This is a debate that goes back ages, and my head agrees but my heart doesn't. "Charlie Freak" and "Doctor Wu" are my two favo(u)rite SD songs, and both because they're haunting -- they have plenty of soul. But even the later studio stuff like Aja I still love. Even on a not-so-great record like Gaucho they'd craft some gems. In any iteration they're still geniuses, slick as they became as studio obsessives.Think they became that when they became just a studio project in the main ,those early albums they were a proper band.
I agree and like Gaucho more than Aja to be honest. If I had to choose though my favourite SD album would come from the first 4 albums.This is a debate that goes back ages, and my head agrees but my heart doesn't. "Charlie Freak" and "Doctor Wu" are my two favo(u)rite SD songs, and both because they're haunting -- they have plenty of soul. But even the later studio stuff like Aja I still love. Even on a not-so-great record like Gaucho they'd craft some gems. In any iteration they're still geniuses, slick as they became as studio obsessives.
I really struggle with deciding. I think it might be Aja, but it might be Katy Lied, or it might be Can't Buy A Thrill, but I also like The Royal Scam a lot, AND Pretzel Logic AND Countdown to Ecstasy - and even the last three they did after Aja though not as well. Hell, throw The Nightfly in there, which is a Fagen solo record, but might as well be in the canon. The fact that I struggle to decide (and have for decades now) says a lot. What a great band.I agree and like Gaucho more than Aja to be honest. If I had to choose though my favourite SD album would come from the first 4 albums.
One of the greatest, of that there is absolutely no doubt !I really struggle with deciding. I think it might be Aja, but it might be Katy Lied, or it might be Can't Buy A Thrill, but I also like The Royal Scam a lot, AND Pretzel Logic AND Countdown to Ecstasy - and even the last three they did after Aja though not as well. Hell, throw The Nightfly in there, which is a Fagen solo record, but might as well be in the canon. The fact that I struggle to decide (and have for decades now) says a lot. What a great band.
Spot on.Can't agree with that, but it's all about opinions of course ! Their lyrics were probably more subversive than any punk band and there is plenty of soul in the vocals, e.g. Deacon Blues, Third World Man for example.They are adored by many black soul funk and rap artists and were sampled by many, hncluding De La Soul, Kanye West and Lord Tariq to name just 3.