Steely Dan Albums Ranked From Worst to Best
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ส.ค. 2021
- It's time to do it again. We're remastering the Listography of Steely Dan this week. This one has been heavily requested and when we put them in our audience poll they came within 1% of Queen. So, we decided just to do both discographies back-to-back.
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Steely Dan is an American rock band founded in 1971 at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York by core members Walter Becker (guitars, bass, backing vocals) and Donald Fagen (keyboards, lead vocals). Blending elements of rock, jazz, Latin music, R&B, blues and sophisticated studio production with cryptic and ironic lyrics, the band enjoyed critical and commercial success starting from the early 1970s until breaking up in 1981. Initially the band had a core lineup, but in 1974, Becker and Fagen retired the band from live performances altogether to become a studio-only band, opting to record with a revolving cast of session musicians. Rolling Stone has called them "the perfect musical antiheroes for the Seventies".
After the group disbanded in 1981, Becker and Fagen were less active throughout most of the next decade, though a cult following remained devoted to the group. Since reuniting in 1993, Steely Dan has toured steadily and released two albums of new material, the first of which, Two Against Nature, earned a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. They have sold more than 40 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2001. VH1 ranked Steely Dan at No. 82 on their list of the 100 Greatest Musical Artists of All Time. Rolling Stone ranked them No. 15 on its list of the 20 Greatest Duos of All Time. Founding member Walter Becker died on September 3, 2017, leaving Fagen as the sole official member.
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As always, let us know what you think of Steely Dan and how you rank their records down in the comments. Thanks for watching!
Next week: Elliott Smith
#SteelyDan #AlbumsRanked #WorsttoBest #ClassicRock
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Had to pause the video to say that The Royal Scam at 7 seems really harsh. Side A of that record is peak Steely Dan to me.
Indeed.
The Royal Scam is my fave 🏆
Aja is a masterpiece - did anyone mention Steve Gadd’s drum solo? It’s legendary!
aja is hands down my favorite steely dan song, and brings up the quality of an album that, to me, is monotonous.
Yeah, Steve Gadd on the song Aja is some of the absolute best drumming in recorded history, and they don't even acknowledge it.
No brainer
Steve gadd was definitely on the very top of his game during the Asia album I think his stuff is amazing. I think all of his stuff is amazing but he fit so well into the Aja album
Sorry. Stupid phone. AJA! LOL
Love seeing the love for Katy Lied. It seems to usually ranked towards the bottom of the 70s Steely Dan albums from many fans. I think it is Fagan's best vocal album, then you add in Michael McDonald's backup vocals, they make the album sound so crisp and polished. Each song is very catchy and beautiful. I'm starting to get into Steely Dan and have only listened to the first six albums so far and I love them all.
And that’s what’s so great about Steely Dan. Of the original 7, Katy Lied is probably in my bottom 2. Whereas Countdown to Ecstasy is probably my favorite, but a lot of people have it a lot lower. Fans don’t have a general consensus the way they do with bands like Beatles, Stones, Zep, etc. I think that really says a lot about the band.
Katy lied is my favorite 🎉
The first six albums are indispensable.
I can't believe they weren't happy with the production on this album, it is excellent
I can't believe they weren't happy with the production on this album, it is excellent
Very interesting discussion and evaluation as always - very informative and enjoyable at the same time, you can really feel the appreciation on this one
Thank you guys. Steely Dan is my all time favorite! Great video! Great job!
And here it is finally. Sweet! Looking forward to watching guys!
Really enjoyed this one, guys. Great job !
1. Ajà - This is still the most perfect album possible for me. I love every song on it, always have, always will. I just can't get tired of any of these songs. Great lyrics. Great music. Perfect album. Jason - What gives? It's interesting to have a contrarian opinion, but come on. (6/5 stars - impossibly great)
2. The Royal Scam - It's probably their most daring album musically. It's not as listenable to me as Ajà, but I love it nonetheless. Kid Charlemagne is a masterpiece, Jason. Go back to school. (5/5 stars)
3. Gaucho - Joe, don't be a pansy. This is a 5-star album. The smooth, mellow musical sound covering the subversive lyrics is a brilliant juxtaposition. (5/5 stars).
4. Can't Buy a Thrill - Not a bad song on it, and the organ intro to Do It Again is legendary. The only problem is that the hit songs got so much radio play. (4.5/5 stars)
5. Countdown to Ecstacy - Bodhisattva is one of my favorite songs, but I don't feel like the rest of the songs are up to the fantastic opener. King of the World is how to write an anti-nuke song (Sting should have taken notes before writing the awful Walking in Your Footsteps) (4.5/5 stars)
6. Katie Lied. Really good songs. Really good album. Great lyrics. It's Steely Dan. (4/5 stars)
7. Pretzel Logic - Rikki Don't Lose That Number is one of the best soft rock songs of all time. This album feels a little scattered to me overall, though (3.5/5 stars)
8. Two Against Nature - It's kind of a worse version of Gaucho (3/5 stars)
9. Everything Must Go - Seems like songs that didn't make Two Against Nature. (2.5/5 stars)
Brilliant analysis
Pretty much agree with everything, but probably would've ranked Pretzel Logic higher. (Also disagree that Walking In Your Footsteps is an awful song--it's actually one of my favorites from Synchronicity).
Royal Scam might be my favorite. The Kid Charlemagne solo is insanely good. Bit of an icy dark album it's great.
So glad you guys did Steely Dan. I grew up with this band and at the time I never heard anything like them before they actually got me into Jazz and they have all the styles of music I love and are definitely in my top 10 groups.
