Review Summary: If Countdown to Ecstasy was Steely Dan's proof of concept, then Pretzel Logic is the full realization of what that record was aiming for.
Part III: The True Way Forward
Ever since Steely Danâs inception, thereâs always been one truism regarding their work: that thereâs always gonna be the presence of jazz, whether itâs side dish or the main course. And what makes their discography so fun to revisit is that each record has its own distinct take on the jazz rock sound. Countdown to Ecstasy had a more dense and prog-inspired variation of it, The Royal Scam took it in a harder and funkier direction, and so on. Because of this, every album has its own feel and style; combined with the sardonic lyrics of low-lifes and shady city life, itâs almost as if youâre listening to Steely Danâs own extended universe. But where does Pretzel Logic fit in? Well, true to the groupâs unpredictable shape-shifting ways, they cut back on the longer pieces this time around for a more focused jazz-pop sound. And I think many will agree when I say itâs their best up to this point in their career.
The majority of Pretzel Logic is populated with sharp little audio vignettes that could last from two to four minutes; this is a perfect length for the songs to get in and get out while still making one hell of an impression on the listener. Of course, this is also the album that got Steely Dan back on the map commercially, mainly due to the strength of lead single âRikki Donât Lose That Numberâ. The two-punch of the subtle latin drum beat and Jeff Baxterâs fantastic guitar work makes for a wonderfully breezy opener to lead things off, and itâs a great indicator of what youâre in for with the rest of the record. The jazz elements of Pretzel Logic are actually toned down a bit from Countdown to Ecstasy, but that doesnât mean they arenât still present. In fact, one of the best tunes in their career âParkerâs Bandâ finds its way here; the song is a gloriously upbeat rock number filled to the brim with busy drums and wailing saxophones. In fact, while weâre on the topic of drumming, this track was the official studio debut of the legendary Jeff Porcaro on a Dan record; he would eventually become the primary drummer for the bandâs next album Katy Lied. Other highlights in this vein include the fantastic rendition of the classic dixieland number âEast St. Louis Toodle-Ooâ, the bluesy swagger and jazz chorus of the title track, and the upbeat yet lyrically dark journey through âBarrytownâ.
But letâs briefly zoom out and look at the biggest change Pretzel Logic exhibits from its predecessors: the lineup. This was the last time weâd get to hear Steely Dan as a full band, as theyâd be reduced to the central two-piece of Walter Becker and Donald fa*gen starting with Katy Lied. But you can already tell the change is starting to take place; for instance, Jim Hodder - who had been the full-time drummer up to this point - got replaced by two session drummers and was relegated to being a backup singer. Over 15 session musicians were involved in the making of this record, many of whom would become regular staples in the bandâs future records. But I think what really makes Pretzel Logic stand out so much is the sheer number of horn players in its roster. They really make a profound impact on this record, adding an incredible amount of character and charm to several tunes; this is especially evident on âNight by Nightâ and âParkerâs Bandâ, which have incredible arrangements to match the detailed production work. âNight by Nightâ may be one of the best songs on offer here, a stunning combination of biting hard rock and complex jazz chord changes thatâs as intense as it is fun. The only thing holding back the record from being a perfect experience is that the last few songs are a tad less interesting than the previous stunners. After the highly enjoyable title track, the tunes that follow just feel a bit boring and filler-y, as if Becker and fa*gen had finally expended their inspiration right before completing the album.
Luckily, the rest of the record anchors these songs just fine. If Countdown to Ecstasy was Steely Dan's proof of concept, then Pretzel Logic is the full realization of what that album was going for. Itâs a big leap forward in regards to marrying jazz complexity with pop accessibility; while itâs arguably the most easy-going record from the bandâs early years, itâs just so damn catchy that these songs will be in your head all week once youâve heard them. Plus, at only 34 minutes, itâs a damn breeze to get through. If youâre a newcomer to Steely Dan, this is the first album Iâd point you to.
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