Aja

I was expecting something more jazzy, or at least jazz-rock... But this is just a bland mix of mall jazz and vanilla funk. At the very best, it sounds like the opening credits of a late 70s exploitation movie. But most of the time it feels like a tired third-rate band playing at the bar of a cheap cruise boat for old people. I’m sure the musicians play very well, and I’m sure someone will find something good to write about this album. I’ll even admit they kind of grew on me by the end of the album... but it was too little, too late. I already gave them 40 minutes of my life, I can’t be bothered to find something better to say about them. It’s just about the opposite of what I personally like in music.

Smooth.

The music was good. I probably would go seek it out, but overall I enjoyed the music. I can at least understand why it gets posted on r/vinyl on a regular basis.

Love them. Nostalgic

Really enjoyed.

как-то опять незапоминающеся и скучно( но запомнила инновации написания)

Good music. One thing about Steely Dan, you KNOW a song is by Steely Dan, a lot of similar sounds in their songs.

man they were hitting that shit

Corney, cheesy... call it what you will, I still love it. My guilty pleasure, don't tell anyone though.

Upbeat jazz, pretty solid.

Very pleasant album, but it's missing this magic *something*. As if there was a layer of instrumentation that's taking it from 85% to 100%. But on its own it's good enough.

Nice chill jazz album Highlights: - Josie - Deacon Blues - Home At Last

Not my vibe but it was also cool to discover two of these tracks (at least) have been sampled, most notably by De La Soul in Eye Know and also Deja Vu (Uptown Baby) by Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz

loved! just chill and nice

Meh

Fantastic sounding album, especially on vinyl. I just don’t love Steely Dan.

I think this is songwriting mastery, but i hate jazz and instrumental music, which is A LOT here.

bastante relajado pero a la vez muy animado. Se nota mucho la diferencia del otro album qeu escuche que le saca 8 años (?). Aun asi me siguen pareciendo muy largas las canciones, pero sin duda te hace mover el cuerpo y disfrutar de los ritmos

Ah, so this is what yacht rock sounds like. Impeccable musicianship, slick production, complex chords — everything polished to perfection. And yet… not much of it sticks. It’s sonically impressive, but emotionally distant. Great to admire, harder to love.

Jazzy rock. It was fine. Pleasant background music.

Jazzy rock album. Very nice late 70s sound.

Great sound, lyrics, feel. Understandably one of the top 100 albums overall.

Fantastic!

I know of Steely Dan but not this album/tracks. Really cool funky/jazzy beat, awesome guitars, relaxing but still a solid groove. Awesome

The first of Steely Dan’s two perfect albums of lowlife luxury & degenerate decadence - plus an absolute pleasure to listen to every time.

****** An all-time favorite of mine !

Great

Great album, and a must listen

I don't mind the general style but this execution was bit too playful with the runs.

Before now, my brain had only an imagined idea of what Steely Dan sounded like, based solely on context clues from references to Steely Dan in other media. I thought it was something like classic arena rock, comparable to perhaps a Boston or a Kansas. Turns out, the actual Steely Dan is more of a funky, jazzy pop rock thing.

Pet gets this to a 4. So catchy.

Smooth and jazzy. Great musicianship and catchy lyrics. Easy 5 for me.

Wow was this well put together. I can’t say I really understand the lyrics and what they mean but the music sounded excellent. Smooth and polished in the best possible way with wonderful musicianship. “Peg” was my favorite but I loved all the tracks with horns.

my brother bought this record for me years ago - first album on here I've had a physical copy of

listen to AB or some other Great pressing. It deserves its praise

This is now the 3rd Steely Dan album for me in this project. I had fond memories of Stelley Dan and was looking forward to listening to the album. Well, it was ok. I'm not enthusiastic. You can listen to it, tap your foot a little, nod your head to the beat of the music, but it doesn't inspire. Compared to my expectations, it was disappointing, but that was because of my expectations. 3/5

They did it again

Not a big Steely Dan fan, but this one is pretty great.

This was alright. Good instrumentals, but I wasn't feeling the vocal work this time around. The album has good energy but didn't feel particularly compelling.

My 2nd Steely Dan album and I still do not get it. Too sterile , too much sax, too noodly and lacking in spontaneity. Only highlight was Peg - although the De La Soul version is so much better.

Aja The smoothest of the smoothest impeccably produced jazz soft-rock, with everything carefully considered and immaculately performed, or the softest of soft, insipid and emotionally empty jazz rock boringness? I go with the former, although I totally see how it can go either way. I had it on CD back at Uni, but I never got into it, although, along with seemingly every other mid 40s white man in the western hemisphere, I’ve really got into it and them over the past few years. I’m not sure it’s quite at the same level as Can’t Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy or Pretzel Logic. It does have a sheen of remoteness to it, a slight sense of their quest for sonic fidelity overriding everything else, that those other albums don’t have, but it does have an overall feel and vibe I really love, not least, I think, due to how great that sound is, as warm and as enveloping as I imagine a mid 70s Californian evening would have been. I don’t think there are any weak songs, but the opening trio of Black Cow, Aja and Deacon Blues is superb, particularly Black Cow with the jazz-soul female vocals and laid back flow. And Josie is great too, an excellent soul inflected track. But Peg really is the clear standout and not just because of De La Soul, it’s an absolutely brilliant sounding 70s jazz-pop classic with an unerringly catchy hook. I often wonder if the recorder solo in Home at Last is a deliberate musical joke. It surely must be, it’s so out of place with the precision tooled construction of everything else. This and I Got the News are probably slightly weaker than the rest, although they’re still great. I may slightly prefer those other albums, but this is still top notch and a fantastic example of classic mid- 70s jazz-rock-soul vibes that I could listen to repeatedly and never get bored of. 🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄 Playlist submission: Peg

