Aja

A nice, mellow album to start the week with.

Funky groove but overall listening experience was relatively average. This aside, the record has clearly had influence on future sonic works. 6/10

Mid 2/5

I remember the day I listened to this album for the first time. I was listening to Vulfpeck's 1612, which references a Bernard Purdie interview in the Classic Albums episode covering this album. Home At Last was playing in the background and my mind was blown. I will fight anyone who does not like this album because you do not get it. You are a simpleton who refuses to understand the ethos of what makes Steely Dan a beloved group. Their Machiavellian method of producing means that this album has no mistakes. The cream of the crop studio musicians in Los Angeles were plucked out, made to perform, and culled if they did not reach expectation. If you do not understand the lyrics, you need to read more postmodernism. If you think the arrangements are bad, you require a more tempered ear to interpret the complex harmonic content. Not liking Aja is an issue of skill, not preference. That being said, I used to skip I Got the News every time. Bit of a blunder.

Favorite: Aja

Prob not the best steely dan songs I've heard, but the style is the same.

Third Steely Dan, and an album which has long been overdue. Shortly after I listened to "Countdown To Ecstasy" I downloaded a bunch of albums onto my phone from the artists of this list whose work I liked and wanted to explore more of. Needless to say, this album was among the 20 or so I downloaded and never got around to hearing. It's been a looong time since the last Steely Dan. About 390 albums - the longest gap to date. I know this is the most acclaimed release from the band, so it seems right to be jumping back in with this album. Here's hoping it's good. Yeah. This is fine, but kind of a bummer. It's unfortunate that my Steely Dan journey began with their debut album as the group have largely been unable to live up to my expectations since. "Can't Buy a Thrill" has an astute musical sense which none of their later albums are able to capture. "The Nightfly" came relatively close, however. I kind of regret undercutting that album by saying it should have been removed from the list - maybe it's due for a relisten. Anyways, this album is duuullll. There's a deafening emptiness hanging over much of this music which can adequately be attributed to how homogenised and one-note the instrumentals are. Admittedly, I admire how well-paired and cohesive the instruments on this album are, but such an approach is diametrically opposed to what I value in music. I like big instrumentals with distinctive, moving parts that work together to form a greater whole while also being dissonant in a way. By comparison, this music is pedestrian to me with how well everything flows together. It's for this reason that I don't see why Wikipedia describes this album is a go-to for audiophiles who want to test their gear. What you hear is what you get with this album, and there isn't much that a good audio setup is capable of animating or fleshing out. Hey, there's "Peg". I, of course, know of this song because of how extensively it was sampled on "Eye Know" by De La Soul - one of the few hip-hop songs I like. The strange feeling of being presented with songs that I'm vaguely familiar with is always enjoyable, particularly in the case of sampling. The first 45 seconds of this song honestly had me on edge. It made me stop what I was doing and stand to attention, trying to pin where I'd heard the funky bass and plucky acoustic guitar before. Even the similar, albeit unsampled "I know they're gonna love it" vocal section managed to slip by me before I was bowled over by that signature sax. It's probably sacreligious to compare a hip-hop track to a boomer rock song, but I honestly can't listen to Peg without wanting to put on Eye Know. The latter song is considerably more fleshed out and has a much fuller sound. By comparison, this tune is competent on the whole, but the dynamism just isn't there. The funky backing instrumental is stretched way too thin for my liking. The other instruments occasionally and intermittently jilt the piece, but never in a way which builds towards something satisfying. That isn't to say the song is bad, however. The sampled components of this song are fundamentally good. I just know where they were put to better use. I don't need to check the book for this album. Like I said earlier, I know that this album is widely considered to be the band's career highlight, so I like to think this album is in here on good authority. I cosign this inclusion.

Heard Before? My dad, who was sadly born without a personality, calls this one of the greatest albums. Notes: - love these drum sounds, and how the horns are recorded. - as I say with every one of their albums, the keyboard solos are far more tolerable than the guitar solos. - by this point they gave up any pretense of rock and fully embraced, hmmm... "schmaltz-core"? it suits them much better. - grateful for the long, complex instrumental passages. at the very least it keeps the smarmy vocals and embarrassing lyrics at bay for a while. - "Peg" is satanically catchy. Yikes. Verdict: In places, this raises the Steely Dan bar from "utter loathing" to "grudging admiration". Like the best possible version of being on hold with the insurance company for 40 minutes. Listen Again? Not by choice.

Hilarious when people say it has no edge groove or soul. Wtf. It has all that and more. Creativity. Originality. Chords used in a way others couldn’t dream of. And it’s catchy. And flawless. What they don’t get I get.

Album 161. Aja — Steely Dan (1977) Probably the most smooth and jazzy Steely Dan album. I like it, but it's so tiresome... 3/5 Liked: — Black Cow — Deacon Blues — Peg — Josie

yeah steely dan is hella cool, don't even know what to say past that. their music really scratches the itch in my brain for some reason.

Buenardo

Eh

Ok

If I hadn’t been on a run I think I may have fallen asleep. How can a band with a name like steely dan be so mellow? In the end I didn’t hate it but it wasn’t for me.

I discovered ''do it again'' from this artist, which I like a lot, the vibe is great

This is a proper album. Haters just lack the proper sophistication, dig? Sure it's smooth, but it's got teeth. Yeah, the instruments sound really, really good. Last time I checked that's a good thing. When I saw this pop up I knew this would be the Day of the Expanding Man. Nocturnal prowling, whiskey drenched and lachrymose. Seedy bars, rough characters and warm gin. The Dan paints pictures with their music, and when it really clicks there's nothing better. Easy 5/5 from me.

