Reviews (page 8 of 9)
Very smooth, jazz infused solo album, which also bears the imprint of Steely Dan. Some good tracks, particuarly I.G.Y and New Frontier, but many of the songs border on the bland and too smooth
Mid....as I think the kids say now
its a no from me dawg
Nice cover, good background music to work by
"The Funky Metronome," everyone called him. Little did they realize he took it as a sign of encouragement.
Quite enjoyable
It's hard not to judge the solo work as a Steely Dan annex, which isn't really fair - though the kinship is unmistakable. I suppose it is subject to the usual complaints - that the music is bloodless, technical jazz-pop. Which I never bought, I like this about as well as any of my second-favorite Steely Dan and I think it has plenty of soul.
I feel like I’m in a hotel bar in the 80’s or a wedding.
Generic 80’s crap. Not sure how so many of these got on the list.
ótima vibe, gostoso e fácil de escutar. Não é bem minha vibe, mas realmente curti a audição. Pontos altos pra "Maxine" 3/5
Yea yknow background music
Fails to provide a meaningful impression.
Sounds like Steely Dan, could be Steely Dan, is 50% of Steely Dan. Even without his partner, Fagen created a great album that could easily have been a Steely Dan album, both in the way it sounds and how good it is. Only criticism would be the songs dragging on a little bit
Nice
Not offensive but it’s not for me.
Perfectly pleasant, but not exciting yacht rock. 3/5
Æsj.
easy listening artist
Very nice lyrics, the backgrounds are a bit weird but still sound good.
I wanted to like it but I’m not absorbing anything. It’s the feeling where I enjoy parts during the listening process but after it’s all done it’s gone. Highlights: -
Solid album with some quality hits. Nothing wowed me too much, but no duds either.
Weder sneaky noch ein Masterpiece, wie der Kritiker vom Wall Street Journal meint, für Fagansche Verhältnisse überraschend uninteressant sogar. Gnädige drei Sterne.
Sounds like a poundshop Sting making pretentious yacht rock for a bunch of 80s insurance salesmen. Absolute wank.
“Won’t you pour me a Cuban breeze, Gretchen?” Perfect mellow beach music. Some songs slap more than others, but it’s pretty solid.
Awesome musicians and sounds incredible
come on man. come ON turn me UP don fagen does not disappoint when given total creative control. he has such a clear vision on this record. the steely dan sound has always been a relaxing one to me, but fagen pulls from some different influences here to bring a bit more intensity in spurts. but, in the end, it’s a steely dan album through and through, with more melodica steely dan did green flower street at their phoenix show this year, and it got me to re-listen to the nightfly. i was sold then, and i’m sold now. what a great record, a great musician, and a perfect body of work
It was fine
The Nightfly is the debut album by American singer-songwriter Donald Fagen - at the time a past member of the group Steely Dan. This successful jazzy pop rock album was certified platinum in both the US and the UK. It is a classic pop album from the 80's with hints of nostalgia for the late 50's when jazz was more popular. I enjoyed this album, but it didn't blow me away. However, it does have me interested in listening to Steely Dan albums.
I was kind of shocked to see the global rating on this one cause it's honestly not even bad. It's mostly calming and the instrumentals on some of the songs are pretty fun. The album cover doesn't really accurately represent the music, though. Fave track(s): Maxine, The Nightfly
Jazz pop
Nice Album but nothing special bar one song
1.5
A decent album that felt like a cookie cutter version of steely Dan given he is on half of them. Usually when people make solo stuff their music sounds a little different but Fagen stayed true to the steely Dan style which isn’t a bad thing since I like them but I found it similar to their music but not as good. 6.9/10
A personal favorite. Sounds a lot like Steely Dan, of course. New Frontier was always one of my favorites on this album, but Ruby Baby sticks with me a lot.
Very fun, wonderful listen
Fantastic Album that’s known as the benchmark for testing out Hi-Fi Systems due to its incredible production and coordinated, tight arrangements.
Right... more Steely Dan. This was bland. Perfect background music for a restaurant or elevator or something. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great either. 2.5/5
Kinda meh...
Fun instrumentation choices but boring vocals and beat on track 1, while also having some crucial lyrics I really honed in on. Strange juxtapositions. Could do to be more up tempo. Quickly afterwards, track after travk, ot becomes less remarkable. Until New Frontier hits and my mind starts seeing the weird future vision being painted again. This one is a conundrum as an album, I want to like it more than I do but mostly just want it to be over too.
Yeah, not bad.
I enjoyed this album, although it's Fagen's debut solo album, it's not a big departure from Steely Dan musically. The difference is in the lyrical content, this is more upbeat. Best songs were I.G.Y. and New Frontiers.
Isto jedna laganica od albuma, al de zamisli stavit takav font na album cover. Nisam znao, a i kako ću znat kad nisam previše upučen u taj bend, ali je bio član Steely Dan-a. Zapravo glavni? Ali da je prva stvar s albuma banger? To jeste tačno. Općenito zabavan, ritmičan album s premazima jazza. 3.5.
With the distinctive voice from Steely Dan, you'd think this would be just another Steely Dan album. It's definitely not. There's some sharp commentary in here, along with some very tasty grooves. I love this album. How are things on Mount Belzoni, by the way?
Why did every 60s/70s artist fall for the 80s trend of electronic overproduced music. Ugh. This is definitely not bad. Some of the songs are good even. Just filled with too much 80s cliches. It makes the record a bit boring.
This is some seriously dorky shit. This album answers the question "What if Billy Joel wasn't even edgy enough to call himself a downtown man?"
Just because you can record an album doesn't mean you should. This was easy listening hell. Hated it.
Just couldn't get into this one.
