Aja

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.

Lots of good competent jazz-tinged pop rock. No real excitement

4.7/5

Nicht so meins, aber ganz in Ordnung.

disco, groovey... bit too shaggy

CAAAALL ME DEEEACON BLUES

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.

Simply not my style

4.0

If globalisation had a soundtrack, this record would – and, I suspect, self-consciously – be it. “Aja”, pronounced “Asia”, features a cast of 60 musicians; surely, though I haven’t checked, among them some of the late-70s finest (not counting the Dans themselves, of course). If I were to hear this album without knowing who it was, I figure I’d have a 1000-1 shot at guessing Steely “Reelin’ in the years” Dan first time. What I would have said, and did, was “is this where vaporwave came from then?” Turns out yes; Aja is a preeminent example of “yacht rock” (buoyant west coast AOR primed for taking out the marina and into the crystalline waters); the stuff later sampled by Saint Pepsi, Luxury Elite, Floral Shoppe. It’s the sort of smooth audio postmodernism that presages the entire 80s: a pastiche of styles – curated, elevated – that, had he been given better taste in pop, Patrick Bateman would’ve swung an axe to. And, yes, four decades later, from yacht rock comes Vaporwave, a genre that for me satirises and romanticises the emergence of global corporate capitalism equally (tapping into/enjoying the same cultural preoccupation as Vice City, San Junipero etc. too). Vaporwave is a hauntology fixated on what might have been (fully automated luxury capitalism) made in a time that isn’t (techno-oligarchies in the ear of 1% leaders). Yet this record, so substantial and beautifully produced, is all flesh and blood. So much so that one wonders if there’s a clue as to where it all went wrong here … or, at least, pause to reflect on wether that kind of wish fulfilment is the subconscious aspiration at the heart of all our revisionist attempts to resurrect the spirit of the proto-global coffeehouse. “Deacon Blues” is a standout track for me, but the whole album draws you in and in and in. Love, love, love.

Classic rock, funky, meh, not my thing, 2

Was seeking more of a Reelin’ in the Years electric jolt.

I find Donald Fagen’s voice really really fucking annoying on this album in particular

I’m a sucker for steely dan

Didn’t grow up with this, has always been something I knew of but didn’t really know. Knew about the production, the sound, etc and put on good headphones and listened carefully; it definitely sounds great. They got the best session players and it’s immaculately arranged, produced, recorded. I just don’t really like the songs. Some great moments, have had Deacon Blues stuck in my head and love the song Peg. the most important element of any music that’s new to me, though, is how it hits me, viscerally - this just didn’t do shit.

After the other two Steely Dan albums I was curious to see where this one fits. It's pretty bland really, nothing really stands out, there's one moment on Peg where I think it's going to improve but then it just returns to blandness. Overall it's a nice enough vibe so not quite a 2.

Hmmmm, this felt the most yachty of all the Steely Dan albums on the list, but all the others had one or two stand out tunes that got stuck in my head, and this one doesn't seem to. Comes across as highly polished blandness. Fave track - Eh, "Peg" maybe? That came closest.

deep in the groove

Liker det!

I've always had mixed feelings about this album, so for the sake of this list I had a really good listen of the album in its entirety, A to Z. I have now made up my mind. First, the good. Yes, as many will argue, this album is extremely well produced - the sound quality is superb. The musicians show great virtuosity. Technical perfection. Then, the bad. However technically good music is, for me it is ultimately about the intrinsic quality of the songs, the authenticity of the artist, the creativity, and more than anything else, the emotional appeal. And that's where it is totally lacking for me. Oh my, is it boring and non-engaging. It's soooo smoooooth. It's anti-punk. It's excellent for outros of cheap romcoms. It is an extremely skilfully polished turd (OK maybe I'm exaggerating a wee bit). It is mineral water served in a $1000 designer glass - I'd rather have a characterful single malt in a charity shop glass. I'll give it a generous 3 though, because I can see how, IF this is your thing, it shines "in its genre" and there are some nice jazzy chops and it is rhythmically very enjoyably tight (I enjoyed the first 20" of Josie). I just wish the album wasn't so boring. Oh is it boring.

pretty decent fun

Absolutely beautiful start to finish. Dynamic and yet so digestible. Legendary work.

I can see how in 1977 this album was very experimental and challenged some musical concepts from the time. Overall I think it's a good album, with 3 songs that were the focus for me: The break in the Aja track with that guitar solo is espetacular! Beacon blues has solid saxophone phrasings. Peg has great bass lines and solid drums.

Didn't really care for it

Goated album by a goated artist, not a single weak song. Peg is #1.

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

92/100. One of my favorite jazz records of all time—it’s damn near perfect. The music is truly wonderful, and the riffs are otherworldly. There are basically no lows on this record.

Will listen to it again

Feels a bit watered down, compared to the last Steely Dan album that came up. Squarely in the realm of easy listening, which I generally find meh.

Reveal reaction: Oh no. Goddammit. Full disclosure, I'm about 4 days behind on this project because I've been ill and I desperately don't want to listen to this album. I made a commitment, though, so let's get into it. So, it's as bad as I thought. My wife informs me this is called "yacht rock." I have no idea why, but whatever. Apparently it's a genre of smooth rock jazzy shit that white people listen to on boats, I don't know. What I *do* know, however, is that it's not for me. I really try to avoid 1 star reviews, and I'm really searching for something that allows me to give this 2 stars...and I got it at the end. Home at Last had me actually tapping my toes a little, and I Got The News is strangely jaunty and fun. With a different vocalist, I think Josie could be a decent 60s-ish funk joint with a killer bass line. So there it is. That's all I got. If you're a white guy that has a predilection for white shorts rolled at the knee and boat shoes, you're probably really going to dig this album.