Suenan realmente bien

Black cow, a brilliant start to a hopefully equally brilliant album. Aja, a more intimate track slowing the pace down for a more hyponymic and melodic experience, great piano and drums on this track. Deacon blues, a funky jazz-like track boasting steely dan's talents in production and song writing, a treat to listen too Peg, simply put an easy and infective listen, the most streamed for a reason. Home at last, an emotional track with great instrumentals and an easy listening beat, a culmination of the album so far. I got the news, a slower track on this album, the weakest link but still a great listen. Josie, the final track on this great album, and a great closer. great album. overall, 4/5

Elevator music, but you want the cables to snap.

Love it!

Entiendo porque trasciende, es algo diferente, casi que tiene un sonido único. Al no ser mi tipo no me deja ninguna canción especifica en mi cabeza pero siento que funciona muy bien como álbum. 1.Aja 2.Peg

Está bien, los 70 fueron una década extraña en música…

I really like Steely Dan, but surely even the people who don’t have to admit that Peg is a straight-up banger?

It was jazzy and fun MF doom sampled

Hahahaha. Okay. Nice. So, I know way too many people who just outright hate Steely Dan, but this album's actually so awesome! I tend to really hate progressive rock (as you may know if you read my recent review of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer's "Pictures at an Exhibition"), but the touches of the genre displayed here are some of the best examples of it that I've ever heard! The best way I can describe it is that it feels like looking at "decalcomania" by Magritte. It's so weird and abstract, but it still conjures up ideas and concepts in your head that make sense to you, so you don't quite notice how surreal it is. There's a quote that I found doing some research on this album that says "they wrote complex, mysterious songs disguised as catchy pop tunes," and that's exactly what happens here. It feels like you're listening to Fleetwood Mac, but when you listen closer, the aesthetic is closer to that of This Heat's self-titled, or Alvvays's. It sounds like... this is going to be a stretch but look up "Otto: a palindrama." That's what this sounds like. Weird, tropical, completely nonsensical at times, and perhaps even childlike in a way, but incredibly beautiful and weirdly potent. "Deacon Blues" especially is a good example of this trend, with its jazzy chords and long sax breaks, and that beautifully written last verse ("I cried when I wrote this song... sue me if I play too long!") and the perfection of its arrangement... the biggest ask when someone creates a super long song, which this album has two of, is this: "what meaning shall we assign to this abnormal use of your time?" And that's what this entire album is, really: it's a bunch of vaguely sentimental, surreal nonsense that's so beautiful that it demands you to assign genuine meaning to it. I assign a lot of meaning to it, and I adore it. 10/10

Really enjoy this album, lots of jazz fusion and some absolute bangers interspersed in. Not quite the equal of Can’t Buy a Thrill but still great. Fave songs: Black Cow, Peg 4/5

Even though they were experimenting with longer compositions for the album, it felt like it went by fast. When it was over I was like, “aw man, I could’ve gone for another song or two..” but all good things must come to an end, I guess. Just some plain old good music here.

Per Gemini: Crosswordese is a niche vocabulary of short, vowel-heavy, or archaic words frequently used by puzzle constructors to fill difficult grid intersections. These terms appear often in crosswords but are rarely used in daily conversation. 'Aja' is not a crossword legend, it is crosswordese. Which - to cruciverbalists - is a massive par.

high 4 Its good but a bit samey. 2 cracking singles. the more i listen the more i like it

No real opinion on Steely Dan’s jazz rock thing. Josie only thing here that’s kinda bad but didn’t love anything either. Peg’s the best

Slow 70s woth good instrumentals. E joyed

Better than Coldplay

Аja-ja-сные дни оставляю себе

There is plenty to value here. Its got obvious songwriting skill, good playing and seems bright and well done. I really tried to engage with it emotionally but couldnt.

Yacht rock vibe

Why?

delicioso sabor a jazz en mi cabeza

Black Cow - 4.5/5 Aja - 5/5 Deacon Blues - 4.5/5 Peg - 5/5 Home at Last - 4/5 I Got the News - 4/5 Josie - 4/5 Some may call this "overproduced" but I think this is a mastercraft work in how to utilize the studio effectively as an instrument itself. The genre here is beyond classification: a fusion of pop, jazz, rock, and all of the above come together create a no-filler, all-killer piece. Overall: 5/5 Favorites: Aja, Peg

Aja

Not really a Steely Dan guy, but Aja is undeniable. Drum fills on the title track go nuts

This album is really excellent. To be fair I already loved Steely Dan but I had a lot of fun listening to this one. Closest thing to a 5 so far, but I dont know, just think 5 requires something above and beyond. But great album none the less.

Oh lol MFDoom samples that opening track “Black Cow” Great bass lines across this thang, particularly on Home at Last and Peg Probably closer to a 4

Catchy

Fun opening track with a super groovy base.

FUN

Decent. Not my jam ngl

buen álbum

Le blues n'est pas mon style mais c'était franchement pas mal

LOVED IT

My favorite Hip Hop artist have sampled this album extensively - I've heard it interpolated in do many ways. Hard not to love!

Cleanest music ever.

Technically, great. Still sounds like clay yacht rock to me

7/10

Hey I actually knew this one already!

3.75 - Funny enough, I got sent a video yesterday that was a piano cord lesson and the last cord was the first cord in the song 'Peg' and it said "YOU JUST GOT PEGGED" And that happened to be today, when I listened to this album. Not my fav steely Dan but absolutely some hits. Fav Songs: Deacon Blues // Peg

einmal mehr solide catchy liftmusik.

