Steely Dan Albums - Progressive Rock Music Forum

Katy Lied is my least favorite of the four, though it's a favorite of some fans. It's pretty straightforward rock, as far as Steely Dan goes, meaning it's got punchy tempos and fun songs but still throws a few curveballs (Your Gold Teeth II is incredible, as is Doctor Wu). And the chord progressions are jazzy as always.

Pretzel Logic is really diverse and daring. Lots of different tempos, moods, and even a Duke Ellington cover.

Aja is kind of a jazz rock masterpiece, and a big change in direction for them. Sounds like it was put together by session players and it was. Steve Gadd is all over this one. And the songs are great too, a bit more elongated and smoothed out, but still vital.

Royal Scam is kind of a cross between Pretzel and Aja. Dynamic rock material, really dark songs that seem to paint a picture of the New York criminal underground and the life surrounding it. But also very produced, with guest session guys like Larry Carlton (whose solo on Kid Charlemagne is rightly famous).

My rankings of these

1. Royal Scam

2. Aja

3. Pretzel

4. Katy

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The Royal Scam. The best album on that list.

My Last.fm
Jazz-rock conspiracy? Zappa and Miles played at the same festivals in the
summer of '69 right BEFORE Hot Rats AND Bitches Brew were recorded.

Katy Lied and Aja are about equal favourites for me. I'd say start with Aja and if you like that, get all the rest.

Superdensecrushloadfactor

"Say Steve, how would you rank the entire SD discography on a grading system?"

Glad you asked:

Royal Scam A

Countdown to Ecstasy A

Aja A -

Pretzel Logic A -

Gaucho B+

Katy Lied B / B+

Can't Buy a Thrill C+

And I don't know the newer ones well enough to judge, but I didn't really like what I heard.

Edited by HolyMoly - July 20 2012 at 22:34

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Originally posted by rogerthat

Most of their albums before they left the scene in the 80s are great but if you really must avoid any of those albums, Katy Lied and Can't Buy A Thrill are the weakest ones (while still really good). Either of Aja, Royal Scam or Pretzel Logic would be a good place to start. If you really like jazz rock/fusion/funk, maybe Royal Scam is your best bet, failing that Aja.

I'd say Gaucho is the one to avoid... it's got nothing t do with SD IMHO: it's just borin,g tango music

Royal Scam and Countdown To Ecstasy are thir proggiest, IMHO

talk about a group that didn't make anything less than a good/great album.

ranking them in terms of 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d

Katy Lied
Aja
Pretzel Logic
Royal Scam

I've never been big about Aja either. It's got a couple good tunes here and there, but lacks solidity and consistency, in my opinion. Black Cow's got a great groove. My favourite is probably The Royal Scam, mainly for Kid Charlemagne. Pretzel Logic is my second favourite.

Thanks for all the replies guys, very helpful.

Persuasion deflowers your sympathy.

Ooh, Haitian Divorce is one of my favorites of all Dan's songs! I can understand not liking the Fez though.

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Whenever my family went on a road trip, my parents would play a lot of Steely Dan. I've nicknamed three of their albums (Can't Buy A Thrill, Countdown To Ecstasy and Aja) "The Road Trip Albums" because they're the ones I remember most vividly during those trips.

Back on topic, I suggest you start with either Countdown To Ecstasy or Pretzel Logic.

He looks at this world and wants it all... so he strikes, like Thunderball!

Poll Question: Which ones should i get?
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
Katy Lied	5	[22.73%]
Pretzel Logic	4	[18.18%]
Aja	6	[27.27%]
Royal Scam	7	[31.82%]
You can not vote in this poll