New Steely Dan; Great Music w/ Surgical Precision

Ever since "Aja", I've had a love/hate feeling about Steely Dan. Great musicians, excellent production, killer grooves, great rhythms, interesting lyrics (usually), incredible solos -- everything I love in music. But then they throw one of their sappy light jazz-pop choruses into almost every song, and it ruins the whole damn thing. Does anyone agree?

JD

I didn't even know that Steely Dan had a new CD until I read the original post. Needless to say, I immediately ran to the local Circuit City who had it for only $10.99. Like Two Against Nature you have to listen to it a couple of times for it to grow on you. Musicianship and sound quality is of the typical high level that you expect from a Steely Dan record, but I'm not sure if the emotion of earlier works is there.

Overall, a worthy addition to the collection for any Dan Fan.

I like this new CD and am awaiting the vinyl. I think it will grow on me more over time, but I do not think it is their best effort. I like the title track a lot and the Becker lead vocal one is pretty good, too. If anything, it reminds me more of Fagen's Kamakiriad than any other Dan LP's. I hope that their live tour is good with the price I had to give for tickets!

As a critic of 2AN I should be careful what I say after a couple of listens but.........
Ok I don't care too much for the overall groove-too precise as the doctor pointed out but if I'm not mistaken this new one seems a little bit looser,a little more less symetrical with a healthier dose of guitar solo's and a bit more vocal passion at times however it did take a while before I decided Jack Of Speed was the only great track on 2AN.... so I could be wrong but I'm enjoying it more than I expected,so far anyway .
The free DVD is a joke-usual Steely Dan smart arsism-get a few pretty girls who know nothing about your music in the back of a cab and show off yet again how ironic yet how human you can be---an equivalent would have been Page and Plant in a promo for heir new stuff complete with a plastic shark..................

I heard a few cuts on my public radio station and while the playing is marvelous to me it lacked soul or energy (just like two against nature. I guess I will just have to keep listening to pretzel logic and aja.