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.

The production is truly spotless and the sound crispy clear. I can tell a lot of the budget was spent here. I, also, get the part of it making “blunt” music sound better, although I wouldn’t call the album blunt or boring. This is music I would put to spice up my routine. To uplift my moud just enough so I can get through the day. I have, definately, played Facebook games in the past that had this in the background. This is November music. Far from the summer heat but not too far to reach December warmth. Something in between. I have to say that I am a huge fan of the sound of jazz so I am the furthest I can be from objectivity. My eyes have recently been opened for the importance of simplicity in music. The album does not try to do too much. Again, not “blunt” level of not too much but rather paints a picture of daily life, of getting by just fine, of having everything in order and moving on. Putting music behind the necessary evil of growing up. Spicing things up just enough! It is not a 3 but not a 4 either…

I don't mind it. Got some bop and jazzy funk, I don't hate saxs so digging those solos. Sounds standard late 70s, liked the mid tracks the most. I'd almost rather just hear the band jam for 40 mins.

i am trying really hard to “get” steely dan but i just cannot. IT JUST SOUNDS SO STUPID TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! some of these songs are kinda fun and groovy (”josie”) and then they introduce some stupid fuckass cornball element (those ultra smooth vocal harmonies) and it becomes unlistenable again.

god this is so boringgggg. so shmaltzy and hokey. appropriating elements of jazz in a really corny way that makes this sound like muzak

Очень чилловый, супер на повседневный фон, не отвлекает, одна песня перетекает в другую, не сильно заметила разницы

3.5

Very funky. Black Cow is a banger. Found a lot of the songs kind of meandering and the lyrics a bit cheesy, but it's a great vibe.

I really tried to appreciate Steely Dan, I've listened to several of their albums at this stage and I don't get it? It's not bad much but either I'm missing something or it's a little overrated

Masterpiece

Pretty awesome. Don't know if I've ever listened that closely to a Steely Dan album. Lyrics and production and all that is a masterpiece.

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

I just don’t like Steely Dan.

This is the first 5 stars I give to an album I didn't previously known. I really enjoyed this one!

Fun

5 out of 5. Third Steely Dan album so far, but another album where nothing more can be said that hasn't already.

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.

Oh wow. This is so great. I know there are those of you out there who don’t like steely Dan. You’re wrong. And this is the best of them. The arrangements are superb. And the best LA players couple with the best songwriting. Listen to those arrangements. Often dismissed as yacht rock but yacht rock has a mild pleasant feel - life is usually pretty good. Steely Dan is pimps, gangsters, addicts, dodgy characters and cynicism. This is probably the least cynical of the albums, but it is the peak. 5000 stars.

I bought this in 1977, I was 14. I cannot remember why I bought it at the Maroubra Junction Record Bar, but it might have been a "I'll try and be cool" purchase. And I fucking love it. I love it in one of those personal connection intangible ways re crods, so many things resonate. The drums on Josie, that kick roll feel, moves me man moves me. The bass playing, sliding around holding down the groove. Peg, its her big debut. That groove stays with you...the title track, is it of this world? It is ethereal as is glides on by, occupying a space out there somewhere, makes this atheist contemplate that Allah might be behind it...yea nah its good but no not that good. I've held this record close to my heart for decades now, a secret shame on occasions as the band is definitely not cool. Aja was for me what eating flowers in the bathroom was for Homer. And then along comes De La Soul and Eye Know! I couldn't believe it, I knew instantly they'd sampled Peg, ah redemption after all these years of hiding under the duvet. The story goes that the Del La guys were working in a Walmart when they heard Peg on the store radio and started grooving and rapping to it. Of course they did. Get out from behind that locked door deadbeats and put Aja on and go on the magic carpet ride that it is.

Won a Grammy for Best Engineered Album (Non-classical)! Doesn't that tell you everything you need to know? I swear to god that Steely Dan is a cult for audiophiles and other pretentious middle-aged men seeking validation for their own irrelevance and bitterness, while nursing their secret desire (unrequited) for a Japanese girlfriend. They can all give you a long lecture about the virtues of their favorite single-malt whiskey and the $2000 custom tone-arm on their turntable and why 'the solo on 'Peg' is the greatest moment of music ever recorded. But audio fidelity and ironic intellectualism are not signifiers of musical value, dude. For me, this album is the apotheosis of Steely Dan's super-polished, over intellectualized, cold-hearted, cocaine infused, studio-tanned, sneering, condescending and ultimately bloodless pseudo-jazz. I could go on, but I'm going to quote Steve Albini: "I will always be the kind of punk that shits on Steely Dan. It's music made for the sole purpose of letting the wedding band stretch out a little. They spent three weeks on the guitar solo... Three weeks of watching guitar players give it their all while doing bumps and hitting the talkback, "More Egyptian but keep it in the pocket..." Christ the amount of human effort wasted to sound like an SNL band warm up." I could not agree more. I have learned to tolerate (possibly even like) a handful of Steely Dan songs when they give the throttle a little nudge, but this album is the textbook example of why we needed punk.