I've never listened to any of Donald Fagen's solo stuff, but am familiar with his work with Steely Dan. This is his first solo album, which was made after Steely Dan broke up. It has a lot of the same characteristics as a Steely Dan record, but doesn't have as much of the "rock" sensibilities. This record is heavier to the funky/jazzy pop rock sound, sometimes termed "yacht rock". Heavy to piano and synth as well as brass instruments. It has the ability to make the listener bob their head to the beat. Donald Fagen's vocals are smooth and layered perfectly with the funky music backing. Overall, this is a good record, not phenomenal or anything, but I didn't mind listening to it, just wouldn't rush out to buy it (I have the same feelings towards Steely Dan records... They're good, just not phenomenal). Favourite songs: I.G.Y., Green Flower Street, Ruby Baby, New Frontier Least favourite songs: The Nightfly, Maxine, 3/5
I absolutely love Steely Dan, and would be game for a Steely-Dan-like product containing 25% less Dan and 50% more binders and fillers. But this is actually really good. It of course has all the SD tricks - smooth sound, consistently moderate pace with a strong syncopated backbeat, every extension known to man (check where the harmonies end up on that "W-J-A-Z"!). And some of the changes are generally positive - I like adding more female backing vocals, it just makes their already strong backing voice even stronger. It's a little more piano- and synth-heavy vs. Steely Dan, which I guess makes sense if this guy is the keys player. But otherwise very comparable. Apart from the fact that it's super-smooth, two of the things that make this so easy to listen to and enjoy are that (a) it's really short, at under 40 minutes and (b) it's stronger on the back half, with the two strongest tracks ("New Frontier" and "The Nightfly") on the back half. Not game-changing, but I liked it so much I listened to it 2-3 times.
Pretty crazy personnel on this record- Marcus Miller, chuck rainey, Steve gadd, Anthony Jackson, brecker brothers, Larry Carlton. The instrumental and the production are amazing. Donald Fagens voice and songwriting are pretty hit or miss with me. I know a lot of musicians that obsess over all the Steely Dan stuff. I really love a handful of songs off of Aja but rarely can listen to the whole album through. Props for having a totally original style - it’s so slick but also soooo awkward sometimes. 3.5
I can’t stand music like this. The harmony and arrangements are so convoluted just for the sake of dick-swinging and maybe to mask the shitty songwriting. It tries to be “funky” but without an ounce of soul or feeling. The vocals and lyrics are horrible. Every song was worse than the last. I hope I never have to hear this again.
I enjoyed a lot of this. A lot of the writing reminded me of Billy Joel.
Hints of Stevie Wonder, The Police, Sheena Easton and some surprising funky bass made this an unexpected listen.
A bit too smooth,like the adult contempo radio station on Grand Theft Auto Vice City.
Reminds me of billy Joel, somehow has the same style and similar voice. The album is quitte easygoing and enjoyable. Nothing special but I enjoyed it. Favourite songs: - I.G.Y. - New frontier
Cheesy, dated and a drag overall
His first solo effort without Walter Becker. Love his cynical lyrics and jazz like song framing.
Not a huge Steely Dan fan and this was alright; sounds very similar to Fagen's band work for obvious reasons. I recognize "New Frontier" and hadn't heard it in many years; love that this 1001 list sometimes gives you little nuggets every now and then of songs you haven't heard in forever. Very easily listen and kinda reminds me of music you'd hear in a department store. 6/10.
80s pop music at it's worst
I'm not sure how to describe this album. Like there's nothing technically wrong with it, but it still sucks and I hate it. The combination of smooth jazz and standard pop music just grates on me in the weirdest way. Like it's made to be as inoffensive as possible, and that fact just offends me deeply.
Some tracks worked, some didn't for me. The first few sounded almost too pretentious and corny, but I liked the last 3 or so ones
Fun little album but don't think it should be on the list. Thought it was going to be jazz but not at all.
Quirky album. Jazzy and poppy, reminds me of that "Pazz and Jop" annual poll just for the weird blend of genres. Never heard of Mr. Fagen, but he's quite alright. A few tracks on here that I dug, but nothing worth screaming about. Favorite tracks: Ruby Baby, New Frontier. Album art: Really like this picture, nails the '50s nighthawk aesthetic (better than the recent Tom Waits album I might add). Got my hopes up a little too high, but still a cool one. 3/5
Un viaje muy placentero por un jazz/pop ochentoso y suave. Alegró una mañana de oficina sin esfuerzo y podría escucharlo por la noche entre whiskys y vinos también
When you run out of Steely Dan albums, you'll be ecstatic to find Fagen and Becker both made solo albums. Here, Fagen delivers with (almost) everything you'd expect from a Steely Dan album. But since this is the 80s, we also get synths which work surprisingly well with their jazzy yacht rock formula. Suitable for late night listening by the fireplace. Loved them all for different reasons, and it flew by. There are even some dance tracks like "New Frontier" that wouldn't look out of place in a New Wave mix. Can't give a bad score to an album that throws in ska in the closing track as a treat. Only track I wasn't crazy about was "Maxine", but it serves as a nice break. Favorites: I.G.Y, New Frontier, Nightfly
Heel oud, beetje saai, 3*
3/8, 38%
Weinig opmerkingen over dit album. Was oké
It's good. Very laid back
Boring.....
My Steely Dan education continues... Definitely falls into the 'troublesome 80s production' category - this is ridiculously smooth - though I can find value here. IGY overcomes the initial aversion to the sound, gently dragging me in by just being good for 6 minutes. The next two don't manage this. Green Flower Street, is it quite a song? What key is it in? I'm so confused. The Nightfly is also good, just can't shake the Smooooth, MOR 80s film soundtrack vibe for most of the album sadly.
enjoyed, very similar to Steely Dan sound.
Good, I really enjoyed it.
Otro pasable. Música de fondo que se deja escuchar para mi gusto. Poco más. Y mira que es famoso.
Supremely mid
Cool!