This album is the sort of music that, when you're 14, you think Mums and Dads make love to. Ultra-slick studio jazz-lounge-yacht-pop. Guess I've got a bumpy relationship with Steely, having very much enjoyed Can't Buy a Thrill, loved Countdown to Ecstacy and crashed at Pretzel Logic. Fagan and Becker were striving for studio perfection with Aja, and by most accounts they got it. There's a reason this won the Grammy for best engineering. But it's polished to within an inch of its life, so much so that any grit, (the type you can find all over Countdown to Ecstacy), is completely buffed away. Avoids a one rating solely down to the truly magnificent 'Peg'. I'm not sure who the lady on the cover is, but it looks like she's crying and I completely sympathise.

can’t believe this is how i find out that steely dan is actually two dudes and neither of them is even called dan. i feel betrayed.

This is a good album but not really my jam

The production is immaculate

I have steely dan trauma from jazz band unfortunately

Crisp and clean instrumentation and production. In a soft rock shell, the music is rich and meticulous, accessible and poppy, complex and jazzy. It has engagingly layered arrangements yet plenty of breathing room. It can be equally enjoyable for easy listening or deep study. But ultimately I respect and appreciate hearing this pop-jazz-rock perfection more than I actually enjoy it. I like Steely Dan, but prefer select songs to their full albums, Aja included.

I avoided Steely Dan partially because the album cover looks like an evil muppet. Liked it more than expected though. It’s probable a 3 star, but I’ll give it 4 because it exceeded expectations.

This makes me think of the difference between this-is-good and I-like-this. In terms of skillful execution it's a 10, easily. Meanwhile it's for-me at only around 6. So it gets an 8. But seriously, if it is for you, it's a masterpiece.

Black Cow has a very R&B, almost Stevie Wonder-esque sound in the instrumentation and the vocal delivery (if not the vocal quality). The title track has a brilliant journey of very tight instrumentals, devolving into a fit of orgiastic chaos, and then composing itself again for the end of the song. Peg is a nice, catchy tune with a great bass line.

Super awesome.

Ja okay. Kedeligt nok til at Frida faldt i søvn til det. Lidt jazzet med kedelig og tør vokal.

Det er godt nok lækkert produceret. Men hold nu op hvor er det kedeligt. Yatch Rock når det er værst

One of the most sophisticated, smooth albums of all time. A true classic.

Unmistakenly Steely Dan. That’s neither good nor bad, but the only standout here is Peg. And even then, I prefer the Nerina Pallot cover.

Okay. Maybe I'll be surprised. Wow! You know how some bands have a gift for grabbing you with a first track? This is the absolute opposite. Possibly too insipid to put me to sleep. Truly dire with a piano solo that truly sucks. The rest of the album isn't as bad but it still has all the life of a custard. Elevator music with lyrics.

Shit

Today I learned I don't care at all about Steely Dan. Literally skipped thru every song. Just felt so cheesy.

What am I missing? This is so boring. These guys are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is a hugely popular album and I just don’t get it at all. It doesn't even have the decency to be cheesy and fun. (Also, second album with a Chevy Chase connection so far!)

Nice smooth jazz and blues. Felt good as background music. Elegant, easy, and well-crafted, but didn’t hit me emotionally.

And suddenly, as if from nowhere, I found that I was, in fact, a Steely Dan man. A convert. Soon, an evangelist.

Album 840 of 1089 Steely Dan - Aja (1977) Rating : 4.5 / 5 I was a bit giddy when I saw this one pop up—Steely Dan is a longtime favorite of mine, and Aja is often mentioned not only as one of their best, but as one of the great albums of all time. While I definitely enjoyed it, and the standout tracks are truly fantastic, it’s not a perfect front-to-back listen for me. The highs are very high, but a few songs didn’t quite carry that same magic. Still, when Steely Dan is at their best, they’re among the best—and this album didn’t change that for me. It’s an easy 4 (it gets a half point just because I love their music), but it just misses that “best of the best” tier I was hoping for.

Elevator music

3/5 easy listening yacht rock

Passar riktigt bra på semester i Frankrike

Didn't even need to listen because this whole album resides in my soul... But if course I did. I cannot add much to the discourse that hasn't already been said, this is just a legendary record.

listened to this out if my blown out laptop speakers and it still sounded perfect

This fucking guy shushed me at the Aja cover show and I will never be the same. End oppression.

Perfectly made album that I enjoy immensely but it makes me feel absolutely nothing.

