Aja

Great musicians

7/10

Liked this album

Halfway through, I haven't stopped nodding my head for a minute. Very groovy. Great harmonies throughout. Solid album from start to finish. 3/5.

4.7/5

This is my second Steely Dan album over the course of a week and I have to say the difference is pretty stark between this one and Countdown to Ecstasy. There is still the unique instrumentation and insanely talented playing - but there also feels to be some energy missing on this one. The last one feels like they were shot out of a cannon, I get the more subdued vibe on this one but it's missing that intensity and tenacity for me. Still a very enjoyable listen.

4.0

I’m a sucker for steely dan

Liker det!

pretty decent fun

well, nice. has good and calm vibes. 4 stars lol

This album is a great yacht rock album. If you like other Steely Dan albums, you will probably love this album. I really like this album and my favorite thing about this album was its length, it’s fairly short so it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. If someone hadn’t heard of steely dan before and they could not find a best of album, I would recommend this one cause it is very chill.

Nice! An actual standard studio album to review! And it's a fairly good one! Despite some unnecessary meanderings and questionable noise (particularly within the title track), I enjoyed most of this. I'm still not willing to venture forth into the swamp of jazz, but I thank Steely Dan for showing me that there are some fringe elements that don't completely suck.

I’m quite high on this. Nothing was gripping or exciting to listen to. But the album alone was very pleasant and easy to listen through. Background music done well.

super

Caramba, é um álbum bem bom. Nem parece que é do final dos anos 70. Tem uma boa mistura de rock e jazz. Gostei de Black Cow, Deacon Blues e I Got The News.

I definitely understand why this is still being played as much as it is.

College party flashbacks with this one. Damn, I was young.

Sounds great

I've had a few Steely Dan albums since I started using this generator and it's made me realise something. Even if Steely Dan got a bunch of musos from the heaviest metal sub-genres and told them to go nuts, the resulting album would just sound like Steely Dan with down-tuned guitars. The blandness is all-encompassing and no amount of exceptional jazz bass or piano playing can escape it. I can't hate it, but I'll never love it.

me re copó carajooo 8.5/10

Solid Jazzrock Album

B-side is the dominant side, upping the tempt a bit. Cool jazz is not my thing, but their creativity and vocal work makes it click.

I'm as surprised as you are that I am giving this a 4. A little ways into the first track I was unsure I'd even be able to listen to the whole album. Things started turning around with Deacon Blues and Peg and then I Got the News kind of blew me away. Couldn't resist the groove of Josie that called to mind Phish for me.

Saved Prior: Peg Off Rip: Black Cow, Aja, Deacon Blues, Home At Last Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Some of the best hanging out music in the game, I was listening to Deacon Blues while laying under the beach stars and my life changed. 4.5 rounded down

Love the chill vibes of Steely Dan, nothing is out of place. Deacon Blues is my favourite track for capturing the feeling of ma before or after a party or night out.

Vibes. Great music to cook to!

- really nice vibe to the album, can tell alot of music I like is inspired by this sound - nice to have longer songs that take its time to establish it's vibe/atmosphere - I like the sort of jazzy feel some of the songs have with the instrumentation, not sure if it's saxophones or not but there's something there that makes it sound more than a rock song

Chill vibes and lovely bass lines

Liam gives it a 3

Good mix of rock and jazz playing makes this a good album to pop on and groove to.

Good jazzy/funky album. I thought it would be different than it was, but I’ve never really listened to Steely Dan much. This was good though.

An very harmonic album an a real nice listen although there is no specific hit on this and it´s way too popish for my taste. Furthermore I don´t like the vocals. I´m not enought the music- nerd to rate the album only just because of the virtuosity of the serveral musicians. Therefore weak four stars for this album. 3,5

Easy listening. Some nice Solos. Really liked the song Pam

Prog rock. Not even once. This is what happens when you add jazz to your rock music. Do I like it? No. Are there some legitimate bangers on here? Sure. Is this the platonic ideal of Steely Dan? You betcha.