Occasionally, I am reminded of how much a product of my environment I am; that teenage years really are more formative than you realize. You can try to distance yourself from them, but that seed is always there, lying dormant and ready for the right glimpse of sunlight in order to bloom again. I was a teenager in the early 90’s. Alternative rock was at peak popularity. Our guitars were fuzzy, aggressive and screaming out the arrival of a new way forward. There was a new world order and what had been the status quo a few years earlier had become painfully uncool. High atop the Mountain of Uncool was soft rock, the kind of stuff you’d hear at JC Penny while shopping with your mom. Intolerable blandness, so inoffensive that you could play it almost anywhere, with the exception of maybe a convent, and not get the side-eye from anyone. As kids, we used to laugh at the Time-Life infomercials schilling 2 and 3 CD collections of “Soft Rock Super Hits of the 70’s”: These collections typically featured bands like Air Supply, The Doobie Brothers, Bread, Steely Dan…and many more! All yours for the low price of $19.99! I always thought Steely Dan was lame. 30 years on, that hasn’t changed. They’ve never been for me and god help me if they ever are. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve tried: I know plenty of people who love them, I’ve got younger friends and co-workers who extol their virtues. My own brother is a fan. But the second a Steely Dan track comes on, I’m transported back to 1993 and the aforementioned seed begins to sprout: this is everything that was wrong with music; perfection for the sake of perfection, emotionless music masquerading as having soul. Even though the Alternative-era of the early 90’s soon gave way to a similar by-the-numbers alt-rock soullessness and awful nu-metal, there were at least a few years where the sky was the limit. The formula had been broken and it didn’t matter how weird you were, you could get radio play and/or a major label deal: bands like sonic youth, pavement, the butthole surfers and ween had radio and MTV playing their songs. These bands would be less likely to find “mainstream” success today, but for a brief window of time, the rules no longer applied. Maybe I’ve been looking at the music of Steely Dan (and their ilk) from the wrong perspective this whole time. If wasn’t for their rigid, schlocky compositions, there wouldn’t have been a backlash towards authenticity and uniqueness that lead me to the music that I love… Newton’s third law and all that.
Mediocre at best. Bring back the Dan, man
I really liked the sound of this album and given the time, would have listened again. Although it wasn’t mind blowing an average and usual score of 3* seems inadequate so I’m giving 4* . There could be an element of nostalgia influencing me too.
Not great but something a bit different.
Boring beautifully recorded elevator music. 1.5 🌟
just not my shit
Pretty sure I've heard some of the tracks in stores, maybe they used the album as a benchmark? Exceedingly clear sound. Solid album, liked it.
I had listened to Steely Dan but hadn't ever heard any of their solo work before this very enjoyable throughout
Did not enjoy that much since its boring. It's well made but didn't stop me from snoozing.
actually super sick, every track slaps
Not bad actually, a weird vibe that I'm not particularly familiar with. Wouldn't add it to my person playlists but fine to have on in the background.
I'm not that into Steely Dan, but this album feels like the best elements of their sound and style. I guess Fagen is 99% of Steely's essence? Huh, kinda seems like why even bother going solo? This is just a Steely Dan album with only Fagen's name on it. I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would though, and that's probably because these songs are all brand new to me and haven't been played to death by classic rock radio, unlike Ricki Don't Lose The Number or Reeling in the Years have. I love this album cover, it's a spectacular photograph, it evokes a mood perfectly fitting the album title.
Perfect mood, can always listen to this.
Soft and warm easy listening. Pop with groovy jazz elements here and there. Kind of ok, but also a bit boring
Cool album cover, that’s where the coolness of this album ends.
Pretty sweet little record. Definitely is a Steely Dan record but with a bit more pop influence. Some songs didn't quite hit but most were a good time. 7/10
Opening song, fuck yeah! You got me, I love this sound. The 80s were the best Era. You can fight me on that. This just makes me happy!
This has been one of my favorite albums since it was new and I.G.Y. was on the radio and the video for "New Frontier" was on MTV. Although I was a young teen at the time, I still really connected with the nostalgic themes and optimism for the future. This is an album that shines best as the whole album, as each song is a vignette that continues the theme. This is one of the few in this project that I've listened to so many times over the past 40 years that I can play it in my head (well, the line, "Won't you pour me a Cuban breeze, Gretchen?" is one that I hadn't remembered but love love love.) This is smooth and jazzy and wonderful. One of the best.
There was something about I.G.Y. and New Frontier that made me inexplicably vaguely uncomfortable in 1982. That seems to have passed. This is nice.
Smooth and jazzy - like being on a monorail to the future.
Michael MacDonald Fagan?
IGY and New Frontier stand out as obviously catchy and enjoyable examples of Fagen's pop-jazz sound. Though they are definitely strong, the rest of the album blends together... nothing great but nothing bad either. Feels like background music at that point.
One can't but be delighted by Fagen continuing in fine form after Steely Dan. Nightfly's hearty; The initial sheen is just a bit clinical pop. I shamelessly nod along.
eh
It was okay
Not for me.
Quite enjoyed this one as background music. If I hadn't read the wiki first I would never have guessed that this was the frontman for Steely Dan. With the versatility of SD it's not that much of a stretch for their frontman to also be convincing in a completely different style of music. To be fair, this is more of a 3.5 and not actually interesting enough for a clean 4 or more. But it's much better than the three other records I listened to today, so I'm rounding up.
Really nice mixing and instrumentals, but the vocals sound a bit dated.
Strange, different, interesting, otherworldly. A true jazz-pop album - I'm not sure how to feel. Very slickly produced. There is some funk involved but sometimes it comes off a bit like smooth-jazzy "elevator music" nonetheless. Perhaps I should listen to his latest album, where after three albums he changes to a yatch-rock/R&B style. Wow that was bizarre, sometimes the vocals are like a barbershop quartet idk
Very chill, smooth jazz kind of record. Not my normal cuppa tea but I did appreciate this
Actually loved this. Hidden gem from an era and genre of music I'm less familiar with
I read Jazz Pop and then Steely Dan on the Wikipedia page and immediately rolled my eyes thinking I was going to dislike the album. I however was amazed at how much I enjoyed it. Right off the bat "I.G.Y." hits you with this groovy bass driven, borderline funky jam. I can see why this song is so loved by audiophiles and used as a reference song by so many sound engineers. It has so much to digest and I imagine in many more listens I will only continue to appreciate it. The next three songs are nice easy listens and then "New Frontier" is another fun energy boost right in the middle. The titular track is probably my least favorite on the album, but it still isn't a bad track. The final two tracks are a nice calm, but happy way to end an album. This is the first album I have found on this list that I had no exposure to beforehand and I instantly want to get on vinyl. Right now this is a 4 for me but I need to give it a 5 upon a few more listens.