It's not really my thing

מוזיקת רקע משעממת

One of my favorite albums

Steely Dan has been one of my favorite discoveries from the Generator. After getting Countdown To Ecstasy and Can't Buy A Thrill, was looking forward to hearing more of them. This one was still good, but not as fun as the first two. Mostly some chill slow jams. Deacon Blues was a lot of fun though. All in all, decent album. Best song: Deacon Blues

Un peu comme écouter un album composé de génériques de téléromans des années 1980

I love the twangy bass In the opening!! The album cover is also cool:)

Not my tempo

My speaker test album. Still not one I'd listen to regular.

I dont wanna write my opinion of this album because i dont wanna be mean. Some ok grooves. too creepy for me. TWO.

Easy listening but no stand out songs. Hasn’t aged well.

Amazing album

Really jazzy, some songs sounded like Charlie Brown background music which is definitely a plus

Jazzy and nice. However, nothing really stood out to me and all the songs kind of blended together for me.

Groovy

Pre listen: how the heck do you have a 40 minute album with 7 tracks. Also, for 1001 albums, why am I getting steely Dan twice in so many days? Post listen: I don’t know, man. This is probably good, but I just wasn’t feeling it.

great! a bit of spice but mellow for my mood

Perfect jazz fusion. Great hooks, excellent musicianship.

that’s nice

Man I really just don’t like Steely Dan. 2 stars for the musicianship

In the right mood, this is pretty good

I like this veery much. Super chill and smooth. Maybe a bit too polished, but I dont mind that. Deacon blues rocks

Finding this a really difficult listen. First day on holiday so listening from sunny Crete, but even in these surroundings, this is quite dull. Really not for me, feels like lounge music.

Meh. Not my stule

Similar to my review of different Steely Dan album; The cross into Jazz and funk is interesting, but it's not really my bag. Never really liked this era or Steely Dan for that matter. It's perfectly listenable, 3.

Pretty incredible detail. Also amazing seeing how many times it’s been sampled

It had a theme, it was fine, but it just sooo long for 7 songs

Aha

You've gotta get into a cruise ship state of mind before tossing this one on

3/6

3.75

W ALBUM

2.5 - if i kept listening im sure it would grow on me but idk

Funky. Quite enjoyed it but won't be a regular feature of my listening library I reckon. Chilled, jazzy vibes. Josie is good.

Je pense que ça m'a pris 4 écoutes pour tripper solide, mais je tripper solide. Le solo de drum dans Aja est fou raide. Toute cela est vraiment vraiment pro.

C'est bon au boutte pis c'est plate à mort. 3.49 étoiles

Steely “ don’t call it yacht rock” Dan. That easy listening.

Steely Dan is know for appropriating many artists to make their crazy music that truly defines the sound of a certain part of the 70s. They are like drinking a cup of tea and being stuck in a Proust novel. Their sounds can pull memories from a rat in a cage. Plus their lyrics are as odd as my last sentence.

Smooth music. Good for working to or just hanging out.

Immense vibes but the songs don't really do anything outstanding

Their sixth album. The production here is so good. Crispy drums, clear bass, clean guitar. A superb job, its just a shame it's done on such a boringly beige album of songs. I was expecting much more from such a revered band. Lyrically boring too. This gets a two out of five purely for the producer. Albums like this are partly why punk happened.

Not my first listen, but Aja is always a welcome album to revisit. An impeccably produced and arranged record. These guys really did wonders within the studio. I prefer my jazz-rock to be a bit more energetic and fusion-y, but as it stands, this is great stuff, although I don’t think I can say anything about Aja that hasn’t already been said countless times. Highlights? The entirely of the title track, but I do have a soft spot for the instrumental portion in the middle of it. Plus, Peg is always fun.

steely WHO?!

Открыл для себя Steely Dan'а круто блин

This is the most I've tolerated Steely Dan on the list so far, but even so it is, at best, just a bit dull. I did like recognising the De La Soul sample though.

Like an obscure Guinness record - if THIS is what you do with all your talent, who cares?

it was okay to listen to while doing stuff but wouldn’t listen to it again

oh hell yeah this is quality over quantity and i'm grooooooooving baby

Weird band, never know what I’m gonna get but it’s neve mr great with the exception of a few songs

Super entspannend. Für longebetrieb geeignet

pretty good voice

One of my favourite albums. Catchy melodies, great lyrics, perfect use of harmonies and backup vocal. A no-skip album for me.

Funky! Don't think I'd listen to the album again though

You call me a fool You say it's a crazy scheme This one's for real I already bought the dream

If we review albums by starting at a 10 and then subtracting points from it with every misstep, Aja would be the world's best album. Good thing we don't do that. Aja is good album, but it offers little beyond its "perfection" (Deacon Blues being the one outstanding exception, possibly the best among Steely Dan's catalogue).

Pliisu.

nice and chill but it doesn't connect with me

la rompio mal

Very easy to listen to. really funky and i loved the instrumentals. josie is my favorite on the first listen.

Holy shit steely dan is a vibe Points added because steely dan isnt british

Okay, this is like a fluffy robe for your ears. Everything is so tight and cozy, it’s almost suspicious. Like upscale elevator music for 70's executives, or chill background music for folding laundry or drinking iced tea in linen or some shit. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions: - Black Cow - Deacon Blues - Peg

Can an album be too well-produced or too well-played? The answer is no, and although the songwriting is less interesting than on their debut or Countdown to Ecstacy, you just have to admire the sound on Aja. It deserves all the praise.

