Monday, March 18, 2013

#802 Steely Dan - Aja

Smooth was always a good word for Steely Dan, but it's not enough word, just not smooth enough a word for Aja, which is, I don't know, smoooooth. Italics. Everything is draped in travel-channel-safe exotic, songs stretching out silkily, every element on point, in balance, melodies pretty and easy-going. You can settle in, lean back, watch the songs go by, a dim smile on your face, with no surprises, while disaffected themes drift by disaffectedly.

I can't help but admire something that does something this hard, but their earlier albums are more angular, more invested, and more fun 3.5/5

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