The Nightfly

Very boring but not actively bad. At least it was short ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Easy listening. 7/10

Good stuff. Easy listening but layered with interesting stuff.

This album is like a musical sleep aid that combines the most boring aspects of jazz, weak pop, and all the dullness of rock music into one unexciting package. Whether you’re listening in lossless format or as background noise on a distorted phone line, the result is the same: you’re just wishing it would end soon while your mind begs for something, anything, more stimulating.

Great album

80s jazz-pop hell. Apparently the first album to be recorded entirely digitally. Sounds completely sterile.

Not really for me, bit too 80s

5 estrelas , importancia historica tecnologica. E claro, musical.

I figured I would start getting at least one album from Steely Dan on this list. I did not expect that their frontman and keyboardist, Donald Fagen, would also have a solo album on the list. During the group's short breakup in the early 1980s, Fagen pursued a solo career, taking advantage of new-at-the-time digital recording technology and multiple session musicians to carve his path separate from longtime collaborator Walter Becker. The resulting album from those sessions was The Nightfly, a jazz-pop record that's autobiographical, inspired by Fagen's suburban childhood. Now, the shift in style doesn't seem that far removed from what Steely Dan were doing by the end of the previous decade, but it does sound pristine with the multiple instruments arranged and layered neatly through such bolstered production. I get why this album gets used for testing out recording studio equipment; it just sounds that good to begin with. Some personal highlights of mine include "New Frontier" with the shuffle beat led by Fagen's synthesizer play accompanied by the prominent cowbell, the cover of the Drifters' "Ruby Baby" with the busy sway with organ swell, and horn arrangements, and the electric piano swagger of "Green Flower Street". Sure, this album could be approached from the perspective that the stakes are lower with the simpler subject matter in the lyrics and more laid-back arrangements that border on lounge music. But given the amount of intricate detail that can be found in the instrumental compositions, I'd say there's more to The Nightfly such that this album could grow on me. I consider this record a nice surprise to find.

Adult Contemporary. Some interesting stuff, but even more sterile than Steely Dan. Exceptions: I.G.Y. wiht it's new-wave tinged funk, "New Frontier" which has a very soothing melodic chord progression - I could listen to this all day - a kind of pulsing 16th note rhythm underneath the signature Fagan smooth vocals. And finally "The Goodbye Look," this pseudo-carribean thing that is just silly. Overall not as awesome as Steely Dan, still pretty good. No rough edges, sometimes you need this. Yacht rock!

Didn't hate it but in no rush for a second listen. Pretty consistent start to finish.

Makes me wish I was listening to Steely Dan.

Not for me 1/5

Really liked the sound of this album. So it gets a 4. I hope this pisses off the snobs.

Very easy listening, soft rock vibes, but not in a bad way. Surprised this guy is from Steely Dan, since I’m not a fan of theirs but I didn’t mind this.

somehow it does feel like a Steely Dan album *but at night*. I actually really liked the first song (I.G.Y.)

First impression: bit of a joe Walsh vibe Second thought: definitely a j geils band typa thing going on Third thought: wait this sounds like steely dan. I think this is steely dan guy. And it was steely dan guy

Soft music makes soft people

Altfor glatt pg åttitalls

This feels like a watered-down, overly polished version of Steely Dan — all the slick production, none of the edge. If you’re a Steely Dan fan and thought, “What if this sounded cheesier and less interesting?” — well, this is the album for you. The whole thing is soaked in that unmistakable early ’80s gloss: synthetic drums, clean-as-a-whistle horns, and a general vibe that sounds like the background music in a corporate training video. The musicianship is solid — it is Donald Fagen, after all — but the soul just isn't there. That said, the title track is legitimately great. It's the one moment where the smooth production actually works in the album's favor — nostalgic, well-written, and atmospheric in all the right ways. But aside from that, most of the album blurs together in a sea of sterile grooves and elevator-funk. If you're here for Steely Dan’s sharp wit and gritty cool, The Nightfly will leave you wanting. Two stars for effort and one standout track

Started off liking this album, but the longer it went on, the more often I checked the time. The songs are too long, which is impressive on a 38min album, made it feel twice as long.

I really liked this album! Not my normal genre, but really great music.

Music for the waiting room between purgatory and hell. Boring, smooth, dumb lyrics…it’s got it all! Technically competent, like all of this man’s output.

Another album to feed into my little Steely Dan phase. Favorite track: The Nightfly 3.5/5

Did not like, instrumental wasgood but the lyrics were nott

As a 20 something in the early 80s, I had a disdain for Steely Dan. My boss told me to just wait awhile and I'll appreciate it. He was right! Love this album by a phenomenal artist.

Was not expecting these jazzy vibes. Expressive, colourful vocals. I love the dissonant harmonies and layered backing vocals. Soulful. Reminds me of a musical and makes me want to dance. The songs are long but not boring.

A pretty nice listen. Sounds pretty similar to Sterly Dan, unsurprisingly I like the little jazzy flourishes and the subtle synths, that gives it a bit more character than other soft rock of this type It doesn't change up that much so it kind of blends together after a point. At least it isn't too long Good, not great Highlights: Green Flower Street, I.G.Y., New Frontier

This sounds like every other song playing at Walgreens.

From the opening keyboard riff of leadoff track “I.G.Y.” I immediately thought of marshmallows — soft, white, squishy, uniformly without blemish and ultraprocessed as hell. Totally not my thing but I recognize its qualities. Not surprisingly it has been sampled extensively.

Definitely different!

I like this even less than Steely Dan. I didn't know that was possible.

Boring. Maybe the initial synth and computer generated sounding stuff was original at the time but this ain’t it for me.

El álbum más ochentero que he escuchado en mi vida. Producción impecable, una agrupación de músicos supervirtuosos, y ese organillo típico del pop de su época por doquier. Un pop supersuave, con toques de jazz, unas líneas de bajo que se te calan por todo el cuerpo, y una atmósfera etéreo-sintética (?), por decirlo de alguna manera. Un álbum perfecto para conducir de noche, pero que no arriesga un pelo y que acaba por no decir nada. Me parece muy revelador que su nota en este sitio sea exactamente 3. Es exactamente lo que merece.

