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Katy lied, number 4 on Steely Dan's 9 (at least that is the count as of Everything Must Go, released in 2003) album journey of perfection. Once again, Donald, Walter and the gang have matured ever so slightly, honing and perfecting the already perfect. This album sort of gets lost in the album collection, but has some of their best work. In my still ever so humble opinion, this would be SD's 3rd best of their 9 perfect albums. It begins with BLACK FRIDAY, a tune that got significant airplay with its catchy pop sound; this is about as pop as SD gets, so don't expect James Taylor or Elton John. BAD SNEAKERS is almost a ballad, at least the SD version of a ballad, with its slow driving guitar and keys and heavy jazz percussion; the lyrics are great, pure SD insanity and cynicism. ROSE DARLING is a twisted love song, a temptation to cheat; played as a cool jazz diddy with quick-time drum work and mainly keys. DADDY DON'T LIVE IN THAT NEW YORK CITY NO MORE is one of my SD favs, another socially biting commentary about the effects of the bottle or other vices; this is pure jazz funk and Walter impresses on the guitar. DR WU, the song from which the album draws it's name is a tune Donald Fagen wrote about the doctor that helped him kick his drug habit, is a straight forward blues tune that relies heavily on keys, another one of my SD favorites. EVERYONE'S GONE TO THE MOVIES comes at you musically in the vein of 'Only A Fool Would Say That' & 'Turn that Heartbeat Over Again' from "Can't Buy A Thrill" or 'Razor Boy' from "Countdown to Ecstasy". It's just a funky blues/jazz rhapsody that I can't really explain. To borrow a term from the 70's, it's just a groovy little song. YOUR GOLD TEETH II, a follow up to 'YGT' from "Countdown to Ecstasy" is another personal SD fav, a sarcastic, writhing, jazzy little rip on the gamblers and (again in my ever so humble opinion, better than the first, YGT). CHAIN LIGHTNING is a trip. The song is jazz played so slow it's almost painful; I can feel myself getting claustrophobic, constricted, waiting for the song to take off, it is a great song. ANY WORLD (THAT I'M WELCOME TO) is fodder for the SD gods to spew about the state of the world today and the fact that they could, of course easily settle anywhere else, as long as they are useful. Thanks for the offer boys, but I'd prefer you stay here and keep playin'. THROW BACK THE LITTLE ONES, honestly, I have no clue where they were going with this one, but the instrumentals are great, heavily keys and guitar with a funky backbeat from Donald on the lower register of the ivories. So, there you have it. Another perfect album. Another SD gem. And to finish out my review I will offer the same advice as I do with anything regarding SD; if you are going to be a Steely Dan fan, it's all in or all out (no fence-sitting), so the rule of thumb is: IF IT'S STEELY DAN, BUY IT. PERIOD.Read full review
Steely Dan have always written about everyday issues that plague us all. Be it drug addiction, or cheating on your spouse, as Well as divorce, and murder. They have always wrote upbeat sounding songs with very dark, and cryptic lyrics. Becker, and fagan have always been true intellectuals. The album Katy lied is no different. The name Katy is a cryptic name for heroin, and I think we can all guess what the lie is. Of all the songs on the album Dr Wu is the one that truly explains the title meaning, as it is about a mans drug dealer who never shows up one nite to bring a taste of heroin to a client that therefore becomes strung out and desperate, so he goes in search of someone who can fix him and make him well again. During hos search he sees his heroin dealer partaking and indulging in his own supply. It was then that this guy realized that the dealer was just and ordinary guy that was seduced by the same lie as he was. Wow what a realization. Katy Lied ends up an appropriate name for the album. All Steely Dan albums have cryptic lyrics that ere actually fun to figure out. There is very little fantasy in their style. Most of their writings are taken from real life situations, and are easily related to someone have know in the past. I highly respect Steely Dan for the fact that they have always stayed true to their art and never followed trends. During the hair band era while bands were wearing their ridiculous spandex and such, but if you look at Steely Dan their clothes look like the original grunge before grunge was popular. If you sit down and listen to their lyrics you won't be disappointed.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I lost the CD I had so bought this replacement before a 2 hour road trip. California freeways are stressful but I listened to Katy Lied the whole way. What a difference it made. Feel good magical music. I would suggest everyone get this CD, as the world would be a sweeter kinder place!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Steely Dan is an amazing Band since their early years.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Steely Dan is a one-of-a-kind enterprise. Fagan and Becker bring in the absolute best of the best musicians and it shows on this CD. Outstanding!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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