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I'm a big Dan fan but, and this might be a common mistake, I tend to overlook the Becker part of the equation when appraising why they are one of my favourite bands. It hints at things and doesn't elaborate on its themes; song structures are simple on first listen, production is clean and spare, and the solos are unobtrusive. Listening to Circus Money and Donald Fagen's latest Morph the Cat gives you a rough idea what each brings to the Steely Dan party. While Morph the Cat has a seamy richness, Circus Money holds things back a little more. Becker is working a pretty high level conversation with the listener and either you need to know where he's coming from or have a similar musical sophistication. Like Fagen, Becker makes albums that reveal themselves more fully with each listen and never seem to lose their appeal.
Just the fact that Becker sings results in an even deeper and enriching Dan universe to peer into.Some of these songs are achingly beautiful, just give 'em a listen. One could argue that if you don't like this album, you're not a true Dan fan. All the elements are here: the biting, bittersweet musings, the face-melting musicianship, the reference quality audio production, sexy back-up singers, smoky sax solos, Keith Carlock, very expensive single coil pickups going into very expensive amps, etc. Stop with the comparisons to Fagen already. There's plenty of disposable music out there to get your sugar high on, and musicians who obviously care so deeply about craftsmanship and quality are not a dime a dozen. The Dandom is in full bloom.
The first 5 tracks are like a suite that's at once emotionally devastating yet soulful and vibrant. Yeah, I said it. Never have such tragic characters moved through a smoother soundscape. But what, you don't like Walter's voice. Come on, he's got a great voice that has an intriguing timbre going on. SD will never be what it was in the 70's, but why would you want that anyways.I say let's celebrate the fact that Becker and Fagen launched Steely Dan 2.0 and are still around making great music today, touring, releasing SD & solo albums, playing with a slammin' band, and generally maintaining a semblence of class in the biz.
There are tons of people who claim to be musicians, but very few walk the walk like the guys and gals on this album.
Love the music, as with all Becker compositions, but I have to remember next time that he feels the need to sing.oh well.
I love Steely Dan. I really like 11TOW. But I find this to be a little too slick, and although it is gently funky.it doesn't really move me: no tension, no excitement. If anyone is new to Becker, get 11TOW first.
(Backup singers: Must everytime i turn my ship around, some[.]. Get Circus Money. Of the twelve songs on the album, Somebody's Saturday Night would be a number one hit if the music industry did things right. Some of the more interesting early Dan work used creative musical arrangements.
It's all his, don't get me wrong, but his backbeat hits right on target. The track Selfish Gene has just that. Add to that that the lyrics include vague lyrics that include many types of references, including drug addiction, a book written in the 70's and a bit of self-deprecation. Looking for more Dan songs to add to the pantheon. Song subject, backup vocals and arrangement(guitar work) along with a toe-tapping beat that knocks yer socks off on first listen. Somebody's Saturday Night is a song laden with sexual references and the music is mind blowing.
Door Number Two has a Dan beat with Walter as the vocalist. Downtown Canon is Walter's chance to be Steely Dan cool.
There are a couple clunkers.got to fast forward thru Circus Money and God's Eye View. Why do I mention flugelhorn.
Darkling Down starts out slow, but the mixed vocals on the chorus are definitely Dan-ish. come and knock my skyline down) Check out the horns (flugelhorn).
throughout the song. Three Picture Show is a super tune that qualifies as Dan again.
I rate this album higher than Whacks.this album qualifies as a Dan album, no doubt about it.
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