Aja is easily Steely Dan’s best produced album - but it’s not quite as interesting as their debut and Pretzel Logic. It’s still one heck of an album and even though this might be the 4th of their albums on this list, I wouldn’t remove a single one.

This album put me on Steely Dan. I didn't understand the band until I heard the first minute of Black Cow.

Bring back the sax in rock

Bit bland for me

Good album, nice introduction to jazz rock.

I liked this more than I expected. Thought it would be bloodless muso walkers, but there are some well crafted pop tunes and real funkiness. Peg is a classic. Could do with some more memorable melodies, but deserves to be here. A middling 4.

Zu langweilig

Gostei, mas não amei!

Interesting… definitely sounds like the 70s but I liked the funk

a stone cold classic, but I still prefer Gaucho.

Interesting lyrics and jazzy vibes

I've never delved too deep into Steely Dan but this album was an absolute delight from front to back, it's super funky and catchy and has me wanting to go back for more.

Like the jazzy style but otherwise not really my type

It's jazzy, it's danceable, it's easy to listen to... Maybe too easy? Something about Steely Dan is just kind of boring, but I can't put my finger on what. It's pleasant enough though

Think some of the tracks maybe go a bit long but overall I really enjoyed it. Some songs on here that I already knew, some that were new to me but I liked a lot. Fav song: Peg (I already knew this one so might just like it best because it’s familiar) also liked Big Black Cow, Deacon Blues and Home At Last Least fav: Aja

Hell yeah the steely Dan vibes are just unmatched. Had only heard peg before but loved black cow as well. Some of the songs are a tad long but I didn’t notice as much. Specific rating 4.5 Fav song- peg Least fave- I got the news

Little jazzier than I'd like sometimes and definitely jazzier on average than my favourite Steely Dan songs. But still so beautifully Steely Dan-y that I was having a lovely time listening! Favourite: Peg Least: I Got The News

Bored me. Wished for it to be over

First song was sampled by Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz so it gets a 2 for showing up

cocaine is a hell of a drug

I actually love some of their albums from earlier in the decade, but I never liked this one.

Steely Dan is in my category of "bands that make you immediately change the radio station if they come on"....along with Bob Seger and The Doobie Brothers. Worst Dad Yacht Soft Rock. Ick.

Ugh. The fact that this nonsense carries with it memories of 7th grade is just icing on the cake.

Banger. Will always be a banger. Wanna make some session musicians cry so bad.

Was torn between a 3 or a 4. 3 because it's pretty much smooth adult contemporary music without much to separate songs. 4 because it's just so well produced and sounds amazing. Since there's no half-ratings, a 4 it is. 4/5

Enjoyed this album.

Two great samples from this Lord Tariq and Peter guns - Deja vu De la soul - eye know

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Super bien produit, chouette mélange des genres, en première écoute y'a quand même que 3 morceaux vraiment marquants nonobstant

Très variés, du funk, du rock, du jazz, et c’est stylé !

Ça groove bien. Petit côté Alan Parson sympa

One of the best sounding albums of all time.

Black Crow 3.6 Aja 3.4 Deacon Blues 3.7 Peg 3.5 Home at Last 3.5 I Got the News 3.3 Josie 3.4 Score: 3.485714286

Boring after dinner Pop Rock.

Not for me, was pretty slow. I considered it alright despite that, but the long the album the went the more I wanted it to be over

I played Steely Dan when I was a jock on the radio ages ago, and for the longest time I just didn't "get" them. Then I stumbled upon their Live album and it all popped into view like one of those 3-D Illusion pictures. Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, and the whole lot are quintessential musicians and understanding that makes me finally understand their entire catalogue. The lyrics are somewhat goofy, and Fagen's voice isn't the greatest, but the musicianship is off the fuckin' charts, and it's all over Aja. I'm disheartened by all the negative reviews, but hopefully people will find their way back to Steely Dan over and over until they finally "get" it. Also, Michael McDonald on background vocals for the Win!

Too mellow for me, too easy listening. Im sure in 25 years when I’m an old man I’ll love this album but right now it’s not my thing.

Did not like! I knew I wouldn’t.

Damn this has me in like 5 seconds. Really really a banger… a strong strong 4 here.

One of the best albums ever made

sorta goes without saying that i am obsessed with this record... its my fav band's best album ... fuck it

Sounds like daytime TV intro music. ...or musak. 1,5/5

70s glossy mellow crap. This album should come with a gold chain, some hair spray and a gram.

I find nothing interesting about this

Smooth rock album with a nice vibe to it.

yeah solid album but i heard better ones

Not really my type of music. Quite jazzy and I'm not into that. Apart from that, solid.

i’ve always known of this album but never listened to it, it’s really good, some songs i recognised form samples like Peg being sampled by De La Soul for Eye Know, some really good tracks tho, very good, different to some of the other Steely Dan tracks i’ve heard

On Aja, (pronounced “Asia” btw) Steely Dan boldly answers the question: how great can something boring sound? The most interesting thing here is how CRISP everything sounds. Instrumentation is on point, and yet nothing stands out as remarkable. What a funny problem to have.

The instrumentation was fine, but the vocals were a bit lacking. None of the songs felt like they were going anywhere and just ended when they decided they had gone on long enough.

There were moments where I found myself tapping my foot because there was a groove going, but mostly this album felt like meaningless background music.

