paqemaan

the OG Steely album that got me into the band, and it is possibly the least Steely album to have existed. Featuring equal parts Fagen and short time member David Palmer vocals, and being a more straightforward album, the Steely DNA of ironic lyrics and yacht rock perfection are here, before they branched out into more jazzy influences on their late 70s albums. It might be a bit 'basic' but you cannot deny that there are some bangers here that you can just listen to over and over again.

I like Gaucho, but I just listen to Aja instead because it just does everything Gaucho does but better. Gaucho never really hit me as a whole experience the same way. Still a solid album and good Steely Dan project, but doesn't offer me anything *different*.
Hey Nineteen is a masterpiece though, Time out of Mind and Glamour Profession are great too.

My new hobby, Steely Dan Bike Rides. Just did an hour long bike ride and listened to this album for the first time, since I am in a Steely mood lately. been putting Aja on repeat, and I still love Cant Buy A Thrill as I have for years, but never checked out all of their albums (I have vague recollections of listening to Pretzel Logic).

The Royal Scam is surprising to me. It came out shortly before Aja, but sounds like something that would come out between CBAT and Countdown to Ecstasy. It is ... read more

A phenomenally produced album, Aja took me a while to get into since most of my Steely Dan Exposure has come from the more simplistic 'Cant buy a thrill'. The latter featuring catchier tunes and also cleaner vocals from temporary member David Palmer. Although Fagen's quirkier singing voice is funny, it is also a grower, and took me some time to fully appreciate. I also wasn't a big prog rock guy, so songs as long as Aja and Deacon Blues were something I tended to avoid.

Peg ... read more