening for the better, so I approve it. (I don't like numeric ratings, I just give 3 to anyone)

very easy listening. solid introduction to yacht rock. not for me. best track - "i got the news"

Ok tier

Sent me listening to like 3 of their other albums afterwards it's just so much funnn

Oof

блюз джаз немного поп и немного бардовской песни в начале в духе Билли Джоела. Не моя музыка на постоянку, но один трек себе добавила под настроение

Classic from Steely Dan. Jazz Yacht Rock Fusion. Source of some many Hip Hop samples. Peg is an absolute yacht rock monster. Sampled by De La Soul.

Might be a 5 if I listen more, not what I expected but groovy

Lekkere ochtendmuziek. Eerder funky dan jazzrock m.i. Tikkeltje muzak-ig en daardoor geen hogere score.

The vocals really put me off. It almost felt like the singer had a voice that would fit a different genre of music better, but I'm not sure what that genre is.

It was decent, like other people have said, its background music that you don't really need to pay attention to. Production is really good, but music is dated and some of the songs are bloated into 7 minutes plus.

One of my favorite albums

Not having listened, I thought Steely Dan was rock music, and I checked Spotify to make sure I was on the right album. Blech. I kept imagining Ron Burgundy in a velvet leisure suit playing along with his flute.

Great album.

MEH

Black Cow is still one of my favorite Dan songs

Classic

Great album, funky!

Pretty good. Funky, catchy.

incredible production. smooth as all get out.

you know I love steely dan! Not sure I will listen again, but enjoyed the tracks I heard

Nothing special really Didn’t captivate me

White man's jazz funk. A lot of old people complain that musicians these days don't play their own instruments, but they forget about Steely Dan -- technically proficient, yet overall shit. 2.8

Listened to it in the car and it made for a great driving soundtrack, but I don’t know that it would have held my attention otherwise. Production objectively very impressive, but aside from a few riffs and runs the writing was a bit uninteresting. Maybe just not for me! Appreciate that it clocked in at 40 minutes tho and not around 2 hours. If you’re going to write 7-minute songs at least be selective. Favourite track: Black Cow

Didn't enjoy any of the songs prior to I got the news, Josie is also good. Black Cow starts strong but fails to keep my interest. Pretzel Logic is just a better album, but Aja finishes strong.

I hate Steely Dan. Steely Dan is like Nickelback for me, a meme band that I’ve just committed to hating. I’ve heard Aja before, but never with a critical ear and even still, it just doesn’t do it for me. Smooth jazz like elevator music, hokey lyrics and dated harmonizing. Ciara said it’s the music that plays in hell and she might be right. Or at least on the elevator ride down. “Josie” is the best of the worst and thank god it’s a short album. I tried, but can now confirm Steely Dan ain’t for me.

Bad

grooovy

This album starts out with an excellent song but from there it just gets more boring. I enjoyed the sound of the electronic jazz, but all the songs just started sounding the same and they lasted way too long. The music sounds nice and is well done, but there's just no backbone to it. Stand out songs: Black Cow

Try as I might I've never been able to get into this album. I like their others but this is just so bland. No hooks, that's the issue.

This album sounds familiar - but I've never listened to it all the way through. The songs meander and bend. It is a good "getting work done" album. It's amazing how I never knew the names of songs that are somehow familiar like "Deacon Blues." It is well-produced and cohesive and a product of it's time for sure.

Not for me.

Good jazzy background music. Never been a huge Steely Dan fan.

Terrible. I could be tortured by bring forced to listen to this.

Lots of Jazz inspirations.

I know this album best for its reputation as something you spin to test out a new turntable or sound system. Based on that reputation alone, this music was a total surprise. I liked it, though. Especially when I recognized the De La sample.

These are some long songs. They don't sound bad but I think I find them more distracting then enjoyable. 2 songs I would give a 4/5 the rest are a 2/5 3/5 for the album

Aja's strengths are also its weaknesses. It's as if perfection itself was a genre. It does that perfectly, but it is just the one thing.

Great stuff!

