The Royal Scam
by Steely Dan

From Medelsvensson 06/02/2019 14:53 | #237024 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

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. (Edited)

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.

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. (Edited)

This album has the feel of the lonesome but happy traveler. One who is followed by the saxophone and tamed but not timid guitars. The subjects are learned and I guess that is a good thing. Who ever wrote these songs knew the way of the world. 'Don't Take Me Alive' is a song about someone holed up in a mine ready to blow themselves up or stay there forever, I'm not sure which but you sure don't get a lot about that! Seems to throw the old father son dispute thing into the mix. Slow although it hooked me. One of the best here you can take my word. Other songs? 'The Fez' is lively party and certainly a piece that drags up the dead. 'Kid Charlemagne' gets itself noticed like a jester juggling a mobile phone. One about the hopes and dreams of a man-be-getting-by it sure does rouse the spirits, despite it mentioning how the hippies have "joined the human race" after the optimism of the 60's washed away into the 70's dull parade. Outside of that what else is there to say? It just sounds like a spikier version of 'Countdown to Ecstasy'. Good music and a decent album for the dejected optimist. I'll leave you with one of the final lines of 'Kid Charlemagne'. "Careful what you carry, cause the man is wise, you are still an_outlaw in their eyes" YEAH! HIT THE BULLS EYE, CAUGHT THE FISH! TAKE ME TO CLOUDS YOU SEE ME HERE FOR PLEASURE TO YOU! But no... seriously, I'm carrying nothing.

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.