Aja

Classic 10/10

An absolute perfect album from top to bottom. The attention to detail is unparalleled. The cadence of the songs is perfect. The overall length of the album is exactly correct.

The greatest artistic achievement ever made by cocaine.

goat

Pfft. One of the greatest ever recorded. 50 stars out of 5. Don't even play.

I liked it

An amazing album from one of my favorite bands. It's probably their best overall, although I personally prefer The Royal Scam. The hits were great, but I've always loved "Home At Last" the most. Between the solid bassline and, well, Bernard Purdie, it's probably my favorite Steely Dan track in general. The production is top notch, the composition's perfectly smooth, and the instrumentation is eternally interesting, with each new listen offering a view from a different angle... so good. Also Michael McDonald's there

A great album, each track has merit, but Deacon Blues is my favourite.

The perfect yacht rock album that blends smooth jazz and a hint of rock. Throw this on while exploring the various islands of the Bahamas and you'll be in heaven.

I understand completely why someone might not like this album. That being said, I love it. It isn’t my personal favorite, but it would be my pick for their best work. They’ve never been as on it as they are on this project. The writing is stellar, the instrumentation is perfect, and the production is even better. Better than perfect. How about that? The range is here, the structure is here, the vocals are here. It’s a party. Steely Dan has a unique sound that makes them stand out and it is most iconic, in my opinion, on this project. Aja. 5/5

Steely Dan's most consistent album.

What can you say about Aja that hasn't been said about the Mona Lisa?

I don't think they ever released a bad album. However two or three albums really stand out, Aja is a great record. Worth owning on vinyl just for this beautiful cover,

Banger after banger

Kino

Classic. Layers and layers of sound. Old school cool.

This a 5 holy fuck they cooking

Best elevator music ever

One helluva talented band. The track Aja gets absolutely top marks. Same for Deacon Blues. Love the track Josie There's only one possible rating for an album that showcases how absurdly talented Steely Dan are... It's a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐😎

I'll learn to work the saxophone, and I play just what I feel, drink scotch whiskey all night long....

I have never listened to Steely Dan before... This was an incredible experience I NEED MORE

Much more fun than I expected

im a steely fan

I fell over while running last night while listening to Deacon Blues so I have some mixed opinions on this album

Wow okay, this has amazing songwriting, best of their career and it's even jazzier than the last album, it even has Wayne Shorter on it. A+

Masterpiece! If rock and smooth jazz had a baby it would be Aja. This is the type of album that makes me happy and calms me down after a hard day. Musically and technically perfect

Good but feel like spyro gyra is a more classic fit for displaying the ultimate example of this style of music.

Top notch

Perfection.

Just perfection from front to back - this is steely dans masterpiece (and I love all their records)

Josie is a great song

Another late 70's classic. And with the addition of Steve Gadd on the drums, this is really about as good as it gets for what we now classify as Yacht rock.

Amazing

Probably my favorite album of all time. The arrangements, production, and engineering, and quality are simply the best!!

I’m smiling as I’m reading the bad reviews of this album that all the sweet summer children are leaving. There is some time travel movie or book I saw or read once and forgot where the main character is a passionate believer in one thing at one point in his life and a zealot for the other side captures and tortures him and then later it’s revealed that the zealot is him from the future who has been converted to the other side and goes back and tortures his younger self. You then learn that it’s half hatred inspiring the torture of his younger self, but it’s half love. That is how I feel about people who don’t yet love this album. And I say “love” not “like” because one day you will love this album. It is inevitable. The day your goatee becomes predominantly white, this album will arrive in the mail on vinyl, no postmark or return address. You will look at it disdainfully but put it on - because why not? - and it will sound to you like the best thing you have ever heard. You will goggle at the way its seven songs burst with sophisticated changes, exquisitely played by such jazz luminaries as saxophonist Wayne Shorter and keyboardist-vibraphonist Victor Feldman (both graduates of Miles Davis’ ‘60s bands) and session pros like bassist Chuck Rainey, drummers Steve Gadd, Jim Keltner and Bernard Purdie, saxophonists Jim Horn and Plas Johnson, pianist Paul Griffin and guitarists Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour. The hypnotic suavity of the musical concepts and Fagen and Becker’s propensity for writing brainy, elliptical lyrics will thrill a part of your soul that has always been there waiting to emerge. You will fall down on your knees like Saul on the road to Damascus and when you rise you will be Paul. And you will love this album with the type of fervor that only the convert can have. I smile as I read your one-and-two-star reviews calling this album boring elevator music because I was you once, and it seems like it wasn’t that long ago. But two things are undefeated in this life: Father Time and The Dan. And both of them are coming for you. One day soon we may sit together and discuss how “Black Cow”’s silken, soul-derived groove (propelled by Rainey’s fat bass lines), Feldman’s pristine electric piano solo and Tom Scott’s tenor sax outburst all cloak the tale of a man at odds with his drug-addicted, promiscuous girlfriend, whom he may or may not be clandestinely stalking. We will hear that unmistakable gravelly voice singing “Peg” in the background, and I’ll say, “Steely Dan sought out the absolute master of every single instrument that was played on this album to contribute, and the voice is an instrument, which is why they hired Michael McDonald as their back-up singer” and you’ll smile and nod. Steely Dan’s unique blend of smooth sophisticated music and complex and dark lyricism will unite us as brothers and we will commune together enjoying this album with no hint of cynicism or irony because we will have moved past those concepts and be far too enlightened to engage in such trivialities in what we will know is the entirely too short amount of time remaining to us in this life. And on that day, both of our backs will hurt.

