The Royal Scam (studio album) by Steely Dan

American banks are Scam? 😳 I didn’t know that.

Damn, great tracks from 1 to 7 then slacks off on the last two (not bad though). The production is maybe a bit too... "clean" for me? Anyway, great record for sure.

A-

Another very chill and relaxing SD album but it does fall a little short of their better albums for me. This record is front heavy with the 2 massive songs coming right at the start with Kid Charlemagne and The Caves Of Altamira. Both have fantastic instrumental performances on and I love the guitar solos that really give these songs an edge. The album then remains consistent in its style but the quality does drop a little. Every song contributes to the record though and altogether they build this fantastic environment for the listener to enjoy. After the slight dip you then get Haitian Divorce which is brilliant and it acts as a peak that keeps me entertained during the slower part. Overall, this album is very good and has moments of excellence but can't keep that up on this record unlike some of their other work.

From Jboy56 04/14/2022 13:18

One of my favorite bands, albeit for many SD is too clean, but not for me. I do appreciate good production, great sonics, and musicianship.

For me, their second best, after the epic Aja. Countdown to Ecstasy also ranks way up there. Oh, and Gaucho. OK, I love SD.

Fine 70s chill album with great opener. The sound is nice on ears, vocals are really good.

From teague 02/18/2021 17:29

Probably their least spotty record, not a bad song on here.

This is my all time fav Steely Dan album. I have the original release of this one from the 70s where the album sleeve has no barcode on the back. Plays perfect. Haitian Divorce is at the top, then Caves of Altimira.

this is my favorite SD album. Has a quirkier, rockies vibe that I like better than the jazzy albums. Can't Buy a Thrill is 2nd favorite folloeed by Aja and Katy Lied. Pretzel Logic is in 5th place.

From Medelsvensson 06/02/2019 14:53

I want to say that it's better than Aja but it was such a long time since I listened to that record so I would have to give it another shot before making a determination. But. I do maintain that I believe it would have more of an emotional impact if it was less over-produced, though I do understand what people are saying about Steely Dan "doing it right". The album sounds a lot like a mix of Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder, but much more jammy than both. Kid Charlemagne is a real hit. The songs with a little more grove in them, like the fOnk on this one, serves the record well and cancels out a bit of that over-produced "esteem" that they have going on. The two following songs are also brilliant, Caves of Altamira and Don't Take Me Alive. And the album remains incredibly consistent all the way through. The mouth-guitar on Haitian Divorce is really cool. Lots of different sounds on this. Brilliant musicianship all the way through. Opened my eyes to these guys I have to say.