My dad got me into Steely Dan. They're AMAZING. My faves are Bad sneakers, Deacon Blues and hey 19. I was lucky enough to see them with my dad live the year I turned 19. And favorite album it to hard to choose.
@KM-ul3pf10 ай бұрын
I never hear much about Razor Boy but i love the bitter yet sorrowful lyrics Will you still have a song to sing when the Razor Boy comes and takes your fancy things away Will you still be singing it on that cold and windy day
@jason_samosa11 ай бұрын
This was awesome dude. I'm a huge Dan fan and your analysis made me remember sections of their discography that I had distanced myself from. You're so right, the vignettes at the end of Pretzel are wonderful. That being said, I have to take a different angle on my list: 1. Aja 2. Royal Scam 3. Gaucho 4. Katy Lied 5. Pretzel Logic 6. Can't Buy a Thrill 7. Two Against Nature 8. Showbiz Kids 9. Everything Must Go For me, it's almost impossible to choose how to rank everything that falls below Gaucho, saving Everything Must Go, which is inevitably a clear 9th.
@MattOLearyMusic11 ай бұрын
Thanks Jason! Looks like we have very similar tastes
@MitchellSmith-w4l17 күн бұрын
Showbiz kids? I think you mean Countdown to Ecstacy?
@jason_samosa17 күн бұрын
@@MitchellSmith-w4l ah you’re right! Mistaken on my part there
@bacarandii11 ай бұрын
OK, I was skeptical about watching a Steely Dan ranking from a guy in a Rush t-shirt, but you hit the right notes. You get these guys. I'd rank Katy Lied and Countdown to Ecstasy higher, personally, but everybody's got their own list. Also, one track that keeps drawing me back ever since I bought Can't Buy A Thrill when it first came out (I'm that old) is "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again." I don't know what it's about (I didn't realize until recently that "Only A Fool Would Say That" was a response to John Lennon's 1971 "Imagine"), but I've been fascinated with it for about 50 years now. "Doctor Wu" is another indispensable one for me. But I'll leave you with a lyric that still blows my mind -- and that couldn't have come from anyone else: "Who is the gaucho amigo/Why is he standing/In your spangled leather poncho/And your elevator shoes/Bodacious cowboys/Such as your friend/Will never be welcome here/High in the custerdome." That can't be improved upon.
@MattOLearyMusic11 ай бұрын
An all time lyric, to be sure.
@Achies313976 күн бұрын
From a different perspective, the albums brought some superb performances to the fore; Larry Carlton on The Royal Scam - incredible, Steve Gadd on Aja with his explosive playing, Anthony Jackson on Glamour Profession, masterclass in how the bass guitar should integrate with the track.
@petermercer62829 ай бұрын
Massive Steely Dan fan and your choices are very interesting and brilliant
@MattOLearyMusic9 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching
@rontoigo16509 ай бұрын
Definitely in my top 5 bands.
@martyemmons310011 ай бұрын
I've only learned of the 'Yacht Rock' genre. There are a few songs by Steely Dan that I recommend for that genre. I appreciate your acknowledgement of the "Dr. Wu" track from the Katy Lied album. I also agree with you about "Black Cow". I had almost missed the praise for that song.
@simonboyers4917 Жыл бұрын
Exactly the same ranking for me, but I switched Pretzel for Katy....although I could be wrong.......
@MattOLearyMusic Жыл бұрын
😆
@mikeloomis687 Жыл бұрын
Thanks. You are a very young Dandom fan! I am impressed with your knowledge and seem to appreciate their music. Very surprised you did not mention "King of the World" as one of the best of the CTE album. Almost as good as the title and last song off the Royal Scam.
@MattOLearyMusic Жыл бұрын
Thanks Mike. King of the World’s a great tune. You heard the reissues yet?
@mikeloomis687 Жыл бұрын
@@MattOLearyMusic No I have not. Do you recommend?
