Citizen Steely Dan 1972-1980

Between 1972 and 1980 Donald Fagen and Walter Becker had one of the most spectacularly unusual winning streaks in modern pop history, and Citizen Steely Dan collects the entire run. Steely Dan started the ‘70s as long-haired stoners and ended the decade as jazz-pop ironists, but through it all their music retained its essential qualities. Above all, these songs are exemplars of the art of studio recording. No other pop band has paid such attention to the details of its sound design, and “Do It Again,” “Hey Nineteen” and “Black Cow” are still the standard by which hi-fi systems are tested. Then there’s Fagen and Becker’s impeccable taste in collaborators, and their unerring determination to seamlessly blend elements of jazz, rock and pure pop music. Ultimately, what really sets Dan apart from dozens of ‘70s soundalikes is the lyrical content. These songs are peculiar snapshots of modern life, filled with strange characters, bizarre food and drink, and exotic, often seedy, locales. They can be dark and cerebral but because the music is so warm and well crafted, it goes down like Scotch spiked with maple syrup. Sixty-six pieces and not a dud in sight — few have ever had a better run.