Listened Before? N Super funky and jammy stuff. I really grooved with this 70's stuff, baby. I feel like I'm not cool enough for it. Jam on, boys. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Peg

meh

Not really my flavor but the band is tight, sounds good, there are a couple goofy/odd synth things that didn't add to the songs in any way

Beautiful songs but not really my style of music. A lot more instrumentals than I usually like. I really liked Aja.

Over-produced, under song'd, imo.

Wasn't sure what I'd think, but this sounded kinda cool. I prefer the sound this album has compared to the other Steely Dan album I got. It's a lighter four, but I still enjoyed it. My favourite song was Peg.

Okay. But not spectacular.

Another Steely Dan. It's totally fine.

Lounginis rockelis. Nežinau ar man tai visiškai prie širdies, tačiau klausant ryte tikrai maloniai susiklausė ir neprailgo. 3/5

Kedeligt

Cool sound, at times very funky while incorporating many unique chord progressions with a slightly jazzy sound. At times a bit boring, due to the drum beat sitting far behind the instruments in the mix and being a steady beat.

Forgot how good Steely Dan is!

really fucking good. i figured i’d like steely dan but i’d never got around to listening until now

Jazzy

Smooth Jazzy Hifi

Ok, disco

I wasn't a fan of this sort of jazz-rock-funk then, and I'm still not a fan today. The album is not unpleasant, but it just doesn't grab my attention.

god I love steely dan. best tracks: aja, deacon blues, peg

This was groovy! Peg was my favorite, instant serotonin. Opened strong with Black Cow (loved that Tatyana Ali sampled it in Daydreamin'!). Second fav was Deacon Blues.

This felt like easy listening music, but it was well-done because it was easy to listen to. Very chill, if a bit uninteresting.

Nice, groovy jazz-rock.

Brilliant album from a brilliant band. The documentary on the making of this album does well to highlight just how much of a Dream Team of studio players they put together for this recording, and it shows so clearly. Favorite track: Deacon Blues

We've gotten to listen to some wonderful early Steely Dan, and here we are at what might be considered their apex (not better, but just exactly what you think of when you think of Steely Dan). Peg!!! (I may have been obsessed with this song for years.) And the rest! Love it.

If there is an album of Steely Dan that we must listen to, then I would expect this one on the list...not because I have ever listened to it, but I have heard of it. It was good and right along the lines of the sound that I was anticipating from it. I see a future where I may listen to it again. Now, I will add that as I listened, I thought that I might be old...

Boy, do Steely Dan songs all sound the same or what? And yet...I love some songs (Peg) and dislike others (Deacon Blues). So, I guess those sound different somehow? Also, I forgot about Josie (which sounds just like FM, TBH).

Black Cow, Deacon Blues and Peg are beloved favorites of mine. Being half the album, Aja is a shoo-in for a high score. Still, I’ve often had some vague feeling that I’m too immature for Steely Dan’s coolness. Even though that feeling lurked in the corners as I listened to the other four songs it wasn’t enough to quell my appreciation of this album. It’s terrific!

I find Steely Dan so interesting, this is their 3rd album that I've come across so far in here and it's not typically something I'd enjoy. It's definitely got the Muzak vibe with the keyboard tones they use, it's very smooth jazz easy listening type music you'd hear in an elevator, but then there's just this weirdness to it that makes you pay a little mor attention. I'll give it points for somehow making me enjoy this type of music.

One of Steely Dan’s best albums. Personal favorites are “Peg” and “Josie” but there isn’t a bad song here. Hands down 5 stars.

Fine, just not my thing

Yes.

Jazz-rock animado.

It's fun. I wish it wasn't so safe. Parts do feel too generic. Overall I still enjoyed it, but I feel like I could have loved it if it took more risks.

i get why old dads love steely dan. i dig it

Well done, but it felt like it lacked any real emotion.

Echt moker saai dit. Goede productie maar vind het echt heel saai, ik ga streng zijn en geef twee sterretjes

Ja fantastisch. Eerste twee nummers een 5. Daarna werd het wat minder. Zit tussen de 3 en 4. Maar ga toch voor 3

Mix rock jazz Blues. 70s

on the second track. like the chill vibe so far. overall i think i dont vibe with it that much tho. i like home at last. (especially the beginning) overall chill and sometimes its musically interesting to me and i like the style. not that crazy tho. since this is my first album in this thing its hard to give it a rating. i dont really know where it stands compared to other albums in the list. (i like the cover design and title font) i didn't really listen to the lyrics maybe they are itneresting but didn't catch my attention most of the time.