Not too bad.

Not Steely Dan, but still solid fun

Maybe the real steely Dan heads can tell the difference between them and this solo project, but you could’ve fooled me. I always find it funny when an artist leaves a band to do solo stuff that sounds the exact same. Like the other Steely we’ve had, this was fine.

This has a slightly jazzier feel than most Steely Dan music. I think the songs are very good and the muscianship is excellent. Definitely appeals to Steely Dan fans but not sure he expands that audience. High 4 from me.

Yeah this just sounds like Steely Dan but I'm not mad about it! Essential? No but this was a fun and easy listen.

thank god, i had just been thinking that the 4 steely dan albums on the list weren't enough representation for Donald fagen, but luckily they made sure to include this inoffensive and bland masterpiece. I'm sure the introduction to fagen's solo work is a big day for any steely dan fan, who can then amaze and astound all of their yawning friends with the bombshell that they aren't actually hearing "The Dan" but rather donald fagen all on his lonesome, with all of the verve and charisma that we've all come to expect from an expert steely dan fan

Nem rossz de monoton, chill

The Nightfly sounds a bit (A LOT in places!) like an ultra-slick jazzier version of Steely Dan minus one member not to imply it's anywhere as good as any of Steeley Dan's 9 studio albums but it very much has that vibe. Nothing really grabbed me about the album (the electric piano playing is a highlight) but nothing made want to stop listening (even if I hate smooth jazz shit) in fact at times it seemed to just become one with the background, faceless & just always there. It's an exceptionally well recorded album too bad the material is as MOR as it gets. Painfully inoffensive, bachelor pad/party music for yuppies circa early 1980s. Listen to it or don't you decide- I don't care -neither decision will have much impact on anything. Who wants a line? _______________________________________ Don't like my grade? Fair enough. You grade it. 5/5 If you subscribed to The Wall Street Journal in 1983 and "The Dan" was your favorite band in college. 4/5 If you're from Passaic, New Jersey. 3/5 Only because it's so annoyingly well recorded. 2/5 If really well recorded records don't mean all that much too you. 1/5 If you were really hoping to get a Pantera album but the generator has a warped sense of humor.

Well made. Great attention to detail. Perfection is boring. In one ear and out the other. Steely Dan already has 4 albums on the list, which is already too much. This doesn't need to be there as well. Same issue I have as with Steely Dan is, I don't understand the purpose of this music. On what occasion would you want to play this? I can't think of any. Favorite song: new frontier.

Surprised how yacht rock this is. Professionalism, check. Skills, check. Mix, check. Boring, check. Nuclear armageddon and he just wants to bang a chick he's eyeing? Please.

Although I found it banal it started off melodically strong and then my interest waned halfway through. I liked it better than I thought. It’s pretty much a 2.5 but heyho!

Such a well produced album. My brother got this album when it first was released and I recall not digging it at first. Since, I have grown to love this album and respect the effort put into it's production. All the instruments have great tone and sit perfectly in the mix. It's probably a five but since my brother liked it so much, I had to knock it down a notch.

Here's another that fell into the 3.5 range for me. I'm a sucker for Fagen's studio chops and jazz-infused compositions and stylings. The album sounds great, and Fagen's distinctive voice makes this a bit difficult to tell apart from a Steely Dan album. I'm bumping it to a 4 because I enjoyed the sound and the vibe, and while the songs didn't quite captivate me like the bulk of Steely Dan's repertoire, I was groovin' to this from start to finish.

I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. I'm not the biggest Steely Dan fan, but this one worked for me. I particularly liked Maxine, though I found every song hit its mark. I'm between a 3 and a 4 on this, but I'll round up to 4 just 'cause.

This album really brings home that Donald Fagan was the driving sound behind Steely Dan.

Still a little too Steely Dan for me, but it's aight.

Not bad. I don’t mind his style and sound in small doses but lose interest over a whole album. Low end of 3 for me.

It’s pretty good

Chillin thats what we doing.

Bad

I love steely dan, and also live this as well.

Some decent Yacht Rock here

01) I.G.Y. - 7,5 02) Green Flower Street - 7,5 03) Ruby Baby - 6,5 04) Maxine - 7,0 05) New Frontier - 7,5 06) The Nightfly - 7,5 07) The Goodbye Look - 6,5 08) Walk Between Raindrops - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,13 (71/100) Current ranking: 309/535

Very 80s, I like IGY

If music was a colour, this would be beige....but a particularly dull version of beige. I'm sure it has an audience, but it certainly isn't me!

Now this is more like it! I’ve been listening to and loving this album for decades. My go to if testing out new hi-fi equipment as the sound quality/production are second to none. The first and best of Fagens album triology apparently telling so sort of story only he knows! This is first class and should be on everybodies list

Smoother than my brain

steely dan

2 stars. I thought I'd like it more considering the guy is part of Steely Dan.

I wanted to put 5 just to infuriate you. Lol

Lesser Steely Dan? This was OK but it seems a bit too slick, over-produced and it also has a slight taint of an 80's vibe. Too synth-y and electric.

I think I like most genres of music but I really struggle with country and this kind of 80s rock(?) I'm hoping to find some stuff that might change my mind from this list BUT this album really doesn't help. There were some moments that I thought sounded good but they were very short lived. About 30 albums in and this is my first 1. 2/10

Steely Don, New Recipe! All the gas, a fraction of the sugar.

It is fine, but not really my thing.