I can totally get down with this. What a fun album with great musical talent. I just kept thinking, this is so listenable. What fun and talented artists.

When I showed this to my father, he said he really liked it and thought it was really good. To say the least this is certainly Dad Rock, haha. That doesn’t mean it’s not good though. It sounds really good! The production here is REALLY good. I really love the bass here. Good performances and instrumentation all around. I really do love the extended instrumental segment on the title track. Very good songwriting and lyricism all throughout. This album just has a certain vibe with it that I really like. You can really feel and hear the Jazz influence. I really liked this one, despite how small this review is. This is a classic and I can see why it’s regarded that way, it’s in the Library of Congress! This is a very neat album, i’d recommend it.

Never listened to Steely Dan before but enjoyed this one. Nice Jazz influences throughout the album. Good album lenght no messing about

Funky and cheesy at the same time!

I've never listened to Steely Dan before, but I absolutely loved this album. Rock meets Jazz in the perfect ratio. The title song is my favourite and I don't think 8 minutes of it is enough. What a beautiful discovery

I’ve listened to this album before and wanted to like it more than I did. This time round I actually enjoyed it more knowing what to expect. It’s kind of lift music but that’s ok, lifts deserve good music. I still don’t understand the hype but I did enjoy the listen so it scrapes a 4 star 3.75/5

i already have this record slated for a revisitation project where it will enter my actual rotation and ill actually chew on it and form hopefully better thoughts then i manage with these little blurbs lol. but maybe not! not for lack of things to talk about, its a famously intricate record, but the formula for its popularity has always been intricacy + hyper-clarity...in sound engineering, in the way musical information is dished out, in aesthetic. i tbh might push back on the lack of rough edges harder if that didnt in and of itself Become the colors and the texture, esp because for as approachable as this is it never quite feels Friendly...feels like u could slip and fall down it and it would just be a perfectly smooth bottomless pit. cool music!

I like this album. It’s nothing groundbreaking or innovative but it’s enjoyable and relaxing. Deacon Blues is my favorite track. Also really liked Peg and Josie. 4

Steely Dan <3

Had no idea what to expect from this, it was great! Some amazing drumming too, a good way to while away a Saturday morning.

Steely Dan you dirty dog

Steely Dan is too smoth for my liking in general, but I can't argue against this being a good album and that the songs are quality.

4.5/5 EASILY. Such a funky, rhythmic album. A must listen.

Really nice album 7/10

This album has grown on me. Definitely my favorite from Steely Dan so far.

It looks like this album gets a lot of hate on here. This was my first time listening and I really enjoyed it. The production is crisp. I love steely Dan’s mix of rock and jazz elements. Also Paul humphreys grooves are incredible. As a drummer, I can’t help but notice his playing in the pocket. The title track or Home at Last are tied for my favorite track.

Very much enjoyed, even if it’s not the sort of music I’d typically listen to.

Enjoyed the funky jazzified Caribbean experimental 70s/80s vibe. Weren't like life changing songs, but they were enjoyable.

Yacht rock, for sure. But I kinda fuck with it. 4/5 Highlights: Aja I Got the News

3.5

A yacht-rock favorite. The whole thing oozes mellow coolness.

nice jojo

Dásamlega smooth sound og gegnumgandi góð grúv. Elska þessar dempuðu trommur, rafmagnspíanó, ljúfan bassa og hófstillt brass- og gítar. Ég er svaklega mikill sucker fyrir svona. Eru lögin í sjálfu sér eftirminnileg eða Fagen merkilegur söngvari? Nei í raun ekki, en ég mæli samt með.

4/5 - really good album, a genre that I wouldnt usually listen to

Infusing post disco funk with jazz for a set of deceptively smooth, incredibly intricate compositions performed expertly and dark sardonic stuff going on lyrically. Aging is liking this more and more...

Very listenable but repetitive after a while. Lyrically a little tedious or little ingenious depending on your perspective.

