Cosmic America

Sophomore albums are often a mixed bag, as musical artists grapple with the shock of going pro, the exhaustion of their initial written material, and the need to come up with new ideas while in a constant state of touring to support their first album. Steely Dan were no different, but unlike many groups who have wilted under the pressure, the band arguably puts forward a stronger effort than their debut. Countdown to Ecstasy didn't have a hit single, but what it did have was an incredibly solid and consistent group of songs that had numerous moments of brilliance. Attitude and atmosphere abound here, from the post-60s hippie kiss-off of Bodhisattva to the post-nuclear holocaust fantasy of King Of The World. The playing is sublime in places, as Baxter, Dias, and Fagan showcase their technical and melodic skill in equal measure. This album sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of Steely Dan albums, but you're doing yourself a huge disservice if you don't fully immerse yourself in it.