@MitchellSmith-w4l17 күн бұрын
This could easily change, but for now, here are mine. I guarantee my order is different from anyone else's. Or maybe someone out there agrees? 1. Katy Lied 2. Pretzel Logic 3. Aja 4. Can't buy a thrill 5. Countdown to ecstacy 6. The Royal Scam 7. Gaucho 8. Two against nature 9. Everything must go
@MattOLearyMusic16 күн бұрын
This would be close to my father in law’s as well… and mine on any given day. Those top 7 are all great
@danielthompson6880 Жыл бұрын
I agree with your ranking except the last two. I would swap Aja and The Royal Scam. The Royal Scam is my favorite due to the guitar driven songs. I'm a guitarist myself and the Bass and Lead guitars on this album are just incredible. Larry Carltons lead on Kid Charlemagne and Don't Take Me Alive are second to none. I also love Bernard Purdie's drums on those tunes. Like you I love all of their albums and listen to all of them regularly, but for me its Royal Scam.
@MattOLearyMusic Жыл бұрын
I get it. Amazing record. Splitting hairs here.
@BayouMaccabee Жыл бұрын
I was going to say the same thing, but now I don't have to...Well done, sir!
@michaelp.78934 ай бұрын
Matt, for many years - and I lived through the '70s - "Pretzel Logic" was my favorite SD album for all the reasons you mentioned. But I'm rating "Aja" slightly higher these days. My #3 is "The Royal Scam" which contains the staggering "Green Earrings" with those two stellar guitar solos; that song is my #3 favorite after "Doctor Wu" which is my #1 (props to Phil Woods for his transcendent alto sax solo) and "Reelin In The Years", my number 2.
@gregfulton2539 Жыл бұрын
I go Thrill, Katy, Gaucho, Scam, Aja as top 5...there are no wrong answers, and the new book is great.
@johnw70611 ай бұрын
An excellent review of their catalogue. I really enjoy hearing a younger generation’s perspective on music that I grew up with . It’s refreshing , and more often than not , very educational. I was 19 when Can’t Buy a Thrill came out , and was well on my way down the progressive rock rabbit hole . When I first heard Do It Again , and Reeling In the Years , I was hooked immediately . Anyway , here’s my ranking , and as you said , there’s little to choose between their top 5 or 6 ( or 7 )albums . In order of preference : Katy Lied. ( Dr. Wu is my favourite song by them ). Countdown to Ecstasy Can’t Buy a Thrill Pretzel Logic The Royal Scam Aja. ( for me , Home at Last is the hidden gem on this one ) Gaucho And the last 2 in order . I love Aja , but sometimes some of the sharp corners that appear on their other albums are a bit too rounded off on this one . Of course this list is fluid , and could change a bit from week to week . Thank you for the fresh perspective that you offered in your video . Keep up the great work !!
@MattOLearyMusic11 ай бұрын
That’s how my father in law feels about Aja vs the early albums. He loves the rough corners. Every album is at least an A for me, so yeah.. whatever one I’m listening to is my favorite. Thanks for watching.
@johnw70611 ай бұрын
@@MattOLearyMusic Your father in law sounds like a man of integrity . I look forward to exploring your other videos . Cheers !
@KM-ul3pf10 ай бұрын
I am totally on board with your ranking. Kary Lied and Countdown are my top two with Aja down the list. I was in college when Can't Buy A Thrill came out. Loved them from day one. I like Aja but prefer their edgier stuff.
@johnw70610 ай бұрын
@@KM-ul3pf Thanks !
@roclifton3439Ай бұрын
Saw them in Atlanta in 2004. No way they could play all their songs. My Old School was a crowd favorite.
@MattOLearyMusicАй бұрын
How I wish to go back, even to that era of the band, to see them live even once. I've never.
@pauldyer1887 Жыл бұрын
Nice Video Matt. I think you have that ranking just about right, I would probably switch their first two albums around but agree with everything else. I also love the straight ahead tunes as much as the jazzier tracks, the Dan albums are phenomenal.
