COUNTDOWN TO ECSTASY

"Countdown to Ecstasy" is the second full-length studio album by US rock act Steely Dan. The album was released through ABC Records in July 1973. It´s the first Steely Dan album featuring only Donald Fagen singing lead vocals, and co-lead vocalist David Palmer left after recording the band´s debut full-length studio album "Can't Buy a Thrill" (November 1972).

Stylistically the material featured on "Countdown to Ecstasy" continues the uplifting, energetic, and polished rock sound of the debut album. The occasional excursions into smooth jazz and blues territories are quite subtle, but still provide the music with some spice and colours. Steely Dan are obviously a very well playing act and composers Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are skilled songwriters, who have a lot of different ideas and tricks up their sleeve to constantly keep the slick and smooth rock songs interesting while always maintaining a high level of mainstream appeal. It´s for example interesting how the first 40 seconds of an otherwise catchy and mainstream oriented pop/rock song like "The Boston Rag" are actually quite progressive. It´s just done in such a subtle, smooth, and laidback fashion, that you won´t even notice it if you´re listening carefully to what´s going on. Closing track "King of the World" is probably the most openly progressive rock oriented track on the album with it´s prominent use of synths and slightly more dark and adventurous song structure. We´re not exactly in Yes of King Crimson territory here though, but that doesn´t mean that Steely Dan can´t hold their own in the more adventurous and technical part of the 70s rock music spectrum.

It´s very much the strength of "Countdown to Ecstasy", that it manages to be both an interesting rock album and a radio friendly mainstream listen. In that respect they aren´t too far removed from contemporary artists like 10cc, Supertramp, and even Boston. Clever, intelligent, and very well composed music, which you can chose to listen to with both your ears and brain, but also just listen to in pleasant passing.

"Countdown to Ecstasy" features an incredibly well sounding, organic, and detailed production (courtesy of Gary Katz, who also produced the equally well sounding debut album). Upon conclusion "Countdown to Ecstasy" is another high quality rock album from Steely Dan and if enjoy your rock music smooth and polished, but still intriguing and clever, this is a recommended listen. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.