Aja

its alright

Now I’ll admit that I have a lot of preconceived ideas regarding The Dan, and being ruinously hungover during the listen didn’t help, but man this didn’t do a single thing for me. Rather than fading into the background, it became a weird hum of annoyance for me like a blowfly buzzing round the room.

I am not this album's target audience. I'm not sure who is but it sounds like something I imagine rich people listened to on their fancy new CD players in 1986. 1 keeper in 7 (14)%. There isn't anything wrong with this album, it's just not for me. This might be King of the 1 Stars. 14

Absolute banger and if you disagree you can lick my balls

Can't be the only one who thought Steely Dan was just one guy.

Same thing I said the multiple other times we've had Steely Dan albums: they're very talented musicians, and the album is well produced, but it just does nothing for me.

They're geniuses. They were methodical beyond belief in the studio. They are also fucking dull.

Nice

Love this one

Not their best work but still very solid

I mean, what Steve albini said basically. Maybe this is technically pristine and cleverly sardonic but the way they take an approach to production makes ne nauseous. This album could convince me that I hate Music.

"Black Cow" and "I Got The News" are always in my rotation, as well as the De La Soul's reimagined version of "Peg", so four.

Quite funky, and an enjoyable listen. I dont think id go out of my way to listen to any of these songs, but as a progression of steely dan they are notable. Quite musically complex featuring many studio musicians gives the album a polished feel. Overall pretty good.

Interesante, un jazz rock bueno

Third Steely Dan album in three weeks. Kind of growing on me, wouldn't have expected to like this!

I caught the infection that every white dude gets when they're like 35 and I love Steely Dan now.

Hi I.Q rock/jazz. I think the older I get the more I appreciate Steely Dan. I have this album and like to listen to it with a snifter of brandy.

Chill

They dont make 'em like this anymore. Great album!

Wait... is all Steely Dan stuff this funky?? Asking for a friend...

So bloody smooth, a joyful listen that just flows so well!

A pleasant Sunday morning album with a book

4.7

Nice sax

I know I should be a diehard fan of Steely Dan because their music is ticking all the right boxes for me, but except for the occasional hood song (Peg), the album does nothing for me.

7/10

Feels very bland

5/5. The pinnacle of jazz rock and the point in which Becker and Fagen ‘perfected’ their music. Each song on Aja demonstrates the dedication to perfecting a song in the studio, and comes out polished and meticulous in every nuance. Great satirical lyricism, great solos, great grooves, and Fagen’s sneering voice glues it all together.

classic jazzy rock… sophisticated, darkly sarcastic lyrics, fun, incredible virtuously musicianship …. this sounds so East Coast… later by about 30 years it would be picked up and dubbed, “Yacht Rock” much fo Fagan’s adamant dismay and would be the archetype of which to measure other bands worthy of this newly minted genre.

For those who like Steely Dan, this is wonderful stuff.

peak

Riktigt fint album och positivt överraskad. Tycker om varenda låt, men favoriten är Deacon blues.

soft jazz rock, is really good

Pretty cool

What a beautiful masterpiece.

YESS

It s ok but not more sorry

Do I like Steely Dan? I can’t say I love it or that it’s my brand of music, but it’s not terrible. While listening, I couldn’t stop thinking, “Man, this is such a Jon album.” Maybe I just love Jon or something…

Went into this blind, I had only listened to a few steely dan songs but this is so good. I love jazz rock

I really just started tomlisten to Steely Dan a bit in the 5-10 years. I picked up a few of their most famous albums, incuding Aja, from some bargain bin somewhere. While I loved Can’t But a Thrill, I really have trouble connecting with Aja. Ok, smooth jazz or whatever. Has it grown on me after a few listens? No.

Voll Geil, ka öb das als jazz zellt aber finds eig mega entspannt

Steely Dan has a very consistent vibe, so I can understand that some people may really not like this. In fact I don’t love all the tracks myself, but there is enough variety of tempo that I found a few tracks in here that I truly enjoy. Peg is the high point for me. But generally I don’t hate any of it and really like some, so overall it’s a success for me.

So smooth, silky smooth. Smooth like silk.

So meticulously crafted and unfettered by emotional content that the only thing missing is the sound of my dentist's drill. I've tried, seriously, for decades to understand what people hear in this. There are jazz and yacht rock albums that I adore; so it's not prejudice against the sound. To these ears, the songwriting and performances aren't just self-indulgent, they're overtly self-satisfied. Peg is amazing; which only makes the schmaltz that occupies the rest of the album harder to accept. I was going to give it two stars for Peg, but, honestly, I Got the News is such a horrid listening experience that I couldn't do it.

Classic album.

So so good- probably just misses out on a 5

Maybe a 2 not too bad but wouldnt add any

not bad

Pretty good, but holy crap there’s a lot of Steely Dan in this project

Funky and full of melodic surprises. Beautiful harmonies and fun baselines throughout the album. Overall a great listen. Album highlight: Deacon Blues

Hate ‘em or love ‘em, no one was doing it like Steely Dan was, and if they were, it was a poor imitation. They were perfectionists and it’s evident in their work. I was grooving to this album and my love for them grows with each listen. Those Michael McDonald backing vocals give me such a boost of serotonin. 4.5 Top tracks: Peg, Home At Last, I Got the News, Josie

Final Steely Dan album of the 70s. Fine for a closer. Some tracks are too long.

I felt like the songs dragged and while the album was basically full length, there were only 7 tracks.

It’s very close to the “all killer, no filler” standard. A ton of songs that would make a Steely Dan greatest hits album, everything is good, it doesn’t all sound the same, but it all sounds like Steely Dan.