Nice pop, 4/5

downright saccharine by One Of The Masterminds Behind Steely Dan standards! impartially im fully aware that this probably makes the record less distinct and specific, but to no one's surprise it also makes it a bit more inherently to my own tastes...and honestly knowledge of steely dan writ large doesnt even undercut the sweet uncomplicated optimism, it feels like a conscious break from the norm or even an aspirational character of sorts being played by fagen (esp because he does have some amount of causticness just inherently in the timbre of his voice). i hear some of my own moments of mental and social oasis all thru this uninnovative but very cozy and easily lovable record...im not sure if id end up preferring this to steely dan on the whole, but id likely be in the mood for it more frequently!

Ruby doesn’t like you Don, just let it go man. I’m not convinced, Maxine likes you either, she’s not holding out til grad, she’s just doesn’t want you bc you make weird Muzak. Green Flower Street was good everything else gear was a tough listen. 2 stars

Easy listening while working. Didn’t find this to be particularly special or note worthy, but it was nice.

Benefitting from a nostalgia bump, but still enjoyed the listen

Fav: I.G.Y. Least Fav: Green Flower Street Yeah I’m not surprised this was a Steely Dan solo project

Eh

Basically, it’s Steely Dan. Brilliant musician. Not my thing

2.5/5

Superb!

Great album especially if you like Fagen's work with Steely Dan. Standout tracks were I.G.Y and New Frontier.

I really like the music. You can hear that the musicianship and production in every song. The problem is the lyrics. It's just a lot of yuppie melancholy and that's not for me. I'd love to have a version that had no lyrics as is this is not for me. 1.75/5.

Fine album.

The juice is always worth the squeeze: beneath The Nightfly's manicured production and effortless cool lies a pure heart that defies its meticulous creation.

Another one that reminds me of my Dad.

Almost a seamless continuation from Steely Dan. 4/5

Jeez, this is pure 1982. Feels like these sounds were widely emulated in movies and television. It was everywhere. The influence this had was significant. Even if it skews a bit too modern jazz for my taste, the work is clear. I don’t hate this, but I don’t particularly like a lot of it. Kind of wish some of this was just instrumental. IGY is still really good, though.

Peak 80s R&B

This album is so dull, it makes Microsoft Excel look exciting.

Nice relaxing vibes, quite jazzy 4/5

FUCKKKK YEAAHHHHHHHH

Polished, overproduced pop jazz. Meh. Not really noteworthy at all.

4.5

3/5

A smooth easy listening jazz rock/ yacht rock project. The super clean, sleek production often veers into over produced but surprisingly it didn’t bother me too much. The tracks are well made and and the performances are super solid, the songs themselves are unfortunately quite forgettable but the album creates a nice vibe. Inoffensive, slightly boring at points but not generally something I’d be disappointed in. 3/5

pretty cool right????!!!!!11111111111

meio chill e gostosinho de ouvir mas nada não é nada de mais

album bem gostoso de ouvir, não cheguei a prestar muita atenção ent vou ouvir dnv pra ver se gosto, mas não agora quero ganhar dinheiro sem trabalhar 7/10

Não gostei muito não, me deu vontade de escutar Steely Dan e não Donald Fagen. Não tenho nem faixas para destacar por que é um album bem sem graça, na grande parte da minha escuta eu prefiria 1000 vezes que tivesse somente o instrumental sem o vocal, a banda tem seu talento mas é ofuscado pelo cara que tem a voz que não acompanha a melodia, deixando esse blues esquisito e bem cafona (deixar o blues mais cafona ainda parabéns zé). Recomendo para ninguém que tenha paciencia ou o minimo de respeito ao seus ouvidos, é foda como um album desses pode ser colocado tão alto assim pelos criticos, americanos no caso, onde o jazz concerteza tem mais espaço do que um samba. Passarei longe de quaisquer outro album solo do meu mano Fagen, que fique somente no Steely Dan e nunca mais invente de fazer outro album murcho como esse.

I.G.Y is the most 80s song imaginable...and I'm realizing that the crappy 80s pop song is basically all Steely Dan's fault. This is like if Huey Lewis and News lost their edge, which is really saying something. The synth on this is overwhelming...this is like if 80s Stevie Wonder was a middle aged white man. Rock critics, even when it's just one guy, they can't keep their boner down for Steely Dan. This is just a Steely Dan album without Walter Becker, sounds the same, same vibe. It was the 80s because the music has a Michael Jackson feel as well. This is awful, this album makes Steely Dan look like the Rolling Stones. Thankfully this album is less than 40 minutes long. Maxine is one of the worst songs I've ever heard. If someone told me this was a joke album I would believe it. This is like Randy Newman with synthesizers. The Goodbye Look sounds like the marimba setting on a keyboard. Seriously, Walk Between Raindrops has a preset melody from a keyboard too. I bet Donald Fagen programmed all of them. This is aggressively white music.

Smooth jazz. So smooth that it falls right out after you hear it, and you can't remember a note.

Really liked this, 4/5.

I knew this was Steely Dan adjacent immediately which is great for me! A really fun album, definitely want to listen to it again.

This was ghastly.

I like Steely Dan, but not Donald Fagan as a solo artist. Maybe it’s really a 2.

The Nightfly has a great rock and jazz sound that kept me entertained and eager for more. Truth be told, this album sounds like a bunch of Steely Dan B sides that didn’t make the album cut. Maybe that means the album wasn’t as creative, and I enjoy Steely Dan’s music more on the whole, but I had a good time anyway. Oh and it was way more synth-y than Steely Dan too—I mention this not because I dislike synth but I was very amused. 3.5

I had never heard any Donald Fagen solo music before, but I went into this pretty excited to hear music from a cofounder of Steely Dan. Once the album started and I heard a somewhat familiar Steely Dan-esque yacht rock sound, I remained hopeful. But man, at the end of the day, this was just okay. Just average. It does still pretty much fit the bill of yacht rock throughout most of the album and was at least baseline enjoyable because of this, but the album is really missing the spark and the magic that makes both yacht rock and Steely Dan so great. So yeah, this was okay. It didn't hit quite like I had hoped it would, but it was a nice listen.

