Walter Becker Criticism
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen are renowned American songwriters known for their work with the band Steely Dan. Their music is distinguished by its satirical undertones and intricate imagery, drawing comparisons to the literary style of William Burroughs, from whose novel Naked Lunch they derived the band name. Their lyrics often explore themes of failed romances, drug culture, revelations, and personal transformations, set against the backdrop of 1970s rock. Many critics describe their style as intellectually sophisticated, contrasting with the era's tendency for simple lyrics and extravagant performances.
Steely Dan's debut, Can't Buy a Thrill, introduced hits like "Do It Again" and "Reelin' in the Years." Subsequent albums showcased a distinctive mix of irony and lyrical complexity, culminating in The Royal Scam, which Kenneth Tucker labeled "the ultimate 'outlaw' album" due to its portrayal of ordinary people ensnared by crime and passion. Their later album Aja is noted for its economical lyricism addressing themes of relationships and miscommunication. As observed by Kenneth Tucker, the album departs from their earlier complex narratives to more direct storytelling.
Although Becker and Fagen describe Steely Dan as "more a concept than rock band," their polished sound and enigmatic lyrics have secured a dedicated audience. They eschew traditional band structures, opting instead for a fluid assembly of musicians, which contributes to their unique musical identity. This innovative approach is reflected in the sophisticated blend of styles noted by critics such as Michael Watts and Jon Pareles, underscoring their status as a pivotal force in pop and rock music.
Contents
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Pretzel Logic
(summary)
In the following essay, Chuck Mitchell argues that Steely Dan's album "Pretzel Logic" offers a sophisticated combination of elegant melodies and intelligent lyrics, contrasting sharply with the prevailing trends in 1970s rock music and potentially securing the band a significant place in music history.
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Stainless Steely Band
(summary)
In the following essay, Bud Scoppa argues that Steely Dan, through their album Pretzel Logic, masterfully blends unconventional lyrics and musical complexity within the constraints of pop music, creating emotionally resonant pieces that defy traditional musical and lyrical norms.
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Richard Cromelin
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In the following essay, Richard Cromelin discusses how Walter Becker and Steely Dan's album "Pretzel Logic" embodies themes of connection through its blend of jazz and pop, direct yet evocative lyrics, and the juxtaposition of dry wit with moments of insecurity, solidifying their status as a premier American band.
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Geoff Brown
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In the following review, Geoff Brown discusses Steely Dan's album "Katy Lied," highlighting the band's sophisticated lyricism and unique blend of inaccessibility with melodic appeal, while noting that the album, although less impactful than previous works, ultimately intrigues and charms through repeated listens.
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Katy Lied
(summary)
In the following essay, John Mendelsohn critiques Steely Dan's album "Katy Lied," arguing that despite its intelligent and well-crafted nature, the music lacks genuine passion and the lyrics are often impenetrable, leaving him indifferent to the album's artistic message.
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Royal Scam
(summary)
In the following essay, M.W. argues that Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan craft intelligent, enigmatic songs characterized by a mix of East Coast intellectualism and West Coast musical style, often using dark, ironic themes that contrast with their polished sound, inviting listeners to delve into complex lyrical interpretations.
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Steely Dan: Art for Art's Sake …
(summary)
In the following essay, Michael Watts contends that despite being labeled as "oddballs," Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan manifest a sophisticated blend of novelistic lyricism and diverse musical influences, resulting in complex, erudite, and often cynical compositions that challenge conventional rock narratives and resist straightforward interpretation.
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The Royal Scam
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In the following essay, Kenneth Tucker analyzes Steely Dan's album The Royal Scam, highlighting its departure from the typical lyrical complexity, focusing instead on storytelling centered around morally ambiguous protagonists, while maintaining the band's signature style of sophisticated music and wit.
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Pete Matthews
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In the following essay, Pete Matthews argues that Walter Becker and Donald Fagen masterfully refine their distinctive, introspective rock style in "The Royal Scam," offering sharp melodies and direct lyrics that reflect contemporary issues, making it a standout and indispensable work of 1970s rock music.
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Steely Dan: More Enigma Variations
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In the following essay, Michael Watts evaluates Steely Dan's album "Aja," commending its sophisticated integration of jazz and pop elements while noting its cerebral tone and the band's skillful use of irony and allusive lyrics to explore themes of relationships, existentialism, and literary references.
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Dazed at the Dude Ranch
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In the following essay, Michael Duffy examines Walter Becker's songwriting on Aja, highlighting the album's thematic and stylistic growth, its complex, sometimes unintelligible lyrics reminiscent of "downer surrealism," and its portrayal of the isolation and intellectual self-consciousness that define Steely Dan's musical identity in the Seventies.
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Steely Dan's Szechuan Dumplings
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In the following essay, Jon Pareles explores how Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan craft nuanced, densely packed songs in their album Gaucho, focusing on subtle structural complexities and muted irony rather than conventional pop hooks, thus pushing the boundaries of pop music.
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'Gaucho': The Art of Aesthetic Tease
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In the following essay, Ariel Swartley analyzes Steely Dan's album Gaucho as a quintessential example of the band's aesthetic of irony and satire, highlighting their use of elusive melodies and brand-obsessed characters to deliver a complex mix of humor and existential inquiry.