@MattOLearyMusic Жыл бұрын
Thanks Paul. I love everything they've ever done, so any criticism of a particular song is relative to the rest of their stuff.
@stinghouseproductions850211 ай бұрын
Rush shirt? I think you need to a Rush tier list or album ranking video.
@MattOLearyMusic11 ай бұрын
Yeah, it’s a must
@IshadaKatzteilov10 ай бұрын
My order is exactly the same. And for pretty much the same reasons. Cheers.
@-CMajor-10 ай бұрын
Just started listening to Steely Dan and have only listed to Aja. It was good but I’m looking for more similar to “Fire in the Hole” from C.B.A.T. Which album would sound closest to that song?
@MattOLearyMusic10 ай бұрын
The first three albums are closest to that sound: Can’t Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy, and Pretzel Logic.
@steelydan326311 ай бұрын
9. Everything Must Go 8. Can't But a Thrill 7. Two Against Nature 6. Pretzel Logic 5. Aja 4. Katy Lied 3. Countdown to Ecstasy 2. Royal Scam 1. Gaucho Also, Fagen's Solo work is phenomenal, Kamakiriad would probably be my in the top 3, while Nightfly would be #4
@MattOLearyMusic11 ай бұрын
Haven’t got into anything but Nightfly. Thanks for watching
@steelydan326311 ай бұрын
@@MattOLearyMusic The first two songs I think turn people off due to the funky keyboards, but once "Springtime" hits, it's easy listening all the way through
@stratinolampino10 ай бұрын
@@MattOLearyMusicI actually think I like Kamakiriad more than the nightfly. Just a jazzier album. But the nightfly has more variety. I.G.Y is a very laid back almost lo-fi song. Comped with green flower street having a more disco vibe. It’s a whole experience. But Kamakiriad is just so catchy.
@joachimschreiner967510 ай бұрын
Kamakiriad is boring from beginning to end
@stratinolampino10 ай бұрын
ur mom was boring from beginning to end
@dionysus101610 ай бұрын
Some surprises here; but I'm bias as I had Countdown to Ecstasy as my second favourite as it was my first Steely Dan album back in the day; but for sure it was more rock than jazz; excellent that you mention the 2 best tracks, Boston Rag and Razor Boy.......................but of course it had to be Aja at #1, no matter how you cut it; every other album was vying for second place.
@davidryan738610 ай бұрын
Love the dan...but radiohead should have won that grammy❤
@curly_wyn Жыл бұрын
1. 🥨💭 (1974); A+ 2. Can’t Buy a Thrill (1972); A 3. Countdown to Ecstacy (1973); A 4. Katy Lied (1975); A- 5. Aja (1977); B+ 6. The Royal Scam (1976); B 7. Gaucho (1980); B- 8. Two Against Nature (2000); B- 9. Everything Must Go (2003); C+ Yeah, I prefer the early stuff, when they rocked lol. I don’t care that much for their later more smoothed out and un-gritty stuff. Certain songs from their late 70s period are still good and even great by themselves, but I just do not like how slick they are.
@MattOLearyMusic Жыл бұрын
I get that, and my father in law feels the same way.
@curly_wyn Жыл бұрын
@@MattOLearyMusic Apparently Christgau did as well lol
@jason_samosa11 ай бұрын
This is a really interesting take! Definitely love those early albums for their consistency in quality easy listening.
@MitchellSmith-w4l17 күн бұрын
Wow. Our lists are almost the same. I go back and forth with Pretzel Logic and Katy Lied as 1 and 2. Right now it's Katy Lied #1.
@willbrosy3 ай бұрын
I don’t know why no one ever describes their music as blues. Most of Fagans inspiration comes from blues heroes and he even says that in interviews. I know there are jazz and rock elements, but most of the roots are based in blues.
@theivory110 ай бұрын
That's a tough challenge to rank their albums. I have though of it many times and just can't decide. I don't care for Everything Must Go. Katy Lied is the album that got me into them so it's hard to put another above it. Now 222 years later after my friend gave me a copy of Katy Lied and Pretzel Logic, I would probably put Aja at the top, with The Royal Scam second, and Katy Lied in third.
