Steely Dan Countdown To Ecstasy CD

 Musical Maturation
It was apparent from their initial effort (Can't Buy A Thrill") that Becker, Fagen, & Co. were going to be a prominent force on the pop music scene. The Dan's second effort proved to be even more ambitious than their first and showed how much a band could mature in just one year. Tracks on the album run the gammut seamlessly from the raucous "Bodhisattva" to the mellow and somewhat sentimental "Pearl of the Quarter". Other noteworthy pieces include the psuedo-proto-rap "Show Biz Kids", "My Old School" which has become a perennial favorite of alumni everywhere, and the wonderfully cool "Your Gold Teeth". Despite having one less member (David Palmer departs after the first album), Steely Dan does not lose a step - indeed they move forward. The hallmark expert musicianship of The Dan has already begun to take shape as the works are more complex but never perplexing - just give a listen to the depth of the solo guitars on "My Old School" or "Show Biz Kids". It was clear in 1973 that Steely Dan was going to pave the way for modern rock and set the standard for their own progression and for the progression of rock in general.
Submitted by beer (Waltham, MA)
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 Ecstasy Achieved
Though not as commercially successful as their debut album, "Countdown To Ecstasy" is considered the album that initially hooked many a hardcore Dan fan. It's easy to see why...the group came into its slow and painful maturation process as Donald Fagen now handled all the lead vocals (following David Palmer's departure) and the eight tracks were all bona-fide classics. The lyrics, of course, are enigmatic and impenetrable, but that was always part of Steely Dan's charm (it took me a while to learn who Cathy Berberian really was). The music flows pleasantly from jazz-pop, sizzling guitar rock to blues and a nice tinge of country (on "Pearl of the Quarter"). A certified must for every record collection; any man left on the Rio Grande should own it.
Submitted by Will-T (Lawrenceburg IN)
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 How Good
Well I ordered this album from the columbia record club.How long ago was that?This past weekend I was at the New Orleans jazzfest.Saw Walter & Donald up close.Great young drummer.Means Something.Know what I mean.
Submitted by davidgambinocars (u.s.a.)
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 The first fully-fledged 'Dan' album
This album represents the beginning in my view of Becker and Fagen's real musical project. After Can't Buy a Thrill, the uniquely quirky, complex musicality that they really wished to explore was brought to the fore. There are no Eagles/Doobie Brothers-sounding musical interludes here. The real Dan sound and attitude have arrived with this one! A must have for any serious Dan fan, and any self-respecting rock album collector.
Submitted by boris_boy (Brisbane, Australia)
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 Caution! Wear your T-shirts!
My favorite SD album. Got hooked on Razor Boy,drawn in by Pearl of the Quarter, and gutted by Show Biz Kids and one of my favorite Steely Dan songs-King of the (Freakin) World. Mesmerized by Boston Rag--a musical masterpiece. And this was in the late 70's! I have STP to keep me shocked these days. These boys must have went to Julliard of something. And if you hear from my Louise,tell her I'm doin' fine.
Submitted by Rmmstl (St. Louis, MO)
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