Aja

I am a music fan who enjoys a wide diversity of genres, and as far as classic rock bands go, I will always consider Steely Dan one of the best. I have to agree with many of the reviewers here who state that this is their masterpiece. While I do own several of their other albums (and definitely plan on purchasing more of them), "Aja" is one collection of songs I find myself playing repeatedly if nothing more for the good, positive feelings it evokes in me. When I am tired/down/sad, is truly one album that ranks up there with making me feel better instantly upon hearing it; although I honestly don't have to be in any particular mood to recognize it for the sheer brilliance that it is. Smooth, uplifting, sensual, trippy, clever, intelligent, and just plain amazing!! I own a literal ton of albums, but "Aja" ranks up there easily with my Top Ten favorites. I am so glad I bought it years ago, and I can't imagine ever tiring listening to it (and the title track is incidentally my favorite Steely Dan song, as well). Donald Fagen and Walter Becker truly outdid themselves with this remarkable work!! :-)

I first heard Aja while shopping for speakers in a high end audio store. The clarity, the chord progressions, the sound just stopped me in my tracks. That was about 26 years ago. The album still is my all time favorite and the one that I will go to I need to 'get away'. The 'A' side of Black Cow, Aja and Deacon Blues is, IMO, simply a work of art and it withstands the test of time. It sounds as good today as it did then. The beautiful sax riffs, the chord changes, the subtle and ironic lyrics. Deacon Blues is my favorite and it takes me places no other song does but that whole 'A' side is just about as good as it gets.

I don't know what it is about this album, but I've listened to it about 10 times in the last week alone

Aja is one of those albums that i can play all the way through and not think about ever skipping a track. the musical fusion and hybrids of styles works so well with the compelling lyrics which has always given Steely Dan stand out as much as they do. the instrumentation and background harmonys also just grab and draw you in. Peg is the Cut, Black Cow is a Cold Jam and Deacon Blues is a smoking Jam. there are so many layers to what makes SD so incredible Musically. classic album.

This was one of the best Steely Dan CDs that I've ever heard. A must buy