Impeccably produced. Wonderful melodies. 5 stars

jazz inflected rock/pop. Who knows? This has been one of my top ten albums for listening to for years as it is just so well put together. Steely Dan definitely created their own place in the world of sound and again show what amazing craftmanship can do. Lyrics can be obscure but have some excellent lines and wry humor as well.

fire drums. steve gadd. Bernard Purdie.

Sonic confidence Instrumental perfection So smooth sing-alongs

Funky jams and great composers. This is an album to listen to multiple times. 5/5

Wow this album blew me away. Loved it. My favorite songs here are probably Aja and I Got the News, but really the whole album is so good. Will definitely listen to this again.

I inherited this record from my mom so I do always associate it with a nice vinyl soud/classic 70's yacht rock vibe. It's short enough where all the tracks are good but my stand outs are black cow, deacon blues, peg, and josie. Good hypnagogic sound.

Are you kidding?? One of the greatest musical recordings ever. Still, not my favorite Steely Dan album, it's undeniably an incredible recording (from a technical standpoint) with some top-rate musicians. "Home At Last" is probably my favorite track from the album, if I had to pick one.

Without question, Aja is a desert island album that hits all the right buttons. Funny enough, I don't know if I would say this is my favorite from Steely Dan, but this would be their most consistant and immaculate record with some incredible playing and songwriting which perfectly encapsulates what Walter and Fagen were up to. And like any good Dan album, underneath the buff and polish, there hides an alluring dark underworld that showcases a cast of freaks and weirdos behind a backdrop of music that has some serious grit baked in. I may not understand the lyrics, but dear God do I ever feel it.

A timeless example of premier jazz fusion. Aja is some of the best and proficient instrumentation and song construction known to man. The longevity of these tracks in the new found "dad rock/yahct rock" lore in memes is proof of how much testamanent will come of these few songs. I been a real big fan for steelyn since a young age and will continue to so.

Impresionante. Gracias por recordármelo.

An all time classic. I can't count how many times I have listened to this. I've listened to most of their albums and enjoy them a lot. 5 stars all day.

Great easy listening.

Masterpiece

Steely Dan's most concise and well constructed album. From a technical standpoint, it's hard to top this album. Every song is meticulously crafted, from the composition down to the final mastering and mixing. Every single instrument stands out, yet blends together simultaneously. This album may not have produced their most listened to songs, but every song on Aja is great. No fillers on this one. The drumming and sax solo on the title track is superb.

Love Steely Dan!

genius

I love this album. This album makes me so happy, even at its saddest moments. These are the 3 things I like the most about this album: First, the lyrics. Becker and Fagen had already shown their lyrical talents on previous Dan albums, but the ones on here are some of their best. They create the atmosphere of a night out in New York City, where we are being given detailed descriptions if the people we meet Next, the session musicians. This album has some of the most notable musical collaborators in the Dan canon. These include Bernard “Pretty” Purdie on drums (Deacon Blues, Home at Last), Larry Carlton on guitar (every track except Peg), Denny Dias on guitar (Aja), Chuck Rainey on bass (all tracks except Deacon Blues) and Steve Gadd on drums (Aja), just to name a few. Every collaborator adds something wonderful to this album in their own way, whether that’s Dias’ guitar solo on the title track or Purdie’s trademark Purdie shuffle being brought out for Deacon Blues. Finally, the production. There’s a reason most people who have heard this album call it one of the best produced album of all time. It’s mainly thanks to producer Gary Katz and engineer Roger Nichols, who both made sure this album sounded as crisp as possible. And they did it! Every individual instrument sounds so clear that I could focus my attention on one of them and hear it perfectly for the whole track. In a word: MASTERPIECE

Steely Dan is a top 5 band in my life. Loved Aja when it came out and a lot of great memories then and now.

score hasnt changed from when it was released.

An absolute classic. I always forget this album is only about 40 minutes, because it is so epic and monumental. However, the length just goes to show how lean and strong it is all the way through.

cumple buen sonido no lo habia escuchado vale la pena darle una escuchada

my god the reviews for this album on here are abysmal… y’all have obviously never drank scotch whiskey all night long and died behind the wheel 🙄

front to back, this one is a stone cold classic. every song on this slaps and is just a wild jazz rock ride. love it!

PICA

Solid album containing several of their hits.

Sounds so good

Brilliant album. Must listen with quality headphones. There are so many tiny details that add to the quality of the production.

all time favorite

It's got the vibe

Fantastic!

It grew on me as I listened, super groovy

Untouchable.

Such soothing lyrics and music. I forgot how mellow and happy music from the 70’s was.