Nicht so meins

Is it good, or is it just the kind of music I like? (That's me, total yacht-rock fanatic.) Eh, either way, it feels much better than some of what I've heard here.

Wasn’t expecting smooth jazz, new interest of mine now thanks to this album

There’s one word I can use – smooth. This opening track is just so pleasing to listen to, great little synth solo too. The title track is just an explosion of musicianship. Everyone gets a chance to shine here and there’s great use of dynamics. Though there is great musicianship (I have read that they employed the talents of a bunch of session musicians) I feel a bit let down with some of the songs. Sure they’re polished and sound aesthetically pleasing, but I don’t FEEL much at all from them. It’s kind of hard to explain, I’m torn. I began to feel this as one song bled into the next with not much really grabbing me. It’s a shame as I’d heard about this album from an old band mate a while back so expected something else. There are some more popular SD tracks that I really like, particularly Reelin in the Years which I think is fantastic. Perhaps I’d have liked more in that vein.

un disco peor que el otro lpm

Very average

Easy listening at its peak. I can't rate this any higher than a 2 as it kind of washed past me without me really noticing. On the other hand I can't rate it lower than a 2 because there really isn't enough here to dislike. It's very biege, bland, it's pretty much generic brand 'Music'.

black cow10-10 deacon blues15/10 aja10/10 peg8/10 home at last10/10 ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE +99999/10

GOAT

I honestly didn't give this a full enough listen, but I absorbed a lot of Steely Dan as a child so I get it. Solid album.

Luscious production, impeccable musicianship, tasty… but it’s kinda much ado about nothing, as there’s no real message or emotion driving it. It becomes self indulgent to sing about how your date forgot she’d already seen a movie. Now, every drummer on the planet should listen to it as it’s a masterclass in drumming…

I didn't hate this as much as I thought I would. Actually quite interesting and a few tracks I recognised. One or two I found a little too clever for their own good but not objectionable

Et av tidenes beste album. Top 3: Home At Last, Deacon Blues, Peg

I've had this hyped up for me a lot and I've come around quite a bit. Pretty relaxing yet technical.

Please no more bland psychopath dross.

I liked can’t buy a thrill more

Goei funky v.i.b.e.s.!

Dit staat te boek als de ultieme dadrock maar ik heb dat nooit zo begrepen. Ik vind dit echt de pot mosterd waar Geordie Greep een flink aantal eetlepels uit gehaald heeft. In any case, it slaps

This is good, I did not know steely Dan sounded like this

Corto pero canciones muy largas, muy similares entre sí. No me convenció, descargué solo 3 temas

No suelo escuchar jazz, me costó un poco osea si me concentraba por ahí vibraba bastante con la canción pero me costo

Honestly a little boring. Have always heard great things about this album but it feel flat for me. Not bad per say, just not memorable.

Steely Dan!! ♥️ veel kende ik nog niet maar allemaal goed swingend en relax

mislim da sam službeno bumer jer mi se ovo dosta svidjelo i bilo mi je žao kad je završilo... eh, šta ću. ako se dobro sjećam, bolje od prethodnog njihovog albuma koji sam slušo, pretzel logic

Background Yacht Rock. I felt like I was in a shop or an elevator. Boring AF.

Me gustó la mezcla de rock y jazz.

chill

What's not to like on this album. So smooth from start to finish. Perhaps missing out on those more electric tracks like "Rikki don't loose that number"

The second Steely Dan album in two weeks? God mocks me.

One of the best-produced albums ever, famously so.

I'm a late in life Steely Dan bandwagonner but there is no better time but the present. Can't say I'm in as deep as many others are, but this album to me is their perfect sound and the one for the ages. Definitely a desert island pick.

I can see how there's a lot to be appreciated here, but this is not for me.

The Yacht Rock Era has given Steely Dan new life post-2000, and I'm glad for them. They're obviously masterful musicians who are the kings of this kind of smooth, jazzy rock. It's something I respect more than I actually enjoy. There's nothing disagreeable on this album; I appreciate their skill and what they pull of in these songs. But I wouldn't cue up Aja on my own volition. "Peg" is fun, but I prefer De La Soul's "Eye Know." Sorry, Jeremy.

Quality production, and the title track has some cool solo parts. Overall, it’s hard to find anything to fault with this album—maybe it’s worth another listen sometime, but for now, a 3.

To be honest I put this on in my car after an incredibly frazzling day. There was nothing that Steely Dan could have done to make it any worse. I physically can't enjoy them. I've tried several times to just understand the general appeal. This album was no different but after many listens I will say that Peg is the most listenable song of theirs I have heard

Really solid album from the dad rock legends themselves.

Good but not enough to push to 4

pink panther tip toe

Yeah, yeah, yeah... It's a classic, for sure. So are HiFi bros, smoking cigars and drinking whisky. I want to give this a 3, but it really is a 4 unfortunately.

Repeat listen

Not really my thing. I prefer the less jazzy Steely Dan stuff although I appreciated the production values.

In many ways the most successful realization of the jazz fusion dream with an audio fidelity that sparkles. Probably the best sounding drums ever put to tape, and one of the best drum performances as well (Steve Gadd on the title track). I’m on record for not really liking recordings that are too clean, but somehow Aja manages to be the cleanest of them all while still crackling with electricity. The reason lies in the generationally-great performances and the meticulous construction of the songs. In terms of cleanness, this is not a Rick Rubin-style bleached asshole, it’s a presentation that needs no adornment or concealment of the musicians and songwriters on display. The clarity of the recording also allows for subtle brilliance in instrumental arrangements to shine through- the last minute of both Aja and Deacon Blues come to mind. Utter and total perfection.

