This is my least favourite Steely Dan album, but "My Old School" is still great.
― Geir Hongro, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:41 (fifteen years ago) link
My Old School is so overrated imo.
― dell, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:42 (fifteen years ago) link
probably my favorite SD album although not always - "Your Gold Teeth" is the one for me, that instrumental break is unbelievable & the lyrics seal the deal
― J0hn D., Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:45 (fifteen years ago) link
the gold teeth 2 is also great
― Zeno, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:47 (fifteen years ago) link
the vibes on this album are sick
― omar little, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:47 (fifteen years ago) link
My favorite too. Voted for "King of the World," the first in their long line of killer album closers.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:48 (fifteen years ago) link
the guitars in "king of" are the best Dan's guitars ever recorded, and one of the best in general
― Zeno, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:49 (fifteen years ago) link
the guitars in "king of" My Old School are the best Dan's guitars ever recorded, and one of the best in general
― Pancakes Hackman, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:55 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, the vibes plus pedal steel kinda make Razor Boy for me.
― dell, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:55 (fifteen years ago) link
i sometime daydream of a Stereolab cover of Razor Boy
― Zeno, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:56 (fifteen years ago) link
or Saint Etienne!
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 19 June 2008 22:59 (fifteen years ago) link
or Gold Teeth (coevred by Stereolab)
― Zeno, Friday, 20 June 2008 01:20 (fifteen years ago) link
in order of preference:
"King of the World" "My Old School" "The Boston Rag" "Pearl of the Quarter" "Your Gold Teeth" "Razor Boy" "Bodhisattva" "Show Biz Kids"
― some dude, Friday, 20 June 2008 01:42 (fifteen years ago) link
What's wrong with Show Biz Kids again?
― iago g., Friday, 20 June 2008 01:42 (fifteen years ago) link
RFI: What exactly are they saying in background vocals on Showbiz Kids?
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Friday, 20 June 2008 02:56 (fifteen years ago) link
"King of the World" – 5:04
― and what, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:08 (fifteen years ago) link
I don't really have anything against "Show Biz Kids," but I also think it's practically the only non-great single Steely Dan ever released.
― some dude, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:11 (fifteen years ago) link
i agree. show biz and bodhisatve are my least favourite tracks
― Zeno, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:14 (fifteen years ago) link
Fun fact: This is Donald Fagen's favorite Steely Dan album.
I'm voting Bodhisattva. Incredile musical interplay on that one. I just love those "Doodley-doodley-doodley-doodley" triplets.
― Mr. Snrub, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:22 (fifteen years ago) link
"Fun fact: This is Donald Fagen's favorite Steely Dan album."
i heard about this one, but it contradict whats written on the liner notes (which were written by Dan).weird,or maybe not so cause its steely dan
― Zeno, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:28 (fifteen years ago) link
contradicts as in he's expressed dislike for this one, or as in he's called a particular other one his favorite?
― some dude, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:29 (fifteen years ago) link
see the quote above the poll options. or read THOUGHT + FEELING = ACTION from the liner notes: http://www.geocities.com/sd_archive/countdown.htm THOUGHT + FEELING = ACTION
― Zeno, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:34 (fifteen years ago) link
(i like the comment on "king of the world": "i think my face is on fire")
― Zeno, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:42 (fifteen years ago) link
The Boston Rag, my favourite Dan song - the piano! The way it unfurls! "Any news was good news / And the feeling was bad at home / I was losing my mind and you were on the phone..."
Show Biz Kids in second place, really need to make a beardo edit of one of these days.
― etc, Friday, 20 June 2008 04:06 (fifteen years ago) link
my old school
― gr8080, Friday, 20 June 2008 04:41 (fifteen years ago) link
not my favorite (any more) but I think I have a harder time picking just one off this than any of the others. except maybe Aja.
― will, Friday, 20 June 2008 05:51 (fifteen years ago) link
king of the world > my old school > Bodhisattva = Razor Boy = Your Gold Teeth = Show Biz Kids > the other two.
― will, Friday, 20 June 2008 06:03 (fifteen years ago) link
no wait boston rag is pretty tight
― will, Friday, 20 June 2008 06:04 (fifteen years ago) link
king of the world
― ciderpress, Friday, 20 June 2008 06:29 (fifteen years ago) link
showbiz kids is possibly my least favorite 70s steely dan song
My Old School........
Guadalajara won't do now......
― sonofstan, Friday, 20 June 2008 06:43 (fifteen years ago) link
Everything. Unless you like a repetitive song with "Las Vegas" being repeated all over again all the time. Probably the worst Steely Dan song ever.
― Geir Hongro, Friday, 20 June 2008 09:22 (fifteen years ago) link
haven't read the thread, but went for "The Boston Rag" after some serious hemming and hawing.
― kenan, Friday, 20 June 2008 10:08 (fifteen years ago) link
King of the World for me
― Joe, Friday, 20 June 2008 10:12 (fifteen years ago) link
The Boston Rag is Steely Dan's best song. Therefore, it is the best song on Countdown To Ecstasy.