Music for people who are testing their sound system for 253rd time today.

Sounds great

As close to perfect an album as you can get. Steely Dan rocks, all of the musicians that play on their albums are top notch.

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

love it

I shoulda known this was going downhill when the first song was about a cow

Steely Dan. My choice for best band from the 70’s-80’s. Love their music. Know how to mix all types of music type. This album one of their best.

I still think Fagen sucks, and I don't get the "Peg" or "Deacon Blues" love, but despite all of that, there's some obviously good stuff here. I would die to hear the title track without any vocals. 3.5/5

One of my all time favorites. Jazzy, smart, eclectic.

Loved this album

I wanted to connect to this more than I eventually managed to- I put it on a few times and it just seemed to white noise my brain for the most part. Aja and Deacon Blues felt a bit like music made for a 70s or 80s sitcom (Home at Last is a slightly more successful version of this), but I did enjoy the silliness of Black Cow and Josie was fun and sexy in a rollerskating down the boardwalk kind of way. Would happily play this in the background at a summer barbecue but it felt essentially sort of empty. I can’t pick out a single lyric, really, since they’re sort of halfway between non sensical and cliché- not really sure why these guys are considered to be so cool?

Oof I'm really not a jazz person and I wanted to like this but it just wasn't for meee and I'm feeling quite annoyed with myself for saying that. I did like Peg and Aja (the first 5 minutes anyway) and Josie but apart from that... meh. I'M SORRY. Maybe another Steely Dan album will do better with me but this one meh.

Some Steely Dan songs are good, but none of them are on this album.

Solid Jazzrock Album

Yeah, I’m just going to rate this before I even give it a fresh listen. One of Steely Dan’s best albums — it’s not my personal favorite (that would be Pretzel Logic) but it’s still a 5-star masterpiece. I do think “Deacon Blues” is my favorite song by them, it’s such a knockout. Easy must-listen. #47.

244/1001 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑

It's like if an elevator music writer was trying to create the auditory equivalent of a PowerPoint star wipe

I thought their album "Pretzel Logic" was quite good, so when I heard Aja I started to question my sanity. Had my music palette drastically altered or matured in a few short months? Had my eardrums suddenly ruptured? How could I like Pretzel Logic so much from a band that sounded like elevator music synths and cheesy middle schooler lyrics? I can't give any examples of the cringe lyrics because that would require listening to this album again, which I thoroughly refuse to do, but just know that my eyes rolled all the way back in my head for some of their gems. And then there were brief moments where there were vocal harmonies similar to CSNY or Fleet Foxes that were like the eye of a hurricane and I realized that Pretzel Logic was all that -- the only good bits from this band, all condensed into one album -- where Aja was a dumpster fire.

Can’t stand this shit

Overall: 9/10 The generator seems to know that I'm really into Steely Dan right now. This album is much closer to actual jazz than Can't Buy a Thrill was, and in my opinion that's a good thing because it feels more focused and consistent. The crazy amount of perfectionism that went into this album also paid off cause every track is so so good. My biggest complaint would be that a couple tracks are longer than I would like them to be but it's a minor complaint. Such a great album! Fav Song: Peg Least Fav Song: Home at Last

I chugged my big black cow and l’m definitely out of here.

Not the album I was in the mood for today. But then again, I don’t know how often I am in the mood for this tranquil blend of smooth jazz and soft rock. It’s not you Steely Dan, it’s me.

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.

I've always felt like Steely Dan is OK. This album reaffirmed this feeling. They seem to be good at what they do, but I don't love what they do.

I'm sure that somewhere this is someone's top album, but it's not mine.

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.

I knew this one already, reminds me of my childhood!

Wow! I really liked the instrumentals and melodies, this was my favorite so far

A definition of background music.

More songs I recognize but....still Steely Dan though. Feels so cheesy

Vibes. Great music to cook to!

So many iconic grooves

[note: this review was written in 2021. i have no plans to replace it on RateYourMusic and will simply post the old review here. my opinion remains unchanged.] aja is the culmination of about 5+ years of musical prowess and performance, and is pretty much considered THE dan album that cannot be denied as an ass-kicker. there's a reason audiophiles who care about how FLACs sound and immediately turn a song off if it clips use it as a test for their speakers -- it's one of the most well produced albums of all time. you could pick out each part of a song with a pair of mental chopsticks if you wanted to, with how much space and weight is in the production. however, because i don't know any music theory and very little about how they made it sound like it does, but i know that i love it lyrically, this is the tightest fagen and becker have ever been. the people depicted are pitiable wrecks, as always, but the sentimentality of the music doesnt impress the idea that theyre beyond help. "deacon blues" is the most iconic song here because its a song about how cool it would be to do a sick ass sax solo and drink in lounges, despite the narrator very clearly just being that guy who says hes gonna learn guitar and buys a martin but has never really played it and just uses it as a conversation piece. "black cow", "peg", and "josie" can be categorized as "songs about women", but the songs are less "why aren't you fucking me any more" and more "what the hell is wrong with you, why are you like this". "home at last" and "i got the news" are considered the worst tracks, but theyre still crazy good, and shout out to the part of the chorus michael mcdonald sings. finally, the title track is this beautiful suite that pretty much serves as a tribute to charlie parker and the jazz that inspired SD throughout the years, and honestly? its kind of heartwarming, and despite illustrating a scene of where parker was institutionalized, it sort of feels like an uncharacteristic love song -- not of romance, but of admiration for the art of music and the struggles artists go through to "get it right". i think they did their job here, and did it well

It's a fine album, but nothing really stood out to me. I guess Peg is good.