This was alright, I'm not a huge fan of Steely Dan, I think I enjoyed another album of theirs more than this one, but overall an OK 3 star album

I like the idea of this album more than the actual album. The hits are strong, but the rest of the album did not hold my interest. 3 stars.

Nice

This was good, though many of the songs blended together a little too much. I appreciate this but probably wouldn't revisit super often.

I want to like this so much more than I do, but there's a feeling I get with the sound/production value, something to do with soft rock stations and growing up... I don't know. It's like an objectively good album but I guess it's just not for me

"Aja pronounced asia" alright, buddy.

This is the third Steely Dan album I've gotten in the last 9ish weeks. How anyone could say that any of these albums, let alone all three of them, are albums I needed to hear before I died is beyond me (big shrug). To echo my sentiment from my last SD review (for Countdown to Ecstasy), I feel like their music survives over time because it's fine and inoffensive. Those are not really good descriptors when thinking about essential listens. Is this album fine? Sure. But that's pretty much it, at best. It's like they wrote some songs, then removed almost everything that made them interesting and just left the shells to be polished up pretty. And it is, I guess (shrugging again). But nothing about it really seems like it's special. It's just generic, boring pop rock. Yacht rock, if you will. Sure, they get a little jazzy at times, but that somehow makes it worse. I may have liked this one more if it weren't the third album of theirs I've gotten in such a small window. But even so, I don't really think it's a particularly good album. I would have been fine without ever hearing it. Overall: 2.1/5

yeah baby, let's sing along, yeah, baby, being your whole neighborhood too, yeah, let's be smooth and sensual, baby, let's consume only weed, no alcohol, no hard drugs, let's sleep enough, let's eat enough, let's maintain a good relationship with our parents, oh come on, baby, don't brood, take some weed

exactly what youd expect it to sound like

18/03/2026 *1. black cow - ooo nice bass... love the backing vocals! horns are fantastic!! reaallly loved this one! *2. aja - very smooth... oooooo love the verse! love the saxaphone and the drumming!!!! *3. deacon blues - fantastic! love the instrumental sections in these songs <3 4. peg - great!!! *5. home at last - lovelovelove the piano at the start! love the bass in all of the songs!!!! love the squealing saxaphone? synth? can't tell what it is but it's great!!! *6. i got the news - very groovy... looooove the second bridge!! *7. josie - love it!!! always heard of steely dan but don't think i'd ever listened to a song of theirs before this and reaaallly loved it!!!

Great album, fun to listen to. Steely Dan is a master at piano and composition

okay flute!

Amazing album. Peg is a song for the ages

cool but nit for me too happy ahhh

7/10

I can't. 2/5

I could listen to it in the background but wouldn’t willingly go out of my way for this. This is better than some of the pretty shirty 2s I’ve heard so I guess it’s in the middle.

Great album, amazing recording for sure, but can sound a bit too perfect at times.

Not bad music but some of the tracks were super long and i wish they would have been a little bit shorter

Hmmmm. Fun, smooth, good, but not great. I'd say this is record is super dependent on set & setting. A sunny sunday with a drink in my hand? 6/5 project. And when Aja is at it's best ("Peg" is so obviously it's best), it can teleport you to that sunny day, no matter where you stand. There is a creeping sense of unease this album can instill if you catch it on a bad day. I get how you can hear a facade put up by Steely Dan with their conspicuously easy instrumental deliveries and ultra-shiny lyrics about drinking scotch whiskey. Perhaps a microcosm of my entire listening relationship with Steely Dan, I'll take the hits from this and leave the rest. 3/5

Not my usual choice of music but it's still a good album. Smooth grooving riffs all throughout.

the Joni Mitchell’s Blue of sociopathic studio perfectionism

Same thoughts I had about Nightfly, I have about this album. I love Jazz. Something about this just doesn’t… vibe right. I’m not sure if I know how to verbalize or quantify it.

Plutôt bon album. L'ambiance était soigné avec une patte très particulière comme toujours avec Steely Dan. Néanmoins, même si certains éléments ont su sortir de l'ordinaire comme les bass lines de presque tous les morceaux qui happent l'auditoire de manière très efficace, j'ai trouvé l'album assez moyen passé les trois premiers sons, avec une certaine répétitivité dans les sonorités, ce qui est assez dommage connaissant la diversité qu'a pu nous offrir Donald Fagen par la suite. En résumé je trouve l'album assez surcoté pour ce qu'il propose même si ça reste de bonne qualité

Absolute banger of an album. I love every minute of it! Flows beautifully from one track to the next and each track can stand on its own. Just brilliantly done.

I should have been high when listening to this.

I have listened to this album 50+ (100?) times. It is one of my dad's favorite albums. This album is really not my jam, but my endearing love for my father has informed my rating.

Steve Gadd is my absolute friggin' favorite. This record is full of legends. Chuck Rainey! Bernard Purdie! Larry Carlton! Victor Feldman, Wayne Shorter, Joe Sample, and on. Peg, this is one of the best sounding records ever. Headphones recommended. I can listen to the drum solo on Aja forever. Peg.

You just got Pegged! Send this album to all your friends to totally Peg them!

There aren’t many song as relistenable as Peg. You can listen to it in every scenario. At work? Peg. At the bar? Peg. Outdoors? Peg, In the shower? Peg. Maybe Peg should be played at my funeral. Just an immaculately recorded album from beginning to end with exceptional musicianship.

Jesus, my second Steely Dan album in a week. This one starts off with a sample I remember from a hiphop track, kind of funky. The guy's voice is slightly less annoying in this track than in the last album I pulled, Countdown to Ecstasy. Later on I hear the sample of De La Soul's Eye Know. Definitely this album is better than Countdown. This is about as good as Can't Buy a Thrill, though it's different, funkier. 3/5

OK, I suppose.