Really chill, smooth jazzy 70s rock that had great production. Could be good for revising in the future. Solid 4

Smooth listen

An all-timer for me. Something to enjoy in every song. If I listen to Peg once, I've got to listen to it a second time. Has any other backing singer ever had such a strong positive effect as Michael McDonald does when he pops up here? Love it.

You can hear the room it's recorded in. It's so damn clean it's unbelievable. If you tune out of the groove you can hear the gradual diminish of each last note. Sonically incredible and to not only have some of the best sounding instruments but some of the best compositions too. The bass sounds truly incredible, nevermind how tasty the licks are. This an album you can listen to each song 10 times and hear something new hidden each time. The guitar solo on Peg isn't even treated like the incredible piece of work it is. This is Becker and Fagen at the top of their game along with every session musician. Aside from virtuosity there is so much groove and funk put into each song it's hard not to find at least one moment to make you smile on each track. Highlight: This time it was the keyboards on Aja. Or maybe the drums on Aja. Or maybe the sax... ...okay maybe it's the bassline on Josie. Incredible stuff.

Better than anticipated

I get it, it’s well-engineered. Still sounds very Anchorman-y.

Didn’t love this album. I’ve tried it before because it’s acclaimed but I just don’t get it. It’s not poppy enough to get in to easily, too complicated to enjoy the listen. Maybe I need to give it more time

The music was good, but I honestly couldn't remember any of the songs after I'd finished the album Became more like background noise 3 ⭐️

Without the cheesy saxophone this is an easy 5 stars because everything else is pretty fantastic. 4.0/5.0: Great

well produced jazz rock album with some incredibly well done instrumentals. the songs themselves are little boring which keeps it from getting a 5

👌

It’s hard to listen to this album without thinking of how every other white, Millennial dad out there decided to get together (without me) and decide that we all like Steely Dan now. I’ve tried. It’s obviously high effort, but it just isn’t interesting.

Train back to Hackensack with rosemary wine

Five out of seven songs on this album were staples of FM radio within a year or two of being released. I really doubt anyone picked up the needle and skipped past the others, frankly. I am SO fortunate to have been such a music head, especially when I recall the wide diversity these ears have enjoyed. 40 minutes is all it takes to listen to "Aja". Do it!

Some of this sounded like bad 80s sitcom intro music

I can appreciate Steely Dan on the whole, some songs I know and like, but couldn't truly connect with the songs on this album

Sounds good but also very sterile. Didn't enjoy this yacht rock as much as I expected to. 2.5

This is not a terrible album, and I can see how some would enjoy it, but that's not me. I am not a big fan of jazz and I find a lot of this kind of pretentious. I prefer more mainstream rock Steely Dan.

Serious

I like Steely Dan but I have to be in the right mood to listen to more than one track at a time. This was a good test. I might have to listen to this album a few times before I give a rating.

okay ich ha sehr lang brucht zum mich entscheide und has es paar mal glost. fazit: sehr es starks album. es isch seehr geil, wenn me richtig zuelost. wenn mes nur nebedbii lost würkts allerdings gliichförmig. was si mached mit de harmonie und de rhythme slapt mega. ich finde allerdings s album gaucho eindütig besser, will det d songs unterschiedlicher sind. in aja find ich hend alli songs chli en ähnliche groove, en ähnliche takt, und es paar songs sind mer dadefür dass sich nöd vill innerhalb vom song und über s ganze album veränderet chli zlang. ich weiss, dassi gaucho es fetts foifi gib, drum bini am struggle, öb das album au es foifi isch. black cow, aja und peg findi sehr nice, deacon blues findi z langwiirig. home at last findi het en agnehm andere trott als di andere. spötistens bi i got the news hani gnueg vom album. aber d harmonie in josie am afang sind sehr geil. nacher trottets sich wieder inen ähnliche rhythmus ii. also ich gib jetz eif mal es foifi will ich glaub s hets verdient. denn losis ines paar mönet nomal wenns mer nümm zum hals usehängt und bi wahrschinli zfriede mit minere wahl. aber gaucho isch besser!!

Nice, pleasant, simple.

Just fun to listen to

Excellent. Love the the sound of that era.

A nice listen for a chill afternoon or morning.

“Aja” is Steely Dan’s jazziest fever dream—lush, cryptic, and immaculately produced. It’s like a Rhodes scholar fell into a groove with session gods and never came back. Sophisticated yet sly, it seduces with polish, then blindsides you with existential dread in seven impeccably smooth movements.

One of my friends loves this album and ngl when I heard some songs from this it didnt click. But when I heard the full album I was pretty surprised at how much of a vibe this soft rock album has. Pretty good with its instrumentation and its ability to move away from “conventional stuff”.

Fairly mellow kind of yacht rock vibes. I thought it was fairly cool but didn’t really get anywhere. I was listening to it with my father and he said to the song after which was Ventura Highway by America wow this album is getting somewhere. However, that was after the album had finished. Guys, that know how to play but surely they could’ve gone somewhere with it.

I'm a fan of Steely Dan, but this album falls a little flat for me.

A couple of tracks, the title track and I think Home at Last were pretty good. The rest was either tedious pseudo jazz or embarrassing (Deacon Blues) to incredibly irritating (I Got the News) pseudo jazz. Not sure I get it.