I've been waiting (not patiently) for this list. Checking my notifications hourly.
I loved Steely Dan when I was a kid in the 70’s and still love them. I think they hold the distinction of producing less filler than any band in history. Pretty much every song on those first 7 albums are just top notch. Incredibly consistent brilliance.
1. Gaucho - Definitely didn’t start out as my favorite album, but has become the one I listen to the most. Smooth and funky.
2. Royal Scam - Could be tied for first. Completely solid album. Perhaps their darkest. The songs stick with me.
3. Aja - Perfection. Really tied with the top three. Aja may be my favorite Dan song.
4. Countdown to Ecstasy - Their most rocking and probably underrated overall. Production just isn’t where they soon will be.
5. Katy Lied - Really tied with Pretzel Logic. Love Dr. Wu, precursor to where they’ll go with Aja.
6. Pretzel Logic - Love the album, if not every song. Too da loo feels a bit unnecessary. Still solid.
7. Can’t Buy a Thrill - Great album with some of their best songs, just not big on Palmer’s vocals. Lacks that Fagen sardonic edge.
8. Two Against Nature - Great return, solid songs, if not quite at the level of the classic seven.
9. Everything Must Go - Feels like the songs that didn’t make the cut for Two Against. Still great, but ultimately uneven.
Steely Dan are probably my favorite band, next to The Beatles and the Grateful Dead. Just the best when it comes to musicianship, production, lyrics and song writing. My personal theory is that I actually think they’re the "anti-yacht rock" band though. Which is ironic, seeing as how they’ve become the poster child for this relatively new "genre." My reasoning is that they lyrically champion the underdogs and "losers" of the world, while satirizing and mocking the elites, those most likely to have yachts. Calling them "yacht rock" is almost like missing the joke. Guess that leads to the question of wether a band is defined by their audience, or the band itself? Either way, I love this group and could listen to them all day, and even Fagen’s solo output. It’s just, pretty much, the best music out there imo.
WOW thanks for that man
I think the Yacht Rock term itself was a joke. I'm pretty sure it was coined by the 2000s web mockumentary series of the same name which followed Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, and all these artists they were connected to. I don't know how it worked it's way into mainstream culture, because it doesn't seem like that many people saw the actual series (if you didn't, it's hilarious).
Gaucho is their most sophisticated music by far, try learning that album if you're a player.
Gaucho was the Dan album I never really liked but I think I prefere it to Aja now
I agree with you with Gaucho. My most listened to Steely Dan.
Enjoyed this one. Totally agree with Jason's thoughts on the trajectory of their popularity. Twenty years ago I was embarrassed to say how much I liked certain Steely Dan songs. I'm still not head over heels for their discography as a whole. Pretzel Logic and Aja are my favorite albums. Some of them I need to revisit for their deep cuts, like Katy Lied and Countdown to Ecstasy. Cheers!
100% agreed, in addition to The Fez, Home at Last, Josie, etc. Beautiful bluesy solo on What a Shame About Me as well. Wasn't thrilled with the overall tone of his guitar on the final 2 albums, thought they were rather monochromatic, and they could have spiced things up for style contrast with the extremely nimble and talented Jon Herington, who was already their touring lead by 2000.
Hi Jon..hope the gang get you back on for Series 2 of “Recordmendations” ( whenever that happens).. have checked out your channel a few times and have to say you’ve got an excellent show( and a new subscriber 👊🏻)…glad to bump into you in the comments supporting the boys as they take on the mighty Dan....( and understand your’s and Jason’s views on Steely Dans recent popularity rise..which partly I think comes from the hip hop/ rnb audiences who rate Steely Dan highly ( obviously the jazz/ funk groove elements of their later work being particularly appealing to them)
@@deathfromabove77 Hey, thanks for the kind words. ✌🏻
Thank you for the video. Steely dan and Pink Floyd are my favourite 70s Bands. My Ranking:
9. Everything Must Go
8. Two Against Nature
7. Countdown To Ecstasy
6. Katy Lied
5. The Royal Scam
4. Aja
3. Gaucho
2. Pretzel Logic
1. Can"t Buy A Thrill
BUT I LOVE EVERY ALBUM OF THEM !
Absolutely no one in the world has ever sounded like Steely Dan. They set a very high bar for anyone who wants to explore new ideas inside the confines of a structured song. I can never come up with a "if you like A, you'll like B" suggestion for either The Doors or Steely Dan. Maybe the suggestion is, if you like The Doors, you'll like Steely Dan.
Brilliant show I am a massive Steely Dan fan and following this I am a new sibscriber to your site....brilliant Peter UK
Thanks Peter. Welcome
Steely Dan was fortunate enough to be recording their incredible catalogue during the greatest analogue era in recording history. It doesn't take away from the fact that their songs are fantastic, in fact it just adds to it. Great job guys !
Yep. Songs can only sound truly amazing in their time periods. The Beatles wouldnt be as praised as they are if they didnt exist in the 60s, and neither would Steely Dan in the 70s. You have to be innovative while being during your time to be amazing.
Well done as usual mates! I listened to a few Steely Dan albums this past week and found them to be great background music for visiting with people. I am in no way prepared to rate and rank these albums but from what I've heard, great. As for their cool factor, it was always obvious they wouldn't be cool to certain rock audiences, but ever since this guy in high school who I thought was cool told me he was into Steely Dan, I thought they were a cool band.
Ha you mean lift music?...I thought as much for at least 4 out of 9 albums.....but yeah they are so cool on every album....but alot of the time it turns me cold❄️🌨️😰
Great video, guys. I for one would love to get an ELO ranking at some point soon!