I love Steely Dan. A very well-constructed album with some amazing musicianship and songwriting. Favourite tracks: Deacon Blues, Peg, Josie

Perfection

a chill time i guess but too like… tidily arranged? i can get behind peg as a fun song for the right place and time

Nothing is really bad or anything per se, but this whole record feels a bit too clean and rigidly structured. It doesn’t feel alive to me. Also I hate the fusion rock saxophone production on here.

I expected to bounce off this pretty hard but it only just teeters on too slick and doesn't quite cross the line. There's definitely some good stuff here Fav tracks: Peg, Josie

Heard it so much I can’t objectively rate it…

This was fine.

Fantastic. Love these songs.

Soulless jazz pop rock, softer than baby poop.

I always KNEW there was something off about Steely Dan. Their profile says they "never truly enjoyed rock." Imagine making music you don't like! How can you possible expect anyone else to like it?!. This is bland. I couldn't tell the difference between the popular songs and the obscure ones. We are going through a very bleak patch on 1001 albums!

I've listened to more Steely Dan this year than I have in my entire life! I think this is their most consistent album out of the 3 I've heard so far. Much like The Eagles and Hotel California, I can't see myself coming back to this album regularly as its not a genre I tend to consume but definitely one of the best of its kind.

"Aja" is the sixth studio album by American rock band Steely Dan. Jazz rock, pop rock, blue-eyed and jazz fusion are the Wiki-listed genres. Hmmm, no yacht rock? The band leaders, Walter Becker (guitars, bass) and Donald Fagan ( lead vocals, synthesizers), push the and further into experimenting with different combinations of session players, using nearly 40 musicians. Commercially, the album reached #3 on the US Billboard Top LP's & Tapes Charts and #5 in the UK, had wide-spread critical acclaim and, in 2010, was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its artistic significance. "Black Cow" opens with a funky bass and slow drums. Soulful backing vocals and keyboards. Fagan with snarky vocals as he kisses off his girlfriend who drinks black cows. Horns are added. The song takes a jazzy turn with Victor Feldman on piano. Easy learning...yacht rock, here we come. The self-titled "Aja" really brings out the jazz chops. It starts out slow with a piano intro. Feldman now shines on the marimbas. The one and only Wayne Shorter with a sax solo. The standout for me is the absolute brilliant drumming of Steve Gadd. "Deacon Blues" has more of a rock beat. Glittering piano and guitars accents. Great harmony vocals and chorus. A suburban guy dreams living his life as jazz musician. A clavinet melody with piano and bass leads off "Peg." The music kicks into a groove with more great drumming. Pop/rock with jazz in the background. And, of course, Mike McDonald in the background on vocals. Two ace guitar solos by Jay Grayson. An eerie guitar riff kicks off the closer "Josie." Intricate rhythm and drums which has a hooky groove. A bluesy tone as a party girl returns home. There is a lot going on musically on this album. Unlike the Dave Matthews Band, all the musically intricacies and gymnastics add up to something quite spectacular. Jazz at its core with elements of rock, pop and blues. Or maybe it pop as its core and...whatever, the drumming, horns, keyboards, piano and guitars are pinpoint along with excellent solos. Detailed, detailed, detailed; They used three guitarists to get the guitar solo in "Peg" right. It is quite an achievement when you can have a number of top 40 hits with jazz fusion and, immediately draw in a nine-year old (me) to your music at thee time. This is a high-level album that sounded amazing and is absolutely a must listen.

short n sweet

Steely Dan poniendo en la mesa pq son conocidos y son mas buenos q la shusha

I am Not a Favoriten of Funky Music

Always a good surprise listening to Steely Dan!

A solid Steely Dan album. Jazz fusion is not everyone's cup of tea, but it's mine. Will definitely be coming back to this one.

Steely Dan is a the safest music I’ve ever heard.

A top 20 desert island-er for me

It's always a great day when the generator gives you an excuse to listen to a fantastic album. The whole album's just so groovy and jazzy. There's this feeling of mystique and allure throughout. Everything sounds so tight and in the pocket. The band's extraordinarily great. Deacon Blues and Peg are probably among my favorite songs ever.

Really not for me. Just too lite, it feels like there's nothing much there. There are occasional hints of something more before it fades back to the lightest of light rock. And the longer it goes the more annoyed I am that I have to listen to this

Steely Dan at their best.

This is one of those albums that I've seen everywhere and I know it's a total classic but I don't think I've ever heard it. I was never really in to Steely Dan but I don't think I have any real negative thoughts towards them either. I appreciate their jazzier vibes and their musicianship is always amazing. Looking forward to listening to this one. Ok so this album is incredibly well played and orchestrated. Really really good musicianship here. There is definitely nothing you can fault in that department. But I feel like the whole album is just lacking something. I can't really say what. It's a bit too shiny and polished maybe? It's all very bright and new sounding. And there's nothing that really grabs you and pulls you in. I feel like this could be playing in the background and you might pick up a bit here and there but it wouldn't really make you listen. I get why it's a classic but there are much better albums out there. This one kind of needs to pick a lane. 3.5/5 but rounding down because it isn't quite there to round up.

Not my thing. If I am going to listen to that type of music I would much rather prefer Frank Zappa

It's hard to believe this was released in 1977. Their sound was more sophisticated than what I remember from other music in that era. I can hear a taste of what would come from Ricki Lee Jones in about two years.

chinese music? huh? dying behind the wheel? jeezus man Would I listen again: nah Deserves to be on this list: probably not 2.3

Some bangers

Something fresh

This is a kind of soft-rock that I think is now pejoratively termed "yacht rock". My Dad loves Steely Dan; all I could think about while listening to it was "oh, where have I heard that before?"