Definitely not a Steely Dan guy. This did not intrest me in the slightest. Not awful, but I would never listen to this

I remember the hits off this album, but I didn’t appreciate them much at the time. Mainly because I was a kid. I’m not sure children can fully appreciate the music of Steely Dan. As an adult and, I like to think, as a more mature connoisseur of music, I very much appreciate Steely Dan. And this album is a gem. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-aja-by-steely-dan?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

- 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

It was ok, but not my thing mostly.

7.5 great jazz

Had this for a while. Pleasant enough. Little excitement, though. 3/5

Steely Dan's best album. Smooth and sonorous

Kinda hated it, but maybe I just wasn't in the mood for yacht rock. Easy listening for boring people.

An exquisitely crafted album, one of my favourites and the album that got me into Steely Dan. Becker and Fagen employ the cream of the session music world - Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, Chuck Rainey, Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie - and combine them into as many groups as there are uniformly excellent songs. It’s all superb but highlights include Wayne Shorter’s solo over Gadd’s subtle drum patterns on the title track, and one of the most incredible guitar solos in popular music, in Peg, a masterclass by Jay Grayson, who was allegedly the 11th guitar player to give it a go. What a great album to start with.

Chill vibes and lovely bass lines

Liam gives it a 3

How does anyone even begin to enjoy this. It's so up It's own arse.

Didn't leave much an impact.

I have tried. Really tried. Steely Dan remain an irritant to me. The best bit on here was used and improved by De La Soul. Life is too short for this.

What a weird story Steely Dan had. A band that eventually just became a duo, with a boatload of session musicians. After a lot of painstaking work, they ended up with this, thus subjecting the world (and especially jam night musicians) to Deacon Blues. Ok, I'm being purposefully mean there. There is a lot to like. It reminds me a lot of Toto's debut album, but with an infusion of jazz. I don't think anything sounded like this at the time, and if you are a keys player I think you'll glean something from it. The latter two tracks on the album drag though, and while I tend to get what they're going for with the lyrics, there's a feeling of forced esotericism that could've been avoided with a bit more heart. That's what's weird about it. I can't say it has no heart, because it's right there in the music. But just the music. Tangent: I don't think anyone could've made the line 'Drink your big black cow and get out of here' work, but especially not Steely Dan. Fave: Peg Least Fave: I Got the News Strong Bad Demerit Rating: 0

Production is pristine. But I'm struggling to describe the vibe. Imagine you're listening to a classic 70s Stevie Wonder album and make it jazzier. But instead of most instruments being played by Stevie and a selection of players he knows intimately, you hire about a hundred session musicians and make them record their parts separately in the driest studio known to man. Instead of Stevie's dynamic, unmistakable voice, you have two guys who would struggle to get a gig doing backing vocals. And instead of lyrics that vividly touch on everything from spiritualism, everyday life, and social issues of the time, you get word-salad abstraction that fails to depict anything other than how clever the writers thought they were. So, Aja is nothing like a Stevie Wonder album... ...bet Steely Dan wished it was, though.

1001 Steely Dan albums to listen to before you die. Maybe the best of the mediocre lot we’ve had on the list? Highlights for me were hearing the original songs that were sampled in rap songs (peg and black cow)

2.6 Enough with the steely dan. Seriously

The Good: Yacht Rock! The Bad: What do you do if you don’t have a yacht? The Ugly: Finding out that we’ve been lied to all our lives—Asia is spelled Aja! Why is there so much negativity that surrounds this album, this band, or even the style of music in general? Is it because those who hate it are being confronted with the fact that they know little to nothing about what music should sound like? You might not like the tunes, you might not like the lyrics, but one can simply NOT deny the fact that the musicianship and production value is why this album is considered one of the best ever. Great album, great cover art, great songs. Can’t give it 5*, but is comes real close… Future me here… upgraded to 5*

In the end, we all become our own "crazy uncle deeply into Steely Dan". Studio perfection.

I've had to defend my dislike of Steely Dan since the 80s. I just don't get their sound, their vibe, their mellow muck. It might as well be elevator music to me.

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

I just don’t get Steely Dan, it started off cool but progressively I just lost more and more interest.

this was not groovifying

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.

Good stuff

Steely Dan, and this album in particular, is something I have seen being given high praise in multiple music discussion sites. However, I honestly do see what the hype is all about. Sure it's jazzy and all, but it's also so boring. I get nothing out of this and I've given it multiple chances.

5/5

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

Very solid Dan. The only dip on the whole album is I Got The News, and that's better than 90% of other music. Yes, people get weirded by Steely Dan for some reason -- but that mellow cynicism is a life preserver right now. "Unexpected" banger -- Home at Last

Funky, aber nicht meins.

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.

The write up makes this sound fantastic, and of course I know Peg via De La Soul. Peg is a legit banger on its own. For some of Aja, it sounds like Ozric Tentacles without the beats, and other times sounds like Nilsson on The Point. I am not sure I approve, although I like the groove at the end, I'd prefer to listen to 8 minutes of where that is threatening to go. As noted by a fellow project adventurer, yes, I would rather listen to Prog rock, or jazz. Felt vaguely similar about every Steely Dan record in this book. It's vaguely intriguing, vaguely easy listening, very accomplished, but ultimately mostly a little boring? And this, on the whole, is that.