Not really my genre.
Kinda groovy. Good rhythm. 3.5
Steely Dan with less guitar and more saxophone. Brilliant, I love Steely Dan.
Smooth and plesant but nothing amazing.
Genre: Sophisti-Pop 3/5 Donald Fagen's post-lounge epic The Nightfly, one of the first fully digitally recorded albums ever, is a perfectionist's wet dream. Sophisti-Pop, essentially a snootier take on Jazz Pop and Pop Soul, is the perfect lane for a guy like Donald Fagen to find a niche in. His earlier forays with Steely Dan had the same markings of perfectionism, but this album here doesn't have a single click out of place. Its crunchy, dissonant chord progressions, its aggressive use of double- or triple-tracking vocals, and its penchant for full, heavy arrangements, make this an interesting listen. Unfortunately, it sits in the same sonic drivers' seat for the entire project, and doesn't step outside of its neatly constructed comfort zone at all. The strenuous effort which was poured into the record is not lost. Hours of overdubbing and mixing are quite evident in the final product. The album sounds great, mixed and engineered flawlessly by the ex-Steely Dan-ites, but it doesn't make the music itself that much more interesting. Songs like I.G.Y. and the title track are both decent examples of what the genre is capable of, but is dripping in too much of itself, never becoming an engaging experience and only sounding of how proud of itself it is. The layers are each so thick and produced that it almost serves better as an example of what good production can sound like in a digital setting, but never quite reaches the "very-enjoyable album" mark. Incredibly slick, and annoyingly so, but not very exciting. Should interest those who are looking for what it sounds like to be this far up your own ass.
I.G.Y. doesn't get enough love.
Almost indistinguishable from Steely Dan in musical terms.
no
This album sounds good, but it doesn't feel like there's a lot to it as far as groundbreaking music goes. It definitely has some of the Steely Dan sound that Fagen was instrumental in forming. Overall, it comes off more as an easy-listening album than an album that pushed the boundaries of music in its time. It's not bad at all, in fact it's quite pleasant, but I don't see much else here. I'm on the third song and I'm already bored (update: as of song 5 I am still bored and about to give up on this album). As always, it's a super bad sign when the coolest thing about an album is its cover 3/5
Smooth and nostalgic for me.
Apparently this album is notable because audiophiles use it to test equipment. I'm glad to learn that it has a purpose, because I was struggling to come up with a reason that you would choose to listen to this. Unnecessarily weird. Best track: New Frontier
Nightfly is a pleasant and soulful collection of intimate music. The only weaknesses are Fagen's vocals (rather unoriginal and often stretched) and the melodies (rather derivative). (6/10) FT: I.G.Y.
Had no idea who this was until he started singing, then I realized he's one half of Steely Dan. A tight set of jazzy numbers, very lively. The almost bossa nova of "The Goodbye Look" is a little jarring. A little yuppie-ish, though I think I'll have the melody from "I.G.Y." stuck in my head for a while. Favorite tracks: "I.G.Y.", "New Frontier"
This was surprisingly funky. Really thoughtful bass lines with tunes that go places you weren't expecting
3 songs. I made it 3 songs. It was like having nails driven into my skull. What sadistic monster put this album on the list?
I love Steely Dan so why wouldn't I like this? A couple of big hits surrounded by effortlessly smooth and well produced tracks. All together great for relaxing and pondering intelligent lyrics. I was into the Jam and New order at the time but now I'm older this appeals to my older bones.......it's upbeat but sooooooothing.
Combining my least favorite things in music: Steely Dan and smooth Jazz. I know my biases are personal, so I'll rate this as to its being on this list which is 3/5. Yeah, never mind. I tried to be fair. This is just shit. Music isn't supposed to make you hostile. 1.5/5.
Not really for me but I get it.
Muito bom.
Synthetic sounds, plastic production, and wooden writing. Nobody needs this album. There's nothing remarkable to experience here.
Ei kyl oikein lähde… kauttaaltaan jotenkin löysä olematta erityisen kiinnostava. 2/5
Tää oli lähinnä keskinkertainen/huono Steely Dan -levy. Eka biisi ainoa, joka jäi mieleen.
Ah miten miellyttävä jazzahtava poppis-avausraita! Sen sijaan ainakin Ruby Baby aika itseään toistava. Sanoisin 3/5, vähän epätasainen kokonaisuus.
Jazz-pop-rock. Me ha gustado.
Agradable.
Just too clever clogs for me. I know it is not peak jazz-bo Steely Dan, but it is pretty clever clogs, and very smooth and polished and just not a thing for me. I don;t really get the obsession with Steely Dan, and understand the inclusion of this solo album on the 1001 list even less. This seems like completely inessential listening. More power to ya, if this floats your boat, but I don't know why _I_ have to listen to it.
Incomparable! This is such a classic. Love it!
Liked the album and the hits. Smoooth!