Interesting to get their first album first, followed by their last. Definitely a bit of a different vibe, but still a good vibe. I prefer the first album more so I am looking forward to seeing what the other albums are like. This is definitely jazzier, which is less my speed generally, but this is still good. "Deacon Blues" is my favorite for sure.

I love Steely Dan. Great rock/jazz fusion on this album. Tons of great sax.

I always had a mental block with cat Stevens and steely Dan. This album is awesome. Yacht rock at its finest. Apart from that it just sounds awesome. The production is top notch I can hear every instrument so clearly. Easy 4 stars for me. It should be noted I am a 50 year old male lol.

Great Steely Dan record. This and Can't Buy A Thrill are easily my favorites.

So fun

i listened to parts of this i think either way i'm a little bit familiar with steely dan, i'm pretty sure i liked gaucho *** super eclectic, hearing all kinds of familiar styles of jazz music in here mixed with good ol' dad rock vocals kind of crazy how this is a '77 album; if you added some louder synths and more digital reverb it would be an incredibly 80s sound LOVING the ranty second half of the title track drummer goes pretty hard the bass sound really rubs me the right way still want to marry the electric piano sound tbh weirdly enough, Deacon Blues made me feel like this music could be way catchier; i really wonder if there's something with the same sound but poppier in their discography goes down pretty well, surprisingly short in a good way kinda sleepy tho

I was pleasantly surprised by this one, I like some of the hits by Steely Dan but didn't think I'd like a whole album straight through. I don't think I'd go out of my way to listen to it but for quiet listening it's pretty good

Good

Gotta admire this album from a technical perspective. It has such a slick production for 1977. Maybe a little too slick. “Peg” and “Josie” are fun. In the end, I prefer other SD albums more.

I wasn't really in the mood for this, but then it made me get into it.

Didnt finish but what i yeard was great

Excellent

8/10

Bernard Purdie AND Steve Gadd on the same album, fuck yeah. I will note that the production quality can feel a bit too polished at times, but the musicianship is so good I have to look past that.

Steely Dan are Ws This album is a banger

I quite enjoyed this one. It was really good, but short.

Great album, great songs.

Love some Steely Dan. This album sounded very clean. Production quality is up and lost some of the rough edges. Which had their charm for me. The album is still great, but I did not enjoy it as much as I did Pretzel Logic. Heavy jazz. Standouts: Aja, Deacon Blues, Peg, and Home At Last.

Крутой альбом

Great writing, great vocals - not really my style, but the songs are so good they overcome my usual tastes.

While nothing on this album is going to make it to my liked songs of spotify that does not mean it was a bad album. Rather this album was one of the most energized background listens I've had in awhile. I probably won't seek it out again but I enjoyed my time with it.

Heard it a lot before. It's a good easy listening album.

groovy baybay ! #billburroughs highlights: black cow, aja, deacon blues (aug 12 2024)

Great album, enjoyed the various instruments and jazz/R&B sounds on the album. Amazed to learn that outside of the two main band members, they basically auditioned players for each song on their albums.

Pretty chill, an easy listen. I think you get the point it’s calm and nice

Pretty solid. Ngl had it on while unpacking my stuff in my room so wasn’t paying it the fullest of attentions but it was enjoyable as nice background stuff. Nice vibe, would listen to again, wouldn’t mind if someone put it on.

I struggled with this record when it came out. I was a kid, and this didn't sound like Do it Again, or Reelin' in the Years. Then I grew up and realized that it was just different. Now it's a few of my absolute favourite Steely Dan songs.

Deacon Blues is such a good song, I really enjoyed that

It’s front loaded with all the cool revolutionary long songs on side A but the album as a whole is fairly enjoyable 4/5

buen album 4/5

Kind of jazzy rock music, pleasant to listen through. Stand-out: Josie

alright steely dan you win again i cannot lie i think steely dan might actually be a musical genius however i felt like this album was kinda the same vibe thru the whole thing so for that reason it gets a high 4

I don't think I had heard Aja in full before, but it sounds like an absolute classic.

i will argue until the end of time that everyone and their dog should listen to Steely Dan at least once in their life!

