CAN'T BUY A THRILL

I have read that Fagen and Becker were not very happy with this album other than the hits "Do It Again" and "Reelin' In The Years" which they would continue to play live for years.The rest of the album though ? No, other than "Dirty Work" they ignored these tracks in a live setting. I must admit I take artists criticisms of their albums with a grain of salt because we all have our own tastes but man they were right about ths one. I don't think i've ever listened to such a top heavy album in my life. By that I mean we have those three amazing tracks i've already mentioned and then a universe away we have the rest of the songs. I honestly could care less if I ever heard the "other" tracks again in my life.That's just my opinion of course.This is where it all started for Becker and Fagan and boy did they open some eyes all over the world with those three tracks. It made them famous.

"Do It Again" reminds me of SANTANA to start with that percussion, it will continue throughout. Such a cool track and I like the organ 4 minutes in. "Dirty Work" is a sentimental favourite of mine that reminds me of when I was a kid. I actually didn't even know this was a STEELY DAN song until recently. I like the relaxed sax solo with the organ floating in the background after 2 minutes. "Kings" opens with piano as vocals and a fuller sound join in. It's catchy but I find the lyrics lame. "Midnight Cruiser" is okay I guess and so is the jazzy "Only A Fool Would Say That".

"Reelin' In The Years" is all about the lyrics and guitar.You can't get much more classic than this. "Fire In The Hole" puts the focus on the lyrics. It's okay. Guitar comes in late. "Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me)" has a Country flavour and it reminds me of the EAGLES. Not a fan at all. "Change Of The Guard" is worse. Just awful. So it prepares us for "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again" which is pure crap.

I couldn't give this less than 3 stars because of those three incredible tunes but man it's tempting.