My Greatest 100 (or so) Albums...

Aja (MCA, 1977) Steely Dan. Steely Dan had been a good singles band throughout the early `70's, and were in the process of having many of us kick them to the curb cause they weren't The Clash, the Ramones or Elvis Costello in 1977. Just the same, I got this record for Christmas in 1977, and it turned out to be great. Fagen and Becker, the two mainstays, had surrounded themselves with Jazz musicians for this one, and the results kicked mellow ass. There are only 7 songs, but they are all under a single groove. Peg and Josie were the hits, but my favorites were Black Cow, Aja and, especially Deacon Blues. If you're still grudging them for being a soft, studio band, give this one another listen. It's not rock, but it's great stuff.