The Royal Scam (studio album) by Steely Dan

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.

From Fischman 01/03/2019 03:46

Less consistent than the best Dan, but still a solid album with enough great cuts to keep it in my rotation.

From Sandrof1969 02/15/2018 21:59

Chissà perché, quando si parla di Steely Dan, vengono citati solamente il perfetto "Pretzel logic" ed il maturo "Aja", al più l'ottimo esordio "Can't buy a thrill", ma "The royal scam" viene spesso dimenticato. E' un disco, questo, che ha il difetto indotto di venire prima di "Aja" per cui da molti è stato accantonato più facilmente: errore grave, chè "The royal scam" rasenta il capolavoro con il suo suono "sporco" ( le virgolette sono dovute, considerato di chi si parla ), i suoi ritmi a volte in levare, umori metropolitani, canzoni eccellenti suonate come nessun altro poteva fare...

As of now, this is my personal favorite Steely Dan album. But after the unfortunate death of Walter Becker, I'm going to listen to the rest of their discog. Getting halfway in Countdown to Ecstasy and that record is killer also.

Papa says a solid album by SD,

Another classic record from Steely Dan. The royal scam, as you would expect is full of excellent and quirky songs. The funky, kid Charlemagne, kicks the LP off, and there's no lack of strong cuts. Sign in stranger, Haitian divorce, and the title track are all great. One of the truly great seventies bands.

Essential track: "Kid Charlemagne."

"The Fez" is a lot off fun too when you get into the groove!

The production is a little strange and dated on this one, but after a few listens the genius still comes through. The reggae influences are fresh and inviting. It's definitely one of Steely Dan's darker albums.