Flawless. Start to finish perfection.

Meh

I LOVE STEELY DAN I CANT BELIEVE THIS WAS MY FIRST ALBUM LOL. Ok so this album is only 7 songs but still manages to clock in at 40 mins? These are pre-listening thoughts so I'm curious to see what song/songs are super long. I think I'm going in completely blind (except maybe Peg). Ok time for during the album thoughts. I have a soft spot for Steely Dan's harmonies and superrrrr smooth guitar playing. Something about their vocals is so classic and soothing. It's literally like listening to the feeling of putting your toes in the sand. -Black Cow: super groovy. Love the female backing vocals. It's also very rhythmically interesting, and the key changes/modulation add so much to the funk feeling they cultivate. OK KEYBOARD SOLO! 9/10. -Aja: the title track. Piano usage in this song is really nice. Realizing with this song and the lyric "dude ranch above the sea" that I really never understand their lyrics lol. This track is super mellow. They LOVE their extensive instrumental breaks - I think that is what lengthens the tracks so much. Modern artists take note - you don't need a bridge if you just write like Steely Dan! This track is like 8 mins oh my god! 7/10 -Deacon Blues: I love Steely Dan, but a lot of their tracks do kinda blend together in my mind. Maybe I just haven't spent enough time with them. I will give this album one thing: it's very cohesive sonically. This track also borders 8 mins. Sax is super smooth. Lyric "sue me if I play too long" is super funny lol. 7/10 -Peg: I think I've heard this one before. Incredibly groovy start. Also a normal song length - I think that's why it's one of the more popular tracks from this album. Realizing now they could be talking about a name shortening for Margaret and not... yeah. The little da da dada riff at about 2:19 behind the verses is ADDICTIVE. Love this track so so much. 10/10 -Home at Last: Piano in the beginning with the dissonant chords is giving MAJOR Billy Joel vibes. Then the brass comes in and you KNOW it's Steely Dan lol. Loving the tempo and tonal shakeup though - effectively breaks up the album. 9/10 -I Got the News: SUPER groovy start oh my god that piano and bassline is heaven. Still Steely Dan but definitely sonically different than the rest of the album (and their work overall). Not for the non-experimental crowd methinks - this is the Warm Blood of the album (but better bc Warm Blood isn't good!). 8/10 -Josie: The album closer! Brass is a super standout in this track. Really high energy closer, you never lose the sparkle of this album to a dull ballad (no shade to ballads, but sometimes they do suck the wind outta your sails). 7/10 Overall, I'd give this album an 8/10. Very classic Steely Dan but also just really great production and instrumentation. Vocals are also delightful to hear but not a highlight on most songs which is ok, I just kinda wanted more from them on that front. Very sonically cohesive, but almost too much so in the front half. The back half really shines once you get to Peg. Great album! Great first album to review. I'm really excited to start this project in general, I really hope I can keep up with it. I've been looking for ways to broaden my music taste. I love listening to older music, but because these bands and artists have had so much time to exist, I often just don't know where to start in terms of diving into their discography. My music taste has also been leaning incredibly pop-ish recently, so I'm hoping that this project can be a way to diversify that. *EDIT* oh my god this is my biggest regret to not give this a 5 immediately. For the record, it was a 4. It has since been upgraded. Steely Dan ily

I heard that Steely Dan's Aja is a must listen before even starting the 1001 album challenge. So I listened to it but didn't understand the fuss. This is the second time I've listened to Aja and I still don't get it. It's alright I guess but not the mind-blowing experience I keep reading about.

in terms of audio excellence, it is difficult to find a band that can beat steely dan. this album is quality from start to finish. all killer, no filler. highlights: “aja”, “deacon blues”, “peg”…

This was slower and more mellow than I anticipated. Pretty good background music.

Man, this album is great. Black Cow, Deacon Blues, Josie, and especially Peg. Great stuff.

