PRETZEL LOGIC

If you refused to look beyond the surface, you'd think Steely Dan had gone into a jazzy adult contemporary relaxation group. They're on the fast train to making money! 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number' aside from the snide, sarcastic lyrics (I'm assuming they're snide and sarcastic because that's one of the band's big shticks, but I could be totally wrong ? I don't much pay attention to lyrics anymore unless they're absolutely riveting.), could be a major hit. In fact, this album trims away the subtle excesses of either of the first two albums, and has the making eleven prime pop hits ? all done over with a casual sheen, marketable and easy on the ears. Skunk and Dias are still in tow, melding together for the 'core four'. 'Night By Night' has a really snapping melody to it, predictably accompanied by a professional solo track laid down with intense care. With the onset of shorter, more elaborately commercial songs, the band has the potential for a more diverse collection. 'Any Major Dude' is almost glam in essence, if not lush in production. The most surprising number, though would be 'East St. Louis Toodle-oo', which is home to a wild talking-box guitar attack, impeccably performed, note for note. It's a jazz cover that's altogether wonderful from a melodic standpoint and in how they redefine the standards of the tune's original limitations. That and it's good! Pretzel Logic has my vote for best overall Steely Dan album, if the debut's the most intentionally defining and shocking.

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