Can it be too damn smooth? Nah

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.

coming from a background in jazz and classical music, Steely Dan represents my platonic ideal of what a pop rock band can be. it's rare to come across rock albums this polished that still feel so vibrant and alive. a lot of yarn has been spun about the many session musicians and arrangers that worked to bring these songs to life, but my ear is always most drawn to the songs themselves. I've stolen a ton of chord progressions from them over the years, intentionally or otherwise! Walter Becker and Donald Fagen owe a tremendous debt as songwriters to the harmonic innovations of Wayne Shorter; there's a ton of Shorter-esque weaving in and out of different tonal centers across all of these songs, and Shorter's solo spot on the title track is one of the most exciting crossover moments in the histories of both jazz and rock music. I like the B-side quite a bit, but this has to be the most perfect A-side in the entire yacht rock canon, right? strong 9/10.

You done it! You done hired the hit maker Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie! Indeed they did and the drumming is immaculate. The Purdie Shuffle rules. Don't worry about those ghost notes! AIN'T NOTHING BUT REBOUND! This is probably as diametrically opposed to Big Blank's Atomizer as you can get but its wrapped back around to great anyway. Pristine playing, clear production, even a tight compact album at 39 minutes.

Day 63 - November 11th, 2024 Proud parent of a Steely Dan dick rider!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5/5

2.28

Very different to what I normally listen to. Felt like Mario Kart music at times. Wouldn't choose to listen to again but Deacon Blues does stick in my mind.

I feel very lukewarm about Steely Dan. This album didn't particularly wow me.

I liked it - clean production, beautiful harmonic language. It definitely is a timepiece for the 70s.

One of my all time favorite albums

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.

cheeeeeeeesy

Classy and funky, not a bad pick !

Steely Dan, perennial favorite of music critics and assholes. The start of Black Cow is the sample used for Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz’s Deja Vu (Uptown Baby). That’s a better use of the music. This might be the first yacht rock album. Which band is more responsible for “adult contemporary” music, The Eagles or Steely Dan? Either way, they both suck. That’s unfair, they are definitely better than The Eagles. Aja sounds like Rikki Don’t Lose That Number in parts, I guess that’s just the “Steely Dan sound”. Deacon Blues is more of the same, but I definitely have a soft spot for it. Maybe it’s what I always assumed was a college football reference but probably wasn’t. This might be the most 70s album of all time. There are a lot of “hits” on this album. Peg is another one. If you took the lyrics away from these songs, they’d all be gold music. Is that Michael McDonald in the background of Peg? It is! That guy is good. Home At Last is the best song on the album. Donald Fagan’s voice exactly matches his appearance. Another Michael McDonald guest spot, instant improvement. I liked this album more than I thought I would which is not a very high bar to cross, but a pleasant surprise.

black cow- 6 aja- 4. why do they make the most boring songs 8 minutes deacon blues- 5 peg- a yo? 5 home at last- 5 i got the news- 5 josie- 5

It's an enjoyable album, and I liked some previous albums from Steely Dan on the list. Still, the allegedly "more sophisticated compositions and arrangements" (from the Wikipedia page) make it a bit less good than the others. I prefer something rawer for them, and I even enjoy some sophistication sometimes.

Already a fan of their debut '72 album, so let's see if they still impress 😌. Aja long ass instrumental- somehow sounds like the Beatles or The Kinks? Whole album was okay - quite soft and easy listening.

Favourite track: Deacon Blues.

Worthy of any top 10 album of all time collections.

Steve Gadd drumming in thar Aja break and at the end of the song. It doesn't get better than this! Oh wait, there's also the classic example of Bernie Perdie's Perdie Shuffle on Home At Last. If you're a drummer and you haven't heard this album, you're in for something special here. The sax solo on Deacon Blues is one of the best! Liked Songs Added: Aja Deacon Blues Peg Home At Last Josie

I stan steely dan

Not for me

Pretty good! Easy to listen to at work

100000

Starts off a little funky, but not overly funky, but then transforms quickly into elevator muzak. Not on the same level as other Steely Dan albums here, and honestly sounds like the inspiration for late 70s/early 80s Chicago albums. Make of that what you will...

I could not wait for this to be over. Musicianship in buckets, but also the worst parts of pop and it felt barely like jazz. Bland, predictable, dry, and ultimately pointless to my ears.

Never could understand how great musicians could sound so bland.

4.5/10: yacht rock meets jazz. Might be fun if you're lounging in the sun on vacation, but gets repetitive quickly

Despite multiple attempts, I just cannot get into Steely Dan

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

I’ve heard of Steely Dan but never listened to them before. I was pretty fed up by the end of the first song. I can see why some people are into this, but I refuse to give anymore than 2 stars when you sing that out of tune.

Steely Dan are a bit elevator music for me. It's pleasant, I can appreciate it, but not something I feel drawn to. If I want jazz rock I'd listen to Vulfpeck who you can hear we're heavily influenced by SD. It's alright.

Rock, Jazz and Pop, good melodies and harmonies, some strong lyrics and nice Sax. I enjoyed listening and Deacon Blues was my favourite track. A great album? I'm not so sure but it's way better than some that made this list

An all timer, that can be annoying if listened to too much due to its grocery store like smooth jazz. But full of classics and amazing playing.