Basically a greatest hits album. Incredible production and instrumentals

Black Cow- 3.6/5 Aja- 3.3/5 Deacon Blues- 3.5/5 Peg- 3.7/5 Home at Last- 3.9/5 I Got the News- 3.9/5 Josie- 3.7/5 Total- 3.7/5

This is so Steely

If you're in your 30s-40s, your parents banged to this album. I'm sorry, but it's a fact.

Just ok. A few catchy songs with enjoyable guitar

Classic but not my style

Eh. It's ok.

knew about steely dan but didn't expect to enjoy them too much, i enjoyed this album a lot though, the vocals kept me listening moreso than the instrumentals although i enjoyed those a lot too. i am now a steely dan fan

very groovy but was just lacking anything that really blew me away. i enjoyed it.

I have been waiting for this day from the first day I was invited to join this group. Best. Album. Ever. Okay, I know it won’t be at the top of any official list, but I have such a strong personal relationship with this album. I remember listening to my brother’s copy when it first came out, and excitedly sharing it with my friends. I’ve seen them play this exact album in concert — literally, this exact album straight through. Watching drummer Keith Carlock play Steve Gadd’s Aja solo in concert is mesmerizing. I’ve met him and told him so. I love the jazz influences, the production quality, the obtuse lyrics, and all of the other stuff you read about in the wiki. But mostly I just love how it sounds. Every note. I’ve listened to it at least 100 times and hopefully will listen to it again hundreds more. In that vein, 100 stars out of 5 seems about right.

Classic

Perfect

Instant 5. Like Uncle Jim with the Boston album, I didn't realize there's a woman's face on the cover of the album until now. Somehow my brain always missed it. I was super super lucky to see them with my dad in Boston in 2014 before Walter Becker's passing. The second half of the show they just played Aja straight through. We were spitting distance from Walter Becker on guitar. That is a show that, at the time, I didn't fully appreciate how rare this was– seeing the canonical "no touring" band, in concert. I'm so happy I went. Even if it may have compromised the final paper I had to write that evening... Aja grows on me the more I interact with it. It's antithetical to my own musical approach– I'm a much more immediate, improvisational, happy accidents kind of composer. This music is famously squeaky clean, perfectly recorded, with player-book-grade solos from some of the best session musicians in LA, commandeered by two perfectionist dictators. Couldn't be more different. So why am I drawn to it? It's the lyrics. The mythical storytelling of sleaze, excess, losers. What a honestly weird combination. It takes everything that is borderline annoying about perfectionist music– antiseptic, unapproachable, too shiny– and gives it this strange, off-kilter spin. Mesmerizing. Also, what a counterweight. We've had a lot of earnest, virtuous music recently. Fun to live in the world of quantum criminals. I'm also reading Neuromancer right now. I feel like these two things somehow can go together. In a funny way. 5/5. The title track has been stuck in my head all weekend.

Despite all the ribbing, it's still excellent!

a little funky for me -- not my taste..!

Not my cup of tea

***3 Nary an edge to be found here. Maybe in the lyrics? Even the moments of angularity go down smooth. Peg is a good song, don't really need much else.

Super album soft rock jazzy, Steely Dan regale encore, mais il lui manque un peu de OUMPF pour lui mettre la note de Can’t Buy A Thrill

Dadrock.

Goeie muziek voor in het menu van Gran Turismo. Best lekker, maar er staan geen nummers op die er voor mij uitspringen, zoals Dirty Work. 3 a 4

Meh, enough fire, did not grab me

This album is everything: rock, jazz, fun, pleasing tunes, catchy choruses, attitude… it is the archetypal yatch rock album. What else you need?

Great album. Very clean recording! Awesome

Nice Album!

I hear good musicians playing good music. It also has a certain cleanliness to it that makes it a bit too clinical. Not sure why this bothers me because it doesn't in some other artists music, still good.

It's so sophisticated. Doesn't grab you by the balls and makes you want to constantly listen to it but it is very pleasant and very impressive.

3.5/5 Going to round up to 4 because I'm into HiFi this is one of the best recorded albums ever. Music is a bit too bland for my taste.