Very familiar with this album. One of those classic recordings that will live forever...

amazing!!! new fave!! funky and wildly instrumental and catchy

Bloody brilliant. Enjoyable, catchy, cohesive. I love this album a lot it’s great, the instrumentals are amazing and just the musicianship is excellent.

Not a huge Steely Dan guy but this album slays. So chill and yet funky at the same time, and just insanely gorgeous production.

One for the ages! Fantastic!!

I love Steely Dan! Great album!

Great

4.8/5 Best Track: Deacon Blues

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,

All time album. Gets a 5 from me.

Yay!

5/5 Didn’t know I needed this

love steely dan

Steely Dan

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.

ameno

This is one of my favorite Albums.

really cool

Awesome album

Chill

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

One of their best albums

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

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

Good. Pling pling.

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.

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

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!

Nostalgic cause my parents would play this album a lot

An incredible jazz adventure. Beautiful

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

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

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.

One of my favorite albums

Great album.

Great stuff!

meh

Forgot how good Steely Dan is!

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

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...

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!

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.

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

Flawless. Start to finish perfection.

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

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”…

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

Basically a greatest hits album. Incredible production and instrumentals

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!

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

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

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.

AND WOT

5/7, 71%

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.

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.

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.

groovy basslines i will be lesrning these

Best “dad rock” out there. Love jazz rock.

Lo que es este disco la concha de la lora. Funky 10/10.

LOVE this album. Steely Dan was one of my father's faves and I have a lot of fond memories of hearing this with him. Such amazing production and sound. 4.5/5

listened

Aja So good but also kind of niche and weird. Its not challenging but it’s not relatable. I like that it has a truly unique sound and style of songwriting. Love Peg and Josie, they are such great songs. I have to be in a rare and particular mood to listen to this album through. The Steve Gadd/ Wayne shorter solos on Aja are incredible. I love Larry Carlton’s playing on this record. The best of 70’s production and studio musicianship.

Just an absolute delight of an album. This is my kind of music.

In my ignorance, I couldn't tell you a single name of a Steely Dan song or album but realized today that I know their first Album "Can't Buy a Thrill" quite well. Knowing that, I now believe I thought all of their work sounded similar in style to "Reelin' In the Years", but was I ever wrong. Aja was a superbly executed jazz rock album featuring some of the best session musicians I've ever heard. The drums, brass, keyboards, and guitars were just so crisp and clean. Fagen's vocals were on point, as were all of the talented backing vocalists.

Very good. Classic Steely Dan. The production is amazing. The songs are great.

This is the album where Steely Dan reached the peak of musical evolution. From this point on the quality would ebb a little but nothing would standout or be new. This is a masterclass in musicianship, song structure and technical achievement.

Great album. Their sound is so cool and unique. Easy 5.

Beautiful background music for a lovely sunny day. I could listen to it all day (and I did!). Hard to pick a favourite, but the song latterly sampled by De La Soul (Peg, used in Eye Know) was a wonderful surprise

I've been listening to this a lot recently, another recent discovery, via Róisín. This album just gets better and better every time I listen to it, I'm always hearing new things. Truly a masterpiece of music production.

So smooth. Production quality through the roof. Very pro, such progressive, so jazz. Peg is absolutely perfect. Home at last i haven't heard too many times, but is ridiculously good too (that jazzy synth solo at ~ 3:10 <chef's kiss>). The Josie track was already a favorite of mine, but after hearing through the album again in its entirety, I would say a few of the other tracks have risen above. 5/5.

This is the most steely of the Dan albums. A feast of sounds and songs.

Incredible sound, inventive songwriting, catchy melodies. Perhaps the ultimate “real guitar and drums” album, the playing is just so good. Interesting how they continually had random session players lay these tracks and yet the whole album still feels rock solid as a unit. I Got The News is a B song surrounded by 6 A+ tunes.

Great album - possibly their greatest

One of my favorites

jazz funk feel good fusion

Masterpiece. One of my all time faves. Fell in love with it three years ago, I think. Among the rare albums, where I don't skip a single song. Rich and luscious songs, iconic lyrics and the mood is incredible.

Excellent album!

If you don’t like Steely Dan you need to check yourself. You can listen to this at a pool, in a bar, doing drugs, cleaning your house or on a road trip and it would be the appropriate selection.

Sleek, elegant, jazzy, cooler than you. What a pleasure. One of the more soulful albums I can remember in Steely Dan's catalog. Splendid, flawless production and strong musicianship, with well crafted compositions that feel really loose but are actually quite intricate. Lots of musical twists and turns for the band's aficionados to pore over, but nothing a casual listener can't enjoy. The lyrics are surprisingly straightforward as Steely Dan lyrics go, with Fagen and Becker using fewer obscure references and a more sly approach to their trademark cynicism. I mean, maybe Deacon Blue is a loser, but at least he's a sincere loser. I can dig that. Side note: I see a lot of reviewers struggling to "get" this album. I cannot stress this enough: Stop trying to understand Steely Dan. This is music that is designed to be a bit inscrutable. Some people love that. Others would be best served by just choosing a groove and settling in for some quality music. If you're still not feeling it, you may want to check out the bottom 20 albums on the global stats for some perspective. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Deacon Blues, Peg, Josie, Home at Last, Aja, I Got the News, Black Cow

yeah this one rules

I just love me some Steely Dan

Great album!

