bam23
(Berkeley) | | Posted: Feb 16, 2013 - 19:35 | |
rdo wrote:After 30 years...I still don't get 'em. I guess there are at least 2 of us facing this conundrum. There seems to be some sort of shared set of assumptions about the world and experiences, likely revolving around East Coast colleges at a particular time in history (possibly including class), that resonate with their fans. The instrumental work is very good, but for me there is nothing to hold on to. Geez, I seem to have written something similar prior to this. The music does sound professional.... |
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rdo
(DC) | | Posted: Feb 16, 2013 - 19:31 | |
After 30 years...I still don't get 'em.
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Sasha2001
(The business end of Bloomberg's education machine.) | | Posted: Jan 16, 2013 - 12:29 | |
bam23 wrote:
My problem is that it has never been possible for me to really understand the world they are describing or pretending to inhabit. It's as if a group of Eastern prep school students on their way to Ivy League universities are describing their tribulations. There is very little for me to identify with. The music that works best is that which does not require membership in a social group for appreciation. Of course, I may have read these folks wrong. If anyone out there can enlighten, please do so.
This a really thoughtful comment and you are certainly justified in feeling the way you do. Fagan and Becker met at Bard College and both grew up in comfortable New York City suburbs. If you listen to a lot of their lyrics, their themes revolve around sex, drugs, and crime more than preppy culture, "Reeling in the Years" notwithstanding. In fact, a lot of the material gets really dark at times - more cynicism than satire. But the music is rooted in complex jazz rhythms which can be off putting to the typical fan of rock. Still, I love all these aspects of their work. |
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westslope
(BC coast) | | Posted: Aug 12, 2012 - 09:02 | |
neuticle wrote:One of the few bands in the world that I can not stand Too bad. It is a favourite for many who were listening back in the day. Lots of musicians like this band. |
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lily34
(lexvegas) | | Posted: Jul 11, 2012 - 22:31 | |
i love them, and i love this particular track so much. thanks bill!
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neuticle
(fog fog fog) | | Posted: May 09, 2012 - 11:31 | |
One of the few bands in the world that I can not stand
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Proclivities
(Carrboro, NC) | | Posted: Apr 13, 2012 - 12:36 | |
bam23 wrote:
My problem is that it has never been possible for me to really understand the world they are describing or pretending to inhabit. It's as if a group of Eastern prep school students on their way to Ivy League universities are describing their tribulations. There is very little for me to identify with. The music that works best is that which does not require membership in a social group for appreciation. Of course, I may have read these folks wrong. If anyone out there can enlighten, please do so.
I don't believe they were very privileged - they met in a small, liberal-arts college in upstate NY (which was not Vassar). Their lyrics do have a certain "university" or "intelligensia" quality to them, but I don't find their stuff to be exclusive or requiring of a membership. We all hear different things, though. |
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WayUpNorth
(Windswept Exile) | | Posted: Apr 06, 2011 - 08:08 | |
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Dave_Mack
(Swimming Upstream) | | Posted: Apr 06, 2011 - 08:06 | |
peter_james_bond wrote:If anyone fits the definition of Major Dude, it is our captain; Mr Bill G.  Amen, brother! And I've spent hours trying to play that little riff on the guitar. I can approximate it now  |
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bindi
(North Carolina) | | Posted: Mar 05, 2011 - 20:47 | |
the_jake wrote:Does this major dude abide?
yes |
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gatorade
(Ocean Park, WA) | | Posted: Mar 05, 2011 - 20:44 | |
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bam23
(Berkeley) | | Posted: Feb 02, 2011 - 13:09 | |
scrubbrush wrote:i respect the fact that people love this band but i cannot stand their psuedo-lounge style and the singers voice has never worked for me. instant station changer. My problem is that it has never been possible for me to really understand the world they are describing or pretending to inhabit. It's as if a group of Eastern prep school students on their way to Ivy League universities are describing their tribulations. There is very little for me to identify with. The music that works best is that which does not require membership in a social group for appreciation. Of course, I may have read these folks wrong. If anyone out there can enlighten, please do so. |
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ziggytrix
(Dallas, TX) | | Posted: Feb 02, 2011 - 13:04 | |
any hoopy frood will tell you...
