The Greatest Music
Countdown to Ecstasy
by Steely Dan
The 206th greatest album of all time
Countdown to Ecstasy, Steely Dan's 1973 album, furthers the band's blend of pop rock and jazz-influenced songwriting with tight arrangements, sophisticated chord changes, and literate, ironic lyrics. The sound pairs rock rhythms and guitar with jazz-pop and jazz-rock touches such as horn accents, piano work, and unexpected harmonic turns, and performances retain a more band-oriented energy than the later, more studio-controlled records. Songs like "Bodhisattva" and "My Old School" showcase the album's funky grooves and melodic complexity, making it an early example of Steely Dan's jazz-inflected pop sensibility.
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