Classic Dan, I have this one on Vinyl and have loved it for years!

Some funky fushion stuff. Chill and groovy

Really fun stuff.

👍🏼 Least favorite was such a well known song, Aja!

I can usually take or leave Steely Dan but this was a nice surprise. Peg in particular hooked me. Gives me Shoji Meguro vibes in some places.

I will always remember this album during the pandemic transporting me elsewhere.

Can't digest it in a day, got re-listen to it many times over

This is one of my dad's favorite bands of all time. Steely Dan was jazz for white guys who don't realize they like jazz

I always kind of liked Steely Dan, but I think I'm becoming an actual fan. This album is really jazzy, kinda funky and just overall really pleasant.

Smooth baby.

Unobtrusive background music.

The reviews of this album/Steely Dan are hilarious.

Another one that I pulled out my copy on LP to listen to.

Great album by a great band

Technically very good. Good production, good performances. The songs itself I only kinda like though. It's one of those albums that just keeps showing up for me though Will I listen to again: 95%

Love steely dan! Peg is my fave here

Heard this for the first time maybe a year ago and wasn't impressed at all. I guess my ears were just malfunctioning that day, because this is damn fun. Just enough jazz to keep it interesting, and the riffs and playing are all excellent. Need to give it another spin soon.

Very solid release from steely dan. Once again, albums like theirs really demonstrate how far production can take you

Super vibey album, de zon schijnt, echt perfect weer voor deze muziek. De eerste 4 nummers vond ik echt geweldig en ik dacht dat we misschien een 5 zouden hebben. Helaas valt dit album van een klif bij nummertje 5, die is gewoon saaaaaai. 6 ook... Waardoor ik niet op 5 sterren uitkom, dan word het 4 sterren voor de eerste 4 nummers. Dusja, eerste 4 nummers zijn super vet, echt 5 sterren waard, de laatste nummers zijn zeer matig, dus dan kom je uit op 4 sterren! FAVO: Black Cow, Aja, Daecon Blues, Peg

Deacon Blues 10/10

A nice one album, I was surprised when I hear the first track and realize that MF Doom Sampled it as a genius he was at the 2000's. Very nice one

Smooth as fuck

Smooth and great music.

Jazz/rock perfectionists

I was hesitant, as I tried listening to this album once and couldn't stand listening to the singles that have been overplayed. Listening to the whole album and hearing all the instrumental elements, however, made it such an enjoyable and engaging experience. The lyrics are pretty whack, though. "Deacon Blues," what the HELL is this guy singing about? "Black Cow" and "Peg" sound really groovy. I still don't really like the singer's voice and affectation, but these are undeniably good songs. & A quick 38 minutes

Most enjoyable

Really interesting album, never heard anything like it before

pleasant

Close your eyes, and picture yourself on a yacht, where everyone there looks like either The Captain or Tennille. The soft, jazz-rock sounds of music completes this backdrop, and are the sounds of Steely Dan’s Aja.

Groovy. Bass

Steely Nan more like. Good album. Can't get enough of the band moving more into jazz fusion at this point in their career. The album is just full of juicy, sexy jams with a bountiful array of instruments and sounds to wallow in. Best Song: Peg Worst Song: Black Cow

very chill and jazzy. complements a nice dinner

Steely Dan is an undeniably great band. But for some reason, they always feel like the music is hear through the door when I was stuck in my bedroom all night while my parents had dinner parties back in the seventies. Which is weird, because my parents never had any dinner parties. While I appreciate all of the songs on this album, I wish that I could get into them more. It just isn’t my style. But that doesn’t change the fact that every song is excellent.

Went into this with a superiority complex about Steely Dan (deliberately never listened), thought it was Alright on the first listen, and now, as my second listen draws to an end, I'm forced to acknowledge that this is a really good time. Interesting and enjoyable and lyrically fun and WAYNE SHORTER SAX SOLO?? Why not! I've learned a valuable lesson about preemptive hating.