I was initially excited for some jazzy pop, but unfortunately it’s not the good jazzy. It’s the bad 80s smooth jazzy. Pass
Alez wylosowalo zagadke, pierwszy solowy krazek pana Fagena, ktorego zna sie glownie z duetu steely danowego, plyta z 82, wiec rok po pierwszym rozejsciu sie w rozne strony bandy, wiec muzycznie przypomina to tworczosc grupowa, zwlaszcza ze wzgledu na to, ze wiekszosc muzykow zangazowanych w projekt the nighfly byla juz slyszana na poprzednich materialach danowych, wiec pomimo tego, ze sluchalem pierwszy raz odczuwalem lekkie deja vu, ktore sa tylko potegowane przez Fagenowe wokale, nie zabraklo takze doszlifowania, bo album ma 38 minut, a nagrania trwaly 8 miesiecy, wiec tutaj rowniez po staremu, wiec czemu nie oczarowala tak samo jak starsze wydania steely dana, zaznaczam starsze, bo reunionowe juz nie brzmia tak samo jak te z lat 70, o ile o tamtych reunionowych myslalem, ze brzmia jak taki zdziadzialy kombak z tym samym brzmieniem 20 lat pozniej, tak lirycznie to zdziadzienie juz slychac na nightflyu, ktory poza openingowym I.G.Y nie ma w sobie czegos do zapamietania, niby koncept calego krazka jako powrotu do czasow mlodosci i sielankowego zycia hamerykanskiego w cieniu zimnej wojny brzmi calkiem ciekawie, ale jego przelozenie na album nudzi, bo ilez mozna sluchac o pieknych dziewczynach w schronach i radiowcach puszczajacych jazzy po nocach, wiec nie ma tutaj typowej dla duetu aronii i przegranych opowiesci, jak teraz slucham to nawet same melodie wydaja sie byc o wiele bardziej popowo jazzowe, odchodzace od rokowo gitarowych brzmien, ktore wnosil Becker, bo The Nightfly jest wyprodukowany przez pana odpowiedzialnego za reszte dyskografii duetu, pana Katza, wiec nawet tutaj roznic nie widac, chyba ze wziac pod uwage, ze jest to jeden z pierwszych w pelni digitalowo masterowanych albumow, co pewnie tez mialo jakis wplyw na finalne brzmienie przy takim dazeniu do perfekcji dzwieku jakie Fagen zawsze idealizowal, zatem dowiedzialem sie, ze ten duet dzialal dobrze za sprawa obu panow i nikt tu nikogo nie prowadzil za nos, na plejke leci openingowy I.G.Y
Better than Steely Dan
Saattais tällekin levylle olla joku paremmin toimiva hetki, mutta torstai toimistolla jätti kylmäksi. Ei silti mitään megapaskaa vaikka kultainen keskiluokka jää saavuttamatta.
Meni jotenkin huomaamatta ohi kuunnellessa. Ei häirinnyt, mut eipä paljoon kerrottavaakaan jäänyt
Bouncy, inoffensive pop, just not quick got the hook to be catchy
10th March 2022 Listened in the office before heading down to Peckham to watch the Batman with Gareth. Not for me, saw it described as yacht rock which is perfect. And everything that goes with it.
Fell in love with this album when I got it back in 1982. I loved the sound of the song, IGY and quickly the rest of this album became a classic to me. I am grateful that the extended version contains True Companion from Heavy Metal (Soundtrack) and Century's End from the Bright Lights, Big City Soundtrack were included. I really think these two songs complete the album quite well. This is a rare 5/5 from me.
Not bad at all
At first this is a somewhat fresh take for the 80s, still reveling in horribly-dated synths but keeping things scaled back production-wise as opposed to an all-out assault on the ears. Even this quirk isn’t enough to save the album from droll repetition, though, as crooning can only get you so far when all the backing tracks sound the same.
Great sound but music I don't appreciate
One of my favorites. 5/5 I love every song. The extended version has a couple of extras that were included on soundtrack albums (Heavy Metal and Bright Lights Big City).
just more steely dan tho
No idea why it's an album to listen to before you die
Don Fagan, of Steely Dan fame, cutting tracks on his own. The recording style is T I G H T. I.G.Y feels meticulously crafted, with not a beat out of place. This album is very best of this style of sound. There is something so perfect about it, it feels stripped of its spontaneity.
Slick pop. 6/10
Prefs: I.G.Y., New Frontier, The Goodbye Look Moins pref: Ruby Baby
I confess to hating this album (or at least the singles from it that I heard) upon its release as it fit neither the classic rock mode I was growing out of (but still enjoying and respecting) and the new wave/alt direction I was heading into for college and beyond. Full appreciation for Steely Dan was still quite a few years off, though they were vaguely on the radar, from summer hits heard at the swimming pool. Their breaking up just as I was entering high school didn’t help, but obviously the music is more sophisticated than I could process at the time. I remember hearing about the high-tech recording approach and thinking “yeah, but the music is still lame and wimpy.” I would have guessed the release date of this was later. I can definitely remember hating the annoying, repetitive synths and his strainy-thin-voiced vocal, but now I get their mellowness and love the shapely, unhurried guitar solos over them (“New Frontier”) and the phrasing and dry-martini vocal tone seem one-of-a-kind. The overall mood of this record is just totally up my alley on a snowy Friday afternoon nearly 40 years on. Not only does it hold up well, it’s somehow got a lot better.
At night I fly by albums like these
I always used to think this wasn't as good as any of the Steely Dan albums owing to its absence of extremely tasteful guitar playing. I like it more these days (and picked it up cheap on vinyl in Tokyo) but it still doesn't have enough guitars. (3.5 stars)
I'm not on enough coke for this.
I think it's neat. But also sort of dated. I think it's almost got these sweet drinking in a speak easy. But just sorta misses the mark.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, in a kind of ironic cheesy nostalgic 80s vibe.
Steely Dan legend
2/5 not particularly interesting.
Pop tranquilo. No destacando especialmente
Donald Fagen is a white-bread name for a white-bread artist making an overproduced soft rock album that’s overall uninspired but decent.
Fine. Forgettable.
Lovely easy listening
Alright, very 80's American soul wallpaper.
Jazz-pop-rock. Me ha gustado.
Rating: 6/10 Best songs: The gash
Steely Dan is a 5, so it makes sense that half of Steely Dan is a 2.5. Nothing at all memorable on this album. In fact, I was a little bored. I tried to give it a chance, but there is nothing on this album I'd ever care to hear again. Not offensive or bad, just forgetful. Donald definitely needed Walter Becker.
Oh yeah. Funky, smooth, slick...great rhythm, great piano. This is my jam.
