Re: Album of the day (#7533): Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

DommeDamian — Wed, 7 Oct 2026 08:02:05 GMT

Author: DommeDamian

Posted: 10/07/2026 12:02

70s kitsch trash, everything I hate about consumeristic pop rock muzak.

Album of the day (#7533): Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

BestEverAlbums — Tue, 6 Oct 2026 16:00:28 GMT

Author: BestEverAlbums

Posted: 10/06/2026 20:00

Today's album of the day

Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan (View album | Buy this album)

Year: 1972.
Country:
Steely Dan discography rank: 2nd (out of 21 albums listed on BEA)
1972 rank: 13th
1970s rank: 111th
Overall rank: 511th
Average rating: 82/100 (from 653 votes).

Tracks:
1. Do It Again
2. Dirty Work
3. Kings
4. Midnight Cruiser
5. Only A Fool Would Say That
6. Reelin' In The Years
7. Fire In The Hole
8. Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me)
9. Change Of The Guard
10. Turn That Heartbeat Over Again

indicates a top-rated track.

Top voted comments:

"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."
- @Rovers (Rating: 80/100)
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"Some time before their more mature, critically-acclaimed Jazz/Pop albums of their mid to late 70's period, Steely Dan begun their journey with this album. From its sleazy red-light district cover to its sleazy and clever lyrics to the beautiful and melodic music, this album has no weak songs. All in all, the first and the best Steely Dan album."
- @NickVolos (Rating: 90/100)
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About album of the day: The BestEverAlbums.com album of the day is the album appearing most prominently in member charts in the previous 24 hours. If an album, or artist, has previously been selected within a x day period, the next highest album is picked instead (and so on) to ensure a bit of variety. A full history of album of the day can be viewed here.

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Re: Album of the day (#7533): Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan

Album of the day (#7533): Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan