KATY LIED

I may be in the minority of PA reviewers when I assert that Katy Lied is top-drawer Steely Dan. I think it's in the top 3 albums for this band. There are no bad, or even mediocre, tracks on this album. It is as brilliantly written as most of Steely Dan's material, which earns it 4 1/2 stars.

One of the reasons Steely Dan is on my list of favorite bands is their particular combination of musical elements. It's one of the defining traits of "progressiveness.". Katy Lied is not as ironic or sarcastic as many of their other albums, perhaps the reason for its lower score. "Everyone's Gone to the Movies", a song apparently about showing porn movies to teenagers, is one exception! The Royal Scam, often given a higher rating, is just one example. This album has a stronger R & B vibe to it. Another reviewer, Chicapah, makes the same point. "Daddy Don't Live in That New York City No More" and "Chain Lightning" are strong examples.

A lot of the songs on Katy Lied almost sound (brace yourself!) nostalgic. Examples are "Bad Sneakers", "Rose Darling", and "Any World That I'm Welcome To". No one listens to Steely Dan to hear Donald Fagen sing, but "Any World" is one of Fagen's best performances. I don't know why Denny Dias and Jeff Baxter (not part of this album) are never referred to as some of the best guitarists in rock music. "Bad Sneakers" and "Your Gold Teeth II" are excellent examples of what I mean. I just love the rhythm of "Your Gold Teeth II", like a warped waltz.

All the tracks on Katy Lied are excellent. I don't know if Katy Lied succeeds at the level of Aja or Pretzel Logic, but it comes real close. The combination of interesting musical elements and the brilliant songwriting are what earn this album its 4 1/2 stars.