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the_jake
(on the sideline) | | Posted: Feb 02, 2011 - 13:04 | |
Does this major dude abide?
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preacher
(Too many trees, can't tell for sure.) | | Posted: Feb 02, 2011 - 13:03 | |
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Boxman
| | Posted: Jan 02, 2011 - 07:28 | |
One of my favorites.
A rare Steely Dan song in that it is devoid of SD's typical cynicism and sarcasm. Instead we hear genuine empathy. |
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Businessgypsy
(Deepest, Darkest Florida) | | Posted: Jan 02, 2011 - 05:41 | |
Have you ever seen a squonk's tears? Well, look at mine. The Squonk is probably the world's ugliest animal. So ugly, in fact, that it spends most of its life crying over its cruel fate. Eventually many squonks just dissolve into a puddle of tears. |
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HazzeSwede
(Vinyl Land) | | Posted: Jan 02, 2011 - 05:27 | |
peter_james_bond wrote:If anyone fits the definition of Major Dude, it is our captain; Mr Bill G.  ....I don't give Amens' but to this OH YES ! Might R be a major Dudette !?  |
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On_The_Beach
(Vancouver BC, Bud) | | Posted: Dec 01, 2010 - 17:42 | |
shawshank wrote: The only major DUDE worth mentioning!!!
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Danimal174
(Upstate South Carolina) | | Posted: Dec 01, 2010 - 14:27 | |
redeyespy wrote:
Not exactly a good case to cite in defense of anti-Danism.
Anti-Danism? I don't like the sound of that one bit.  |
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Dinges,_the_Dude
(under sea-level, N52°22', E4°52') | | Posted: Sep 29, 2010 - 06:32 | |
vesta0424 wrote:I have decided that Steely Dan sucks.
Perhaps you just don't get the music/lyrics? |
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shawshank
(Maryland) | | Posted: Sep 29, 2010 - 06:31 | |
The only major DUDE worth mentioning!!! |
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katiediddler
(one of the dominoes, hopefully near the back) | | Posted: Sep 29, 2010 - 06:30 | |
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vesta0424
| | Posted: Sep 29, 2010 - 06:30 | |
I have decided that Steely Dan sucks.
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treatment_bound
(Duluth to Madison) | | Posted: Aug 18, 2010 - 12:18 | |
Verpeiler wrote:
I like your style, dude :-)
"But do you have to use so many cuss words?" |
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BowTieDad
(Stockholm, Sweden) | | Posted: Jul 27, 2010 - 06:46 | |
Stingray wrote:No ranks for SD.
HALL OF FAME!
("8") amen! rating SD or Neil Young, waste of time. HOF! |
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nagsheadlocal
(North Carolina, the new New Jersey) | | Posted: Jun 25, 2010 - 09:48 | |
Bat wrote:
I'm going so shamelessly pat myself on the back and say that yes I did know back then.
I have to admit it took me a while to figure them out. If not for the guitarist in the band I was managing at the time, I would have had to wait another album or two. But he sat me down and made me listen to this a couple times. Thanks, Pat. Haven't seen you in ages and hope life is treating you well. |
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scrubbrush
| | Posted: May 24, 2010 - 14:00 | |
i respect the fact that people love this band but i cannot stand their psuedo-lounge style and the singers voice has never worked for me. instant station changer.
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Bat
(Austin) | | Posted: May 24, 2010 - 14:00 | |
Deadwing wrote:Still one of my favorite bands after all these years. Amazing tight production and sound and such searing lyrics  I don't think anyone realized back then just how great these guys were... I'm going to shamelessly pat myself on the back and say that yes I did know back then. |
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ziakut
(Chicago, IL) | | Posted: May 24, 2010 - 13:59 | |
This is far better than the 'Rikki don't Lose That Number'...tune off the same album for the simple fact that it wasn't overplayed to death. Nice feel and nostalgic...!!!
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