It's hard to put.my finger on what I wasn't keen on here. I'm certain all the musician are top notch and are playing at their best... but it was boring, there was nothing to grab my attention or trigger my intrigue. It started, it went on, it ended. I couldn't tell you much about it beyond that. It just very wet, like those bits of sponge cake or whatever that you get in a trifle that have gone all floppy and have the consistency of mush and the flavour of not much and you can't wait to get back to the cream and strawberries. It did not spark joy.

Incredible!

one year on this site and ive thoroughly embraced the dan

One of my favourite albums. If you want to test out sound quality Black Cow is a go to

Pleasant jazz rock

I like the idea of Steely Dan more than I ultimately end up actually liking Steely Dan

Great for testing out your new headphones/speakers or as background music for dinner. Not much else. There's still a lot to be appreciated in regards to the musicianship and quality/engineering of the recording. Just feels very safe. Maybe too safe. I still enjoyed it.

I liked it

This is sort of in the realms of super drugged out Bowie mixed with peak Bee Gees. This type of music is for guys who love to get drunk off of coolers and women who have full 80’s bush. It’s yacht rock in my opinion. Musically sound, bass heavy. It could make you dance like an idiot on purpose. It has no power against heavy hitter 5 star albums but it would last a round or two longer than expected. Oh, I hear glimpses of Supertramp in this as well. Does that help you out enough to understand what this album is about? Choice cut: Peg

I feel like I should like this as a Musical IntellectualTM, but I don't LOL peg and josie were aight

Not bad. No saves

Not my favorite music, but so well recorded. Crazy.

Good news: I didn't skip through any songs. Bad news: still didn't care for it. Aja(song) is too long and plodding. Deacon blues is weird. Is it about football or losers? After reading about it there is a connection but geez, you'd never know just by listening to the song. The Peg intro is cheesy, dee-dee-deeee. "White kids trying to make jazz in suburbia", is how they describe themselves. Yep exactly what I expect that to sound like. Most of this album sounds like they threw together words that rhyme to fit the music with a faint connection if you dig deep enough. This album is constantly considered one of the greatest, I just don't get it. It's not jazz, it's not pop, its not rock what is it? Fusion? Fusion of the worst parts of those three genres, IMO.

I've always been just a hits guy if steely Dan but this is a classic of theirs, it was good, but just not my favorite, but I didn't hate it!

Peg is definitely a standout track. As for the rest of the album, it’s nice and laid-back, with a very chill vibe. It’s the kind of music that wouldn’t be out of place while you’re waiting for your name to be called at the dentist’s office.

Came to appreciate Steely Dan late and glad I finally did. Even saw them live before Becker passed away. Strong lyrics and music I missed the first time and now no more.

Steely Dan have no bad songs. This album isn’t as life changing as their others but it’s still bloody good

It’s Steely Dan!

Enjoyed it!

Is it prog elevator music ? It is very well performed a bit bland though.

Without the surprise of the first album, I find this one super bland and boring. It’s not bad, it just feels one more time like the kind of music I’d play in my elevator… if I had one.

Makes me wanna sip Bartles & Jaymes poolside with an overly tanned older woman with just a little too much plastic surgery.

8.25/10. The standard for jazz rock. I can tell how specifically orchestrated every arrangement is here. Such a relaxing album. Deacon Blues is one of my favourite discoveries of the year.

good jazz to listen to between floors. generic as a wave in the sea. Lift music

Inoffensive, without sharp edges or any real payoff. That said; it's impeccably performed, the songs breeze by, a very easy listen. I ended up enjoying this listen, when 30 years ago I wouldn't have wasted a second on their yachtrock/popfusion. Progress I guess, but I will never truly love this one. 4/5

Maybe one of the best recorded albums I’ve ever heard.

This album being served up by the generator was timely as I recently watched, Yacht Rock A Documentary. The documentary definitely gave me a new appreciation for the genre and Steely Dan by association. This album perfectly encapsulates what the documentary was trying to convey, it focussed heavily on what makes a Yacht Rock band great and that’s how absolutely professional the band is and how fucking tight they are. That is absolutely on display here on Aja. The vocals and vibes are great but the band is breathing as one and that was fantastic. Hilarious how much Fagan hates the term Yacht Rock considering how chill the genre is. 4 stars

Listen to this front to back on literally any pressing and your life will change. Amazing clarity, incredible arrangements, just perfect. Home At Last and I Got The News deserve more love.

Can't get too excited over this one. The cover is a nice deep red on black to catch the eye. Nothing really caught my ears though. I had a mate back in the mists of time who would listen to a lot of Steely Dan, who the fuck is Dan and why is he so steely? I never saw the point of them, a bland continuous stream of same-ish strumming droll. Shopping centre music. And where are they now? Hah!, See, I said they would never last.

This album sounds like cigarettes in a leather interior on the way to the roller rink

I did like this album more than I was expecting

Bit boring

incredibly produced album. every sound, every note, every little piece is so intentional and clear, truly one of the best sounding albums of all time. that said, with the benefit of context and hindsight, this record always feels to me like Fagen and Becker got so obsessed with making a perfect-sounding record that they forgot about the part where it's supposed to make me feel anything. it comes across as so squeaky clean that it's sterile, and the lyrics are just begging me to notice how clever they are. all the talent and focus in the world, such a shame they harnessed it to make a jazz-rock muzak record that's too cute by half.