Very eh

Blije relaxte jarentachtigfunk, er wordt vrolijk op los getoeterd zonder al te veel pretentie. Het klinkt me niet al te baanbrekend, maar best leuk en er werd in deze periode wel slechter gemaakt. Ik lees dat het een van 's werelds eerste digitaal geproduceerde albums was, en dat resulteert dan ook in een kraakhelder geluid.

Lekker jaren '80. Wel weer één waar ik mij niet zo aan erger. We zijn er al een paar tegengekomen. De vergeetbare jaren '80 platen. Op zich knap. Maar ik noteer toch gewoon die 3.

Ik vraag me bij het zien van het album of ik hier iets van ga kennen. En dan begint het eerste nummer. Aaah, dit nummer. Ja, dit is alsof Steely Dan in de jaren 80 is beland. En Steely Dan kan ik altijd goed waarderen. Het behoudt dezelfde relaxte vibe, met natuurlijk het karakteristieke Donald Fagen stemgeluid, en nu met jaren 80 synths toegevoegd. Het heeft ook iets weg van Hall & Oates. Ik vind het zoals gewoonlijk weer erg fijn klinken, maar de vraag is wel in hoeverre dit wat toevoegt aan de lijst. Er staan al 4 Steely Dan albums in en om dan ook nog eens een solo-album toe te voegen, lijkt mij weer een gevalletje van de gebruikelijke overkill, die we helaas veel te vaak zien in deze snoblijst. Vier sterretjes voor de kwaliteit, maar helaas een strafpunt voor de overbodigheid. Al luister ik dan wel weer liever 10 overbodige albums van deze kwaliteit dan 1 nieuw slecht album als charlie XCX of die toverkol FKA twigs die we pas geleden hadden.

Hablar de Donad Fagen es hacerlo de Walter Becker, es decir Steely Dan. UN estilo en sí mismo: calidad y perfeccionismo a raudales. Seguro que has escuchado sus discos alguna vez , además sin saberlo. Los ponen los técnicos de sonido en las pruebas de los conciertos. Este debut en solitario sigue los mismo parámetros del duo. IGY es un estupendo inicio. Maxine y The nightfly son otras de las destacadas. ¿Más de lo mismo? Por supuesto.

As another reviewer so succinctly wrote: "It's music." I concur and rate it the same as that reviewer did.

JCPenney background music is an excellent descriptor.

Nice album. 80s feel with a Steely Dan twist

Sounded like Steely Dan….but wasn’t quite. Missing a certain I don’t know what. Still okay enough.

Overly dramatic early 80’s easy listening at its best. Fantastic album for grocery shopping, elevators, and Sunday after church buffets. Vanilla but enjoyable.

Ok

Didn't leave much of an impression

Bland

80s jazz pop is an adequate descriptor

Спокойная нейтральная музыка

Booooooring

Some dece yacht rock

Le petit côté jazz avec des synthétiseurs ne m'a pas tellement interpellée.

This is probably a cringe analogy, but since I don't care about vocals, finding a great pop album is like a legendary gacha pull for me. I find one at a rate of about one a year... and I guess this year is now locked in. When I heard the first track, I thought there was no way any other song here would be on the same level, but then it just kept going. This album could be carried by atmosphere alone. I think it goes for a similar vibe to Japanese city pop, but unlike most city pop, actually achieves it. It's smooth, jazzy, and lush in a best possible way, with even some elements of rock sprinkled in when it's most appropriate. This is not my preferred atmosphere (I like something more heavy or energetic), but the effectiveness of the way this album achieves it deserves praise. And the production is just unmatched. This is one of the most clean and well produced albums I've ever heard, with its incredibly orchestral arrangements and vocals that, instead of overpowering the instruments like it usually is in pop, actually add something to the composition and sound fantastic. 9/10

i like it! kinda groovy, fun, whimsical

High 2 but a creepy hybrid of Manilow, Hall & Oates, and ELO doesn't come off for me despite decent moments

One of the iconic album covers that was in every record shop in the 80s. Meh ... Dreary rubbish

As a big Steely Dan fan, this album is right up my listening wheelhouse.

Feels very 80s, vaguely familiar, and yet not that special.

A couple songs stand out but reissued bland steely dan record.

Elevator music

Today I found out I've gone my whole life thinking Steeleye Span and Steely Dan were the same band. This album is by Donald Fagan, who was highly connected with the latter and perhaps has never even heard of the former. This album is full of beautifully produced songs. But they are also kind of vapid and bland. I don't feel Ruby Baby is truly about a wonderful woman; this version is about saxophones, piano fills and studio tweaking. This is in huge contrast to the Drifters' original, which is full of charm and really feels like a friend telling you about their exciting new catch. This trend continues with Maxine (yes I get it, you can play the piano and sing in harmony). New Frontier skirts dangerously close to muzak. And that's kind of what this is: generic background listening for a fairly bland hotel bar. Fine.

Just seems so cheesy....!

This album feels like how I imagine the 80s want to be remembered, in the future they hoped to have. The production on this album is so incredibly clean, the tracks are fun, and there's a consistent quality throughout. Even the album art is great, and perfectly in keeping with the mood of the songs. I definitely ended up enjoying this one. Favorite track: "New Frontier" (Some of the lyrics are relevant to me, a nice bonus)

Really good. Reminds me of Steely Dan but more jazzy. Fun lyrically and musically.

Wow. Generic sexy-time music. Boring!

A+

Nothing special.

Chill vibes, loved it

als cover en songs mijlenver uit elkaar liggen... gepolijst tot er echt geen enkele braam meer aanhangt... soort mannelijke celine dion terwijl de cover iets meer tom waits (koning van bramen, blutsen en builen) suggereerde

I had no idea Donald made solo records, but they truly just sound like a slightly slicker Steely Dan record. As expected, I enjoyed most of the songs here.

Not a fan unfortunately it does nothing for me.