As a British person, I have no idea about Steely Dan. But hearing your glowing recommendation of the band made me interested. Then when I saw the awesome artwork of Royal Scam, I was just like... I gotta hear that record. High ranked or not. It must be heard. I checked out a couple tracks from it and it immediately feels like something I can learn to appreciate. I will check back when I have a wider knowledge but colour me intrigued.
Well , what do you think one year on ?
Aja. Get that one.
@@michaeldy3157 Gaucho imho.
Get Pretzel Logic. It’s the best mix of the more rocking and the smooth stuff. Aja’s way too smooth!
@@fraseredk7433 great one. But aja made them superstars..
Thank you guys 🙏..an absolute pleasure listening to you rank one of the most consistently brilliant bands that ever existed ( and even half asleep, you all did a brilliant job 😂)..nice seeing Joe try to restrain himself from “fanboyisms” about a band he obviously loves ..and failing 😊…
My list and they’re all five stars bar the last 2 ( which are 4.5) , so not restraining my fanboy worship at all:
1. Can’t Buy a Thrill
2. AJA
3.Katy Lied
4. Pretzel Logic
5. Countdown to Ecstacy
6 . The Royal Scam
7. Gaucho
8. Two Against Nature
9. Everything Must Go
I have been a Steely Dan fan since 1973. I remember seeing them on "In Concert", a short-lived taped concert show on Friday nights. Been a fan ever since. They have never been in my top 5 bands, but always floated around somewhere in the 6-20 range. My rankings:
1. Katy Lied - 5 star
2. Aja - 4.5 star
3. Countdown to Ecstasy - 4.5 star
4. Pretzel Logic - 4.5 star
5. Royal Scam - 4 star
6. Gaucho - 3.5 star
7. Can't Buy a Thrill - 3.5 star
8. Two Against Nature - 3.5 star
9. Everything Must Go - 3 star
Needless to say, I think Joe was pretty spot on with his rankings. The only difference we have is flipping 6 and 7. Good job, Joe.
Agree with top 6 order
"In Concert" was a GROUND BREAKING SHOW!! It was the first time you saw pretty raw live rock concert footage on late night network TV. I think this is the first time I saw Grand Funk Railroad.
I’m so glad you guys did this! Easily my favorite band. My ranking for fun would be:
1. Countdown to Ecstasy
2. Aja
3. Can’t Buy a Thrill
4. Katy Lied
5. The Royal Scam
6. Gaucho
7. Pretzel Logic
8. Two Against Nature
9. Everything Must Go
If you included the live one 'Alive In America' where would you put it?
King of the World best track off countdown imo
@@bramleydragon I’d probably put it above Pretzel Logic I’d say, but that’s a tough call. It’s a good selection of songs but I don’t think their live performances can beat out most of their studio albums, they just sound so clean.
@@steelydan3263 I agree, that song and the Boston Rag are my favorites
@@viscose_matt Oh yes, the musicianship and production are second to none
I was born in 1961 and grew up listening to Steely Dan. The Dan were huge in my HS and were well listened to in College. Almost impossible to rank the top 7. But I'll try.
9. Everything Must Go
8. Two Against Nature
7. Gaucho
6. Countdown to Ecstasy
5. Katy Lied
4. Pretzel Logic
3. Can't Buy a Thrill
2. Aja
1. The Royal Scam
I love Steely Dan, and I'll post my list later.. But I want to share what makes Listography stand out among all these other youtubers... I appreciate that you all are musicians, and so you talk a lot about recording technique and production and guitar tunings and pedal steel, and such. Especially Jason, but really, all three of you talk often about sound, and I find it very interesting, and it makes me listen to records differently. So thank you!
Yeah, I would second this. I also like hearing discussion about production choices, instrumentation, effects, etc. It's a lot better than, "This song is great or this album is great." I don't need a full Rick Beato in-depth analysis, but a little about what makes it great is much appreciated.
Aja is “personally” my favorite album they’ve done, it’s so amazing, never get tired of it. Probably my favorite album ever.
Been waiting on this one boys
I resisted Steely Dan for a long time but I’ve been on a bit of a jazz binge recently (mostly 50s-60s stuff plus Kamasi Washington’s The Epic) so I felt like now was the time to dive in. Started with Aja and it just floored me. Then your list landed a couple of days later, so its given me food for thought on where to go next 👍
Hi!
I’m a big lifelong fan, so i think i might just have to rank ‘em, impossible as it may seem:
9. Everything Must Go
8. Two Against Nature
7. Gaucho
6. Aja
5. Can’t Buy a Thrill
4. Pretzel Logic
3. Katy Lied
2- The Royal Scam
1. Countdown to Ecstasy
PS: I got into them after buying «The Nightfly» when it was released.
Ok, just watched all of it.
Great runthrough, as always, and also great explanations about what ended where.
Anyway, here’s my list:
9. Everything Must Go
8. Two Against Nature
7. Countdown To Ecstacy
6. Katy Lied
5. Gaucho
4. Can’t Buy A Thrill
3. Pretzel Logic
2. Aja
1. The Royal Scam
Not easy, and the Top 7 is all essential!
Steely Dan is a band that I heard a lot on FM radio when I was a teen. I liked what I heard but always thought that they were for "older people." And then, like Joe suggests, I got to my midlife and I began listening to them all the time. Absolutely love them.
So glad Joe mentioned everyone’s gone To the movies and rose darling two of my favorites! Looking forward to the song list boys
Even though I really disagree with a lot of the rankings here, I can’t help but love the diverse tastes of Steely Dan fans!