The Dan's other masterpiece. Immaculate back to front. Cozy as fuck. Love this one, its only a little off of CBAT for me.

I had heard the name Steely Dan often enough growing up to know they were a band, but I never knew anything more. Curiously, they invaded my pop culture bubble, and I can't help but wonder where the hell I heard their name so often. Aja was a delight to listen to -- from the jazzy groove to the playful feel to the incredibly delicious saxophone.. I relished in every detail! This album was top-heavy for me, but they closed it out with a great track, Josie. Listening to such cornerstone albums now is always fascinating. The sound in Aja feels familiar, maybe because I seek out music with a similar feel anyway, but it is crazy to imagine a world where this was the first of its kind.

Learn To Work The Saxophone 1001 Albums Generator 33 (05/19/2025) Steely Dan was on a fucking tear in the 1970's. Between 1972 and 1980, they released 7 albums, all of which have seen critical acclaim, and they were (and still are) the most recognizable figures of the so-called yacht rock movement that they helped lay the groundwork for in the early 70's. Steely Dan's brand of yacht rock, while sticking to the West Coast, soft rock vibe that defines the genre, is undeniably jazzy, which is both due to the general composition techniques used here as well as the prominence of the saxophone, jazziest of all instruments. Aja, pronounced Ay-czah but mispronounced by me for years as ah-jah, is the most highly acclaimed of the seven acclaimed albums by Steely Dan, but it surprisingly does not feature any of their three most popular songs (all of which appear instead on Steely Dan's debut Can't Buy A Thrill). This is because Aja is a stylistically tight piece of work that is made to be listened to as a whole rather than in parts. When someone thinks of yacht rock, this is likely the first album to come to mind. The title track is perhaps my favorite song here. It has some of the finest soloing on the whole project, with clavinet and guitar solos and the legendary fusion saxophonist Wayne Shorter doing what he does best. Steve Gadd's drums in the last minute with the pad synths in the background is an all-time moment in music history. Following this song is Deacon Blues, which is one of the jazziest compositions here, with Donald Fagen's voice sounding strangely similar to Dave Lawson's from Greenslade. The sound, especially with its synth-heavy layering and smooth sax solos, often reminds me of some chill Japanese jazz fusion that I've heard, namely Masayoshi Takanaka's Seychelles and Himiko Kikuchi's Flying Beagle. Black Cow and Josie, the opener and closer respectively, are both extremely funky. This is one aspect of this album that I don't associate with it nearly as much as I should. These boys can really groove. Deriders of this band often state that the production is too pristine and that resulting tunes sound like elevator music. D Riders say "that's like the point man". I tend to align with the D riders, at least in this case, as I think this album's status as an audiophile's wet dream is not overstated. That is to say, the production is fantastic, and yeah, that is the point. I will say when it comes to Peg, there's something about this song that I just don't love. It's not bad, but if there is any song here that lends some credence to the "Steely Dan is elevator music" crowd, it's this one. Penultimate track I Got The News, out of all songs here, sounds the most empty in production in contrast, and I am not a huge fan of the verses. Aja (which I am still saying wrong in my head as I type it out) is one of the albums on here that is a classic for a reason. It is every bit as smooth, jazzy, pristine, and perfectly played as its haters claim it to be, and that's why I love it. 4.5/5 that I will round down to a 4 since there are a few slight problems here and there. Favs: Aja Deacon Blues Josie Least Fav: I Got The News

Forgot how jazzy they can be. A treat of an album in the morning. It's odd because the music is almost made to just be played in the background of a party or something. I really liked this and each artist is amazing on it. 3-4

An essential listen I think.

The drums and sax on this album are incredible.

“Sue me if I play too long” and you know what? I will yOUUUUU WERE HIGH! - my mom realizing what the cousin walk was about at Christmas Here at the duuuuuude raaaaanch - the boys at the Beaver Lodge I’m such a lyrics bitch. I can appreciate a jam, but for Christ’s sake this song is 4 minutes longer than it should be. And this is coming from a Dave Matthews Band fan. Roll tide mention?

The uncanny valley of how perfect all of Steely Dan’s music sounds hits one of its peaks here. That makes it either their worst or their best depending on how you like them. This record makes being a record producer seem as cool as being a rock star. I prefer Gaucho but I love this one, always a treat to revisit.

Just not my thing overall. People love them, but I am just kinda meh. Dirty Work is a banger tho

Aja! Steely Dan! Oh yeah, gimme all of that ya got!

Excellent

Fine background music, 2.5 stars.

2stars

The jazzy funky elements date this but I have no real complaints, it’s well put together and all the elements compliment each other. Would be a good vibe at the right venue.

Just don't get it. Elevator music.

