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The Royal Scam is the first Steely Dan record that doesn't exhibit significant musical progress from its predecessor, but that doesn't mean the album is any less interesting. The cynicism that was suppressed on Katy Lied comes roaring to the surface on The Royal Scam -- not only are the lyrics bitter and snide, but the music is terse, broken, and weary. Not so coincidentally, the album is comprised of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen's weakest set of songs since Can't Buy a Thrill. Alternating between mean-spirited bluesy vamps like "Green Earrings" and "The Fez" and jazzy soft rock numbers like "The Caves of Altamira," there's nothing particularly bad on the album, yet there are fewer standouts than before. Nevertheless, the best songs on The Royal Scam, like the sneering "Kid Charlemagne" and "Sign in Stranger," rank as genuine Steely Dan classics.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Donald Fagen, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chuck Findley, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Steely Dan, MainArtist - GARY KATZ, Producer - WALTER BECKER, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1976 Geffen Records
Donald Fagen, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chuck Findley, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Steely Dan, MainArtist - GARY KATZ, Producer - WALTER BECKER, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1976 Geffen Records
Donald Fagen, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chuck Findley, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Steely Dan, MainArtist - GARY KATZ, Producer - WALTER BECKER, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1976 Geffen Records
Donald Fagen, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chuck Findley, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Steely Dan, MainArtist - GARY KATZ, Producer - WALTER BECKER, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1976 Geffen Records
Donald Fagen, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chuck Findley, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Steely Dan, MainArtist - GARY KATZ, Producer - WALTER BECKER, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Paul Laurence Griffin, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1976 Geffen Records
Donald Fagen, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Steely Dan, MainArtist - GARY KATZ, Producer - WALTER BECKER, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1976 Geffen Records
Donald Fagen, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chuck Findley, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Steely Dan, MainArtist - GARY KATZ, Producer - WALTER BECKER, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1976 Geffen Records
Donald Fagen, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chuck Findley, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Steely Dan, MainArtist - GARY KATZ, Producer - WALTER BECKER, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1976 Geffen Records
Donald Fagen, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chuck Findley, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Steely Dan, MainArtist - GARY KATZ, Producer - WALTER BECKER, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1976 Geffen Records
Album review
The Royal Scam is the first Steely Dan record that doesn't exhibit significant musical progress from its predecessor, but that doesn't mean the album is any less interesting. The cynicism that was suppressed on Katy Lied comes roaring to the surface on The Royal Scam -- not only are the lyrics bitter and snide, but the music is terse, broken, and weary. Not so coincidentally, the album is comprised of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen's weakest set of songs since Can't Buy a Thrill. Alternating between mean-spirited bluesy vamps like "Green Earrings" and "The Fez" and jazzy soft rock numbers like "The Caves of Altamira," there's nothing particularly bad on the album, yet there are fewer standouts than before. Nevertheless, the best songs on The Royal Scam, like the sneering "Kid Charlemagne" and "Sign in Stranger," rank as genuine Steely Dan classics.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 9 track(s)
- Total length: 00:41:09
- Main artists: Steely Dan
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Geffen*
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 1999 MCA Records Inc. ℗ 1976 UMG Recordings, Inc.
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