GAUCHO

This album is almost as good as Aja in some respects, yet still doesn't quite capture the same energy. If you thought Aja was Jazz influenced, then get ready for an even bigger reason why Jazz enthusiests adore them just as much as we do. Why SD aren't in Jazz-Rock currently is quite beyond me.

Parts of the album, such as the first track, 'Babylon Sisters', really feels just like its predecessor, but there is enough diversity here from the last venture to make the experience worthy of checking out. It certainly isn't an Aja clone in the least. It just continues waht Aja started for the band; going even further into Jazz-Rock/Fusion territory. When compared to the band's debute release, it's hard to believe that the same two men still came up with the music. While entire line-ups of the band proper have revolved and changed for years, the founding members were still here at this point, so the magic is still there, unbelievably. I credit it to the fact that the band never repeated themselves, that is to say, never do you hear two Steely Dan albums that sound exactly alike. That is a true testamate to the creativity present here.

So, getting on with the review proper:

''Babylon Sisters'' - As I initially stated, this song is very reminiscent of Aja, but it still stays fresh and new, so no worries. The chorus is rather short, but very catchy, almost in the same vein as ''Do It Again'' from year one. It is also subsequently my favorite song on the record.

''Hey Nineteen'' Is a nice little diddy that puts a smile to my face often. It's much bluesier I feel than anything previous from the band, but also a bit twangy with a slight southern vibe in the tune. Very nice to listen to, though. No complaints at all. There is really nothing all that special about it, but it never bores me, which is always good.

''Glamour Profession'' The piano work really works alongside of the repetetive guitar riffing. The players' touches on their respective instruments here are very light and gentle. The horns help flesh out the atmosphere as well. Again, as on the last album, Steely Dan never has to force or over-play anything. They effortlessly convey the exact emotions they want us to feel and the exact philosophies they wish us to grasp. The lyrical and melodical marriage in the band is truly amazing.

The title track features a birghtness that never really recapitulates anywhere, so it is unique in that it feels different from all the other tracks on the record. It's a beautiful song, but unfortunately the radically different feel of this particular track causes the album to feel a bit disjointed, and this song specifically to feel out of place with the rest.

''Time Out of Mind'' Is my second-favorite song on the album, because it makes me think of old fifties swing music, and something about that vibe just gets me emotionally high. I wasn't even around then, but I feel as if I think I could have felt had I lived back in those days. The guitar playing here is very technical and impressive, but never frilly. This is something Steely Dan has always been great as. The obscure solo around the 02:11 mark is the highlight of the track, and really shows off the band's capabilities as a complete unit.

''My Rival'' Is a very bass-heavy, dingy song that reminds me more of the shady side of town than the high nightlife of a past era, but nonetheless I enjoy it.

''Third World Man'' is the album's final song. Very beautiful, this track. The harmonies and lyrics are especially powerfull, and even brings a tear to my eye depending on how my day happens to be going at that present time. Steely Dan's music I feel if often misunderstood as merely 'good rock', but honestly, I am truly glad that they have been included on Prog Archives, because we need more Jazz- Rock bands of note to draw even more fans in. No, they may not be british, and quite possibly didn't even know what the Prog movement was all about at the time, but that doesn't make them 'un-prog' in my eyes. What they did with their music was truly revolutionary, and alot of the fusion that they created had never been done before. If that isn't progressive, then I don't know what is.

Not quite as good as it's predecessor, but still an excellent addition to any prog rock fan's collection. Four stars should do it.

Happy Listening.

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