Funky and cheesy at the same time!

Definitely a vinyl purchase

the pinnacle of steely dan's career: recording Peg so that De La Soul could sample it in Eye Know

Now here's an album! One of the most intricate and sophisticated albums ever made. Donald Fagen is a genius. Really, really brilliant album. The drumming on the title track is quite literally as good as it gets. Really hard to choose a top 3 because the album is essentially perfect as far as I'm concerned. My Top 3: 3. Home At Last 2. Aja 1. Deacon Blues

4.5 stars. Incredible infusion of jazz into rock and roll. Such clean playing and production. Fagen's voice is great and pairs so well with the music. "Peg" is a phenomenal track. Other standout is "Josie".

Nice.

Fine as a background music, but it's not really my thing.

A good album to promote constant yawning. 3 stars or C-.

It still holds up

Probably one of the best marriages of jazz and rock. Steely Dan certainly weren't new to the party at this point, but it was clear that they wanted to experiment and push the limits further than they had been already. What we got was a polished production that respects the listener's time whilst providing them with an eye...erm, ear-opening experience. Just looking at the personnel involved, each of the seven tracks were basically their own separate project. Some decorated studio musicians and vocalists honed their craft and chipped in all throughout. Can't really think of any track that drags this down, maybe "I Got The News" if we're being picky. Tracks like "Deacon Blues", "Peg", and "Josie" are each worth the price of admission, though. It's a shame that many dismiss this record and Steely Dan as another "bland" yacht rock outfit. I know that yacht rock was coined much later down the line after this release, but it doesn't *have* to be disparaging. It's simply a label for soft rock and similar-sounding genres from this era (not that I'm denying most of it is cheesy, but there was still some pretty darn good music produced as a result). I guess I've learned that the reviewer hivemind just hates any and all jazz-sounding things. Enough dwelling though, this was a fun record and struck a decent chord with me mainly due to the smoothness & production quality of it all. 9/10.

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 do like Steely Dan. This album is playful but doesn't have much substance

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

Easy going listen, very inoffensive. Feel on relisten could improve however didn’t blow me away

Grew up loving early Steely Dan and not understanding the more prog albums like Aja, but have grown to love this and other later year Steely Dan. I’m sure it’s a common story. Like all my favorite albums, this one grows on you the more you hear it. I do wonder if we should be critical of Steely Dan for their clinical approach. Obviously precision/perfection is their thing, but would it have killed them to let their hair down in spots? Either way, one of the great records. Not a drum solo guy but the outro to Aja is so fucking sick. Steve Gadd >>>>

In my teens and twenties I had a weird antipathy to Steely Dan - I think because of the polished, studio sound and subdued technical competence - they represented a 'maturity' I wasn't ready to embrace. 'Peg' is the song that changed all that to me - specifically the falsetto harmony 'peggggg' in the chorus and that moment when the saxophone line comes in the verse. Now I see that there is ebullience in their competence, an ecstasy to their mastery, and that something can feel both refined and raw at the same time if you've truly mastered your craft. I fucking love this album and listened to it probably 8 times back to back on Friday. Another thing that made me change my mind about them is that they named themselves after a dildo in Naked Lunch. Rock and roll.

I havent listened to all of Steely Dans albums and I know theyve experimented with tens of musicians (every album), but this feels like the band’s ultimate mission. An album with various instrumentation choices, jazz improv breaks, perfectly timed hits and a pop feel that brings it all together - and the masses that follow Genuinely, Aja is a masterpiece IMO. Peg, Deacon Blues and Josie are radio friendly with incredible vocals (Michael McDonald is perfection). Aja is super prog rocky and has the most exciting hits. I could dust off this album twice a year for the rest of my life and never tire of it

5 stars all fucking day. I love this album. What a TREAT. Gimme all that Fagen and Michael McDonald. Such a tight album. So many jams. Top 10er all time for my money.

I'm pretty torn on this one. Part of me is saying, hell yeah a total classic. Another part of me is saying, holy cow this is kind of a sterile, over-produced snooze. The songs are perfect, but almost too perfect, like there are too few moments where you feel like you're listening to a real band and not a synth backing track. Could use just a little more energy and emotion throughout. That said, this was super fun to listen to overall - incredible headphones album. You can hear literally every instrument crystal clear. Liking the B side more, probably because it has more guitar solos. I know I could end up liking this alot more with some additional listens. And now when Aja comes up in the crossword, I'll know what I'm talking about.

I think this may actually be the greatest album ever made. Absolutely perfect for every second (all 2396 of them). I truly think that the list can only go down from here, and I sincerely wish I could give this a sixth star. I'm not much for writing, and I really can't do this album justice in this review. It is really, honestly and truly, a thing of beauty.

Gear: Focal Clear (ZMFed) Artwork: 🔳⛩️🩸 Produktion: 🎧😘🤌 Musik: 🎷🍷😏 Wertung: 🍷🍷(🍷)/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!

we will not be doing any more steely dan

All the bangers

Innocuous.