Peg is an undeniable banger.

Production, music, lyrics, all top notch.

Classic Dan. Not my fave of theirs but it’s still great, probably one of the cleanest best sounding albums ever as well

no notes

Was fine I guess but not memorable

It might be sacrilege to give what many people consider to be Steely Dan's magnum opus a 4 instead of a 5, but I just didn't enjoy this album as much as the others. The first 4 songs are pure Steely Magic. The second half, though, is just not that exciting to me. There's no doubt the production is incredible, the instrumentation is a masterpiece, the this and the that, everything you come to expect from the Dan. I just think that Aja lacks a bit of that magic in the second half. When everything has been scrubbed into a shine, you lose a little bit of the magic you can get from a production that's not as good. 4 stars.

Perfect album #johnsvinyl

Smooth like buttah. Immaculate in production, perfect in musicianship, but somehow still kind of boring. A four for pure craft

2,4/5

SOOOO VERY MUCH LIKE IT

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Yeah, what should I think of this? Nice music, sure, but it doesn't do much for me.

Listened to this on the plane to Ireland. Yet again reinforces that my brain likes jazzy tunes. I guess i wouldnt call this album suuuuper memorable but I saved one song.

Good listen! Very chill sound.

Pleasant enough and really tight musically. Nothing really caught my attention though and can't see myself revisiting this.

Weirdo lounge funk that reeks of pretension.

Steely Dan does it again. Another incredible album from them.

Loved the jazz vibes

If not my favorite, definitely a top 3 of All Albums for me. No shit! Flawless! The title cut "Aja" is one of the most beautiful, haunting song that I can listen to on an endless loop.

Kind of boring

B+

I like it!

Not a huge fan. Lacked the iconic licks and solos I expect from the band. Less groovy, too jam bandy

Songs were too long, and not terribly compelling, but somehow I still really liked it? I'm confused.

nice solos, funny texts, loved listening, fun and jazzy vibes

Awesome

bacano, no me gustan los temas así tan largos y tiene un par pero el estilo fue cool, depronto muy tranquilo pra mi gusto

It was so vibey, but when focusing on it I could not grasp any substance. Yet it was, so vibey. Like a lackluster meal but it's drenched in heavenly sauce. The sauce on this album was so good.

semi-pinnacle of vibe-music

Maybe I don't know ball, but I didn't enjoy this album. Wasn't terrible, but still...

i really like it, good album for walking on a sunny day

There was one song that led to a de la soul song and that was nice

Polished

Some people love a big juicy cheeseburger. And I do too. They’re delicious. But sometimes, I will stare in awe at a dish prepared by the most meticulous chef, where every event on the plate is slaved over, each individual garnish is placed carefully by a set of tweezers, and each component makes something larger than itself. In the end you have a plate of food that is, of course, delicious; but more so, you have a physical manifestation of culinary perfection - or at least, the chef’s version of it. We’ve listened to a lot of juicy cheeseburger albums so far. But today, Chef Steely Dan has prepared us a Michelin Star feast of an album, and a I’ll love to dig my teeth into this one whenever I have the chance.

Great jazzy rock songs

8.5/10

C L A S S I C. Everything about this record is great. Makes me wish I could have seen them live in their heyday

Dude, this sucked. Besides Peg? What have you got here other than showtunes for guys who don't have to work and dress like Steve Buscemi or whatever in that lighthouse movie? Guys with podcasts about podcasts. It wasn't Buscemi. Willem Dafoe. Same difference. Ugly actor men who are beloved because they're men. Only men can be ugly. Can you imagine an ugly ACTRESS?? Respected for her CRAFT?? Don't make me cackle maniacally. Anyway, where was I with this weird ass record? DON'T tell me. I can't keep your voices hearing your voices, hearing your voices hearing something. Josie was a respectable neighbor and the deacon, you can't forget the deacon, he was there as well, and PEG PEG PEG. Ah thank you doctor, no I haven't taken my pills today. To continue, this was stinky and overblown and had one awesome song, and like one other decent one. I've heard much much worse, but I've heard a hell of a lot better too. 2 HIGHLIGHTS: PEG

Gähn

Goddam perfect. The attention to detail, how every piece comes together, the SONGS. Like there's no bad song here. One of my all time favorites no contest.

Tepid

One of the greatest albums ever made

It's so chill, love it.

Absolute banger, been happy since I played the first track, BANGER. Today´s bird: Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) Focus on the scientific name.

Musically proficient but completely devoid of feeling. Great cure for insomnia.

Ive been forced to listen to this album for the last 9 years and my parents liked this album, so suffice it to say, ive been conditioned to enjoy Aja. It actually is good, more catchy innuendo songs. Deacon Blues probably the best song off this.

I always find myself saying, “I didn’t know this was steely Dan, maybe I do like them.” And then I hear the rest of the album and realize I don’t really like them that much.

Good for a lark, but not something I come back to a lot. I was just talking to a friend about Steely Dan last week and told them they're the kind of band I like on a play list, but not the kind of band who's records I would collect. Also, they're insufferable, pretentious dorks (trust me - takes one to know one), which makes them hard to like.

JAaaz?

Liked but all Steely Dan songs sound the same to me.

Smooooth. Steely Dan makes a jazzy argument for sax in music.

