504. The Nightfly

The Nightfly
Donald Fagen
1982

Tracks
1. IGY 
2. Green Flower Street 
3. Ruby Baby 
4. Maxine 
5. New Frontier 
6. Nightfly 
7. Goodbye Look 
8. Walk Between Raindrops 

Perhaps I am just getting soft in my old age, but we have had some great albums lately.  I probably just jinxed myself.  In fact, I just checked and Thriller is coming up.  So definitely a jinx.

So this was a fun album that was surprisingly catchy.  I would never have expected to enjoy a jazz fusion album, so this came as a very pleasant surprise.  Of course, there was a decent amount of cheese, but thankfully, I'm not lactose intolerant.

Next up, Haircut One Hundred.  I wish I could get through one day without hearing about that band...

RATING: 4/5

379. Aja

Aja
Steely Dan
1977

Tracks
1. Black Cow
2. Aja
3. Deacon Blues
4. Peg
5. Home At Last
6. I Got The News
7. Josie

I returned to this project again today but I am afraid that I might be gone for about a week, since I have roughly a zillion movie posts to write.  I am actually a bit annoyed about that since we are going through such a great string of albums right now.  Self-imposed rules are the worst.

Anyway, I remember enjoying Steely Dan in the past, but I couldn't really recall any particular song that really stuck with me.  But I really don't think that will be the case here.   I absolutely adored "Black Cow" and "Home at Last".  I didn't really have a lot of faith that a jazz rock album would have great lyrics, but I was proven wrong here.  It was also refreshing; we have to deal with a lot of pretentiousness on this List but it didn't seem like Steely Dan was putting on airs here.  They were simply making great, accessible music.

So another great album.  Keep it up, please.

RATING: 4/5

325. Rock Bottom

Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
1974

Tracks
1. Sea Song
2. A Last Straw
3. Little Red Riding Hood Hit The Road 
4. Alifib 
5. Alife 
6. Little Red Robin Hood Hit The Road

That was kind of strange.  I read that Robert Wyatt made this album right after he became paralyzed.  Apparently, he fell out of a window when he was drunk.  Anyway, I imagined I would gain insight into the kind of emotions that he was experiencing at the time.  However, it was pretty much gibberish.

I am not just saying gibberish because I didn't like it.  Actually, much of the album was complete nonsense.  And, of course, that is my major problem with the album.  Wyatt could have really some really beautiful lyrics about his journey.  Instead there was a random poem and a rambling narrative.

However, I did enjoy the music.  The melodies had a haunting quality that almost sounded like Miles Davis.  I did get an idea of the pain and suffering he went through by listening to his music.  Still, I can't go all the way with this one because of the stupid lyrics.

RATING: 3/5

322. Pretzel Logic

Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
1974

Tracks
1. Rikki Don't Lose That Number
2. Night By Night
3. Any Major Dude Will Tell You
4. Barrytown 
5. East St Louis Toodle Oo
6. Parker's Band
7. Thru With Buzz 
8. Pretzel Logic
9. With A Gun 
10. Charlie Freak
11. Monkey In Your Soul

Happy Easter, everyone!

I am sitting here with an indecent amount of chocolate and a great novel, listening to Steely Dan.  What a great day.

After a string of albums that no casual listener has probably ever heard, we get Pretzel Logic, which is actually pretty well known.  This album certainly deserves to be better known than some of the not so impressive albums we have been subjected to lately.

One of the great things about Steely Dan is their ability to blend musical genres.  While the songs are short and sweet like pop tracks, the actual melodies are quite jazzy and bluesy.  The catchiest song on this album is by far "Barrytown" but really, any of the songs are addictive, especially after a couple listens.

As far as songwriting goes, we get some interesting lyrics, particularly with "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" which is a great song about unrequited love.  A good album that should be added to any collection.

RATING: 5/5

290. Countdown to Ecstasy

Countdown to Exstasy
Steely Dan
1973

Tracks
1. Bodhisattva 
2. Razor Boy 
3. The Boston Rag 
4. Your Gold Teeth 
5. Show Biz Kids 
6. My Old School 
7. Pearl Of The Quarter 
8. King Of The World

Man, I have really been slugging through the last of the 200s.  I will blame it on recent events in my life (we are talking about psychics, stalkers, and unrequited love here people). Trying to get back on the album wagon.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Anyway, this album certainly was enough to make me want to get back to music again.  The whole album kind of sounded like a mix of The Beatles and something more South American.  It also sounded very coherent even though the way I am describing it, it kind of sounds like a mess.

Overall, this one was a lot of fun.  I was making pasta while listening to it and kind of resembled Cate Blanchett from Bandits.

RATING: 5/5

245. Can't Buy A Thrill

Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
1972

Tracks
1. Do It Again
2. Dirty Work 
3. Kings 
4. Midnight Cruiser
5. Only A Fool Would Say That
6. Reelin' In The Years
7. Fire In The Hole
8. Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me)
9. Change Of The Guard 
10. Turn That Heartbeat Over Again


I am in the midst of an album marathon since I am excited to get to the landmark 250.  Armed with only a Quaker's chewy chocolate bar and my Rousseau book, one woman will make it.  Unless of course, it gets too late in which case I have plans.


Here's another band that you probably have never heard of before: Steely Dan.  I really pictured a bunch of motorcycling bad asses but here is a picture:

Disappointing.  Just a less attractive version the Beatles (except for the creepy guy on the left who looks more like Charles Manson).

Anyway, this obscure band also plays an obscure genre: jazz rock.  Actually, I just looked them up and apparently they are more famous than I thought they were (also found an article titled "All Steely Dan Fans Are Assholes").  Chalk it up to my minimal understanding of music.

I, not being an asshole (most of the time), did not really like this album.  The sound was fun and unique.  However, the lyrics got on my nerves.  They seemed to just keep repeating the name of the song, kind of like what Lou Bega does.  Still, jazz rock was pretty fun and I hope there is more on the list.

RATING: 3/5