Really love this thing. The first two tracks were the highlight for me but the rest of the album was also super enjoyable. I appreciated that the songs were longer than most of their other stuff and think it worked quite well. Also the production was very good. Felt like a very clean album

Very intresting album

I get that this isn't going to be exactly everyone's thing, but how can you hate this? It's just so....pleasant. Nothing about this blew me away, but I really like it.

Irresistible rhythms and flawless playing distinguish this recording above all else. It's polished and sophisticated and a joy on many levels. Superior offering.

Digg med steely dan

My mother would turn over in her grave if I rate this under 4. Josie is one of their most underrated songs. They call Alabama the crimson tide, call me deacon blues

Love me some Steely Dan

pretty good! never listened go steely dan properly before, can see why they're so beloved

Crafted with skill, it soothes the soul.

They are top. Only heard The Royal Scam before, so know Steely Dan as having ugly album covers and great music

Exceeded expectations

There are not many albums that have contributed more to rap music while being excellent in their own right, and none of the others have the greatest athlete in a sport named after them. Really impressive influence on this one.

Mjög solid plata. Mikið pródúsuð en grúvið og þéttleikinn náði mér.

Love Steely Dan! Standouts: Josie, Peg, Deacon Blues, 4/5

Where Can't Buy A Thrill bored me, Aja with it's jazzy influences is pretty good.

pretty cool

Great album start to finish. 4.25

Peg!

"Aja" by Steely Dan is a masterpiece of jazz-rock fusion, showcasing the band's exceptional musicianship and sophisticated songwriting. Released in 1977, the album is a seamless blend of jazz, rock, and pop elements, featuring intricate arrangements and stellar performances from all musicians involved. Tracks like "Peg," "Josie," and the title track "Aja" are standout examples of the band's ability to craft sophisticated yet accessible music. The production, overseen by Gary Katz, is pristine, highlighting the intricate instrumentation and impeccable vocal harmonies. While some listeners may find the album's meticulousness a bit sterile, it's hard to deny the sheer craftsmanship and artistry on display. "Aja" remains a classic of the jazz-rock genre, showcasing Steely Dan at the peak of their creative powers.

Not a fan of jazz, but when you infuse it with rock things change. This is as smooth as a good cocktail while watching the sunset onboard a yacht. It is absolutely the definition of Sunday easy listening, but it's never boring thanks to the jazzy melodies and instrumentals giving the music a ton of flavor. Delicious stuff! Standouts are Black Cow, Deacon Blues, Home at Last, and Peg.

Fun listen! Didn’t realize how much funk-leaning Steely Dan was until I listened to this.

Mjög notalegt og skemmtilegt.

It was good! Not my favorite Steely Dan record, but I liked that they went full on jazz for this record. The extended songs lengths and different instruments was fun. I enjoyed it!

I don't think that I ever before listened to a Steely Dan album, but I liked this release from the first bar. I love the the horns section. The sound is fantastic considering the year of the recording.

9/10

Black Cow // Deacon Blues // Peg //

At first I thought this album was too jazzy for me (in an annoying satinated way) but I think I'm starting to get it (still, not even close to my love for Can't Buy a Thrill)

Incredible musicianship on display. Very chill, funky vibes. My only knock against it is that it is a bit TOO chill. There’s really only one mood that this goes with.

Funky and fun. I was definitely surprised by this one. Will need to listen more and more to get a sense of what they are doing.

It's not my favorite, but this showcases some of Steely Dan's best. The incessant perfectionism and use of scores of musicians is most apparent on an album like this. They did what they set out to do, and did it well

Good

I'm guessing this is likely to be our only Steely Dan album, which is great, although I do wish we'd gotten whatever album has Boddhisatva on it (but I appreciated the few radio songs that were on this album too). I've always enjoyed listening to Steely Dan, but I also feel like one album is more than enough to give us a sense of the style and flavor; his music is largely interchangeable, so getting another selection later on would be a bit disappointing. I'm glad we got this though!