Meh
I really wanted to like this. I really did, but I didn’t. It just kept hitting like a guy trying really hard to copy too many one hit wonder R and B singers from the era. It came off as cheap and whiny and something my childhood dentist would have played in the waiting room. No bueno
Devoid of anything if interest. Ruby baby was sheer agony. At some point there was a cow bell keeping beat. 38 minutes was too much. I never ever want to experience this again.
I love this album, but it is definitely not something you have to hear before you die. Super smooth.
Very chill laid back style but it brought back memories of that time.
I don't know what this album is. It is early 80s but not full blown 80s music. It has hints of disco and jazz. I did not care for it.
Quite dull.
well, i made it. 38:52 of the whitest music i ever thought i'd hear. so white it mocks you. it never deviates from the beat, it never swings, it's somehow always on the 1 and 3, even when it's on the 2 and 4 - i don't know how this music manages that, honestly. i get that it's technically fantastic, but where is its soul? i don't necessarily mean soul like soul music, just...like there's no THERE there, it's just diminished ninths and super clean cymbal hits. i imagine this album is a studio engineer's dream, but lordy, i wasn't sure i was gonna make it through this one. #neveragain #whitestkidsuknow #survivor
Странноватая музыка
Not sure it's that different from many other albums / artists in this genre.
groovy
I didn’t mind it, I thought it was pretty pleasant listening. But I felt like it was a poor man’s Steely Dan or Hall & Oates so I was left wanting to listen to them instead.
The fact that I have Steely Dan's Black Cow stuck in my head after listening to this says that this is not substantially different from a Steely Dan album. That's not a bad thing, as I love Steely Dan. It does make me wonder a bit what Walter Becker brought to the table. I liked this a lot, glad I listened to it. 4 stars.
3.5, extremely enjoyable
Mix of old skat style with 80s synth and piano
Una locura este disco. LOCURA.
Just not my bad at all
it sucks
Opening notes - I knew it was going to be great. Smooth, melodic, lyrically wonderful from end-to-end.
Fagan promised me 90 minutes from New York to Paris, and I've never quite forgiven him. My main feeling is disappointment, since I've always heard such amazing things about Fagan's solo debut (something about it being an audiophile's wet dream), and I'm a Steely Dan Stan (I may give as many as 3 of their albums 5's when they show up here). A suitable comparison would involve the solo output from Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Some of it's good, but it sure as hell isn't the Beatles. There are echoes of the Dan here, but it veers more in the dreaded Yacht Rock direction Steely Dan avoided for the most part. This leans a little too much in the Christopher Cross direction for my taste. It turns out Donald Fagan needed Walter Becker, because this thing for the most part is a snooze.
Always loved this album.
PUuukyyy schmaltz for middle aged white people. Seriously what the hell!?
Agradable.
Completely new to me. Might be more to it on repeat listens, and I enjoyed it enough that I will give that a go, but seemed more “blandly pleasant” than “essential”?
Den poppede udgave af Steeæu Dan. Fedt solo album med lækker lækker lyd. Et genlyt værd
Sounds like late 70s/early 80s porn music. Not up my strasse.
Slow and calm, but not in a good way. 1RS
Jazz rock que segueix la ruta dels últims àlbums d'Steely Dan, tot i que jo crec que sense la solvència que en aquells es mostrava. Un disc duret, on costa entrar, i que no sempre està a l'alçada de les expectatives
From note one you know this dude was Steely Dan. Hell of a song writer. Hell of a musician.
A bit too 80's but otherwise solid
Perfectly average. Good morning album, but that’s about it.
It was smooth sailing.
5/5 - Reminds me of a pre-Sting/The Police
I absolutely LOVE this album. It's Steely Dan-esque with a kinda Frank Zappa vibe?
Pretty good
Very cool stuff. An audiophile’s dream.
Yacht rock
pretty sure persona 5 stole concepts from this album And mario sunshine??
This sounds like a collection of tunes that you'd find programmed into a Casio keyboard. Or like a sampler CD you'd get with a copy of windows 3.1.
Muzak indeed. Waste of time.
I happen to love Steely Dan -- such incredible musicianship, craft, humor, and mind-blowing playing (man, the people they brought in...wow) -- so I also had a couple Donald Fagen albums in my collection at one time, including this one. I think it's great. I think he's a hell of a songwriter, love his dry humor, and even though I don't usually like too much organ playing in songs, it's fine here. Always loved the cover art on this one, too.
What the actual? Cruise ship band
Well…. I really tried on this one. There’s only a few songs on the album and I literally listened to it 3 times today. I’ll try and give it another listen tomorrow but I just can’t seem to gel with this album. I know this is good music but I can't see me heading back to this album in a hurry.
I've heard several tracks from Steely Dan, and I knew enough to recognize Donald Fagen's name as a part of the band. As I listened, I would have thought that this album was from Steely Dan, if I hadn't seen the name of the artist. "I.G.Y." sounded familiar to me, and is a track that I'd probably play again. I'm not sure if I'm familiar with "New Frontier" or if the track just sounds like Donald Fagen's work. I'm not a particular fan of Fagen, but I think I enjoyed this listen. Some albums BARELY squeak into the 3 category. I think this one squeaked into a 4.
Never get tired of listening to the musical genius of Donald Fagen - very fresh sounding all these years later!
Standards para audição única.
I'm a big Steely Dan but had never listened to any of Donald's solo stuff, so I was curious what this was sound like. Overall, it was quite pleasing - "I.G.Y" and "The Nightfly" offered a lot of those same great Steely vibes. "Ruby Baby" was kind of annoying, but I can overlook that.
Five Stars Standouts: IGY, The Nightfly, New Frontier, Maxine, Green Flower Street
tämä on aight
I never realized that Donald Fagen was the Steely Dan guy... wild. Recognize the 1st song, reminds me of when I was a kid. 70's groove songs.
Competent at what it does, only what it does is tacky synth-pop-‘jazz’. I’ve never heard the name Donald Fagen before, but I’ve heard many of these songs before, on the intercom at CVS. HARD pass.