Leuk hoor

I don't mind me a bit of yacht rock but this got pretty sleepy

This sounds great and is relaxing but doesn't make me feel any emotion. It's like 80s lounge music. 4/5

This is my first time hearing of Donald Fagen, who was part of Steely Dan. Overall, I liked this album, but it definitely fits the yacht rock stereotype. That being said, if I ever found myself on a yacht and this was playing, I wouldn’t complain. I’m still getting more familiar with Steely Dan’s music, but this album seems to have some of the same characteristics, except it feels more lounge like and laid back, like something you’d put on while relaxing. I don’t know if Sophisti-Pop had fully developed as a genre when this came out, but the smooth jazz rock sound definitely reminds me of it.

Still magnificent

MOlt bon àlbum, jazz-pop-funk dels 80

This is the 58th album I’m rating. I’ve listened to Steely Dan but never to any of his solo stuff but I think this’ll be great. Adding to my Playlist - I.G.Y., Green Flower Street, Ruby Baby, Maxine, New Frontier, The Nightfly, The Goodbye Look, and Walk Between Raindrops. Not Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. All in all I liked 8/8 songs. Very fun and very jazzy. A lot more fun than Hitler.

Cheesemonger.

fagen tedious

One of my favorite albums of all time. I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World) was the song that brought most of us to the album. I'm so glad that I liked the song so much that I bought the album... it immediately appealed to me. Favorite tracks: IGY, New Frontier, Maxine, Ruby Baby, Green Flower Street, The Goodbye Look, Walk Between the Raindrops, and The Nightfly. Rating: 5/5 (Brilliant) By the way... I.G.Y. = "International Geophysical Year" July 1957 to December 1958.

Well-produced jazz-pop. Impressive variety of instrumentation. The less structured bits are delightful but some tracks wear out their welcome with bland lyrical repetition. It was difficult to really connect emotionally though because of the lack of emotional in the vocals, and the mixing didn’t do any favors here either…was straining at times to discern lyrics. Listened to: on bus to Providence. Favorite track: New Frontier

What an album this is. A concept album about a teenager in the late fifties/early sixties. Key lyrical themes are the promise of a techno-utopian future with flying cars, space stations and undersea train travel (IGY, the New Frontier), late night radio (the title track), and the opposite sex (Ruby, The Goodbye Look, Walk Between Raindrops). All of this wrapped up in immaculate jazz-tinged pop played by some of the best session musicians to ever walk the earth. One of those few albums that from first note to last unfolds with utter conviction. And fantastically produced. I could go on...oh and Fagan looks utterly cool on the cover.

Yeah. As you would have guessed, sounds like Steely Dan.

I feel like I’ve just been on hold for 38 minutes.

It was a fun surprise that this was Steely Dan

of mikið easy-listening fyrir minn smekk. ábyggilega voða vel spilað og tekið upp en hálfdautt eitthvað.

Now that your kids are all grown up and off at university, it's just you and the wife at home. Things are comfortable, but dare you admit... uninspired? You're so entwined as a couple that you feel like you've lost some of your own personality. A little bit of your own spark. Time to challenge that! The wife has just taken up a new pilates class, so here's your chance to stay home and have some proper 'me' time. Pull on that sensible cardigan, break out the comfy slippers, and treat yourself to some alone time with Donald Fagen. Cup of tea to match, or pint of bitter if you're feeling a bit saucy. Go on, nod along and let that foot tap in time, be a bit extravagant. You still have a fire burning deep within you.

It’s like he wanted to prove he could make a Steely Dan album all by himself.

It doesn't feel like it's a record that stands for anything, just pleasantries that appeal to the most general audience possible.

Upper class cafe music, but I do like it...giving city-pop vibe. It's good to listen to this music for some petty-bourgeois sentimental activity...such a pity I'm not that kind of person. I still like it, you can tell it's influence on modern city pop. Beautiful.

I.G.Y. // The Nightfly //

I'm sure I've had my haircut to this album. Dad insists he'd gladly have his throat cut to it.

I don’t hate this and I don’t hate steely dan but I can’t see many people jumping up and saying… OH MY GOD DONALD FAGEN FROM STEELY DAN HAS A SOLO CAREER!!! THIS IS A MUST LISTEN!!! The album’s… nice that’s the best way to say it… nice. I can see the appeal but I can’t see any excitement, I’m not sure about this album but I know steely dan had rather strenuous recording sessions for their albums and I can see that being the case again it’s ‘crisp’ but theres no peaks or drops, just left thinking okay 3/5

Okay funky I like Favs: IGY Maxine New frontier The night fly

I was expecting this to be just as amazing as Aja, but most of it sounded like it should be played at the Copa Cabana or in Mario odyssey. That being said, it’s still Donald Fagen, so it won’t be getting anything less than 4/5. Standouts: - I.G.Y (4.5/5) - New Frontier (4.5/5)

Dry jazzy strong sounds and interesting album

interessante, a un certo punto diventa anche Sting

Heel nice!

Well worthwhile as the eighth Steely Dan album. A difficult concept to pull off, the sound of futuristic ‘60s in the ‘80s? Very clever, but even better execution.

New music frontier I did not need to experience

p494. 1982. 2 stars. No denying he can knock out a decent tune, and lyrically he's sharp, and technically it's flawless - but it's also soulless, and veers into hipster bar background noise far too often.

Silly smooth and billowy soft - leans hard into 80s production, pushing the sound as far as possible through perfectionist performance and recording, elaborate harmonies and complicated jazzy composition. My taste was formed valuing raw, direct and aggressive music - so polished convoluted and mellow sounds have been a challenge to learn to love. There's a detached wet irony and indulgent technophilia you have to respect if it ends up sounding like supermarket music.

I felt this album was relatively average. No great songs, but no songs I hated. Middle of the pack all around. Solid 2.5 Favorite Song: I.G.Y Least Favorite: The Goodbye Look

drei bis vier

Absolutely superb. Fagen is the sound of Steely Dan with the added ingredient of more buttery jazz mixed in. So laid back it's horizontal. Loved it.

