Best Steely Dan/Donald Fagen/Walter Becker Album

What's special about Gaucho? I didn't get much out of it the one time I listened to it (which obviously I need to do again). Sounded like a very moderate funk record or something. (Is this another revisionist Tusk-like situation?)

Glad Katy Lied won, but admit it's a bit of a surprise--I pegged (no pun intended) Aja or Pretzel Logic to come out on top.

I, too, am a bit surprised at Gaucho's popularity. For a long time it was far and away my least favorite of the 70's records. It's definitely grown on me though, particularly the title track. Also Hey Nineteen & Babylon Sisters are two of SD's strongest...

I guess it was just Brent and I pimpin for The Royal Scam. Probably the only one I end up listening to all the way through these days.

For me, Gaucho is the SD spirit down to its bare bones. The funked-up muzak is often extremely minimal (compared to, say, the more baroque 'Aja' arrngements) and lyrically they pretty much reach the apex of the boomers' Tropicana sleaze.