turned into a pixies kinda day😅

One of the things I love most about Steely Dan is their lyrics. Very few of their songs are what you'd call traditional love songs. More often they write character sketches or social satire (and there's plenty of songs I've heard 100 times but still have no clue what they're about). The album "Aja" would at first seem to be the exception to this rule. Three of the seven songs are named after women. But when you dig into the lyrics, "Peg" (which has a great funky groove) is about a guy pining over a movie star. And "Josie" (which opens with that strangely menacing minor key intro) is about a woman whose return home sparks an all-night party and features this incredible description: "She's the raw flame / The live wire / She prays like a Roman with her eyes on fire." And the epic, 8-minute title track, which seems to be a pretty clear love song, spends more time on cryptic details like "Chinese music under banyan trees / Here at the dude ranch above the sea" than it does describing the actual woman that the song is supposedly about. But while trying to figure out what Steely Dan songs are about is definitely fun, it's not the best part about listening to Steely Dan. It's the music, man. This album is full of stellar jazz solos, including a ton of awesome guitar playing. I also love the sax solo at 4:42 on "Aja" played by special guest star Wayne Shorter, a jazz legend, and how the drums go absolutely berserk behind him. Such an awesome moment. Steely Dan get a lot of credit for pushing rock into jazzy territory. But here they play jazz that absolutely rocks. Even though the Dan didn't write a lot of love songs, so much of their music is romantic in the more classical sense of the word. Take, for example, the chorus of "Deacon Blues," which is often cited as being quintessentially Steely Dan because it's dark and twisted: "Learn to work the saxophone / I play just what I feel / Drink scotch whisky all night long / And die behind the wheel." It's an undeniably romantic fantasy: playing jazz, staying up late and dying in a blaze of glory. Steely Dan may not have written a lot of love songs but all their songs are love letters to the music.

Best ever

One of the greatest albums of all time.

Oh man the sax is back! At first I was thinking that it was a little jammy for my taste but then I got through the title track. The jazzy musical assault (that low-key sounded like a mario kart soundtrack) left me feeling like the Maxell cassette guy. At this point I was all in. All I knew about Steely Dan previously were all the jokes about them being lame and of course, "Do It Again", thanks to Guitar Hero: World Tour. I genuinely don't understand those jokes. This felt just as exciting and unexpected as any metal album I've heard. Damn good stretch of albums through the middle 100's, here. 5

It's like this band was created for me in a lab. Favorite track: Josie

Yacht rock's highest moment when a prog rock band decided to make a jazz rock masterpiece.

Um, might be my favorite album of all time. Masterful performance, beautiful mixing and mastering, and classic Steely Dan stank.

Certified classic 10/10

Brilliant. Michael McDonald on backing vocals! Sublime musicianship and intelligent lyrics. Includes three of the best songs ever written.

I love these guys! They took a sound I like with a structure I despise (jazz) and fused it with a soft rock sound that ends up being incredible. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen were truly masters. They stopped touring in the mid 70s to focus on studio work and this masterpiece came out. Bravo!!! The arrangements are tight and meticulously executed to perfectly achieve the soundtrack in their heads. I hadn’t realized until now how many different session musicians a band could use on one album. I’ve always assumed that an album is recorded by one set of musicians with a guest appearance here and there. Steely Dan nearly had a different musician on each instrument for each song. So Steely Dan was more a duo with a rotating backing band for Aja. I would think changing musicians constantly would be difficult. It seems like it was refreshing for these seasoned pros because rotating musicians helped Aja become a masterpiece.

Killer album

Peak

I consider this to be one of the finest albums made by any band, not just Steely Dan, and the title track, in particular, is on its own plane. One layer of many incredible layers: take a glance at the list of personnel who contributed to and performed on this album. It's a Hall of Fame line-up. Just amazing what came out of these sessions.

So good! I can listen to this on repeat all day.

Stunning and exquisite. Not just the production and playing (obvs), but also the sense of languor and the extremely underrated lyrics (which people seem to both overthink and underaopreciate). The hits are top-notch – "Peg" is an all-time top-five groove, inclusive of any and all pop music genres and "Deacon Blues" is a Cheever story that just happened to get near the top of the charts. The opener, title cut and "Home at Last" are all extraordinary. Sure, it's dad rock and yacht rock -- for dads and yacht owners who possess taste and intelligence and a mature musical palate. People who don't find this interesting simply cannot themselves possibly be interesting. They certainly lack taste and probably fear jazz. One recalls loving it upon a first full listen as a teenager and the record only gets better with each passing decade; in other words, the more music one hears, the better Aja gets, a sure sign of quality.