I love Steely Dan but the best song on this album would be the sixth best song on Katy Lied or Pretzel Logic. I’ll take all the Dan I can get but this just isn’t doing it for me.

Es curioso que pese a haber oído dos veces entero el álbum casi no lo recuerde, pero bueno. Entretenido e ya. Canción destacada: I.G.Y.

Hmm. Imagine Steely Dan, but it's just the singer and some extremely over-produced and not particularly good yacht rock. This is that. It's the epitome of style over substance, but the style is stylish enough to make it fun for 39 minutes.

🛥️ rock

A well-played but ultimately pretty uninteresting album to listen to. I wouldn't be bothered by having the album on in the background, but doubt I'll ever come back to it myself.

Pretty forgettable. Steely Dan is always hit or miss for me. There are some cool arrangements here and there and couple songs are almost good, but some of these songs are just bad songs. Also the synths are really bad 80s cheesy synths.

Recognised the name, but can't remember what band he was in. No doubt the others in this group will tell me who it was. Though strangely enough though, the album was exactly what I expected it to be. That said, I enjoyed it. Easy listening (very) soft rock done well. Got to be worth a very mediocre 3.

Started off as inoffensive easy listening, but the further into the album it just became awkward. Lyrics crowbarred in a jazzy style over the cheapest bontempi organ in town.

I shall paint a vignette of a scene in the making of the album. 'There they all are, Donald's curated set of professional musicans in the studio, sitting in a circle, smiling at each other in that knowing way, encouraging each other, and all deep in that vibe only musicians can get into, feeling that they are lovingly crafting a masterpiece for the ages. In the other room, behind the glass is sitting the sound engineers, he's not feeling it at all. He is questioning why he signed up for this gig. Aghast at what he his seeing and hearing, he had forgot to press record on the new fangled digital recording device, he gets up and walks out muttering someing like ' fucking pretentious musos'. When Donald and his merry crew go to check out the fruits of their labours, they are shocked to discover the empty room and nothing recorded. Unfortunately, they were never able to recreate that wanky vibe in all its hideous technicolour. Such a shame.

This thing reeked of Steely Dan as soon as I started it. This really is just American City Pop.

Perfect for the background Wasn't an actively unpleasant experience Don't want to listen to again

A solo album from a Steely Dan member? I really have a lot to listen to... This is a very good album. Nothing compared to the SD classics, but very enjoyable. Makes me think that everything this guy did is worth listening to. I'm giving it 4 stars today.

4.5 stars. Solo Donald Fagen just as groovy and smooth as Steely Dan. Album is short and sweet, great jazz-y take on pop. Clean sound, slick production. Standouts are leadoff "I.G.Y." and groovy "New Frontier"

It’s all white, I guess

I had to listen to this one twice, back-to-back! The first time purely for a nostalgic trip back to the mid-80's when I had this cassette tape on repeat in my car. The second time to truly listen to the story about youthful optimism, belief in science and technical innovation, and dreaming of how life will be better post the Atomic-age. We'll be eternally free and eternally young... how disappointed the protagonist must be with the US now.

Lovely record. Smooth and laid back

Move along nothing to see here just a steely Dan album under a different name

we have aja at home

WTAF. Bouncy jazz pop made on a Casio keyboard with the drums supplied by the same crappy keyboard. Meanwhile the singer is reciting the weekly shopping list with a voice that sounds like he's crooning to a bunch of coffin dodgers on a geriatric cruise round the Mediterranean. Why, oh why would anyone think this is a good idea?!? And why would anyone then (quite cruelly) follow this up by suggesting it's an album I must go hear before I die. Unless it's a "hey mate, listen to this shit album and have a real good laugh at it". Honestly. The only thing worth doing with this is gathering every single last copy (CD, cassette and vinyl) in the trash, before sending it into outer space and hope that the rocket explodes en route (with a certain POTUS on board as a added bonus). Absolutely dismal, almost hilariously so. Ps sorry for this not-so-passive aggressive rant, but I'm really enraged : This morning, walking to school, saw this bloke casually drop some litter on the ground. Meanwhile his kids are chomping on their breakfast, this being a highly nutritious packet of quavers. Seriously, what is wrong with people?

It's like someone bought 8 keyboards and pressed the demo button on each and was like, hey here's an idea!

Nightfly Shitefly. Dreadful. music for people who've given up on listening to anything challenging or interesting or fun. The antithesis of music that I like, but at least it contributed to the catalysis of music that I do like.

Classic Friday album: I've completely forgotten it by the time I come to review it on Monday. I don't think it was much of an anything. Weird harmonies: I bet Jacob Collier likes this album!

The kind of background music you'd have on whilst cooking a casserole. It's fine but dated, just like my Le Creuset.

kind of groovy but his voice is offputting

I didn't really realize how much I enjoyed Steely Dan's music before starting this album journey. I've had 3 SD albums before getting Fagen's solo debut. It's unfortunate, but this album lacks what very little edge Steely Dan had in the first place, so it comes across as easy listening. It's well produced, it just comes across as what it is: someone's solo efforts after being a part of a band who's sum is greater than it's parts. As of listening, this album is sitting at a perfectly balanced 3.0 rating. I can't think of any other time in the 500+ albums I've heard so far where I agreed with the consensus so much.

This is basically Steely Dan. If you like Steely Dan, you'll like this album. Best Songs: I.G.Y., The Nightfly Worst Songs: The Goodbye Look

Good vibes. Would make a great backdrop to the start of a party. Beats are nice, production is very clean. The songwriting is complex and not super catchy but I think this album would reward on multiple listens.

Pretty lame and boring, just listen to steely dan

This was sort of jazzy, which usually endears me to an album, but for some reason it ended up rubbing me the wrong way. Simultaneously boring and a little annoying. Maybe just not the right day for it. 2-3

4.25

Fun jazz pop, probably wouldn’t relisten but nice it exists

This album is the most boring thing bro.

