PRETZEL LOGIC

"Pretzel Logic" is the third full-length studio album by US rock act Steely Dan. The album was released through ABC Records in February 1974. It´s the successor to "Countdown to Ecstasy" from July 1973 and just like its predecessor and the band´s debut full-length studio album "Can't Buy a Thrill" (November 1972), "Pretzel Logic" was produced by Gary Katz.

All material on the album (except "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo") was written by Walter Becker (electric bass guitar, guitar, backing vocals) and Donald Fagen (keyboards, saxophone, lead vocals, backing vocals), and although the core of the lineup still features most of the musicians performing on the preceding albums, Becker and Fagen were very close to becoming the duo they would remain for the rest of their career, only using various guest/session musicians when they needed to.

Stylistically the material is a smooth pop/rock with jazzy, funk, and blues rock elements enhancing the band´s music style. "Pretzel Logic" is incredibly well produced, and the polished, organic, and detailed sound production is both easy on the ears as well as challenging to the listener because of the many layers of instruments and vocals. This means that "Pretzel Logic" can be listened to both as pleasant background music, but also be listened to with a more attentive ear, and both experiences are enriching.

And that´s the story of "Pretzel Logic"...the immediate combined with the sophisticated. Steely Dan are such a skilled and clever act and even the most regular vers/chorus structured pop/rock songs on "Pretzel Logic" are more than that. You can listen to this album over and over and still find new details you haven´t heard before. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to UMUR
• Report this review (#188245)
• Buy STEELY DAN music online with PA partners
• Show all STEELY DAN MP3/Stream
• Go to STEELY DAN page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Pretzel Logic page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for STEELY DAN related discussions