Ah Jason.....I don't say this enough. Love ya. Aja is absolutely underwhelming. Infact I don't think Dan ever got over it...well done sir.👍👍👍👍👍
The Ringer recently published a piece on the Steely Dan renaissance. I'm not worldly enough anymore to know how accurate it is, but in my own world, youtoob channels like yours and reaction channels seem to be at the forefront of renewed interest in their music. The article mentions their acerbic lyrics as being an attraction for Millennials entering their "soft middle age", but I have my doubts as to whether or not most people even recognize that quality in their lyrics, present company excepted of course.
Listography of the year.
1. Gaucho (it was all leading to this, the top of the mountain. swap out 'My Rival' for 'The Second Arrangement' and it's even more impressive.)
2. The Royal Scam (the Steely Dan-e-ist)
3. Aja
4. Katy Lied
5. Everything Must Go (big fan of this one. even Fagen thinks it's underrated.)
6. Pretzel Logic
7. Countdown to Ecstasy
8. Can't Buy a Thrill
9. Two Against Nature (good but too middle-aged man sounding)
100% agree with the royal scam being the "steely dan-e-ist". when my friends asked for a good album to introduce them to steely dan, i always said to start with the royal scam.
@@hoopsmccann639 I recently rediscovered The Royal Scam and for some reason it really clicked with me. Hugely underrated album.
Agree with your comment on The Royal Scam....................and it contains one of my favorite Steely Dan songs of all time (Green Earrings). Slight disagreement about Gaucho and Aja--I would've swapped their positions. Agree with everything else though!
1 Aja 2 Royal Scam 3 Gaucho 4 Two Against Nature 5 Katy Lied 6 Everything must go 7 Countdown to Ecstasy !
IMO 😊
Donald Fagen solo Albums The Nightfly and Morph the Cat are outstanding !
Thanks again boys…Great work. Each of you have your strengths, but sometimes the sum is better than the parts, as evidenced today by your averaged list vs. my list. Switch Aja and Pretzel Logic and they’re identical! Now that’s kismet, as I’m sure any major dude will tell you.
Just tuned in this is a top 25 band for me cannot wait for this!
Jason mentioned the guitar solo on Third World Man and it’s “crunch” sound. Not sure how well known it is but that was the one song that was recorded in LA during the Royal Scam sessions. The rest of Gaucho was recorded in NY. There were apparently quite a few mishaps during the sessions with one important song being accidentally erased-‘The Second Arrangement’. Probably why Third World Man was dug up and remixed. Fits the album quite nicely . As always, I enjoyed the list. Thanks, guys
Have you guys ever come around to give their last two albums another chance? They are fantastic. I am going through a heavy Everything Must Go phase now. From tracks 4-7 it's nothing but bangers! Godwhacker, Slang of Ages, Green Book and Pixeleen, awesome vibes
Had to tear myself away from listening to Beans in your Ears to rank my second favorite band of all time. I like Joe's description of Aja as an album to put on at a dinner part to impress people. For me it's a perfect album. 1. Aja 2.Countdown to Ecstasy 3.Pretzel Logic 4. Royal Scam 5. Katy Lied 6.Can't Buy a Thrill 7. Gaucho-
9. Everything Must Go
8. Two Against Nature
7. Katy Lied
6. Gaucho
5. Countdown to Ecstacy
4. Pretzel Logic
3. Aja
2. Royal Scam
1. Can't Buy A Thrill
this list hurts to read
I'm with Joe on this one. Although, I think every Steely Dan record from the 70s has been my number 1 at some point.
Their popularity has exploded. It happened for me about 10 years ago after hearing Aja all the way through for the first time. Everyone I’ve talked to since then has had a warm reception to the band. Maybe it’s about getting older.
255 comments and only 138 likes. I find this maddening. These boys put together a wonderful review session and obviously spent HOURS / DAYS / WEEKS listening to this music to review. You don't have to agree with their opinion, but CLICK THE DAMN LIKE BUTTON FOR THEIR EFFORT!
Having said all that... I've got "Can't Buy A Thrill" at #1 and Aja at #2... but I've got to listen to them all over again, so thank you for the impetus.
Agree. Clicking "like" is as easy as will get. I have no idea why so many people seem to have a problem with it. You do it to support the channel. More likes + more comments = Bigger impact.
Right behind you . Addicted to this channel since I started watching a few months ago. Would hit 100 likes if I could . Deserves a bigger audience ( and they’ll get it ) but we need to keep supporting …these guys deserve so much for the work they put in …Power to Listography 👊🏻❤️
Great video. Really enjoyed it, but I disagree with the Royal Scam placing. I just picked it up on vinyl and it is so much better than I remember, definitely in my top 3 behind Countdown & Can't Buy a Thrill. Great song writing, brilliant production, awesome playing, even the album cover evokes the sound of the record.
Loved Royal Scam....I know it doesn't compare but the audio I heard was a recording of the vinyl....loved hearing the needle crackles👍....warming
When I hear someone likes steely Dan I say wow we have the same taste in music. Then you realize how many people can like steely Dan but for 1000 different reasons. You will never find the same top 10 steely Dan song list from any 2 steely Dan fans. Incredible.
How can u call yourself a Steely Dan fan if you dont like Kid Charlemagne? It literally is everything Steely Dan is about wrapped up in one song.
Sometimes I think Jason wants to be the Simon Cowell of Listography
It's definately their best guitar song.
Did I call myself a Steely Dan fan?
@@TastesLikeMusic you kinda did tho 1:00:15
@@Shah-of-the-Shinebox I would go for, Don't Take Me Alive.
These guys have been a favorite of mine since childhood. Probably my second favorite band overall (Beatles).
