Cosmic America

We launch our reviews of Steely Dan with an examination of the first official releases by the group - the stellar debut "Can't Buy A Thrill" and the long lost first single. It's a perfect way to delve into a group that fascinated 70s audiences and has consistently grown in stature and popularity over the last 20 years.Can't Buy a Thrill captures a group of young musicians in 1972 with a unique perspective on popular music and recording. Rock, pop, and jazz collide with fascinating lyrical narratives about gentleman losers and two-timers. The sound on this record is a prototype of the eventual Steely Dan sound, combining pop stylings of the early 70s with instrumental virtuosity and careful recording techniques.