In 1972 Steely Band, when their debut album "Can't Buy a Thrill" was released, the group was a real band and not just Becker / Fagan with handpicked back-up musicians.

The lead vocals are not all sung by Donald Fagen, who leaves some of them to singer David Palmer. In fact two of the very best songs, "Brooklyn" and "Dirty Work" are sung by Palmer. Other core members at this point were guitarists Jeff "Skunk" Baxter and Denny Dias with Jim Hodder on drums.

The songs are generally very cacthy and melodic, with "Do it Again" and "Reelin 'in the Years" both making it the top-twenty in the charts.

The music can, at some points be compared with country-rock bands like The Eagles or America, but with more musical refinements. Virtually all songs can be called classics, and the album definitely belongs among the group's most successful.

The rhythmic side, which has always been a very important part of the group-profile, is apparent with the infectious beats of "Do It Again", "Only a Fool" and "Brooklyn."

"Fire in the Hole" is a song pointing more towards future directions - a rather complex melody, which is really very melodic and song likely to grow on you. One song, "Midnight Cruiser" sung by drummer Jim Hodder, almost sounds like a James Taylor song.

All in all a terrific debut album, which still has appeal and charm, and with Becker and Fagens songwriting already at a very high level - more commercial, perhaps, than what would later come.

"BROOKLYN" OWES THE CHARMER...DIG IT ALL ESP. "MIDNIGHT CRUISER" AND "KINGS"...LIKE ALL THERE STUFF TO COME THE LYRICAL INTERPRETATION BRILLIANTLY MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL...

Favourite songs: Reelin´ in the years and Fire in the hole.

Simply an amazing album.

This isn't bad by any standards, in fact there are three tracks that are well worth coming back to in Do It Again, Only a Fool Would Say That and Reelin' in the Years. Like all of Steely Dan's work, however, it is better in theory than in practice. Great songwriting and very interesting arrangements are brought down by mediocre vocals and a constant feeling that it ain't much fun at all.

Got this second hand by chance from a car boot sale with a load of other albums. Thought i would hate it with the cheese cover abnd a band i had not relay heard of. But what a surprise just love it from the opening chimes of do it again and the organ solo to dirty work to only a fool would say that to reelin in the years and brooklyn (owes the charmer under me) its not punk rock but who cares when you've got sing along tunes that sound as good as these .