1. Aja (top 5 album of all time)
2. The Royal Scam (very close to #1)
3. Can't Buy a Thrill
4. Gaucho
5. Pretzel Logic
6. Katy Lied
7. Countdown to Ecstasy
8. Everything Must Go
9. Two Against Nature
I totally get it, guys. Deciphering through the Top 5 feels like a near impossible task for me as well.
This band is so in my wheelhouse. I've been into Steely Dan since the the late 1980s. I love their first 6 albums. Katy Lied is my favorite. Joe, don't try heroin
I appreciate how you mainly struggle to find something negative to say about these albums. There is no reason to pretend that the great first run of seven records is anything less than remarkable. I'm old: I've been following Steely Dan from the start, since "Do It Again" first appeared on the radio. (I much preferred the second single released from the first album, "Reelin' in the Years.")
9 Everything Must Go
8 Two Against Nature
7 Gaucho
6 Pretzel Logic
5 Aja
4 Can't Buy a Thrill
3 The Royal Scam
2 Katy Lied
1 Countdown to Ecstasy ("My Old School" was my favorite song in 1973, and I have never grown tired of hearing it. I know it's ear candy--I know that it's all hooks--but what's wrong with hooks?)
I will have to agree that Countdown is #1, Your Gold Teeth is as solid as it gets. After that I have mixed emotions on the rest but I do love Pretzel Logic and Royal Scam
Well done and very tough to rank the albums from the initial classic period. Katy Lied is seriously underrated and I'm glad Joe picked it as his number one. Even with the DBX debacle and obvious problems with the album's sound in places it may be the album I enjoy most from beginning to end overall. I'm not a huge fan of the second half of Pretzel Logic.
1) Katy Lied
2) Countdown to Ecstasy
3) The Royal Scam
4) Aja
5) Can't Buy a Thrill
6) Pretzel Logic
7) Gaucho
Don't care about the other two. I do like Fagan's solo albums quite a lot. the variation in Listography and viewer rankings is a testament to the greatness of this band. I couls swap my rankings around a few different ways and still be happy. Looking forward the Elliott.
Really excited for this one ☝️… Steely Dan my new favourite band.. my predictions for top spot:
Jason - Pretzel Logic
Kramzer - Aja
Joe - Countdown to Ecstasy
Really enjoyed the session guys...especially Joe’s very evident passion! But my favourite “ Steely Dan” album is actually The Nightfly by Fagen “solo”. Fabulous stuff, and a great, logical progression from Gaucho. Would love to hear what you all think of that. Cheers.
4.5 stars. IGY is a classic. But probably behind Gaucho for me. - Joe
1. Aja 5/5
2. Can’t Buy a Thrill 5/5
3. The Royal Scam 4.5/5
4. Countdown to Ecstasy 4.5/5
5. Pretzel Logic 4.5/5
6. Katy Lied 4/5
7. Gaucho 4/5
8. Two Against Nature 2.5/5
9. Everything Must Go 2.5/5
I saw Steely Dan in 2000 at Riverbend in Cincinnati and it was an amazing show. They sounded amazing and they gave a jaw dropping performance. I've never seen a band in concert that sounded as good as them.
Saw them last June in Houston. Best concert I've ever been to. The band was unbelievably tight.
Easy list, the band has been with me since their first note was released, I think I know every note from their first six albums by heart. The remaining three albums are other people's favourites but not mine, one another occasion I said that the duo was turning pleasant boredom into an art form there.
9. Everything Must Go 2,5
8. Two Against Nature 3,0
7. Gaucho 3,0
6. Aja 4,0
5. Pretzel Logic 4,5
4. The Royal Scam 4,5
3. Katy Lied 5,0
2. Can't Buy a Thrill 5,0
1. Countdown to Ecstasy 5,0
It is very astonishing for me to read the comments and so many people mentioning of how they found the band in their "grown up" years etc. I was 13 when Can't Buy a Thrill was released and I immediately loved it. Just try to imagine that band releasing their great albums 1972-75 with all their enormous contemporaries pumping out their masterworks as well. They stood their ground against some of the biggest 5 star albums ever released...
@@roxannewalsh i didnt know steely dan until rikki dont lose that number.
i was i guess 14 but didnt really grasp the band until aja
i said in my ranking above royal scam was my fav for awhile but relistening to pretzel logic a couple times this week. it was an old crush coming back great album. great catalog
One thing I had forgotten about Steely Dan: serious earworm generating capacity. I cannot get the chorus to Josie out of my head! It's been churning up there overnight. 🤪
Very interesting post! I always have felt that the more" perfect" the playing and production became with Steely Dan (from Royal Scam onwards) also coincided with a deterioration in the quality of the songwriting. I have jazzer friends who fell the opposite but for them it's probably more the playing than the song. The musicianship on Kid Charlemagne and Don't Take me Alive is stellar but Im not sure the songs themselves are anything fabulous. To bet honest there was a better match of pop sensability and hipster jazz style in the first four albums. They sounded more organic as a band and I still feel Skunk Baxter was my favourite guitarist ever in the band. Kudos to Denny Dias too!
I'm late to the party but here's my Steely Dan album rankings. I'll leave out the last two because I never heard them in their entirety.
7. Gaucho
6. The Royal Scam
5. Pretzel Logic
4. Aja
3. Katy Lied
2. Can't Buy a Thrill
1. Countdown to Ecstasy
I'm closest to Jason's ranking on this one, I think. One and two can flip flop. Back in the day, my guitar teacher showed me the Reelin' in the Years chords, modes and leads. Sort of a Mixolydian/Dorian stew. It was a tricky thing to learn. So, Thrill is my sentimental favorite. I love the whole album. However, Countdown is exceptional to my ears. I think Jason explained it pretty well. Thanks gents.