@MattOLearyMusic10 ай бұрын
Can’t argue with that. My favorite Steely Dan album is whichever one I’m listening to at the moment
@dmk770011 ай бұрын
I agree with AJA as "numero uno" - but: Can't believe you weren't all over the "Pretzel Logic" track - my fave Steely Dan song. Chain Lightning (Katy Lied) is a solid rocker from Rick Derringer. Best cuts on GOUCHO for me are: Babylon Sisters / Hey Nineteen / Time Out Of Mind (about heroin) I prefer Everything Must Go (Godwhacker & Green Book) over Two Against Nature (Cousin Dupree & Jack Of Speed).
@jsghetler11 ай бұрын
Gaucho is my favourite :)
@MattOLearyMusic11 ай бұрын
Ya can’t go wrong with any of them.
@anderszettergren430210 ай бұрын
The track Gaucho is actually one drummer: Jeff Porcaro. They build the track around his recording. In my book the album Gaucho is SDs greatest recording.
@MattOLearyMusic10 ай бұрын
It certainly is a pristine and perfect recording, even for them.
@johnjonesToffeeman11 ай бұрын
It is funny how I think of early Dan records like cant buy a thrill and later ones like Aja but only 5 years apart. People have different focus on Dan writing such a musicians love the technical brilliance others love the words and stories, then there are the stars players people love and then just the sound of the tunes you love
@ranchokitty111 ай бұрын
They still have stereo stores?
@MattOLearyMusic10 ай бұрын
Indeed
@roclifton34393 ай бұрын
1. Aja 2. The Royal Scam 3.Gaucho
@MattOLearyMusic2 ай бұрын
Fair and just.
@FuturePast201910 ай бұрын
It's like you are reading my review/ranking of Steely Dan. Oh yes. Even Black Cow.
@muzorewi8 күн бұрын
Oops, you accidentally put Gaucho at 7th rather than 1st.
@greghanson349510 ай бұрын
It's one man's ranking, so I have no problem with your list. Plus, "Aja" is one of my top 3 albums of all time. It should be noted that while Walter Becker played on most songs (but only sang lead on one), he didn't really play lead guitar.
@MattOLearyMusic10 ай бұрын
Good point. I’ve heard he didn’t play much at all on Gaucho.
@markheller86464 ай бұрын
You ain’t the one. Don’t think you were around when Can’t Buy a Thrill was in record stores. Best album…humbug…ok I’ll listen. Ok I listened…I quit, my first rock concert. Led Zeppelin…last Pearl Jam. Countdown is a Masterpiece…Aja is perfection
@KirkSandall10 ай бұрын
I guess we're all entitled to our opinions but this is how I'd rank them: 1. Countdown to Ecstasy 2. Aja 3. Royal Scam 4. Two Against Nature 5. Pretzel Logic 6. Can't Buy A Thrill 7. Katy Lied 8. Everything Must Go 9. Gaucho BTW, @MattOLearyMusic, Aja is _not_ spelled A-S-I-A.
@MattOLearyMusic9 ай бұрын
High praise for Two Against Nature. Countdown & Gaucho are opposite sides of the rugged to pristine spectrum, so I understand why you have them on opposite ends.
@johnjonesToffeeman Жыл бұрын
To think I was listening to the sex Pistols in 1977
@MattOLearyMusic11 ай бұрын
Shame
@rbyington229 ай бұрын
What about the live albums one of the best things is hearing them improvise
@MattOLearyMusic9 ай бұрын
Yeah, I've watched shows on youtube but never listened to the live albums. Which ones are best?
@jonathantozer7733 Жыл бұрын
Watching your video and interested to see your ranking. For me it flip flops between Pretzel Logic and of course, Aja in my number one spot.
@jonathantozer7733 Жыл бұрын
OK, just finished your ranking. Of course it's Aja, it's always Aja. Pretzel Logic can be my number 2. Who am I kidding!