5 stars. that’s it. this ate and left no crumbs. this cooked and served. and i’m only on the 3rd track as i’m writing this

OMG YES YES YES I JUMPED UP IN EXCITEMENT WHEN I SAW THIS ALBUM TODAY YES X Now the very professional review: I love the harmonies and the jazzy sound it’s just magical and groovy and so nice The bass on Green Flower Street and especially New Frontier oh my god The very professional conclusion: this is definitely one of the best 1001 albums out there if not one of the best 100 or 50, cheers people xx

Dan just isn’t the same without Steely… or is this steely?

Perfect with headphones

Solid album and calm vibes

Mellow.

This style of music fascinates me in a way that ancient Egypt fascinated people before the Rosetta stone. Absolutely nothing about this music speaks to me. It's almost in a foreign language, yet it was somehow popular, even played on the radio?! And still is to a section of the population. Pop culture really hit a weird twist with yacht rock. And this album is the yachtiest of yacht rock. I feel like this is music for people who thought Billy Joel was too "ethnic". I will never understand this and I will judge people who do. Completely fascinating though.

This was my first time hearing this. Based on the lovely cover I was expecting something completely different. The first track was great but the rest of it disappoints. Of course, the music is tight and production is close to perfection (which also makes it kinda boring). But I just can’t stand the vocals. This cabaret, Elvis Costello like style annoys me to no end. 2/5

never listened to any donald fagen on his own but enjoyed this. all new songs to me, new frontier stuck out

This is the most interesting "smooth" album in existence. If there were a Mount Rushmore of albums that formed my POV on music as a whole, this is George Washington. Jazz and conversation from the foot of Mount Belzoni.

This album felt very Donald Fagen-y. In line with other Steely Dan albums, but with a little 80's influence. New Frontier is good. I think I'll need to give it more listens!

Aite but boring

Started strong but tailed off a bit, favourite song by far was I.G.Y, definitely better Steely Dan music though

I’m a big steely Dan fan but this bored meeee

Some funky af moments in this for sure, but it seemed to become increasingly unbearable as the album progressed. The title track was the worst by some way.

This is so beige I forgot I was listening to it. How is this in any sort of 'top' list? If you took all the albums ever released and sorted them by any criteria you can possibly think of, this album will miraculously always be exactly in the middle.

Average at best

Love the Dan. Love Donald Fagan. Solid album that holds its own against any contemporary Steely Dan. 4/5

UGH. I will start by saying I LOVE LOVE LOVE New Frontier and like IGY alright. The rest of this half assed Steely Dan nonsense is terrible.

always a fan

Rubbish

Favorite Track: I.G.Y.

Over many years, the appeal of Fagen's vocal style faded for me although at one time I was a solid fan of his work with Steely Dan. On balance, I see the appeal of this album and how it fit in so nicely with the era when it was made, but I generally find the jazzy little riffs to be a little to clever, and the vocals with just a little too much easy cheese.

Nope. The dentist ruined this one for sure. In the early 80's, Donald Fagan got played in all the dentist offices and his voice conjures memories... I'm probably 9 and anxiously sitting in the Dr. Spencer's waiting room to for my name to be called so I could get my teeth drilled. No thank you.

Steely Don? With no Walter to be heard, I actually don’t know what that does to Steely Dan’s signature sound. Donald Fagan sounds pretty similar I guess - horn-heavy jazz pop all too ubiquitous in the early 80s.

Reminiscent of the jazzier Steely Dan though I miss Walter Becker’s influence.

2.86

music for vampires to bore other vampires with. despised. (⌐■_■)

Somehow even more nothing-like (or: less something-like) than Steely Dan. Glad I generously gave that one 2—now this one fits on the Dan curve.

If you like Steely Dan then you will like this because it is basically Steely Dan. Nothing new here. All very pleasant, well produced. 4/5

Gear: Focalman Cleardara Artwork: 🚬📻👔 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🌙🌆🛥️📻🎷🌌 Rating: 👔👔(👔)/5

Good music

So bad

Good yacht rock Yacht rock is just not my bag, baby

why

2.8 2x

The sound of this record and of Steely Dan in general represents the archetype of what I found icky and intolerable about a lot of music when I was a kid in the 70s and 80s. It took me 40-some years, but I can appreciate and like it now. Maybe the people who detest this now will find that it grows on them after a few decades.

J'ai bien aimé cet album de jazz vocal, mais sans plus. C'est vraiment le genre qui fait très bonne musique de fond, mais je ne pense pas que j'écouterais ça activement régulièrement. 7/10

If i didn't read this was the Steely Dan guy, i think i would've figured it out from the music. It sounds like what they would've done in the 80s during the synthpop era. It's fun.

3.5

Somewhat uncharitably, I assumed this might be about half as good as a Steely Dan record. Turns out that assessment might be about right. On a good day 😬

Loved it,

Listen, I like Steely Dan, but there’s no need to push your luck. This is fine, but doesn’t need to be on the list.

It was okay. Perfect for the time it was made, but not something I’d choose to listen to now

Like Steely Dan-lite.

An alright album.

Walk Between Raindrops down Green Flower Street and you’ll find this album.

Mids yacht rock, kinda boring

can't agree that this is essential listening

.

First track is hot garbage but the rest of the album is really good yacht rock/lounge jazz.

Kova!

So vapid. Admittedly, there are some hits on this album; I just don't need to hear them ever again.

I am a fan of Steely Dan and the debut solo album from Donald Fagen sounds like it could have been the follow-up to the band's last studio album, Gaucho. Personally, Gaucho is my least favourite Steely album, it's the only Dan album I refused to buy, because it's too slick, too commercial sounding, boring and I just didn't like it. The Nightfly doesn't sound too different, but I enjoyed it more and some of the songs I thought were Steely Dan songs. A decent listen, but I'm more than happy to live in the past and listen to Steely Dan's first batch of albums (not Gaucho!) again instead.