― kornrulez6969, Friday, 20 June 2008 13:29 (fifteen years ago) link
Bring back the Boston Raggett.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Friday, 20 June 2008 14:09 (fifteen years ago) link
That's sweet. Thanks, Geir!
― iago g., Friday, 20 June 2008 14:28 (fifteen years ago) link
"show business kids they're making movies of themselves" is such quintessential fagen hermeticism, all this contempt & insight and willful myopia packed into half a line.
yeah this album can be my favorite although aja is so goddamn special to me.
― J0hn D., Friday, 20 June 2008 15:34 (fifteen years ago) link
"Pearl of The Quarter", cause no one else will.
― C. Grisso/McCain, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:34 (fifteen years ago) link
Voted for "My Old School," though "Bodhisattva" was close. "Show Biz Kids" is one of my least favorite Steely Dan songs, much less singles.
― jaymc, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:36 (fifteen years ago) link
OK, I wrote that without reading the rest of the thread, and it appears I am one with Geir.
Unless you like a repetitive song with "Las Vegas" being repeated all over again all the time.
B-b-but it sounds like "LOST WAGES"!!!
― jaymc, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:37 (fifteen years ago) link
I voted "Pearl of the Quarter" last night cos I was afraid no one else would. Also cos the pedal steel still kills me every single time.
― Noodle Vague, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:38 (fifteen years ago) link
YES
― C. Grisso/McCain, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:39 (fifteen years ago) link
I'm curious: anyone think this album has any bad songs? I don't.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:58 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, "Show Biz Kids," as mentioned.
― jaymc, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:59 (fifteen years ago) link
There are no bad songs on this album, just bad listeners.
― Noodle Vague, Friday, 20 June 2008 15:59 (fifteen years ago) link
show biz kids is the song i like the least on this album and it's still great
― omar little, Friday, 20 June 2008 17:14 (fifteen years ago) link
This is probably my favorite Steely Dan album. There aren't any bad songs - hard to pick a favorite though.
― o. nate, Friday, 20 June 2008 17:17 (fifteen years ago) link
i don't think i have a favorite steely dan album. though i suppose whatever one i'm listening to at the moment is usually my favorite.
― omar little, Friday, 20 June 2008 17:20 (fifteen years ago) link
i only found out about this album because of an ILM thread. now it's one of my favorite albums ever! "Your Gold Teeth" is my pick.
― Bee OK, Saturday, 21 June 2008 02:22 (fifteen years ago) link
all the talk about razor boy here and only 4 votes?!
― Zeno, Wednesday, 25 June 2008 12:55 (fifteen years ago) link
"Hey Nineteen" is one of the only four SD songs that I ever actually heard as singles per se, as in AM radio; and appropriately enough, those four represent their highest-charting hits. So deliberately voting for "the single" is kinda academic.
― Myonga Vön Bontee, Wednesday, 25 June 2008 14:04 (fifteen years ago) link
there were still rock songs on AM radio in 1980?
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Wednesday, 25 June 2008 14:08 (fifteen years ago) link
I used to listen to Top 40 on AM radio even up to '85 or so.
― o. nate, Wednesday, 25 June 2008 14:32 (fifteen years ago) link
I think "Razor Boy" deserved to place much much higher
― Joe, Thursday, 26 June 2008 00:24 (fifteen years ago) link
what did alex in nyc vote for?
― mookieproof, Thursday, 26 June 2008 00:27 (fifteen years ago) link
Killing Joke's cover of "Razor Boy" didn't make the cut.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, 26 June 2008 00:35 (fifteen years ago) link
Let's hear it for Show Biz Kids! Whoo-hoo! [Dodging rotten tomatoes]
― iago g., Thursday, 26 June 2008 01:35 (fifteen years ago) link
-- Alfred, Lord Sotosyn
In Northern Ontario there were! But "Hey Nineteen" barely qualifies as rock, to my ears.
Just sayin'
― Myonga Vön Bontee, Thursday, 26 June 2008 06:18 (fifteen years ago) link
california tumbles into the sea
― memwer, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:53 (fifteen years ago) link
But "Hey Nineteen" barely qualifies as rock, to my ears
soft-rock disco
― o. nate, Thursday, 26 June 2008 20:58 (fifteen years ago) link
awwww i suppose the voulez voulez bits of Pearl of the Quarter are annoying...
Maybe super furry animals can do a song using the "and if you hear from my Louise.." bit coz it rules.
― wilter, Wednesday, 27 August 2008 07:47 (fifteen years ago) link
my baby's a peaaaaaaaaarl of the kwar-ter
― 乒乓, Monday, 10 December 2012 15:31 (eleven years ago) link
Even Cathy Berberian knowsthere's onerouladeshe can't siiiinnggg
― Tomb Of Spatula (Jon Lewis), Monday, 10 December 2012 16:12 (eleven years ago) link
After closing timeat the Guernsey FairI detect the El Supremofrom the room at the top of the stairs
― xanthanguar (cwkiii), Monday, 10 December 2012 16:14 (eleven years ago) link
Lonnie swept the playroom And he swallowed up all he found It was forty-eight hours til Lonnie came around
― some dude, Monday, 10 December 2012 16:17 (eleven years ago) link
Lyrics-wise, it's gotta be Countdown to Ecstasy and Gaucho neck and neck. These songs just keep on givin'.