Mild

I just don’t get how people can dislike Steely Dan It’s crazy how they tread that line of being technically difficult music while also still sounding light and catchy. Black Cow is a good start, catchy and even though I honestly don’t know what it means it’s a nice song. The title track is really cool, wish it went on a bit longer. Peg is definitely the best track on this one, ridiculously catchy and has some great, unique instrumentation. As always Fagen’s vocals are exactly what music like this needs and the remaining musicians do exactly what they need to do I think it’s a bit frontloaded and the non hits can kinda blend into each other. Even though Peg’s a great song, it’s not quite at the level of the top tracks on Can’t Buy a Thrill, and the floors a bit lower as well I don’t this ones quite a 5, though it’s an easy 9/10. It’s just objectively good music; if I listen to this one a couple times and learn to appreciate the rest of this album this could be an easy 5. Thank you Steely Dan

I have a soft spot for this brand of jazzy rock and positive associations with Steely Dan, so I loved listening to this in its entirety and will be revisiting it. Very strong 4.

I thought this was gonna be my first time listening to a Steely Dan album. I thought that until the title track played and I’m like oohhhhh I did already check them out before. I think that, to me, is perfectly mid.

I've been aware of this album for a while but never really thought I'd enjoy it. Well, I did. Immediately with some groove, tight throughout, maybe slightly let down by the lyrics in places, but I remain impressed. Maybe not changed, but impressed.

the gang goes to a jazz show on the cruise ship

2.5

Great listen. Chill vibes with great guitar

Good tunes fun drums. Stand out track - Peg

This was really crap and boring, I know I was in a bad mood but this was really nothing at all for me.

The most interesting part of this for me was hearing the stuff that was sampled on much more interesting songs, which is to say I found it kinda bland. I always thought Steely Dan might be one of those bands I hadn't listened to but could get into but unfortunately this ain't doing it for me sorry.

Yep ... its another Steely Dan album.

So. SO so so boring. There's no "there" there. Soulless. An endless sea of khaki, polo shirts, shoulder pads, and aquanet at an 80s cocktail lounge. the equivalent of a white bread and unsalted margarine sandwich. So much musical competence to make an hour of music that has so little to offer. I'm not mad. I'm disappointed.

Just couldn't get into it.

I liked this. It was smooth easy background listening music. Unfortunately, nothing stood out to me. I was waiting for one song to really catch me, but it never came. It was all just good, nothing great.

Good stuff. I like earlier albums better but this was good. As always incredible guitar work. Great sound engineering.

+1 for the sax solo about 2/3 through Aja. It's so seamless and flows. I guess that whole song is iconic. As for the rest, it was smooth but just like with peanut butter, a little more crunch would have added more flavor.

There might not be more precise musicians/producers than Steely Dan. Their attention to detail is incredible. But at the end of the day, this is still 70's light rock and for me there is a ceiling on how much I can enjoy this. Another case of me respecting the artist a bit more than I actually like their work.

Amazing Dedicated instrumental sections The audio engineering on this is too good

Outstandingly catchy. Love Deacon Blues

1.9/5 I seem to not really like Steely Dan. The music's fine but it's just not my cup of tea

My first Steely Dan album and I was a little underwhelmed. All sounded the same to me although Deacon Blues was nice.

Everything I expected from a steely Dan album

Maybe the most confusing album I’ve reviewed to date. It’s incredibly beige-y yacht rock/jazz/fusion muzak that is so impeccably produced and performed that I ended up enjoying myself anyways. Even though the songwriting was forgettable and mostly bland, the instruments were legible and crisp, the chord progressions were interesting, and everything came together crystal clear. It was like a bowl of Michelin starred chicken noodle soup. Incredible but it’s still just chicken noodle soup. 7/10 Favorites: - Black Cow - Aja - Home At Last

This album was a vibe, nothing crazy or spectacular, just solid instrumentation that is perfect for cooking, cleaning, doing work at the computer, etc.

I wrote something here but this website crashed and I can't be asked to rewrite all that. Tldr: It's good

The sounds and musicianship are insanely good, but there is something lacking

I really liked this album. Transports you to the 70s.

Very clean but slightly weak songs.

smooth

Groovy comme il faut super !

It reminded me of something like a lounge band from a bygone era. Definitely no bangers but it was easy listening. It's also my dad's favorite band so I can't exactly give a low rating!

I like dad rock.

I love seeing classic albums like this. I know this one and it's a radio staple. The deep cuts are fun to discover and the sound - oh, the sound. It is immaculately produced and the Japanese LP that I have of this sounds downright pristine - Like only a 70s album can. Highly rated, and for good reason.

Mf doom sampled the first song, felt like a sleeper agent

All time

Love Steely but not my favorite album of them

holy cow - Jimmy Smith to Ministry to Steely Dan?! What in the what. haha. but this is a vibe and I enjoy it for a fall afternoon, cleaning the house vibe

This was an incredibly chill album and I enjoyed it a lot. I will absolutely be listening to this again and maybe more Steely Dan stuff.

I was already familiar with Donald Fagen's work after listening to the Nightfly, and I gotta say, this did not disappoint. This was a fun album mixing two genres together I didn't think was possible. I will be revisiting this.

This was between 4-5, but I’m in a good mood. I’m very quickly becoming a big Steely Dan fan 🤩

yasis

I LOVE STEELY DAN

I don’t get it at all. Boring.

i ACTIVELY disliked this 1.5 bc its not like horrible horrible just horrible to my ears

First one I got to go to my record shelf for. Magnificent album, probably top 10 for Peg alone