Fan fav from days if youth

It’s basically another Steely Dan album, which is all I could ask for.

Holy. My whole life I thought a chunk of these were Steely Dan tunes. Great album.

Typically smooth music - Yacht Rock if you will (Fagen definitely won't). The juxtaposition of the sneering lyrics and the music is quite a highlight. You're either going to love this or hate it. I love it. Best Tracks: I.G.Y.; Ruby Baby; New Frontier

Boring, cheesy, yacht rock. This album is only 38 minutes long, but it makes that time feel like 5 hours. The fact that people will give this 4 or 5 stars but then dump on Kollaps is proof there is no justice in this universe.

What a pleasant listen! It was a bit monotonous, but I really enjoy Donald Fagen’s voice

Enjoyed that, a good sound.

Light disco

Not really my type of music

the three part harmony really reminds me of some other artist; will revisit when I figure it out

groovy

Like listening to paint dry. So full. 80s Soft jazz rock? I’m alright thanks. 2/5 as it’s inoffensive to listen to but so, so boring.

Najlepszy Donald z jakim miałem do czynienia od czasów Kaczora Donalda. Świetny album. Muzycznie niezwykle dopieszczony, mnóstwo groove'u, melodyjności, każdy kawałek fantastycznie buja. Optymizm i pozytywność bijąca z tego albumu są mega przyjemne. Jednocześnie nigdy nie przekraczają granicy takiego amerykańskiego przesadnego optymizmu i pozerstwa. Tak jak napisał Cichy - to taki powojenny optymizm amerykańskiego dobrobytu i dobrego samopoczucia, choć album jest już z wczesnych lat osiemdziesiątych. Bardzo mi się podoba to, jak bardzo jazzowy jest jednocześnie pozostając naprawdę lekki i przystępny. "I.G.Y." swoją treścią przypomina mi te kreskówki Texa Avery'ego z dzieciństwa, które w przerysowany sposób pokazywały życie w przyszłości - robił takie odcinki o domu przyszłości, samochodzie przyszłości i paru innych rzeczach. (Swoją drogą obejrzałem to sobie - nikt by tego dzisiaj nie puścił, są mocno niepoprawne XD). Mega dopieszczony album, super dźwięk, słuchanie tego jest jak jedzenie wykwintnego dania. Bardzo mocne 4,5, nie daję piątki tylko dlatego, że rezerwuję ją dla albumów, które trafiają do mnie na osobistym poziomie. Ale kusi, żeby dać tę maksymalną notę.

Groovy. Every part of this music is given love and atention it deserves. Rarely listening to this albums i'm thinking about word perfection but this one made it happen.

CITY MUSIC XD Baaardzo dobrze mi się tego słucha, mega przyjemny soul. Jak mnie ktoś teraz spyta, żebym puścił "jakąś przyjemną muzykę", nie będę miał wątpliwości, żeby grać Donalda. Da się tego nie lubić w ogóle? Imo trzeba być psychopatą XD <modli się, by nie zobaczyć samych 1 i 2 zaraz>. PRZYJEMNE, kosmitom też bym zagrał jako przykład "human music". SILNE 4

Nostalgiczna podróż do idealizowanych lat 50. i 60., pełna ironii i ciepła. "I.G.Y." i "New Frontier" wyróżniają się chwytliwymi melodiami i doskonałą produkcją, która jest krystalicznie czysta. Bogate harmonie, wysublimowane solówki i wyrafinowane syntezatory tworzą ciepłą atmosferę. Czyste brzmienie, inteligentne teksty i jazzowe wpływy tworzą spójny, klimatyczny album. Kocham ten vibe wyznań samotnego radiowca. Mocne 4

Kurwa jaki nudny album. Had to start learning polish to entertain myself somehow

that first song was like a nuclear bomb of endorphins and then the rest of the album had no budget left to wow me

Немного безликий музон с претензией и хорошим вокалом. Лучшая песня - I.G.Y..

If you like Steely Dan, then you will like this. I don’t really like Steely Dan

Steely Dan's an interesting one. I almost like a lot of their songs. Or do I like the various session musicians parts. Like all of the dan, this is immaculately recorded, ironic lyrics etc. Everything always sounds like its gonna be great, but is only ever good.

I found this really boring and bland.

yacht rock is like irish folk - best handled 30 minutes at a time

Groovy, bouncy, jazzy yacht rock through and through. It's like diet Steely Dan with all the signature taste of Fagen, but zero Becker. That said, I'd rather listen to Steely Dan.

Voice was good, sound was good. Just no clear cut really great song on here.

Can you imagine going to a dinner party hosted by Donald Fagen? “ I remember a line of women all in white The laughter and the steel bands at night” “Christ Donald, we’ve heard this one before, move on munch munch munch glug glug.” This is clearly exactly what it wants to be, a digitally-recorded Faberge egg, curiosity flat and toy-like in sound, curious but of debatable utility. “Maxine” is music for rich people with horrific taste to make out to.

Another one from my Dad's record collection with a memorable front cover - this time redolent of a Twilight Zone episode. Who knew, it sounds just like Steely Dan?! I like it quite a bit better than Aja, although it's still over-polished yacht silliness, perhaps taking itself less seriously here - like a self-aware Barry Manilow record. The more I listened to it, the more I liked it but 4* is too much, so..

I find Donald Fagen's music boring, it all just blends together.

Surprisingly pretty catchy songs, I wasn't familiar with any of Fagen's solo stuff. Nice to listen to but I probably wouldn't seek it out too often. Solid 6/10

There is a time and place where only this vibe will do. But it is not now.

5/5

I know it's a solo album, but this is basically Steely Dan. Good album, overall! I'd say 3.5 - I will round down.

Kinda cool style

Definitely ok, some good stuff and some annoying junk

This sound wore out very quickly for me. Boring lounge music with no soul..

I keep turning it up and it keeps getting quieter.

80's sound but also smooth jazz