My favourite three Steely Dan albums are
1. Can't buy a thrill....so exciting orginal and wherever I have been in life Steely Dan had always been with me when I use to have long drinking sessions with Steely Dan albums playing all the while....stopped drinking now though....lol
2.Aja
3.Gaucho
Long live Donald Fagen
Jason nails it when explaining Countdown to Ecstasy.
The only (2) bands that I originally ignored, but then learned to love are Procol Harum & Steely Dan.
With Procol Harum, I love A Whiter Shade of Pale and I like A Salty Dog as an album, but that’s it.
1. Aja
2. Pretzel Logic
3. Katy Lied
4. Can't Buy A Thrill
5. Countdown To Ecstasy
6. The Royal Scam
7. Gaucho
8. Two Against Nature
9. Everything Must Go
Have you guys noticed the "Reelin In The Years" guitar quote in "Showbiz Kids" (after the line "they got the Steely Dan t-shirts") or the Bach quote (Tocatta and Fugue in Dminor) in "The Boston Rag" on the Countdown record?
Oh yeah! Kramzer you mentioned my fave Kid Charlemagne is fantastic indeed👍 it's gonna be in my top 3 tomorrow...
After Jason put The Royal Scam at #7, Kramzer’s reaction was, “Eww”. Also, Becker and Fagan consider Aja to be their high water mark, I would agree.
His “ew” cracked me up
Love Steely Dan, love the Doobie Bro's (Johnston era only), Can't believe you guys don't like "Listen to the music" 😲
Great episode and commentary, totally agree with Jason on Royal Scam.
love steely dan as i have ranking above.
royal scam was my 1 forever but upon relistening pretzal logic made a comeback lol.
im so on board on early doobie bros music.
saw them on what were once vices..........tour and so good .
love listen to the music , china grove , long train running but love deep track road angel off of vices .
@@bengalgangster Aja for me, but you really can't go wrong with SD , agree about road angel:)..wished I would of seen Doobie Bro , love Johnston's voice and that early timeframe, lucky you. You got your list ready for 65?..so many great songs to choose from.
@@sherryraisbeck9547 65 hmm they are getting tough arent they lol.
my problem the last couple of years was i didnt dig into deep tracks and sort of followed billboard .
so uk beatles the for sale album was in 64 but there is beatles 65 which i love 2 songs .
spoiler alert lol maybe no one sees this lol but a surprise to you maybe but
my fav going in the animals its my life[stop laughing} just love the riff and eric sounds in pain.
are you ready for 65?
i like the Doobies both eras. oddly enough their sound is similar to Steely Dans in the McDonald era.
I like what Joe says about getting older and how as time has passed, he has come to appreciate them more. I feel the same way. Steely Dan was groovy. When they came on the classic rock channel I grew up on, they didn't sound like anyone else. I liked them. "A decade of" was the only cd I had for awhile. Then Aja. Then I found 2 copies of the Citizen Steely Dan box real cheap. Kept one for myself and gave one to my friend who digs jazz. He became a big fan too. I am going to see them for the 5th time this week. I wish they mixed up the set list more from show to show. But I am stoked to see them again.
Whoa. Was not expecting these guys at all. Really appreciate the diversity of your guys' review lists.
Have to admit, though, I was bummed to hear how much one (or all?) of you hate The Police.
Oh, well!
Only Jason hates them
@@TastesLikeMusic Ha. Okay. Thanks for the info.
Also, watched (or rather, listened to) the vid and a few comments ran through my head. Here are some I can remember...
1. The reason for the lack of warmth in TWO AGAINST NATURE and EVERYTHING MUST GO was that Gary Katz was no longer producing for them. And yeah, there was a noticeable difference.
B. Don't know who said this but I, too, have never understood the appeal of "Kid Charlemagne." It's fine but that's about it for me.
III. KATY LIED is an album that never gets the love it deserves. Glad to hear that one of you selected it as your Number One. Which... ever one that was.
BONUS: Do any of you know what the song "Chain Lightning" is about? It's maybe one of their slimiest character profiles.
Thanks again!
Thanks for doing the Dan and giving me some different perspectives on one of my long time favourite bands. So here's how I'm ranking their albums, which are all good, as of today:
1. The Royal Scam (love it start to finish, 5 stars)
2. Can't Buy A Thrill (5 as well, so many great and catchy songs)
3. Aja (perfection)
4. Countdown To Ecstasy (great record, ugly cover art, why?)
5. Pretzel Logic (still 4,5 stars, Any Major Dude Will Tell You)
6. Gaucho (still perfection from the Sisters to the amazing Third World Man. Shake it!)
7. Katy Lied (still 4 stars, ugly cover, again why?)
8. Two Against Nature (not as great as the classic period, good reunion anyway, 3,5)
9. Everything Must Go (3 stars)
Still waiting for the 12 hour episode on The Fall.
Queen + Steely Dan makes me oh so happy!
Steely Dan started for me in record stores. I saw their music and heard two talk about them. Saw more and more of their name on internet as well and one day I took a chance on "Can't Buy a Thrill" on CD. Listened to about half of the record and realized "I like this. I want more of it" and not before long had all the classic albums. While the albums are different and there is a small evolution on all of them they also have a consistent quality. Hard to rank even if you love them like Joe, like them plenty like Kramzer or like them some like Jason. I think I fall in between Joe and Kramzer. In ranking terms more like Kramzer but feelings more similar to Joe.
