Following the release of Can't Buy a Thrill, SD came back better and stronger, more filled with angst and cynicism, locked and loaded, and ready to take aim at YOU. Countdown to Ecstasy is SD's 2nd best album (after Aja which was just perfect). Now here is the confusing part, this album is perfect too. Confusing being a Steely Dan fan. You have to accept paradoxes, non-sequiturs and basic illogical logic in order to move on (of course you will figure that out with their next release, Pretzel Logic). So, on with the music. BODHISATTVA, the enlightened one. The only thing better than this song is this song live. It just cannot be explained in words. THE BOSTON RAG, no clue what this song is about, but the jazz infused rock is fantastic. SHOW BIZ KIDS, is pure SD loathing, ripping on anyone that sells out to makes an easy buck and live the life. MY OLD SCHOOL, released for airplay is one of SD's better known tunes. PEARL OF THE QUARTER is a great little blues tune about a prostitute in New Orleans, need I say more? KING OF THE WORLD is a post-apocalyptic view of the world, replete with SD's stinging social commentary and funky as all get-out; probably SD's funkiest song of their 1st 2 albums. Now, to my personal favorites on the album: RAZOR BOY is probably second only to 'Turn That Heartbeat Over Again' as far as my favorite SD songs, the blues/jazz/funk, backstopped by the synthed xylophone and the slide guitar is incredible. YOUR GOLD TEETH, a reference to gambling, is a cold-hearted SD look at the literal losers of the world, again a jazz/blues funk, and the future release YOUR GOLD TEETH II is equally impressive. So, I will sum up as I do all SD album reviews because it is obligatory; all in or all out, if you are a DanFan, you have to have it all, so, IF IT'S STEELY DAN, BUY IT. PERIOD.Read full review
Despite being written on tour, Countdown to Ecstasy is unique among Steely Dan albums because of its straightforward rock tracts and steady personnel throughout recording.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
this is great music, it really holds up but the scratch ruined my listening experience big time so i was very very disappointed.what else can i say,be careful who you buy from.it was great music but the damaged product i paid highly for that was labeled "new" was obviously not true but this music by steely dan is awsome
Forgot how good these musicians were
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Had to get my collection full
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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