I'm not a Steely Dan fan yet somehow I recognized nearly every song on this album, so I've got to give them credit for sneaking their way into the vernacular.

Great soft rock album, very calming to listen to. Everything feels so polished.

I've avoided Steely Dan as a I see it as a sign of an aging white male. Listening to Aja for the first time was educational. Several great tracks, some extraordinarily famous samples from hip hop. Honestly, I wonder why I've avoided it so long.... I'm getting old aren't I?

Wow - enjoyed this album immensely. What a great groove — Planning to listen again in the summer whilst cruising in my rag top with my K9)

I like this album. Some people don't, but that's okay. Not every type of music is going to appeal to everyone. Fortunately, Aja by Steely Dan is an album that appeals to me. I enjoy the sound of this album. It's got a nice blend of rock, jazz, and blues to it. The instrument work is quite nice, and the production is very high quality. The songs are good. There's only 7 of them, and they're all pretty decent. The writing is solid. There's some thought put into it. Would I call it one of the greatest albums ever made? Probably not. I get why others would, but I don't. The album is somewhat repetitive, but with the album only being 40 minutes, it's not that big of a deal. Overall, this is a good album that I don't get the hate behind. 4/5.

Second Steely Dan in a row! Good for me bonus. This is not one of my favorites, but still good - 4 stars

Smooth and funky

Enjoyable

Really nice discovery, added on the buying list

Classic, yet ever fresh, new sound.

Geggjuð klassík, þó það væri ekki nema bara fyrir Peg sem er algjör demantur.

There's no reason why anyone should love Steely Dan but there's also no reason on earth to hate them. This is as smooth as music gets. A great British rock critic once told me that there was never a bad time to listen to Steely Dan and that sort of sold me on them. This isn't the highest of their peaks, but it's a piece of work. Deacon Blue is a beautiful example of the texture, and lyrical agility of Becker and Fagen. Peg is an absolute pick up for any moment - though I think I have to thank De La Soul for that.

Quite torn between 4 and 5

would make great karaoke music

High 4. Solid.

A fantastic funky listen, short and sweet. 4/5

Easy listening, I really enjoyed this!

Surprisingly liked it. Chill songs and nice to listen to in the background.

Actually really enjoyable!

I love the Dan

Very chill album.

Was great!

I've never been the biggest Steely Dan fan, but they are really good at what they do, and they never disappoint.

Funky album

My first time actually listening to Steely Dan and it was quite enjoyable! I’ll be checking out more of their work.

4.5 three masterpieces alongside 4 good songs

these geezers didn't miss with this one, makes me wanna attempt dance moves i can't pull off. fav tracks: aja, peg

Another great one from these guys. Often regarded as their magnum opus, Aja (pronounced "Asia") shows a confidence and maturity in the studio. Both in performance and production value. 4/5

Es del 77 pero a mí me suena muy ochentero, seguramente porque sería cuando esas cosas llegaban aquí. Creía haber escuchado a Steely Dan pero seguramente me confundo con alguien porque no lo asociaba a este estilo. Como se dice ahora, "muy chill".

I enjoyed this album! I have heard of Steely Dan, but never heard before!

This is the album to point to. The masterpiece. I like Royal Scam a bit more, but Aja is just good, front to back. The production is amazing.

Not my favorite Steely Dan album but Deacon Blues is one of my favorite Steely Dan songs

my type of jam, almost 5 stars

It was alright

M'ha agradat bastant, és un altre cop un jazz molt fàcil d'escoltar i molt agradable. Expected Lorenzo rating: 3

very nice

Loved this a lot more than I thought I would. Fun jams

Very good album. Struck nice balance between arrangements and jam segments. Sound: there are a lot of great similarities to Japanese city pop and jazz. Would consider buying this.