Ok but songs are too long
Chill vibes, nice for a calm evening
Not really my thing. I liked "The Goodbye Look", but pretty bland imo otherwise
So. Very. 80's. The fact that this came out in 82 and is so full of the sounds that defined the decade suggests a sense of prescience. The saxophone alone locks this record in time. The jazzy vocals and drums, aligned with the pop rock rhythms scream "easy listening" and "background music" in 2021. Nothing here really feels especially interesting in a modern context. I.G.Y. may be the only song that has had a broader appeal in a way that I've heard it out in the wild. However, the sound has become cliche enough for the decade that I don't know that this is a record of extreme importance. The Nightfly is where it feels like this album actually opens up. The rest of the songs are soft, subtle, and easy to hear. While The Nightly is certainly all that as well, it takes a rounder dimension and seems to fill out a bit more.
Real gem this one. Never listened to any Steely Dan, but this solo album was smooth, catchy, full of jazzy tunes and beautiful Rhodes sounds. Really loved it.
Issa pooper.
Lesser than steely dan
80's synth pop/jazz pop(?). Good nighttime cooking/chilling album I'd say. Kind of funky as well.
On first listen - music to be heard in elevators and whilst on hold. After listening again I am beginning to see the appeal. Still, it's too smooth and overproduced for me.
Another steely Dan record
Of its time
I love Steely Dan, but had never listened to any of Donald Fagen's solo work without Walter Becker. Can I describe it as "too smooth" or "too upbeat"? I must miss the more biting aspect to the lyrics and music that were Beckers influence. Maybe 3.4/5? Then I listened to it some more, and its really growing on me due to the jazzy music. Solid 4.
Beautiful sound. Upbeat yet mellow jazzy sound.
Couldn’t finish it. Absolute tripe.
The style...the musicianship...the vocals...immaculate. Wondering why this is not on my iPod already.
Shit 80s muzak.
Had some jazz club vibes to it and made me miss going out to nice bars. The music itself was catchy but the lyrics less so.
Obviously similar to Steely Dan, thick harmonic lines, great arrangements.
3.8 not bad but also not quite there yet
What a load of nosh. My doll hand has more power in it than this
I just couldn’t get on board with this. As it started I thought, “oh this has a deliciously 80s synth sound to it” but as it moved along at a snails pace there was nothing more to whet the appetite. The chorus hooks, regularly displaying that dissonant held note that is so unpleasant to the ears. This album is just so 80s. And I mean that pejoratively.
Oh, el bass line, qué maravilla.
Lite jazz dusted pop with none of the free flowing “where next?” of jazz, and none of the emotive oomph of pop. To be fair, two bits did jump out to me - the chorus of the title track (though I can’t now remember how it went), and the song about going between(?) the raindrops - that latter seemed like a pleasant memory, reconstituted into music. Anyway, what I’m saying is, it wasn’t for me.
Amazing album, love the vibes
Ok this first song.... spicy I like this album omg Favorites: I.G.Y Ruby Baby Maxine The Nightfly The Goodbye Look
Pretty bad ngl 2/5
May induce a face-palming epidemic among first-timers in the present day. I get that. It incorporates most of the "oh, that's so 80s" sounds received wisdom says we should avoid: a faux fur bed of cool swing, shamelessly smoothed-out jazz, criminally toothsome hooks, synthesisers, conga(!) But I say this face-palmers: seriously, are those bad things? Especially when they accompany satire so arch you can walk under it without noticing (consider Fagen's sincerity on the opener - "The future looks bright" - or how the line "Ruby Baby, how I want you / Like a ghost I'm gonna haunt you" flips that one into an artlessly creepy song that ends oddly with a super fun coda and fake jazz-club applause). And technical virtuosity that's not only impressive for what it does (like play every modulation known to man) but how accessibly it does it. And the crystalline rhythms that playfully evolve from start to finish without letting a speck of dust settle. And stories about lonely disc jockeys, using your dad's nuclear bunker as a sex den and being ominously stuck in Cuba in guessing). And also remember that received wisdom calls Meatloaf a camp hack but Springsteen a butch genius, immortalises Radiohead and Pink Floyd and celebrates everything that's "oh, so 80s" about Prince.
Great little jam
Couple of tracks were definitely familiar, I had not heard the rest and dang if it isn't a fine album. Steely Dan-ish, of course.
Had some hits and misses, decent album for the most part with some songs rating higher than others.
War bestimmt in den 80er Jahren wahnsinnig cool. Musikalische Ansätze Vorhanden
Easy listening but not particularly my thing
The Nightfly is lush and shimmering, produced with cinematic flair by Gary Katz; romanticized but never sentimental, the songs are slices of suburbanite soap opera, tales of space-age hopes (the hit "I.G.Y.") and Cold War fears (the wonderful "The New Frontier," a memoir of fallout-shelter love) crafted with impeccable style and sophistication.
Me sonó un poco cñores románticos. Ok el sax
boring, background tunes. don't like Toast to Freedom
Me ha encantado!!
I had never heard of this album, which was weird given its release date and popularity. I like Steely Dan, and the album cover was even cool, so I was interested to listen. Unfortunately it really just sounded like generic "classic rock bandleader goes solo" in the vein of Michael McDonald. It was really forgettable and had no standout tracks.
Música siempre agradable de oir
Whilst I found these tracks groovy with a good amount of soul & funk, none of them left a noticeable impression on me. Perhaps I’m hard to please but I find so many albums I’ve rated like this one, to be the same level of non offensiveness background music. I went back a few times to listen again & make sure I’m not missing something...I wasn’t. I’m not excited by anything here and certainly nowhere near the point of ordering a copy online for myself. 2 Stars!
The Nightfly and I go a long way together! I remember it from when it was first introduced in Ad Pop by Ehud Manor as a new album. Love it, and regularly listen to it.
Love this!
