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Steely Dan - Can't Buy a Thrill CD (album) cover

CAN'T BUY A THRILL

Steely Dan

 

Jazz Rock/Fusion

3.60 | 261 ratings

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progrules
Prog Reviewer
4 stars Initially I wanted to let the two very famous songs be the key of this review and I will do so mostly but I will also spend some attention to the others, I think that's only fair.

Because the opener (Do it again) and the evergreen rocker (Reelin'in the years) are actually the two standing out tracks for me (it will not be a big surprise). Do it again is a song that's very special to me from the moment it was created, so that is for 36 years now. It was a huge hit in the Netherlands as it was in most pop-minded countries no doubt. I must have heard it several hundreds times by now and guess what: I'm still not bored by it. I can't say it's still growing on me, that would be exaggerated but it's greatness will never die, it's much too special for that. One of the most original popsongs ever. The other great one, Reelin'in the years is less special, it's simply a fantastic rocksong with a great guitar solo as absolute highlight. Along with Black Friday the best they ever did in this style. Another example of Dan's versatility ! I will do a song by song rating with a bit of comment to set out the rest of the songs. 1. Do it again 4,5* 2. Dirty work 3,2 * very accessible, poppy track with vocals by David Palmer 3. Kings 3,5* good (rocky)song with a solo by Elliot Randall 4. Midnight cruiser 3,5* same thing, slightly more ballad-like 5. Only a fool would say that 3,4* well known track, occasionally heard on dutch radio but not too special 6. Reelin'in the years 4,2* 7. Fire in the hole 3,8* with great piano work by Fagen 8. Brooklyn 3,5* sounding like a country ballad, talking about versatility ! Also sung by Palmer by the way 9. Change of the guard 3,3* mediocre track with original but not outstanding guitarwork 10. Turn that heartbeat over again 3,4* another track that is sometimes played on the radio up to today.

So that means an average of some 3,6* resulting in 4 stars for this fine debut.

progrules | 4/5 |

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