New Steely Dan; Great Music w/ Surgical Precision

Like it a lot. Pretty darn clean. My systems over the years have always been challenged by Fagen's voice - I'd give his sound an 8, maybe 8.5 this time out. He always sounds like it's just this side of phasey. (but Becker is IN THE ROOM on his cut.)

This is so much better than 2 Against. Lyrics better, groove hypnotic. Much more organic. Worthy!

I wonder if there's a variation in sound quality from various pressing plants - wouldn't I love a Japanese pressing! - I have SACD not DVD-A, so can't tell.

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.

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 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!

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.

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

Oz, and everyone else out there, while speaking personally with Warner Brothers DISTRIBUTING SERVICE MANAGER, I was told exactly this; "Steely Dan has not authorized any vinyl release in the US, but I will give you the phone # for our European affiliate".

I called this number, it was EMG. The vinyl release number is: #9362-48435-1 "European release only".

If you search the web you will find numerous importers of vinyl. Now, the cost: 28.00 USD shipping alone, from Germany. Album cost: $21.00 USD.

That's the best I can do. If someone else can find a resource that is less expensive, please let us all know.

For additional info:http://www.steelydan.com/emgversions.html

There is a thread on the Vinyl Asylum over at AA that confirms the vinyl availability. I can't get to the link right now, but check it out.

Oz

Oz, Is it available at this time on vinyl? My sources said no.

You forgot to mention that it is also available on vinyl, which is surely the best way to listen to ANY Steely Dan.

Oz

As with most of the new Steely Dan albums i have heard for the very first time, this recording does have undertones from previous releases but seems to be very different than "Two Against Nature"...i am a huge fan but this one will surely grow on you!

Marvelous. I feel really bad for Steely Dan fans who didn't like "Two Against Nature" as this has some similarities, but I also hear similarities to older records as well. I don't have the capability to listen to DVD-A yet...I am really curious to see reviews.

Becker and Fagen have produced another masterpiece as fas as I am concerned.

Z