Pretzel Logic - STEELY DAN*****

Rikki Don't Lose That Number/Night By Night/Any Major Dude Will Tell You/Barrytown/East St Louis Toodle-oo/ Parker's Band/Through With Buzz/Pretzel Logic/With A Gun/Charlie Freak/Monkey In Your Soul

With Pretzel Logic art rock group Steely Dan consolidate their creative reputation. However, the enjoyment is interrupted by the inclusion of an Ellington track which can be skipped. Features the US No. 4 hit single Rikki Don’t Lose That Number. (US:8 UK:37)

“As any major dude will tell you, this is a perfect marriage of studio professionalism, first-rate instrumentation and Donald Fagen's vicious lyrics. Pretzel Logic is nothing short of a masterpiece.”

“This was the album that marked the end of Steely Dan as a group, and the beginning of Steely Dan as two guys and a bunch of session musicians. In just about every other case, that would suck. But when the two guys are Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, it's all good. Another departure that I noticed is a distinct shift in the lyrics from cynical to serious.”

“East St. Louis Toodle-Oo is a lacklustre throwaway instrumental, a Duke Ellington song that just sounds silly with that wah-wah guitar. Skip it.”

“Steely Dan get into their stride by this their third studio album Pretzel Logic. It sounds so self assured, and they give you the impression that are in no hurry to get through this set, and a laid back feeling certainly comes across as you listen to this one. There is depth and great musicianship on display here, but it is done with such effortlessness that you can be forgiven for not even noticing.”

“Steely Dan have left behind such an impressive legacy that their entire catalogue is a worthy addition to any music aficionado's collection. The fact that the majority of the lyrics are so enigmatic and encourage some deep thinking to get to the true meaning of what they are trying to say is part of the Dan's odd charisma.”

“Everything throughout the album reflects the taste of an American middle-class duo who grew up with the Summer of Love but has now hoarded enough maturity to get rid of all the ingenuous utopias of the sixties.”

“Don't try to figure out Rikki Don't Lose That Number, just sit back and enjoy. The lyrics can be bizarre and blunt, but they are always intelligent.”