Muito bom, sonzao instrumental

LET'S FUCKING GOOOO LET'S GO STEELY FUCKING DAN OH HELL YEAH i joke a lot on social media but steely dan really is the pinnacle of white people soul music there's so much complexity in their songwriting but it still manages to be the catchiest, hookiest shit in the world. i have no idea how they manage to so effectively combine music theory and pop sensibility black cow is so fucking catchy. the title track is high art. deacon blues is maybe the best song ever, i'm not kidding. this album has PEG on it dude, on top of all of the rest of these fucking songs. what a work of art i don't even have the words to describe why steely dan brings me the amount of joy they do, but this band is an integral part of my very being and that will never change. all hail fagen and becker

T3B 1. Deacon Blues 2. Peg 3. Josie Don’t get much better than Steely Dan. Especially with their best album? Every song so jazzy, rocky hard to stay still. Easy 5.

Amazing album. Rare musicianship and songwriting ability.

This album is killer. Deacon Blues is a masterpiece. Peg is great. All these songs are awesome.

it's steely dan babyyy

My second favorite Steely Dan album...although it's technically a better overall album experience than my first favorite which is purely about what Dan record I came to all on my own and not through anyone else's influence. This also has the better cover. I catch myself quoting snippets of these lyrics in daily life. All of this is to say that for a band I actively *hated* as a younger person, I ultimately fell for them and that's in no small part to this record.

Great tracks, really tight band, Deacon Blues is stuck in my head at least once a week.

Here's the thing - I really like Steely Dan. I don't know much more about them than the music. I've never seen them live. I got their box set at some point during film school and it was one of those situations where you listen to something and you like every single song you hear. As if you'd heard it all before. And some of it I had heard before, but the deep cuts were just as good if not better than the hits. And among Steely Dan albums is probably my favorite. I like the way it sounds, I like that it sounds like easy listening and the subject matter is drugs and porn and losers. And Ulysses, I guess? I love it.

If anyone asks me my favourite Steely Dan album, depending on the day and the direction the wind blows I might say Katy Lied, Gaucho or even Can't Buy a Thrill. But I always follow it up with "...though really, it should be Aja." Why? Because it's immaculate. And perhaps that's why it's not quite top of the tree for me. It's like gorging on chocolate, and washing it all down with yet more chocolate. There comes a point where you a bit of grit or nastiness is welcome. However, for all that, and for all the carping that the Dan sacrifice emotional truths on the altar of technical ecstasy, it's wonderful. Oblique lyrics about disaffected demimonde America, compositions that successfully combine pazz 'n' jop, crystalline production, some outstanding individual musical performances - they're all here. Gimme more chocolate...

I said that I was going to hold back on 5 stars right before I got this album lol What can I say, I love the Dan. I gel with Fagen and Becker’s sense of humor, their wordplay, and their jazz-meets-rock sensibilities. This is as good as their sound ever gets, although I also have a soft spot for Katy Lied. Still, I like how the big, progressive tracks are sequenced early on to get them out the way for listeners to familiarize themselves before going back to the lighter, catchier tracks. It’s a screw you to a big sect of the audience, and it works splendidly. A

Masterpiece!

I've been told that Aja is Steely Dan's magnum opus. I still don't know if I agree. I've been listening to Steely Dan for as long as I can remember. Well I should say I've been listening to one singular song of theirs: Reelin' in the Years (it's in the soundtrack for a baseball movie my family watches every year). And that one song, along with a few other of their hits from "Can't Buy a Thrill" have essentially been my only exposure to the band. In the past few years I've gone out of my way to listen to a few more of their hits, and even some deeper cuts (Hey Nineteen, Doctor Wu, Jack of Speed) but nothing off Aja. And I think that simple fact makes me dislike the album just a little more than I really ought to. It's too... jazzy. "But you love jazz!" Well, yes. But my perception of Steely Dan does not consist of vamps and improvisation, instead I think of catchy melodies with fun lyrics and great harmonies that really let the vocals pop. It's cool guitar riffs and bass lines that mainly serve to support said vocals. But Aja is more than that, and therefore more than I expected going in. The vocals take a backseat. And to a guy who's fallen in love with Steely Dan because of their biggest hit whose vocals carry the piece... it feels off. I can pretty confidently say that had Aja been the first Steely Dan album I had listened to, it would be one of my favorites. The jazz and funk elements come together with a classic rock sound where beautiful melodies are gracefully rested atop luscious guitar riffs and elegantly composed piano pieces. Where grooves in "Josie" and "Peg'' allow for glorious solos and improvisations, with perfectly timed transitions and crisp instrumentation. I love this album. But hearing it from my perspective, it sort of sits in an uncanny valley, where the band's new direction feels... wrong. The shift in focus from vocals to instruments is one I almost always support. And I wish I could support this one more than I do. high 4.5/5

A classic

09/30/22 Incredible production. Not my favorite collection of steely Dan. But got what amazing cruise music.

Fantastic album. Favourites after the first time listening: Aja, Peg, Home At Last

10/10 same as what I said before about Steely Dan when I quoted walter white lol seriously, one of my favorite bands

Own this on vinyl. Very nice.

This might be one of the best-sounding albums I’ve ever heard. Everything about the album is crystal-clear. Great instrumental performances and vocals. Standout tracks are “Peg” and “Deacon Blues”.

Never really knew what Steely Dan did. This is a great introduction and has some amazing songs.

One of the best albums of all time. Not Steely Dan's best album, but one of the best.