― Tomb Of Spatula (Jon Lewis), Monday, 10 December 2012 16:59 (eleven years ago) link
jesus christ, what a killer run from track 3 right through to the close.
― charlie h, Wednesday, 22 May 2013 06:01 (eleven years ago) link
I just had this conversation with a friend of a friend in a pub:
Him - "Do you like Steely Dan?"
Me - "Er, I guess. I don't really think about them very often"
Him - "Oh my god. I think about them all the time"
― TracerHandVEVO (Tracer Hand), Wednesday, 22 May 2013 09:32 (eleven years ago) link
this record has the power to carry me willingly or unwillingly to a small room where I lived for three years long ago mainly listening to music on a tape deck and recording music on the same deck
― Oral Sex in Sharp’s Ridge Park (underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned), Wednesday, 22 May 2013 12:42 (eleven years ago) link
tobacco they grow in Peking
in the year of the locust you'll seea sad thing
― kobaïas fünke (clouds), Sunday, 30 November 2014 18:57 (nine years ago) link
Although perfectly good, I think this is my least favorite Dan record. None of the tracks on it would rank in my favorites.
― my jaw left (Hurting 2), Sunday, 30 November 2014 19:00 (nine years ago) link
If I stay insideI might live 'til Saturday
― The Complainte of Ray Tabano, Sunday, 30 November 2014 19:55 (nine years ago) link
Impression I got from reviews of the reissues in 98/99 was that this was THE SD album (or on par with Aja at least)
― Master of Treacle, Sunday, 30 November 2014 20:58 (nine years ago) link
imo it is, it kinda has everything and is situated early enough in their career to still have some residual can't buy a thrill flavor
― emo canon in twee major (BradNelson), Sunday, 30 November 2014 21:01 (nine years ago) link
Its a great intro album to a major act...especially as all 7 original albums are of almost equal stature imo
― Master of Treacle, Sunday, 30 November 2014 21:10 (nine years ago) link
I quite like Steely Dan but I never listen to them. I've been listening to this album recently though. "The Boston Rag" wins this hands down.
― Doodles Diamond (Tom D.), Wednesday, 25 May 2022 17:47 (two years ago) link
Show Biz Kids making movies of themselves
― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Wednesday, 25 May 2022 18:16 (two years ago) link
woke up this morning with "Pearl of the Quarter" stuck in my head, it deserved much more love in this poll
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Wednesday, 25 May 2022 18:31 (two years ago) link
It really is a great track. This was the first album I bought from them that wasn't a compilation, and it was obvious right away that they weren't just a singles band. A great album top to bottom.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 25 May 2022 18:48 (two years ago) link
Surprised at the love for "King of the World".― o. nate, Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:53 AM (thirteen years ago) bookmarkflaglink
― o. nate, Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:53 AM (thirteen years ago) bookmarkflaglink
I'm surprised by this post! "King of the World" is probably my favorite song of all time. I guess post-apocalyptic desert jazz-pop w/synths isn't everyone's jam, but to my ears they really pulled it off.
― J. Sam, Wednesday, 25 May 2022 19:35 (two years ago) link
Also as a kid I used to think Fagen was singing "any man laughed on the Rio Grande" in the chorus. Sometimes I still choose to hear it that way lol
― J. Sam, Wednesday, 25 May 2022 19:38 (two years ago) link
Yeah, that's a great track too - the best album closer they ever recorded.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 25 May 2022 20:09 (two years ago) link
I like Aja and to a lesser extent Gaucho too, but when I revisit what they accomplished here, those later albums can feel kind of bland in comparison.
― birdistheword, Wednesday, 25 May 2022 20:12 (two years ago) link
Yeah I see what you mean. I wouldn't call Aja or Gaucho bland, but they lack the tight-knit working rock band energy of the early Dan
― J. Sam, Wednesday, 25 May 2022 20:23 (two years ago) link
I am most partial to Pretzel Logic.
― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Wednesday, 25 May 2022 20:27 (two years ago) link
the work day is done, time to kick off the Countdown
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Wednesday, 25 May 2022 22:28 (two years ago) link
it's this one or Aja for greatest album ever and I'll never be able to decide
― J Edgar Noothgrush (Joan Crawford Loves Chachi), Thursday, 26 May 2022 02:10 (two years ago) link
generally i respect their decision to not tour when they were making records but i feel like there are 500 killer live versions of "my old school" in a parallel universe somewhere and i'm sad i won't hear them
― call all destroyer, Thursday, 26 May 2022 02:17 (two years ago) link
xxxp I might agree with that - it's really between Pretzel Logic and Countdown. A tough call because the approaches are so different. Regardless, albums #2 through 4 are the ones I enjoy most, and Steely Dan's grown on me to the point where I enjoy everything up to and including Gaucho.
― birdistheword, Thursday, 26 May 2022 02:19 (two years ago) link