Massive 5. Happy to listen again. I love this album

Not my favorite steely dan album tbh. Low 3

Funny this was back to back with Sade’s Diamond Life. Two different takes on smooth jazz. But I like this! Maybe more of a 3.5 but I’ll round up

Rock, Pop, Pop Rock, Jazz da jeg startede den første sang "black cow" blev jeg virkelig overrasket og troede ikke at det vil lyde som det gør. Track nr. 2 "Aja" har en virkelig fed lyd i introen. har en meget spicel lyd men det er ikke noget som der virkelig rammer mig, kan dog godt lide guitaren og keyboarden. Mega fed trommesolo i track nr. 2. track nr. 3 er faktisk meget fedt. den har en fed sax solo midt i sangen og det er bare utrolig fedt. det giver virkelig en fed stemning med de kvindelige harmonier på albummet. track nr. 4 "Peg" er utroligt fedt, og vil sige det er det bedste nummer (indtil vidre) nummeret har bare en fed energi, og der er ikke så meget mere at sige. track nr. 5 "Home At Last" starter ud med en rigtig fed lyd. nummeret swinger virkelig godt, og jeg er faktisk meget vild med det. track nr. 6 "I Got The News" har et virkelig funky beat og lyder meget fedt. track nr 7 "Josie" tracket har et meget fedt guitar riff. ville sige det er et meget fedt nummer som afslutning. ville give albummet 6/10. det var et meget fedt album, og jeg syntes de spiller meget godt.

Insane so much fun

Some fun songs but I wouldn't revisit it

One of my all time favorite albums and 1a 1b with Can’t Buy a Thrill for best of the Dan

Production values are excellent, and the musicians are clearly talented. However, Steely Dan just isn't my vibe. I don't mind the jazz elements, but it's very soft rock for me.

eh

Steely Dan has a pretty unique sound. I had a good time. Overall, though, it doesn't have any standout songs for me. It never really bought me in, lyrically, musically, or structurally.

I can't understand the reviews and supposed quality of Steely Dan's album "Aja." Three hit singles, not a trace of it. This Steely Dan album is even lamer than the other albums I've already heard. I don't give it any points for that, so I give it the obligatory one. Seriously, folks, what's the catch here?

I've heard of Steely Dan but never actually listened to anything so I have no clue what to expect. Let's goooooo. oh okkkkkk. oh this is lovely. yeah i don't have much to say about that first track, i just really enjoyed it. quite a mood-setter. title track was maybe not as captivating, but this is still damn good. i definitely see deacon blues growing on me with more listens. right now i like it, but i see potential there. why do i like it more the longer it goes. this is lovely. Peg kind of came and went. still good and fun, just not that exciting. ooohhhh home at last is such a jam, definitely one of my favourites. i got the news was nice too, a lovely tune. i do like the way the album kind of changes moods halfway through. still the same base, but the first half seems more, I don't know, melancolic? i fucking love josie, i did not expect the most danceable song to be the last one, but what a way to go out. overall, this was a great experience. one of the most enjoyable so far. i didn't dislike any tracks, and the ones that i didn't outright love i can see myself getting there with time. i'd say it's like an 8 out of 10, which translates to a very secure 4. yeyy. bye

If you’re in the mood for Steely Dan, it’s awesome. If not it’s a tough listen. Sometimes I absolutely love Steely Dan.

The production is fantastic but this style of yacht rock, which I understand was innovative did nothing for me. I didn't mind Home at Last but aside from that, I did not enjoy listening to this at all.

Jätte fint album men blir o sakna lite mera umfff

Good and jazzy, but not for me. A little too much of the same sound throughout the album.

One of the greatest albums ever made and Steely Dan's best. Such brilliant arrangements. Such catchy tunes. Just incredible.

How perfect! I've been in a Steely Dan mood recently and have been wanting to relisten to Aja. Once again this is a classic for a reason. Hard to say if this is my favorite Steely album but I can see why it is their most popular. Very jazzy. Favorite track: Peg

Some say this is a peak of studio recording, some say it sounds like an ass turd. Luckily I fall into the prior category. This album fucks and if you don’t like it, I will have a tough time being your friend

Rich creamery butter

3.5/5 smooth, easy listening

Good

My dad loves steely Dan and I get why now

Groovy, chill Easy to focus or let fly by Classic 'Josie'

Crazy production quality for a 50 year old album. Such a smooth sound but can get a lil boring at times.

I dont think its *their* best album, but another fantastic album from them

A masterpiece that largely defined the soundscape of popular music in the late seventies.

Nice and groovy tunes 4/5

I'm still a Steely Fan, but I prefer their Can't Buy a Thrill era stuff.

Nice album. I really connect with some Steely Dan songs. Also, "Peg" was sampled for De La Soul's song "Eye Know" from the album "Three Feet High and Rising".

BRUH C'MON

PERFECTION!!!!

++: Black Cow, Aja, Peg, Home at Last, I Got the News, Josie +: Deacon Blues 9,0/10

great, best is deacon bluez

Alright album. Titular track was good.

Liked it. Good. Want to give it 3.5 really

ANTOHER JOJO REFERENCE ? Ecouté sur le vélo donc peut-être biaisé ?

This whole thing. Loved it.

Personally I prefer Can't Buy A Thrill but I like all of Steely Dan's work. A super fine album!

This is one of those that always comes up on lists like "best produced album ever" or "best one to listen to when testing out new speakers/headphones" and it is in fact impressively produced and performed. I've never gotten super into Steely Dan, something about their music never connected with me on a personal level, but I can respect the skill on display here.

the creme de la creme of elevated yacht rock, please don't punch me I'm holding a full champagne flute