I went looking through some of the negative reviews of this album. It was interesting to see what naysayers had to say. "They took no risks." - First off, the band was polished, and playing a great blend of smooth jazz and rock. I don't see many other bands doing this type of music. Not sure what KIND of risk you are hoping for. "The songs went on forever." - Punk songs go on for only a few minutes. One thing I found interesting is I always think of "Aja" being this epic song. But "Deacon Blues" (which I love) is about the same length. So I can see people being a little squirmy for songs at 8 minutes long. (Although I do not have a problem with it.) So it really comes down to not liking the style of the songs. And really, the pieces here are great. Even the ones that did not get traction on the radio. The secret weapon here is Michael McDonald. God, "Peg" is just such an astounding song. And MM's background vocals... just SLAY me every time. "Black Cow" was one of the tracks on a best of I heard and was like... "WOW!" Josie I think I heard here, first, but it grew on me really. The two songs left are not as great, but they still are really good. If you haven't watched the Classic Albums series about this one, find it up on youtube or somewhere. It's really insightful to this album. And like they said, it IS a classic album.

Good album to work, relax, background music. Would listen again.

Always so perfect

Love the Michael McDonald backing vocals on Peg, I got the News. Every song 5/5. Steely Dan at their best.

I have heard this many many times. It is phenomenal.

Klasyczna plyta, a dzisiejsze pojawienie sie jej na liscie wreszcie pozwolilo mi rozwiazac zagadke tajemniczej okladki tego albumu, bo przed dzisiejszym odsluchem widzialem wstege, a teraz dostrzegam tam pania azjatke gustownie wymalowana, rodowod modelki nie jest tutaj bez znaczenia, bo nawiazuje on do samego tytulu Aja, czytanego jako asia, krazek z 77 bedacy szostym punktem w dyskografii duetu, a jednoczesnie ich peakiem tworczym, w ktorym synteza jazzu rocka z popowoscia jest w idealnych proporcjach, wiec zarowno mozna cieszych ucho unikalnymi gitarkowymi rifami, dac sie poniesc chwytliwym beatom klawiszowo drumowym, czy uraczyc sie harmonijnymi wokalami z liryka z podwojnym dnem i interesujaca zarowno sluchacza radiowego, jak i kogos kto szuka czegos wiecej niz doslownych znaczen, bo duet swietnie wlada zartem i sardonicznym humorkiem, tyle razy juz sluchalem tej plyty, a to 40 minut podzielone na siedem trakow nigdy nie przestaje cieszyc i brzmiec swiezo za kazdym razem, plyta z ktorej nie ma co dodawac wiecej na plejke, bo najlepiej konsumowac w calosci, ale hajlajtowymi utworami z dzisiejszego odsluchu beda dla mnie deacon blues, czyli jeden z bardziej trafiajacych w czlowieka kawalkow bandy, zwlaszcza gdy ktos jest typem przegranego, wiec latwo utozsamic mi samego siebie do postaci deacona, a kolejnym bedzie home at last, moze to kwestia pewnej tesknoty za swoim katem, ale tez ze wzgledu na nawiazania do jednej z najbardziej epickich opowiesci awanturniczej jaka zrodzila kultura hellenistyczna, wiec chodzi o odyseje

Love

Yummmm

An audiophile's wet dream. The classic album to test stereo systems and whatnot. Meticulously detailed but has a seemingly effortless flow to it. Perhaps the greatest confluence of jazz and rock music outside of Miles Davis. Smooth as the baby powder that cut the cocaine they used while making this album.

From me, this would get 3 stars just for being Steely Dan. Add a star for Josie and another for the overall album.

This is where the buck stops here. This is it. The crystallization of the aura that Steely Dan were hoping to possess is on here. Aja would make most bands careers but for Steely Dan, not only was it a Tuesday but yet another stop on their road to glory. Phenomenal album, best listened to with either quality headphones or a quality sound system. As probably best intentioned.

One of the most underrated highly critically claimed albums. As in, everyone loves this album, past and present, but a lot of people listen to it and "so what?" Based on the user reviews on the Internet, especially on this site, people can acknowledge it tries to be something grand but that it falls flat. I argue that it succeeds in what it tries to do and deserves all the praise, but I won't spend time detailing the music theory so I hope other 5 stars get the upvotes. I think for a lot of people, this album is just too unfamiliar. It's jazz rock, but it's not like anything you listen to. Closest thing is Chicago. I will say this is my favorite Steely Dan album. I might play Can't Buy a Thrill more just cause it's more fun to vibe too and has the hits, but this album has the intricacies that I enjoying picking out. It's 7 tracks in 40 minutes, which each minute perfected. There aren't any drawn out moments, no unnecessary repetition or formulas being rehashed. Each track innovates constantly to feel fresh. Instruments pop in and out of nowhere, getting their highlight. Production is magnificient, no one sounds buried, it's never busy. They're fantastic songwriters, and there are so many moments in the album where they have these ideas in their heads they have to bring studio musicians in to replicate. Soul influence in Black Cow, disco influence in I Got The News, and all sorts of artsy jazz all over. My favorites tracks are in the middle.