Just recording studio excellence on display. Love this album

uncgem

"Deacon Blues" and "Peg" are the standouts for me and perhaps it's because they're the two I know best. I like Steely Dan but I have to be in the right mood or frame of mind for Steely Dan because otherwise it's too much. Like I prefer to hear Steely Dan mixed in on a classic rock radio station because I know after one of their songs is over then I'll hear Hotel California or some Led Zeppelin. Nothing but Steely Dan is honestly a bit much.

I think it is a 3

This appears frequently in "best of" lists due to its high quality production. I've definitely listened before and didn't think much of it, but this time much more impressed. Definietely one of those albums that can be appreciated more with active listening

Absolute masterpiece. The coolest vibes. Dad core. But like… why does he want to be called Deacon Blues?

4.5

GRAAAAAHHHHHHHH ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS EVER CREATED AAAAAHHHHHH

Got me through a rainy day feeling like the sun is shining

By far my favorite SD record. I've loved this music since I was a child, and it never gets old for me. But I can see how they'd be polarizing

This album is great, so funky and groovy, but also with some interesting parts. It's very, very enjoyable. And a fun listening too. So, I've liked it a lot, and sure it will be an album I'll listen to other many times.

This album is the gold standard of studio recording. absolute banger on top of that. everyone should listen at least once in their life.

Incredible album

zero soul negative aura theres only one reason why this album is so highly rated, ethnic nepotism.

It’s very smooth. So smooth there’s not much grip or flavor. But so smooth

Yeah it's good

Got some nostalgia going on here. Dad fixed up a 1937 Chevy in the early 80s and put an 8 track in it. Aja was in heavy rotation in that car. Here for it, remembering good times going to "rod runs" with my dad.

I didn't think I'd dislike this as I did, but something about their sound makes my skin crawl.

Wonderful. Steely Dan at their best. All class musicians. This band is the real musician's band.

Wait what? I listened to Steely Dan 2 days ago. Oh, this album is not as good as Can't Buy a Thrill. Guess I'm not becoming a big Steely Dan fan.

My optical nerves communicated a clear image of this picture to my brain, and my brain said "YES First Impressions of Earth!". The lyrics were unique when I checked them out, but overall this was another pretty boring album on the chopping block, 2/5

Two Steely Dan albums in a week is probably too much Steely Dan from this project. Or maybe it's by the time they reach this point in their career, they've transitioned substantially to a sound I enjoy less. I mean don't get me wrong, I enjoy yacht rock, but it very much feels like yacht rock artists are a bit more interchangeable and have less uniqueness between the groups. Plus you add in more than a dash of exoticism and references to Bama. I have an obligation to dock a star for the Roll Tide lyrics.

Had Only one listen but I’ve heard these songs time and time again Id highly regard it as steely Dans magnum opus record , the groove , the chord changes the cool lyrics the playing I mean cmon you’ve got Bernard Purdie Wayne shorter , Larry Carlton, Steve Gadd , chuck reiney on the personnel that’s like an all star lineup of the greatest session players of that decade Not to forget Michael McDonald adding those trademark backing vocals on peg My favourite moments are on the title track aja , the playful piano and the thunderous drum fills of Steve gadd through the vamp section which gets repeated about 4 times , class The groove on black cow absolutely masterful rhythm section Purdies epic shuffle on deacon blues There’s so many great moments a timeless album

Aja, one of my favourite albums of all time, I don't even have to listen to this to review it as I've probably listened to it 100 times already, but I'll listen to it again today to remember it's greatness. Just the absolute perfect recording of this album, it's used as an example of perfect engineering and mixing often for tuning HiFi systems for its sheer crisp quality. The musicians Steely Dan used on this album, just sublime. Some may not like Donald Fagen's voice which I understand, kinda like Geddy Lee's, bit the compositions and arrangements are pure gold and luxury wrapped in silk to me. Highlights for me are Peg for the absolute pristine backing vocals from Michael McDonald, Aja for the blazing drum solo and Josie for its pure cool sound I mean that main riff come on - how cool is it!! Deacon Blues too, great lyrics and story. A record I'll always love, listened to the songs on this album at different points in my life and still will always have a place on my top shelf.

Superb album. Great instrumentation throughout. One that I keep coming back to and for that, it gets 5 stars

Everything that was put out by Steely Dan was amazing. In my opinion, Aja is the best of the bunch.

Yes, I am a Steely Dan enjoyer.

Short and sweet! 3.5

Love this album. Steely Dan has some of the instrumental arrangements and some of the best production I've heard. It's not an album I immediately want to throw on repeat, but I'm never sad to hear it. 8.5/10

This album sounded a lot better than it actually was… Urgh i wish i liked this. I liked all of the ingredients, which is why i’m a bit disappointed by the final product. That being said, i still like a lot of this album and it’s generally pleasant

I feel like this was a god-sent recompense for having to listen to the horror show that was yesterday's album. EXACTLY what I needed for a Sunday evening. Also this is completely different to the impression the album cover gives off. I can't pinpoint what about this is so great- but I think that's its strength. Just beautifully made. I can't find a single thing I disliked about it.

This was a nice smooth listen but nothing sensational. That being said I feel like this is an album that will grow on me with more listens and then I will appreciate it more.

I love steely dan and why this was fun, funky, jazzy and just amazing - it wasn't as good as the album I know and already adore - 'Can't buy a thrill'. I'd recommend listening to it if you liked this, it similar but more upbeat and has better songs similar to 'Peg"

I love a saxophone in music - immediately elevates it. I really love the funky pop vibes, I think he gets it just right. This is a bite sized crossover of different genres done right. May even upgrade to a 5 when I relisten

Very bluesy and they really liked to jam. It was good- easy to work to while I listened. Not a lot caught my attention. I didn't recognize any of the songs, though I had heard of Steely Dan before. Glad I am now familiar with their sound.

boring

not really my vibe but I appreciated peg, home at last and josie. there are some cool basslines on this album

I just danced and danced and danced

First impression: I like this, it's refreshing after hard punk. Jazzy, R&By, chill. Se puede dejar de fondo para el coito, o chupando con amiwis o fumando con amiwis pero no consumas sustancias SOLO escuchando esto porfa.

