Perhaps the biggest criticism I can draw towards this album is also one of its strongest aspects - the playing and production. From their inception, Steely Dan was a group focused on what Becker and Fagan saw as musical perfection, and their meticulous detail results in some of the cleanest and most economical jazz rock groups of the era. This is combined with Gary Katz's professional sheen on the album, and the resulting music is even more polished if you can imagine it. While it all really does sound great, from the smooth organ lines on "Do It Again" to the effortless harmonies on "Reelin' in the Years", the end result could be seen as a little soulless - refined to the point of roboticism. While I ultimately think that the group sounds more incredibly tight than they do lifeless, some moments are so clean that it does feel a little uncomfortable - the everlasting hit that is "Reelin' in the Years" is such an effective pop rock song throughout that it's actually a little bizarre - the hook, the instrumentation, the killer guitar solo all add up to what could be considered a perfect pop song, and perhaps that's what makes it so confounding to understand.
Of course, there's more than the most technically perfect pop hit of the era, here. When it comes to Can't Buy a Thrill, though, I was surprised at just how much of it was leaning on piano rock, far removed from the jazzier Aja or the peculiar Pretzel Logic - I should note that my listening for this review was my first tango with the album. While I don't mind at all, it certainly was a left-field touch to the sound. With that being said, my favorite moments on the album were the "heavier" rock numbers throughout, such as the sleazy opening track "Do It Again", which is an assuredly fantastic way to open a career. "Only a Fool Would Say That" is the ideal representation of the album in my mind with its clean hook, smooth instrumentation, and fascinating lyrical contents. "Fire in the Hole" is my pick for the album's pinnacle, with an excellent piano rhythm and my favorite chorus on the album - this one gives me shades of Elton John, which is absolutely not a bad thing. "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again" comes very close to taking it home, though, with its excellent arrangement and segmented structure, and it at the very least makes for a powerful ending. Perhaps my only other criticism is that of David Palmer's vocals, because while he is certainly talented, he's too soft and sensible for Steely Dan's cynicism - see "Dirty Work", a a good song that would be much better with Fagan's distinct satirical tone.
Steely Dan's run throughout the 1970s is certainly an iconic setup, and you'll find Can't Buy a Thrill to be evocative of all the best aspects of Dan that will continue throughout their run, but with its own special characteristics and style all on its own. While some of its singular qualities ultimately leave the album with some floundering aspects, any listener sitting in their catbird seat while listening to the album will find the classic group that they expect - effortlessly professional, and just as cleanly catchy. You can't buy a thrill, but you can buy this album, and frankly that's close enough.
RATING: ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Listen to Can't Buy a Thrill.
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