@MattOLearyMusic Жыл бұрын
I couldn’t break the mold on this one… Pretzel Logic was my introduction and remains the best listen amongst other people who don’t want to hear about divorces in Haiti or whatever
@MJ-qb5ph7 ай бұрын
I love Aja
@MattOLearyMusic7 ай бұрын
Impossible not to love. I find myself singing something from Aja a couple times per week
@MJ-qb5ph7 ай бұрын
@@MattOLearyMusic also for me there is a connection to a magical innocence of youth. In summer it takes me back to that time. Their music is ironically also timeless - to me anyway
@willyboyw.577110 ай бұрын
I always thought Countdown was their best album. They still were a band and quickly put the album out, so they didn't have time to over do it.
@MattOLearyMusic10 ай бұрын
If you appreciate the raw/rough and ready Steely Dan (if that’s even possible), then yeah, that’s the one.
@omartraore66610 ай бұрын
I dunno . . . I think ranking Steely Dan albums (thinking of Can't Buy a Thrill through Gaucho here) is pretty subjective. I wasn't too impressed with critiques of tracks on Katy Lied.
@MattOLearyMusic9 ай бұрын
Yeah, all those albums are separated by slim, very subjective margins
@jamestulk51118 ай бұрын
You got Goucho wrong.
@MattOLearyMusic8 ай бұрын
Very possible.
@casparuskruger480710 ай бұрын
Do you know who I am, Matt?
@stephen1562 Жыл бұрын
My rating least to very best Countdown to Ecstasy ( apart from Razor Boy) not keen on this one) Katy Lied Two against Nature Everything Must Go. Can't buy a Thrill Gaucho Aja The Royal Scam Pretzel Logic.
@MattOLearyMusic Жыл бұрын
Hard to argue. Razor Boy is the best track on CTE.
@stephen1562 Жыл бұрын
@@MattOLearyMusic Thanks, all personal opinion of course but I don't think Everything must Go gets the credit it deserves. The title track would be in my top 5 Dan songs.
@BoxingFanaticNumero14 ай бұрын
Why you didnt show do it again insteed of only a fool would say that
@Weshopwizard10 ай бұрын
Brooklyn is great but I don’t care for dirty work for some reason.
@MattOLearyMusic10 ай бұрын
That’s fair. Different vocals, repetitive chorus, not for everyone.
@rec761410 ай бұрын
GAUCHO THIRD TO LAST?
@MattOLearyMusic10 ай бұрын
YEAH DOG
@rickmcinnis382010 ай бұрын
Steely Dan albums assessed by a fellow wearing a Rush t-shirt. How could a Rush fan begin to understand what Steely Dan was? What a surprise: another me-tooer who must cite Aja as their best record. You got close with your appreciation of THE ROYAL SCAM but missed it by dismissing COUNTDOWN TO ECSTACY. I find Aja to be the most dated sounding of their good records.
@MattOLearyMusic9 ай бұрын
I dunno man, I'm a huge Rush and Dan fan, so I guess I'm the exception. I can't deny Aja-it was my first exposure to the band and still gets me every time. I learned later that it's their most acclaimed.
@SH-ud8wd10 ай бұрын
I disagree: Everything must go Two against nature Gaucho Aja Royal Scam Cant buy a thrill Countdown to extacy Pretzel logic Katy lied Aja is completrly overrated.
@MattOLearyMusic10 ай бұрын
My father in law feels this way, so I get it. He likes his Dan with a little more edge.
@MitchellSmith-w4l17 күн бұрын
Huh? Your list is completely upside down? You must be a younger Dan fan? Their last two albums, 99% agree are their worst and rightly so. They made them over 20 years later.
@user-qb1sm3rk9r10 ай бұрын
I loathe Steely Dan they're audio equivalent of avocado on toast.
@MattOLearyMusic9 ай бұрын
One of my favorite lunches. Little egg, cumin, paprika, hot sauce.. perfect.