This album is so good omg. I love how smooth everything is, how well rock and jazz are combined in this album. This was such a fun listen!!

Latter half of Black Cow was really good. I like quite a bit of it, but will likely never rate something like this a 5

Cool fusion sounds, very eclectic.

My brother like Peg and the song after peg!

Groovy!

Did I ever tell you about the man who taught his asshole to talk?

Saxamaphone.

The most iconic Steely Dan album. It sounds so polished and groovy. Definitely a worthy inclusion to this list. 9/10 [KEEP]

This is easy to listen to. I couldn’t quite latch onto the narratives in this album, but the style and quality of music is good.

This was fun! I enjoyed it!

Pleasant but forgettable.

Great

just mid 2,5

My previous review of Pretzel Logic applies here. This is bad lounge rock and there aren’t enough Harvey Wallbangers in the world to make me like this.

I’ve never been a fan of Steely Dan and this album did nothing to change that. It’s elevator music. Soft drums, light horns, and Bee Gee’s type vocals. The lyrics may be good, but I don’t care enough to follow along as there is nothing exciting to me about the music.

Did you ever wonder what happened to all the band geeks from high school? Me neither, but I bet they own this album on vinyl.

Glad to finally have listened to Aja, I liked it quite a bit. Jazzy, great players and a horn section, good stuff. The songs are good, I enjoyed the music but I couldn't get over the lyrics. Laughably cliche, and distractingly bad.

Like it, its very chill

Not sure what draws me so much to Steely Dan but love their records, and this could be my favourite. Doesn't carry the hooks of earlier albums but the production and musicianship is phenomenal. Have listened to this endlessly. SPUN

All I can think of when I hear Steely Dan's Aja is the hundreds of tons of drugs that must have been consumed by all of the boomers in the mid to late 1970s while they listened to Steely Dan playing on the hi-fi in the background of a key party (if they ever actually happened) while they openly wore velour and huge bell bottoms and leisure suits that they just picked up at Sears. Clearly these guys were talented, I just don't like their music very much. Peg is not bad.

Surprisingly eclectic, I think I heard some reggae, all most jazz bud mostly soft rock. Nice music to have on the background I wouldn't mind listening to more by the band. 3,4/5.

oo sterile , too much sax, too noodly and lacking in spontaneity. Only highlight was Peg - although the De La Soul version is so much better.

The name of a good Scottish band, a sample for a 90s hip-hop track and the music they played at closing time at my local pub as a teenager. The only things interesting from a band of supermarket music with lyrics.

Meh

4

Nice ans smooth classi rock Talented musicians

Nice sounds but everything is too similar and too caged in its genre. Can't see anything revolutionary in this. Nonetheless nice vibes.

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I see absolutely nothing wrong with this. It was a very nice listen on a Thursday morning in the office. Excellent stuff!

Most of the Steely Dan stuff is nothing that I'd listen to on purpose, and this album no exception. I find this extremely artificial, clean, polished, nearly sterile.

Elegant, polished, professional, cilean...very good album. Josie, although "less experimental" than other tracks, is probably my favourite track (today)

Yea

It's a product of it's time line where Jazz was being used in Rock and this gives a funky feel to this album. To it's credit it's expertly crafted with top session players and the production is top notch But overall it's devoid of emotion that leaves me cold. Not a band I'd want to hear again

9/10 Favorite: Peg

A nice listen, picked up towards the latter half of the album but there was nothing here I'm that interested in going back to

This feels VERY produced for jazz, but it's enjoyable.

Nothing I love more than gettin a nice girthy helping of Steely Dan

Polierte Edel-Langeweile.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Var inte så taggad när jag såg att detta var dagens album. När jag försökt lyssna på Steely Dan tidigare så har jag tyckt det var steril pretty-rock. Så jag blev mycket förvånad när jag uppskattade detta riktigt mycket. Så antagligen har jag inte varit mogen eller i rätt mode när jag försökt lyssna på dem tidigare eller har jag valt fel alster. Aja är konsekvent, välproducerat, svängigt och skön touch av jazz och soul. Bara för att höja ett spår lite speciellt så väjer jag Deacon Blues. Ettt höjdar album!

steely dan

Fun album to listen to, but not my jam. I liked the production quality of this album.

This goes against most of my other ratings in the genre, but this slaps. Yacht Rock for life.

Very good, totally could see myself chilling and just playing this till I pass out

I liked this album's vibe.

jazzy-funky. sterile in a good way, and that's all there is to say about it. you can safely play it in the background for evening listening at home

MID.

The word that most readily springs to mind listening to this album is “tasteful”. Which isn’t exactly an exciting reason to listen. Sort of a rock/jazz/slightly funky fusion. The odd thing for me with Steely Dan is how the lyrics quite often have an edge to them but the music is unremittingly polished. Try as I might, I can’t get excited about them.

Unmistakably Steely Dan! I think I have this album on vinyl so that probably gives a clue about whether I like it. Very nicely composed, smooth played jazz rock and very easy listening. I particularly enjoy Deacon Blues and Peg, possibly because they were two of the singles that get played more. All the tracks are good though.

hell yeah

liked this more than i thought i would, groovy pre PSA elevator music core (with compliments)