THE ROYAL SCAM

The Royal Scam is one of this timeless band's finest albums. Here their songs are as quirky as ever, with their unusual, yet accessible musical formula. Aside from the typical jazz-rock fusions, this album is often quite funky, especially with "Green Earrings". All the songs are classics, with marvellous solo perfomances on each, for example the rock guitar, played to the jazzy organ rhythm that opens "Don't Take Me Alive", Steely Dan was certainly one of the sharpest, wittiest and musically adventurous bands of its era. The lyrics are often obscure and clever, sometimes about such specific situations, like the exploitation of workers on "the royal scam". Of the arrangements, the muted trumpet that blows throughout that track is really cool, though in general the keyboard and horn performances are all great. Other standouts on the album are "The Caves of Altamaira", "Sign In Stranger" and "The Fez". It's well work taking time to get accustomed to this band, this music is sure to grow on a listener who appreciates slick songwriting and musicianship. The Royal Scam is the perfect place to start with Steely Dan, just as much as their second effort Countdown To Ecstasy.