10/10. One of the best ones out there

Probably my favorite album ever. The high water mark of what all popular music should aspire to be. You just have to listen to it. 10/10

Steely Dan’s masterpiece is a complex album of accessible jazz rock that features prominent bass lines, jazz chord changes, funk rhythms, and virtuosic playing. This album is incredible tight, yet features some fantastic exploration. The guitar work alone would place this album at a 5, but it’s the combination with the bass, keys, drums, and brass that makes this one of the greatest albums of all time. It may sound self-indulgent to some, but this album manages to push popular forward in a more musically literate direction while maintaining its commercial viability

I mean, what can you say about a classic like this that hasn't already been said. There are so many hits on here. I think I had a best of album when I was younger because I do recall listening to these occasionally. The only track that got a little manic was I Got The News. It was a little too experimental for me. Not the normal smoothness of Dan.

TEAMO

Verkligen ett bra album!!!!

Man! Shoutout till denna skiva prpr. All kritik om överprocessering tycker jag att är dum, det vanliga felet med album som förädlas för mycket i studoon är att de låter tråkiga. De låter sterila, inget unikt eller intressant. Överprocesserad musik tappar all swag. Det här albumet är inte en gnutta överprocesserat trots att det låter helt perfekt... för INGET låter så här, liksom på riktigt. Alla instrument låter härliga och fylliga, lager kommer in och ut, saker kommer in och ut ur låtarna på ett så absurt perfekt sätt.... och musiken har swag, den greppar en, vilket är det viktigaste. Donald Fagen äger också, hans nasala scumbag ass sångröst ger de elaka nedlåtande lyricsen liv, men visar ändå nån sorts iakttagande empati för de patetiska karaktärerna som fyller ut låtarna på albumet. Önskar det fanns mer sånhänt pr, det rör mig på ett sätt få saker kan, ofta är musik om empati lite väl... ointressant? Deacon Blues är en av mina favoritlåtar nånsin, och resten ligger inte långt bakom. Peg, var jag svär att backup vocalsen byter ut Fagens "Foreign movie" till "Porno Movie", något som får karaktären som sjunger sången (som ja feelar e om att få en skådespelerska av en sort eller annan att fortsätta sin karriär fast hon int alls vill) till henne att kännad så vidrig att jag spyr medan Peg då indirekt får lite empati från låtskrivarens håll. Och en hel massa från lyssnaren... (Teorin e kanske ba bs fö ja ha int läst lyricsen) Black Cow karaktären låter så småsint att de bara äger, Aja förutspådde patetiska anime-nördar 1977, Josie får jag mer sliskvibbar av... helt enkelt en lätt 5 stjärna....

How could you not like steely Dan?

The legendary stories about the production and musicianship of this album are true. It sounds amazing, the quirky narration pulls you into the stories about these characters, and it's just an overall enjoyable listen. I liked every song except two: Aja and I Got the News.

Amazing album, would almost say its a no skip album. Amazing fusion of funky and jazzy styles with a consistent upbeat rhythm. Favourite songs are Black cow and Deadon blues. A suprisingly short album considering the amount of great songs in it!

Love steely Dan. Good tunes

wow, great album. An unexpected gem!

Jades a neatly cut album, very enjoyable!

Love this album!

Meni je ovo bilo savršeno. Ovaj lagani jazz/rock je melem za uši. Čak sam dva puta poslušala. Evo jedna petica.

Heard before.

Getting some Billy Joel vibes with this one in some songs, but man what a good listening, well produced album. Thoroughly enjoyed

great album. jazz rock. lots of weirdly cool stuff

One word, Classic.

Love it

Great production and super slick performances.

Love Steely Dan! Superb, laid-back easy listening music

The sound is just immaculate and the songs are fantastic. Can’t ask for more

Freaking fantastic

Релакс! Приятный софт-рок!

If I could give more than 5 I would!

Fab album, always good to listen to it and the sax is out of this world

stejsi pogszamp

Amazing :)

4.5/5. I'm surprised I enjoyed this one so much, it's not the kind of genre I usually listen to. Everything just works for me, fav tracks: deacon blues/peg

Smooth Yacht Rock. BT: Black Cow, Deacon Blues, Peg

Jävligt bra. Väldigt bra trummare

Sweet Rosalie, she's working at the five & dime train back to Hackensack with rosemary wine Yo-deedle doidle dee, cocaine We both like to do cocaine

One of the best albums of all time!

Jazzy with immaculate bass line. Lyrics and melodies are not too memorable but is all about the vibe - and it's immaculate.

Watched a yacht rock documentary and this features prominently So only really got into it in the last couple of years, heavy rotation now. Puts a spring in your step. Favourite track: Peg

Awesome album!

