(from the Can You Hear Me Doctor? department)
Not much to needed to setup this review. Enjoy!
Oh - yeah - the "parent theory". That's in Everyone's Gone To The Movies. The "parent theory" is that the parents have found someone to watch the kids - and they're finally alone - hence the line "Everyone's Gone To The Movies - Now We're Alone At Last." Meanwhile - the kids are watching films in the den with Mr. LaPage. This is probably not a good idea.
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Katy lies
You could see it in her eyes...
So - Katy Lied. Where the 'Dan ends all pretense of being a band and turns into a songwriting/performance/recording collective.
That being said - it's a great album.
Black Friday is the perfect start to this album - it sets the tone for the new Dan and introduces us to the new cast of session players, not to mention the upcoming economic collapse, and some possible activities we can indulge in. From there, we delve into the underbelly of civilization - and the typical Dan lyrical concerns - while the increasingly smooth - and immaculately recorded - sounds flow. Bad Sneakers, Rose Darling, and Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More keep the momentum going - building up to the tropical wasteoid junkie love triangle of Doctor Wu. One of the highlights of the album for sure - and that screaming during the fade? Amazing.
Side 2 kicks off with, oddly enough - another one of my favorite Dan songs. Everyone's Gone To The Movies is lyrically nasty, sonically fascinating and catchy as hell. It's the kind of song you find yourself singing along with - and regretting - but singing along anyway. Yeah - I know - the subject matter - not cool. (And I love some of the analysis I've read here - the parent theory is quite good!) But - I don't think the Dan ever equaled the catchy perversity of this song. Certainly - the demo on Citizen Steely Dan - as well done as it is - is not in the same league. (And, speaking of perversion, we'll have to chat about good old Cousin Dupree later!)
From there, side 2 moves on excellently. Your Gold Teeth II swings, Chain Lightning is tasty as all get out, Any World is soaring, and Throw Back The Little Ones - with it's odd, janky piano - ends the album just right.
There's a lot to like on this one - it's one of my top Dan albums. Even with all the studio cats - the Dan still sounds energized. Something that, unfortunately, did not last on the next album - but I'm getting slightly ahead of myself.
So - yeah - Countdown is still my top Dan album - but this one fights Pretzel Logic (and a couple of worthy upcoming contenders) for the follow-up position.
Cheers,
Paul
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