So chill

I liked this! Short sweet upbeat oldie vibes

Steely Dan went elevator jazz and I’m not mad

Atmospheric

This is one of the best albums I've heard. The wildly interesting composition and just the variation among the songs is truly something beautiful. I think that Steely Dan is a criminally overlooked band that needs more recognition for their BEAUTIFUL music. If I could give a 4.5 rating I would

Sounds like it was made by like... a cool frog? v funky Black Cow - great bassline feels somewhat dated; jazz influenced, very seventies (harmonies on Aja)

Pleasant, but I don't get why it is on this list. It's nice to hear and that's it.

I like that album. It sounds very smooth, it is pleasant to listen, its lenght is perfect. In my opinion it is one of those albums in which end is better than beginning. I almost gave it 5

My mom loves Steely Dan so this album permeates my childhood memories. I like it a lot more now than I did then, is it just the nostalgia?

I don’t know that I loved the songs themselves, but this was just so satisfying to listen to. It was so well-produced and pieced together so perfectly. I enjoyed it!

Funky riffs and alot of charm

AOR, musica interesante y entretenida

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

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

Sweet Grooves

A very classy album. Has great replay value.

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

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

3.5

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

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

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

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

4.5

Very classy, timeless beautiful groove

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

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

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

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

Jazzy soft rock with synthesiser piano. Enjoyed it.

Back half not so good

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

Incredible musicianship

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

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

Absolutely amazing

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

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

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

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

Genius. Brilliant

Groovy

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

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

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

4.5

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

Groovy. Loved the bass and sax

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

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

Black Cow is still one of my favorite Dan songs

Classic

Great album, funky!

incredible production. smooth as all get out.

grooovy

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

Lots of Jazz inspirations.

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

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

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

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

Jazzy

Smooth Jazzy Hifi

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

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

Yes.

Jazz-rock animado.

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

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

Classic but not my style

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

Great album. Very clean recording! Awesome

Nice Album!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Very solid, well made jazz rock. Unfortunately there were some slow and slightly boring parts and it wasn't as catchy as Can't Buy a Thrill (which I should have given a 5 to.) FS: Black Cow, Drums/Sax on Aja

really good very groovy and perfect for letting play in the background while doing house work or ealking somewhere

En cette période trouble du générateur, Steely Dan confirme une nouvelle fois son statut d'élève appliqué. Une véritable valeur sûre.

Steely Dan reviennent nous baiser la gueule comme au bon vieux temps, nous ramenant aux plus belles heures du générateur. Une comparaison qui ne fait que nous rapeller à quel point le générateur actuel est dans un sale état...

I love this album, and I think it is maybe Steely Dan's masterpiece. That said, I can't in good conscious give something this cheesy five stars. I'm tempted to, but no. They must be punished for making something as cool as jazz sound so white. It won't stop me from playing at least one cut from this album every time I go boating, though.

Good album haven't heard much from them before

Classic steely Dan again

Solid lounge album, would be great for chill background music that’s well done.

Love Steely Dan

First half bops but the second half gets a little repetitive.

A masterclass in production and engineering. Good album, some great songs, but there’s a certain campiness(?) that I don’t always jive with.

Funky and slow, with hints of jazz with exceptional vocals - very smooth but I am not sure if it has that "it factor" although it is very good quality techinally 4/5

good

From the funky bass right out of the gate in Black Cow, I had a feeling I would like this one. I thought the album was over and that Slayer started playing when the final track, Josie, started up. 🤣

This is a sophisticated, smooth and lyrically complex album. A great combination of elegant pop melodies and superb jazz musicianship, with some absolute gems, especially Peg, Deacon Blue, Aja and Josie. One or two tracks don't quite match these, but overally one of Steely Dan's best

7/10. The king of noodling. Just a good funky album from a funky dude. The white man's Santana, if you will.

Pretty funky album

From reading, the production quality is what this album is on the list for, but the instrument solos are just exquisite. The drums are so crisp, even through my poor quality headphones, it felt like they were in the room. Good stuff.

I'd heard that this was "jazz rock," but I hadn't realised the "jazz" was smooth jazz and the "rock" was soft rock. I seem to recall hearing someone once complain that this album was "sterile," but it's soft rock, so what do you expect? Great album.