Best Ever Albums

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:06:00 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/20/2026 17:06

So, we had the 70's listening group today and this was one of three Steely Dan albums played.

Went down very well as you would expect, probably the most liked of the three from those who had heard very little / no Dan.

Not my favourite but a great album nonetheless.

No album for August as we are going for indiviudual tracks from the 70's, two nominations each, which is an impossible task but I'll give it a go

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 03:46:20 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/17/2026 07:46

First up, one of my favourite albums of the 70’s and one of the great debut albums. A pop / soft rock and jazz rock classic (with some Latin beats thrown in for good measure) although the first side is far stronger than side two.

I’d also have to say that, when compared to Aja for example, it’s less jazzy than most of their later albums but still great.

Critics have said that the album is "distinguished by three top-level cuts and scattered moments of inspiration," but felt the band occasionally sounded "limp". That’s a pretty fair assessment

In another review it was described as having "A hit single with a good album attached", and that the lyrics were "oblique, even philosophical [...] as befit a band named after a dildo in a William Burroughs novel." I think that’s on the harsh side.

I think a more accurate review is "fully-formed [...] that you would scarcely believe that it's their debut", and contains "tightly constructed songs with dazzling hooks, clever, cryptic lyrics, and vocals that offer teasing critiques for those that want them." Take your pick

It’s not as great as Aja but few albums are. It’s still got quality oozing throughout the album.

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 03:19:32 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/17/2026 07:19

So that's the last of the track write ups. Just need to do a piece on the album as a whole.

Please keep posting your thoughts though

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 03:17:24 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/17/2026 07:17

Turn That Heartbeat Over Again

I have to be honest; I’m not a fan of this track. It just feels a little like a filler track which is a shame for the last track as I think albums need to start and end with a bang. I’m afraid that this is a bit of a whimper.

I think that it’s my least favourite track on the album

Link

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:26:45 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/16/2026 07:26

Change of the Guard

A very decent track. More pop rock than jazz rock and I don’t mind that but, there isn’t a quintessentially Steely Dan feel to the track. Very West Coast in feel

Great guitar playing

For me, not a hidden gem as some have said but a nice track non the less

Link

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 02:57:12 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/15/2026 06:57

Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)

I don’t have much to say about this track to be honest. I find it rather dull, which I hate to say about any Steely Dan track but it just doesn’t grab or move me. It’s an OK track.

Link

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:56:51 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/14/2026 06:56

Fire in the Hole

Tremendous piano entry.

Not an atypical Steely Dan track to be fair. Although it is still jazz rock it’s got a harder feel to me which I like. I certainly wouldn’t put it as a standout track but it’s a nice hidden gem that’s worth a listen

Link

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 05:33:24 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/12/2026 09:33

Reelin' In the Years

The most recognisable Steely Dan track? Probably.

Either way, it’s an absolute stonker. The archetypal Steely Dan guitar track with one of the best and most recognisable guitar entries to any track ever and let’s face it, the guitar greatness just continues throughout the track

It’s an absolute winner of a track which just builds and builds

Extraordinary stuff

Link

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 02:06:19 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/11/2026 06:06

Only a Fool Would Say That

Smooooooth track. Quintessentially Steely Dan with a nice but not great guitar.

Not my favourite track on the album but still oozing quality. I'm aware that others may disagree but this Doesn’t have that extra something that raises so many Steely Dan track above good to great but still very listenable.

Link

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 03:14:54 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/10/2026 07:14

Midnite Cruiser

What a tremendous melody this track has. Trademark Dan.

As you would expect but deserves mentioning, tremendous musicianship on this track with a country music element to it.

A rather gentle, laid-back track with a great guitar solo and piano combo going on.

If you've not heard it, It’s a catchy, often overlooked track that is worth discovering

Link

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Thu, 9 Jul 2026 04:13:28 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/09/2026 08:13

Kings

Not the most recognisable or well-known Steely Dan track, I guess most people would site, Reeling In The Years and Do It Again (just from this album) but then the bar is set very, very high but this is an awesome track. A seriously underrated track and hidden gem.

As always, great groove and guitars but it has something else, that great, driving piano and percussion. I’ve heard the track described as less polished. Maybe, but I love it and who needs polish everywhere!

Link

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Wed, 8 Jul 2026 01:49:54 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/08/2026 05:49

Dirty Work

And the great tracks just keep coming on Steely dan’s debut album.

Great melody and vocals from David Palmer and that sax! Wonderful.

This was a slow burner for me when I first heard it but is now a firm, Steely Dan favourite for me

Link

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 03:29:45 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/07/2026 07:29

Do It Again

One of the great track one, side one on a debut album ever. Set the scene beautifully for the rest of their career. Also, one of the most recognisable Steely Dan track of all time
A great “gentle rocker” with a great Latin jazz / pop sound to it with a little psychedelia thrown in for good measure.

I find the track rather hypnotic as I do with much of Steely Dan’s output

A phenomenally good track

Link

Re: Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 13:05:26 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/06/2026 17:05

As always, others thoughts grateful received and wholeheartedly encouraged

Can’t Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Johnnyo — Mon, 6 Jul 2026 13:04:22 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 07/06/2026 17:04

I made a bit of a mistake on which albums my 70’s listening group are doing in July.

I originally said Aja and Countdown To Ecstasy. Just received an email saying Aja and

Can't Buy A Thrill (1972) by Steely Dan

So going to need to do a speedy run through of this great album starting tomorrow. Weird, as I’m sure that we agreed Countdown but I get to run through another great Steely Dan album so what’s not to love