The duo known as Steely Dan, along with the assistance of a large crew of top-tier musicians, craft a wonderfully developed sound on Aja. It’s a step up in every facet from Pretzel Logic for me, namely musicianship, maturity, consistency, and focus. The mixing and engineering do plenty of heavy lifting as well. The record sounds so clear and high-quality for the time. It took a little time, but I really came to enjoy this one. It’s just pleasing and enjoyable throughout. It may not be all that eccentric, but it doesn’t have to be. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: Black Cow, Deacon Blues, Title Track

It got everything you need for a classic album: great songs, originality, godd musicianship.

fabulous

Great! Love Steely Dan. I get that some people think it's "boring" but I disagree. I think it's lovely.

acho que gostar de steely dan é falha de caráter, e infelizmente, eu gosto bem desse deus abençoe o yacht rock

po mano, pior que esse eh massa mesmo nao tenta tanto ser ""cool"" que nem os outros que passaram por aqui, essa eh mais direto ao ponto para atingir papais de meia idade. sem perder o jazz rockzinho, né além disso, que produção, hein. o baixarel come solto. bacana demais!!

I knew coming into this how much I love Deacon Blues but generally just find Steely Dan fine. Despite that, this is peak yacht rock. I should be on a boat in Lake Michigan drinking in the summer while listening to this. The production is also just immaculate Favorite Songs: Aja, Deacon Blues, Peg

это разъеб джаз рок, очень плотно и приятно хиты, короткий это такая конфета буду переслушивать 4

excellent album. lots of parts I hear sampled from tap songs. I am not az jazz fan but this is great.

A: Omg jättecool, lite tråkig stundvis men jättechill och jättevibe och jättefunky. Drink your black cow och learn how to play the saxophone eller whatever dom sa. 4/5 would listen again. D: Omb första albumet jag skulle påriktit kunna lyssna på i civilen. Goofy och funkig och allt möjlig. Jag gillade den mycket. Jag tänkte mig att en svart ko spelade alla låtar vilket stärkte upplevelsen. 4/5 skulle lyssna den pånytt.

Yet another one I've heard before, the production is stellar but I think one of its biggest strengths is the reason I can't give it the coveted 5 star rating, how short it is... I WANT MORE OUT OF THIS

Mieletöntä soittamista ja kunnollista soundia!

Enjoyment: 8 Replayability: 6 Cohesion: 7 Flow/Pacing: 5 Artistic Merit: 8 Weighted Average: 7.05 Review: I grew up on Steely Dan, so these songs were played frequently over the years. This album is quintessential yacht rock with the well-produced marriage between its slick jazz beats and classic rock sound. Although I wouldn't choose to listen to this entire album on repeat due to its slower pacing, Deacon Blues, Peg, and Josie will remain favorites of mine with a newfound love of Black Cow. Liked Song(s): Black Cow, Deacon Blues, Peg, Josie Disliked Song(s): (None) Recommend? Yes

Great album. Just good music, not the hits that we know, but really just great music and I was impressed several times with how well it sounded. Everything was mixed really really good and it was all pretty sharp. 6.24.26

a technically marvelous album, but as i think ive said before with steely dan, it almost feels inhuman due to the total cleanliness and shimmer

sorry steve albini, I like Steely Dan. I get it - they're not raw. But they make me feel pretty good.

Peeeeeeeeg

I’m conflicted with this one. It’s borderline elevator music, but I’m still infatuated with parts of it. Rating: 8/10 Favorite Song: Peg, Deacon Blues

très bien. beaucoup plus complexe que ca en a l'air. un peu jazzy. certains morceaux me parlent moins néanmoins

Very interesting to see the difference between their earlier albums and this. Way more jazz chords as opposed to the folk. I think they maneuver them both pretty well but there's just something missing. Can't put my finger on it. Highlights: Peg (ofc), Home At Last

4.5

Very solid album. Steely Dan is a really unique band, blending rock and jazz, and it just works.

Great album to have in the background. I did really enjoy this so i’m gonna rate it a 4/5 as an album. I don’t think there was a particular song from it that stood out but it was an easy and enjoyable listen.

Almost perfect lp. No bad tunes, but the sequencing seems off to me. The tunes don't flow. Playing with a different sequence

extremely good!!

genieten album, zou het zeker nog een keer opzetten, 4.5/5

Lovely

4/5

Uno de los mejores discos de jazz fusión El segundo mejor disco de steely dan ya habla de lo bueno que es Pegadizo groovy y enviame tiene a peg

Solid

This is the idea of "perfect music" being discovered in real time

First peg of the summer and there's gonna be many more

No slouch, this one. Damn near every song hit the airwaves. Certainly made the wife happy. Not my jam, then and now, but I won’t deny the satchel of winners. 4 stars, holding my nose.

4 stars. We enjoyed. We like Steely Dan already, but hadn't actually listened to this album before.

4/5

Essential. “Deacon Blues,” “Peg,” *and* “Josie?!” In my mind, this about a 4.5-star album. To round up or down? Hmm. So hard! Maybe just a touch more, erm, edge would’ve gotten it to 5.0?

Favourite Songs: Black Cow

Марко 5 Сара 4,5

This is honestly my jam, some funky soul and jazz music.

Steely Dan feels like a meme that I'm not really in on. However, this is good. It is perfectly fine and chill music that feels extremely polished to a shine to the point that it loses a bit of character. That's fine, though, because it's really good. Deacon Blues and Peg are songs I've heard so many times from my parents growing up, that I didn't know they were Steely Dan songs, funny enough, that as soon as they started playing, I immediately knew every lyric. Just like my favorite foreign movie, it came back to me.

Fantastisch