Reelin' In the Years and Josie have different starts to the songs but both contain some of my favorite starts to any song I've ever heard. Just so melodic and tasty!
I think the ranking comes down to liking the early band and that influence or the more jazzy influence of later years. I like both equally so is a mix for me. I actually put "Two Against Nature" on my IPod before seeing this so will give that record a new chance very soon. I haven't heard much of Everything Must Go so I will only rank the classic albums.
7. Countdown to Ecstasy
I like the album and the more "live"-feeling as Jason states but as a whole this album haven't grabbed me as much as the others. That might change in time though.
6. The Royal Scam
This album has more "meat" on it than several others but with Steely Dan I actually prefer the bit more simplistic approach and feel some of the longer songs overstay it's welcome. Not in a bad way but compared to the albums with better ranking... I don't return to this as often. I've seen several have this as their favorite and I don't blame them.. Just not my choice.
5. Gaucho
This is the album I listen most to for some reason. It is very slick and not as diverse as the other classic albums but very enjoyable nonetheless.
4. Katy Lied
The middle album and the middle ranking. Imagine that. I think many songs are memorable and it has that middle quality in a good way. You get a bit of everything on this one.
3. Can't Buy a Thrill
Just a great debut and to me the most rocking. At least the kind of rocking I enjoy. Several of the biggest hits and and a good way to start listening to the band if you come from a pop/rock/hardrock perspective.
2. Aja
The big one. What seems to be their masterpeice. Also quite jazzy. I talk about the "meat" and here is where the meat is most interesting to me. I feel the longer songs get better the more you listen instead of just wishing they were a bit shorter.
1. Pretzel Logic
Both Joe and Kramzer would like this to be longer. I love it because it's so to the point and catchy. Some albums that are like one hour long leaves me with thoughts like "OK. Don't need to hear this band in a while now". This album to me is the opposite. It's a short and sweet ride that makes me wanting more. The flow of the albums is terrific for me.
For those looking and this or heard about Steely Dan and get turned off by the word "jazz". Give it a shot. This is NOT jazz in the way many think. It's no twelve minutes with only trumpet or strange improvisation or something that might turn many people off. It is pop, rock, jazz and other influences done in a way I think many would enjoy. It has a very unique sound and I guess that is why we chat about it here. I think Jason is right. This could have been a band left in the 70's with a few jazz-heads only but it seems like they have reached quite a big audience!
9. Everything Must Go ( 3.5 stars)
8. Two Against Nature ( 4 stars)
7. Katy Lied ( 4 .5 stars)
6. Gaucho ( 4 .5stars)
5. Countdown to Ecstacy ( 4.5 stars)
4. The Royal Scam ( 5 stars)
3 . Can’t Buy A Thrill ( 5 stars)
2. Pretzel Logic ( 5 stars)
1. AJA ( 5 stars)
Thanks for Steely Dan week! They are my third favorite band, behind the Cars and the Beatles. Joe, can you tell me where you got your Steely Dan t-shirt? I would love to have one!
Karen. It is from a place called Fine Southern Gentlemen. They have like 7 Steely Dan t-shirts and I’m going to end up buying them all. - Joe
I can't get into them, but I'll gladly listen to you guys rank them anyway. That said, Pretzel Logic and Haitian Divorce are pretty cool songs.
I really enjoyed that a lot guys, I agree with Jason a lot on most of it. But it’s all subjective and just fun to discuss.
Very hard to rank since to me I think of Steely Dan more in terms of my favorite songs, so I will start by listing my favorite songs on each album.
Can't Buy a Thrill - Reeling in the Years, Do It Again, Kings, Fire in the Hole
Countdown to Ecstasy- My Old School, King of the World, Your Gold Teeth, Razor Boy has he seen Razor Face from Madman Across the Water? and Bodhisatta
Pretzel Logic- Night by Night, Rikki Don't Lose that Number, Any Major Dude and Pretzel Logic
Katy Lied - Black Friday (my favorite guitar and some of their best lyrics but far too short), Gold Teeth II, Any World that I'm Welcome To, Bad Sneakers, Everybody's Gone to the Movies, Doctor Woo
Royal Scam - Kid Charlemagne, Don't Take Me Alive, The Fez, Green Ear Rings. Sign In Stranger, The Royal Scam and The Caves Of Altamira
Asa- Deacon Blues, Aja, Peg and Josie
Based on number of favorite songs on each of these albums which are the ones I listen to the most,
1. Royal Scam with 7 songs
2. tied for second Countdown for Ecstasy and Katy Lied with 5 songs each
3. tied for third Can't Buy a Thrill, Pretzel Logic and Asa with 4 songs each
Thanks guys. I'm closest to Jason's ranking on the Dan. The songwriting was wonderful on those early albums but the further they went into the studio it all started to sound like the soundtrack to a pseuds dinner party. Still great, but the magic and innocence was gone.
9. Everything Must Go
8. Two Against Nature
7. Aja
6. Gaucho
5. Countdown to Ecstasy
4. Can’t Buy a Thrill
3. Pretzel Logic
2. Katy Lied
1. The Royal Scam
1. Aja (4.5 stars)
2. Countdown to Ecstasy (4.5)
3. Pretzel Logic (4.5)
4. Katy Lied (4.5)
5. Can’t Buy A Thrill (4) (almost 4.5)
6. The Royal Scam (4)
7. Gaucho (3.5) (almost 4)
8. Two Against Nature (3.5)
9. Everything Must Go (3)
I’ve said before that Steely Dan are probably my favorite band among those who don’t quite have a 5 star album for me (maybe if I were more of a lyrics person that wouldn’t be the case, and there’s always the possibility of my getting more crotchety as I progress through my 40’s and into my 50’s 😂) but definitely one I’m quite often in the mood to listen to. Always immaculate playing and really catchy melodies, and the top 6 albums are maybe even closer in quality for me than the top 6 Beatles albums, as The Royal Scam is also on the higher end of 4 for me. I always arbitrarily say Aja is my favorite on account of “Black Cow” being my favorite song in their catalog, but it’s really a coin flip between that and Countdown for me - there’s something to be said for that more organic full band feel like Jason pointed out.