It's hard not to compare this to Steely Dan which isn't fair. Good luck if your first LP has to look good compared to Aja. For the first solo album to really be a home run it should validate why you needed to leave. The music fan should see something really different in the sound (like Sting's first solo album added many instruments and a completely different sound) or should understand that you wanted to write songs that would have been out of the old band's capabilities / comfort zone (I can't imagine Roger Daltrey singing songs about Ecclesiastes in Empty Glass or I am an Animal). This album sounds like SD w/o Becker. To be sure, it's quite good but imo Fagen missed an opportunity to tap his potential in a ground breaking way - like he did with SD when they fused jazz and R&R . (Perhaps he did this lyrically and I missed it.) I'm stuck comparing this to Aja.
No mamen esto es peor que la música de Loca Academia de Policía. Qué clase de basura reaccionaria es esta. Me reí mucho escuchando esto, los arreglos son ridículos, suena de la shit. Lo vi mentado tantas veces en muchos lados, y por la portada pensaba que era new wave o algo así. Pero no. Otra selección que no entiendo porque está aquí. Bueno sí lo entiendo, por el culto a esa infame banda, Steely Dan. Ojalá no salga Steely Dan pronto. Lo pondría cero estrellas pero no se puede.
Donald Fagen once took a golden shower on my belly and some of it ricocheted into my mouth. Yummy.
Where the fuck are they finding these albums? (I know it's from that book). Robert Plant's favourite from this is Ruby Baby. He likes fucking babies...even ruby ones.
I know absolutely nothing about Donald Fagen and knowing nothing about Donald Fagen, I am struggling to put this album into context. Is it meant to be taken seriously or was it meant as a tongue-in-cheek pastiche? I mean look at that album cover! Either way, it is pretty poor.
Silky smooth and easy on the ear (eye) if a bit saccharine and meh at times. Kai Havertz.
Vähän rennompaa menoa vaihteeksi. Ei ehkä ihan lounge musaa, mutta jotain siihen suuntaan. Ruby Baby jäi mieleen. Ihan okei, mutta ei aiheuttanut suurempia riemunkiljahduksia.
Really interesting to read about this album being one of the first digitally-recorded albums and also the legacy in terms of how it resonates with audiophiles and sound engineers. Not totally my vibe, but enjoyed it. 5/10 ⚽ Euro player: Xabi Alonso. Wouldn't top your list of best players of all time, but is highly technically proficient and admired by his peers.
A lovely album to listen to in the sunshine. A cultured performance akin to Deco in his pomp.
This has no right to be here. Andy Sinton
this is a really great album, theres a couple tracks i don't like as much that make it 9/10
So chill! Great lyrics! 9/10 for the vibes, would want to relisten for a better appreciation
really nice tunes
I really dug this, it sounds amazing and the songs have just the right amount of cheese to balance out how smooth they are
10. Considered a 9, because Donald Fagen really is only half the man Steely Dan is
2.2 - Cringey white soul of the late 70s/early 80s.
It's hard to believe that in a few short years I went from hunting down all Steeleye Dan albums to being unaware that Donald Fagen had put out a solo album. I guess my musical landscape had changed & artists like the Talking Heads & The B52s were occupying my time. This sounds like a more pop-oriented Steeleye Dan, as could be expected since the producer and many musicians are the same, save Walter Becker. The arrangements are similar but with less edge, and the lyrics don't seem as clever, though I didn't do a deep dive. It's like Steeleye Dan lite. The Ruby Baby cover is a low point, IMO.
3.5
Next.
Ernsthaft? Dann lieber ne Stunde Helge Schneider Pink Panther Variationen
Pretty good
What did you expect? 10
The first song IGY is pleasant enough, Steely Dan lite. But I wasn't engaged for the rest of the album because all the songs sounded the same to me.
Good vibes
Halvslapp pop-jazz fra 80-tallet?
Lo disfruté y tiene ritmos muy pegajosos (¿beats?). La voz muy bien y puse poca atención a las letras, aunque sí escuché eso de "Mexico City" jaja. Me parece un álbum animado y que te pone feliz, en un humor medio bailador, pero tranquilo, a gusto, chill que se diría. La canción que abre me parece muy bien colocada al principio. Mis favs: "Green Flower Street", "New Frontier" y "The Goodbye Look". 8.5/10
Måtte google Donald Fagen. Ikke rart siden jeg ikke akkurat er noen Steely Dan-fan heller. Skikkelige 80 tallsvibes. Kan jo være artig det, men ble litt slitsomt i lengden.
It was initially nice to hear the light rock 80s sound of Steely Dan's Fagen because just about any music from that era takes me back to fuzzy places. However, I quickly realized that the only thing I like about The Nightfly was the album cover.
Very middle of the road for me. A nice morning listen. The cover is definitely better than the album.
Bon jazz pop. On reconnait steely dan 3*
Enjoyable. Very different from anything I've heard before.
some great sounds by Donal Fagen here. jazz vibes and interesting lyrics. 3.4/5 for me
This was pretty cool actually
its alright
So cool so fresh so unnötig - 2
0:05 - Hmmm no esperaba ese sonido teclado ochentero por la portada 0:30 - Hmmm rock pop jazzeado... me recuerda a Steely Dan 2:12 - Que bien producido y nivelado está todo... todo se oye impecable... hmm si la voz suena hasta parecida supongo fue una manera muy de moda de cantar 5:10 - Pinche canción larga... bueno y a todo esto ¿qué hay de este disco? /Wikipedia... No... Noooo NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Un disco más de Steely Dan, ahora solo con medio Steely Dan. No hay diferencia alguna realmente, tiene los mismos pros que mencioné en Pretzel Logic; producción muy buena, excelente mezcla, una combinación de ritmos en manera que usualmente no se hace (aunque era mucho más novedosa en el otro disco, 8 años antes... quizá para estas fechas era ya mucho menos apantallante) y un resultado de música de studio con una calidad inmejorable y tremendamente aburridaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa... es ABURRIDISIMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. No creo que pueda decir mucho más que no hubiera mencionado ya en Steely Dan. Lo único que puedo agregar es que en esta ocasión las letras me parecen ligeramente mejores, en algunos casos llegan a ser bastante buenas en cuanto al humor medio negro y crítica que pueden hacer... lástima del pareo de flojera con esa música que llevan.
Couldn't even get through 1 song