Not sure why, just not a big fan of their vibe

TBH I always thought of Steely Dan as more Southern/ Country rock but this was pretty groovy

This is #day67 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it brings me to Steely Dan's Aja, my first-ever encounter with their music. From the very first notes, this record struck me as a perfect candidate for audiophiles to test their setups. But it's much more than that. The band spins a fascinating musical narrative, fusing rock and jazz in a way that draws you in. It's an album with a character and a mood. Even on Spotify, the clarity of instrument separation makes it easy to visualize the stage and the atmosphere. I'm genuinely impressed and happy to embrace this entry. It's a great start to the week as well. I'm giving it a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day68.

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

Their Best

Great vibe. Very relaxing and upbeat at the same time.

Steely Dan <3

Fun album

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

eh i thought it was okay

A lot of talent and craft went into this album, and it just did absolutely nothing for me

Didn't love it

Steely Dan you dirty dog

3.5

Straight up fiver (10) ★★★★★

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.

Peg is cool, Josie is pretty good. Deacon Blues and Black Cow are okay, but this is sort of the beginning of the yacht rock era of Steely Dan that I don't really like that much. 3.5 stars.

One of the most immaculate and masterful albums of all time. Title song when it takes off is full-on transcendence and is like a jazz-rock Stairway To Heaven. Peg is the feel good hit of every summer. And Deacon Blues has just the best lyrics and could very well be my own theme tune.

Probably my favorite Steely Dan album. Easy 5 stars.

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

The vibe and songs are nice, just a bit boring to me.

Epitome of 1970s grown up party music.

Kinda jazzy, little too silly though

1977 again, what a stunning year. Pretzel Logic was a real grower for me; must have been in a bad mood to have rated it a 2, as it's at least a 4! I knew this was easily their most highly rated album by music nerds. It's incredibly well produced as many others have stated. Whether you enjoy it seems to rest upon whether this is enough for you or whether you require it to have some deeper meaning. Personally, I couldn't give a flip about lyrics if it sounds this amazing on headphones. The album was made for an incredible audio experience and that's what it does. An easy 9/10 for me; now I'm off to explore the rest of the catalogue (except the albums left on this list).

Really nice album 7/10

Was not thrilled to get yet another Steely Dan record. This is 3 now on this list and I really hope that's it. I was always indifferent towards Steely Dan but am not starting to lean more on the side of strongly disliking them than just mere indifference. They are too much, and just feel like wankery. I don't need to hear anymore of their records.

Never been a big steely Dan fan. But I really only know reeling in the years. I recognize this song. Had no idea it was steely Dan. This is 70s easy listening. It’s great, but not my cup of tea

In my Top 5 all time greatest albums. The musicianship is unequalled. All tone and texture. Superb.

Has not aged well at all.

- Quite disappointing, especially after being surprised by Steely Dan's \"Countdown to Ecstasy.\" Probably why I am being as harsh as I am. - I was not raised with Steely Dan, so my point of comparison is Chicago; this sounds like Chicago with much less brass and much less heart, which just makes it sound like dated easy listening. - No stand out songs. I almost got into \"Deacon Blues\" and \"Peg.\" The title track grated on me (and when on for over 7 minutes).

Incredible album.

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

Made me want to listen to more Steely Dan. I like the vibe.

Not my jam, but not bad for what it was. 2.7

This would be a 5 out of 5 without the vocals. Instrumentally it is perfection and would prefer an instrumental version.

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.

These guys are talented musicians, but I just have a hard time getting through the songs. Not my favorite musical era.

Feels like this album was AI-generated. Technically sound but boring and lifeless.

Awesome drums Nice vibe Alright album

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

No reason not to give this a five. Steve Gadd putting on a clinic. Ridiculous. Bernard Purdue doing his shuffle thing (a god among men) in Home At Last. Catchy, jazzy and just a little off, this is Steely Dan 101. Spotless performances of some great songs. Clichè though it is, this album exists at another level entirely. A satisfying listening experience that you can return to.

bit weird how much he loved chinese music ??? aja = asia?

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

Really not my bag. MOR listless 70s rock. Couldn't even make it to the end 2/5

I don't get the hype for this album. It's not offensive, but it doesn't really do it for me. The best song is easily Peg, and it's a catchy tune. The rest is pretty forgettable IMO.

Classic

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.

The first couple of times I was convinced I was listening to a masterpiece. I know that Steely Dan is a love it or hate it band but I’ve never delved into them that much. There was a lot I liked but then found it was diminishing returns the longer it went. 3.5/5

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

Opens up with a Soul track Black Cow which was cool. Overall solid not much filler but quite long tracks in places. Stand out tracks: - Black Cow - Decon Blues - Peg - Home at last

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...

Meh, middle of the road at best. I thought I liked Steely Dan, turns out I was wrong

5 stars

I didn't think I was much of a Steely Dan fan, but this album is great.

Good sax !

Maybe I wasn't in as much of a Steely Dan mood as I was for their last one we got, but I found this all too smooth. I liked Peg more when it was sampled by De La Soul. Low 3.

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

Surprisingly fun, first steely Dan album

Kan nog vara världens bästa skiva

Bara bangers?!! Man vill ju bara mysa i soffan och ha SEX! Eller så har jag bara blivit betingad av Alvin Lindahl att gilla låtarna efter flera år av repetitivt spelande

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.

Easy listening, good background, too genre mixed to get into. Bizarre references? Complex musical arrangements. Borders on cheesy but never quite gets there. Would def listen to while studying or working but not otherwise.

Love steely dan so very happy listening to this laid back tunes. Takes me back to my teenage years.

i think to appreciate more than 3/5 steely dan you had to grow up with it. its good, but feels... generic?