Yeah, the fact that 'Countdown' was made by a real band is what ultimately tips me in its direction. That, and I think Aja has one ho-hum song on it ("I Got The News") whereas I love every track on 'Countdown.'
It'sAja at number 1 with a bullet for me. The Classic Albums ep on that is a MUST SEE! Hey guys, hope you are all well. Much love from Scotland.
Love Steely Dan. Aja is a masterpiece. Would love to see a video on Suede. My favourite band cause there's only 1 dud in their catalogue. Nearly everything is great.
Now that I'm halfway into my fifth decade, Hey Nineteen has so much more relevance to me than it did when I was 33 and could pass for 20. I dated some twenty-somethings before I settled down for the last time about five years ago, and there was nothing to talk about, no shared touchstones. But you could always do shots together ... and stuff.
But I finally settled down with a woman three years my senior. We share the same experiences.
Agree with your rankings overall Jason and also your comments about your top 2 but would go with Can’t Buy a Thrill at number 1. 2 great albums out of the block in the early 70s. Very nice. Would also go 4.5 stars for both though.
Love the channel. Keep up the good work. Jason, as usual, is way off on the classic work. Contrarian is the name of one the bones in the ear methinks. Aja is an all time seminal record. Joe is accepting the dulcet tones of middle age. Can pattern baldness be far behind?
Its interesting as a GenXr to see your takes. You are generally more favorable to later work that those 'of the era'
Can we have Listology on Concept Albums? 2112, Tommy, The Wall.... Great debate and counterpoint.
Looking forward to watching this one later. Will we get the 9 5stars from Joe?!
My top 5 are all in my album top 200. None of the others actually make my top 500. Never warmed to Countdown that much and Gaucho is too sterile for me. Still like them a lot but just not enough.
1. Aja
2. Katy Lied
3. Can't buy a thrill
4. The Royal Scam
5. Pretzel Logic
6. Countdown to ecstacy
7. Gaucho
8. Two against nature
9. Everything must go
Actually an artist I had heard about but not really got to know anything beyond their hits until the last decade.
Countdown has, for me, their most underrated song on it. King Of The World.
The live renditions of the "The Last Mall" tunes are amazing.
Yes Joe!!!! Katy Lied is my all time favorite too
Gaucho vinyl with deadwax RL cut hot by infamous Robert Ludwig this pressing is a true
Audiophile Grail
I'm fortunate enough to own a copy it's like no other Steely Dan vinyl I've heard
I've sadly only heard three albums need to get into them
TRIVIA: 22:53 The original cover concept was to have a little girl looking into an adult XXX bookshop (yes, before VHS, it was "dirty books and magazines" mostly , but they did have 8MM films too). The record company was all "No way". LOL. P.S. you guys should toss in, at the end "I love / hate this album cover" just as a tidbit !
My intro to Steely Dan was "Reeling in the Years" on a high school cafeteria jukebox in 1974 full blast. Who can play a guitar like that? Then "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" on my brother's 65 Mustang 8-track, again full blast. What can I say.
Getting close to fanboy status for Joe. Steely Dan, Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Dwight Yoakum! If i find out you really like Cake and Tool i might have to demand a signed 8x10. But I digress, great lists guys, looking forward to songs tomorrow. My list
1. Can't Buy a Thrill
2. Aja
3. Countdown to Ecstasy
4. Katy Lied
5. Pretzel Logic
6. The Royal Scam
7. Gaucho
8. Two Against Nature
9. Everything Must Go
I like Cake and Tool. But not at the same level. - Joe
Great ranking. I'm sympathetic to this list.
I'd feel very apologetic towards whatever album I ranked #6 as I find the first 6 to be top shelf. Shout out to Phil Hartman for his Aja cover. (I mean- he didn't cover the song or the album, but he did produce the image we see on the album cover)
1. Aja
2. Katy Lied
3. Gaucho
4. The Royal Scam
5. Everything Must Go
6. Two Against Nature
7. Countdown To Ecstasy
8. Can’t Buy A Thrill
9. Pretzel Logic
And for extra credit
1. Morph The Cat
2. Kamakiriad
3. 11 Tracks Of Whack
4. Circus Money
5. The Nightfly
6. Sunken Condos
Thought I was a Doobie Brothers hater but saw them open for Santana a few years back and they were terrific ! As far as ranking Steely Dan whatever one I'm listening to is the best, probably the greatest American band 👍
Wonderful show, my top 9 would have to be:
1) Gaucho (1980)
2) The Royal Scam (1980)
3) Aja (1977)
4) Katy Lied (1975)
5) Countdown To Ecstasy (1973)
6) Can’t Buy A Thrill (1972)
7) Pretzel Logic (1974)
8) Everything Must Go (2003)
9) Two Against Nature (2000)
I must be weird because Katy Lied is my favourite.
1. Katy Lied
2. Aja
3. Pretzel Logic
4. Can't Buy A Thrill
5. Countdown to Ecstacy
6. Gaucho
7. Royal Scam
8. Two Against Nature
9. Everything
I never rated Royal Scam - remember being very disappointed when it came out.