Debut studio album from Steely Dan, released while they were still in their full band rock phase, before narrowing down to a duo for more sophisticated fare. I prefer the latter, but that doesn't mean I don't like this stuff, too. I wasn't listening to this album when it was released (I was 6 years old and the parents probably would have frowned on an album cover that featured sex workers), but I can't remember a time when Do It Again and Reelin' In The Years weren't on the radio. And after all these years, I'm still not tired of either tune.
Like most Steely Dan releases, this album was out of time/ahead of its time and makes it on strong songwriting, impeccable musical technique, and signature Gary Katz production. It even sounds good when they don't seem to know what they're doing (Fire In The Hole). Kudos all around. This thing will put me in a '70s flashback daze faster than a trip to Putt-Putt.
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| Your humble blogger at the Odessa (TX) Putt-Putt May 30, 1974. |
Update: In its 2020 list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, Rolling Stone ranked Can't Buy A Thrill at #168.
Press of the time:
- Robert Christgau (A): "How about that--a good album with two hit singles attached."
- CashBox: "Their future: about as bright as that of any of the year's new groups as this one is both musically refreshing and blatantly original."
- Billboard: "shows good hit possibilities for a group that should be around for some time"
- Rolling Stone: "distinguished by three top-level cuts and scattered moments of inspiration"
- Record World: "could turn out to be one of the most important records of the year."
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard Top 200: #17
- CashBox: #11
Tracks: In addition to the two aforementioned Top 40 singles, I also dig the FM staple Dirty Work, and Midnite Cruiser. The relatively weakest track is Change Of The Guard, but there's really nothing here to skip because they're all in the same groove. 10 songs, 41 minutes - perfect length.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, but I'm reminded what a great year 1972 was for pop/rock music: this album, No. 1 Record, Superfly, Something/Anything?, Talking Book, Pink Moon, Roxy Music, Ziggy Stardust, Let's Stay Together, Exile On Main St. to name a few.
There's not any CD liner notes to speak of, but I did get a kick out of this MCA ad on the back of the booklet because the whole art design screams 1980s, when I'm guessing this CD was issued:
Previously revisited for the blog:
Everything Must Go (2003)
Two Against Nature (2000)
Alive In America (1995)
A Decade of Steely Dan (1985)
Gaucho (1980)
Aja (1977)
Katy Lied (1975)
Pretzel Logic (1974)
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