Did this list need two Steely Dan albums?

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

Trop mou pour moi

I know people love the musicians in this band, but the songs are boring, the instrumental parts being the best. I can honestly say I would never listen to this album again.

2,5

I still don’t get steely dan. It’s too polished.

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.

Good band but all of their good songs could be pushed to one album - this is mostly dull as ditchwater

Not sure why we need one Steely Dan album in this list never mind three!

Road, middle of.

Another dull album for 1970’s american radio - honestly can’t see what about this I needed to hear before I went to bed today - far less before I die. Worse of all there’s several more of this bland Americana on the list - I can only assume the author needed to tick a “music for people with no taste” option. The only redeeming feature is that De La Soul sampled “Peg” and made it into a much better song.

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

So fun

Classic af

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

Not my style. I can understand why it's popular, but I think it's quite mainstream and a lot of other bands have done similar work a lot better.

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

Favourite song - deacon blues

Not for me.

Trying to get into this music feels like trying to pick up an extremely smooth, slippery ball. It keeps sliding out of my grasp. Who is this for??

Good

Love me some yacht rock. Before this, if you had asked me to name a Steely Dan song I would fail. I have definitely heard most of these songs before but never knew who made them.

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.

Nerds. I don't love the album, but I like it. I'm glad Steely Dan exists. For their songs and De La Soul too. Thank you, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen!

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

Best elevator music I've ever heard, bar none.

This might be my least favorite type of music. This shit is for folks who constantly talk about their one black friend and wear fedoras with bulky white tennis shoes. This music is for dudes who tuck their t shirt into their jeans. This is grocery store background noise at best. Fuckin lameass smooth jazz with cheesy funk bass lines. Kind of impressive to take a bunch of genres, boil them down to their worst elements and then throw it in a blender. Listening to this album was a net negative on my life, and if I could give it a negative score then I would. Fuck steely Dan (If you enjoy this - please ignore and keep enjoying … and may god have mercy on your soul)

I feel like I’m waiting on hold to play the game where I tell my internet provider that I want to cancel so that they lower the monthly cost back to what it used to be and act like they’re doing me a huge favor.

Absolute 5 star banger. One of my favorite albums possibly. Don't get the Dan hate, Dan is being dad, Dan is not caring what other people think of you. Be like the Dan.

FUCK YEAAHHHHH

Not as good as Pretzel Logic. More soft-rock. But some good jazz vibe’s too

Aja is nothing short of masterful! Along with Fagen and Becker, it was performed with some of the top session musicians in the business which resulted in this widely-respected classic. One of my all time favorites!

They are clearly good musicians. 'Peg' is a decent single. But I just cannot see the appeal of Steely Dan and I am trying. Robert Dimery clearly thinks that I need to, as there are 4 Steely Dan albums on this list. I'm really trying to approach with an open mind and listen multiple times. I got 'Pretzel Logic' a few months ago and thought "maybe if I get a more famous album, it will stand out more." The music does get a bit better after repeat exposure, but it just really doesn't blow me away. I'll give it a three because I can see that it's ambitious and well produced. I don't know hate this album, but would just rather be listening to something else. I'm clearly missing something with this band but I'm unsure how much I care.

i love the rock.. i love the jazz.. 5 stars. Favorite track: Aja other picks: deacon blues, peg, home at last

Real quick, I was just telling the guys in the back about this piece of vinyl. It still holds up. A definite noine out of ten. Definitely on my top ten desert island albums, boff.

Utterly impeccable. And no wonder given the 40+ players – Wayne Shorter's sax on the title cut being the top contributor. But Becker's guitar work is a subtle standout on nearly every cut. The sweet, sophisticated langour of the opener sets a delicious tone. At once bemused and melancholy, jaded and wry. The ennui vibes delivered in jazz idioms with just gliterringly perfect production, is what makes the record. "Aja" is a monument to excellence in music making, and a high water mark not just in jazz-rock but any genre; it meanders and sprawls but every note makes sense. "Peg" is among the happiest and hookiest of any pop song, ever. "Home At Last" is severely underrated. "Deacon Blues" and "Josie" were among the sharpest and richest tracks they ever recorded (a high bar indeed). Music this good can feel like an opiate. It's a wonder that it sold so well.

i love steely dan

One of Steely Dan's best.

A few years ago I was reading an interview somewhere with the excellent artist Kurt Vile, who made the comment (paraphrasing) “anyone who loves music inevitably realizes that Steely Dan is the fucking shit.” Something like that. He’s right of course. I was thinking about giving this 4 stars, then I realized I’ve never listened to Aja and thought anything but “damn this is good”. I’m not sure why that wouldn’t qualify it for 5 stars. It’s so smooth, just absurdly tight playing through. There’s not really another album that sounds like Aja. The first three tracks are my favorites, but it’s excellent from start to finish.

One of the most iconic records of the 70s, for good reason. Every track here is superb.

Didnt finish but what i yeard was great

This is absolutely terrible. Generic-sounding pap. Nothing interesting.

Too much like yacht rock for me. Deacon Blues is ok but too long. Peg is better but in general all are too long. Some great musicianship but just not my type of music.

Excellent

A thoroughly enjoyable album, best one so far, very jazzy and nice to listen to.

Pretty good fusion album.Really enjoyed enjoyed deacon blues,home at last,got the news

8/10

Nothing stood out