Some of these songs are solid but in some weird way the album feels a little pretentious

Honestly didn’t know what to expect. but that was pretty pog. songs were a little long tho yuh

Another band I’ve heard of and heard the odd song but never listened to an album. Superb album in a genre I don’t often listen to, funky, soulful and very easy on the ears.

This album stands soley on the opening measure. A production work of pure brilliance. After that, there a lot of meh cheesy yacht jazz. These guys are corny as fuck and not that charming.

Dislike the vocals

Meio entediante em geral para meu gosto, rockao demais

Deacon Blues is one of my favorite songs, that said, a lot of the rest of this album is good but not particularly stand-out to me. Steely Dan songs tend to be either catchy or very background in my eyes, and only Deacon Blues and Aja felt like real attention grabbers.

Great recording with refreshing synths and incredible rhythm section, accompanied by solid vocals and gorgeous sax. Real blessing on my ears, light-hearted experience. 40 minutes felt like 20 - literally on the most satisfying albums I've ever heard.

2. Yawn.

ey nunca vip io

Always thought he was saying "Hey" instead of "Peg". But now I know. I also know all the songs sound like each other.

It is pretty unique sounding, and when they hit their groove, it is unquestionably catchy. Deacon Blues and Peg as great. However, the rest of the album struggles to hold my interest... Josie & Black Cow are okay, but the rest feel like filler that kind of drone on.

Up til now the only way I knew of Steely Dan was through an old Harry Hill joke. Not a bad album, was nice to listen to on the way home from work. Probably won't listen to it ever again though.

It's a no from me. One of the most 'session musician does a recording' album we've had. Lots of musicality but where does it go? Round and round and round.

AND WOT

5/7, 71%

Good album, very known

Huske kje, sikkert terningkast 2 som vanlig

It's good, but not my thing. I am not the best person to rate this genre :/

Very good album by a band that grew immensely on me over the last few years! These guys wrote some of the best pop influenced jazz out there. The features of drummer Steve Gadd are a very fine addition to me. It’s a nice groovy record I can always put on! 8,5 out of 10

Well produced but boring af.

Oh Aja… on every audiophile list. Obviously the production is top notch. Let’s give it a real listen through and see how it is as an album. Really growing on me. The smooth jazz part is wearing off. Obviously this is very well recorded. The drum solo at the end of Aja is pushing this up to 4. Almost completely due to the ending of Aja. Solid album otherwise but that song really surprised me. Really like Deacon Blues too.

this is jazz jazz, which is not my favorite to listen to but always impresses me. Aja is like Asia??? that made me do a double take actually when i heard that. it’s cute it’s fun it’s upbeat i feel like i’m on a yacht.

está bien

It's sleek and funky, but can also be a bit too cold and mechanical, like a robots idea of groove.

Old school background listening

Dan, steely

An interesting and well made album, that despite appreciating, didn’t grab me so much as to feel compelled to explore the artist in any greater depth: perhaps because it is not quite my speed, rather than as any criticism of the work itself. Lyrically I didn’t find myself engaged at any stage.

Could be the easiest 5 star yet. Aja really the only song I don't love. Deacon, Black Cow, and Peg all bangers. Home At Last probably the best with the slow build into a killer solo. Got the News also pretty forgettable.

Already heard. Genuine classic, I love the mix of jazz and rock, every song is a banger, this is one of my favorites.

2nd listen. This album has definitely grown on me. Still just 3 stars though.

Perfect Steely Dan album. It took an extra listen but then I got into it again.

Absolutely flawless. Great songs, excellent musicianship, pristine production, beautiful album cover, Wayne Shorter on the title track, Michael McDonald on Peg, just wonderful.

Very clean album with great solo's. Just a bit too perfect in my opinion. Where are the raw edges?

I like Steely Dan for their jazz-rock sound - it's what makes them stand out from other 70's bands. And the musicianship is first-rate.

Before we knew the sex of our first baby I suggested naming it Deacon, if it was a boy, cause I heard Deacon Blues on the radio. We ended up with a girl, and named her Josie. But not after the Steely Dan song, cause I'm pretty sure that's about a hooker. It's fun to tell her she's named after a song about a hooker though. Anyway, love Steely Dan. Even though Steely Dan is named after a dildo.