Circus Money

11 Tracks of Whacks was one of my favorites. This one's different--I could use a little less tacky electro-box-rhythm (blame the producer?)--but the songs are better than I expected. Three or four really get to me--Bob's Not Your Uncle, Circus Money--the best new stuff I've heard in a while. The last four or fives cuts are filler, but the first seven or eight will grab your attention. How many other song writers are still writing as well, forty years down the line?

Waiting a long time between albums has become a signiture of The Dans two power sources. This new one by Walter is not really dissapointing - it just takes a number of listenings to get all that is hidden in the lyrics and music created in association with Larry Klein.

On initial (and a few subsequent) hearings there are no cuts with the raw energy of "down in the bottom" or "cringemaker', and no obvious humor as in "little kawai" [un-caps per the liner notes on'whack']. But that does not mean you can't wallow in the laid-back Becker singing style like in "Upside Looking Down".

Take "Door Number Two" and "Three Picture Deal" for example. These books end cuts are true Becker, and "Darkling Down" has become my favorite track.

Some of the usual suspects are here: Keith Carlock, Jon Herington, and just a taste of Cindy Mizell contribute their nuances. But I was a little surprised that DF does not appear in the liner notes or on any tracks, but then neither does Abe Vigoda. All-in-all, if you at all liked "whack" this album is for you.

I've been listening to and enjoying Steely Dan's music since the 70's.

When I think of Walter Becker, I think guitar. Slick, tone-rich, and interesting. Walter Becker's intial release, 11TOW, has some tasty guitar licks that a single-coil pickup junkie like me can really get into.

Alas, no such luck on Circus Money. The focus here is the lyrics, and they're too clever by half for me. I just hope we don't have to wait another 14 years for another WB release.

A lovely album by someone who is, let this be clear before you listen, the main man behind Steely Dan, together with Donald Fagen. The line-up is the same as the Dan studio albums and the road crew I saw last year, so tight, so steady and well educated. Very relaxed, well composed and very very clever. So good to hear the man do this on his own. Walter Becker has clearly been influenced and gave his influences to... and that is what it should be like. I truly love the interaction and the voice of Carolyn Leonhart in particular. Good stuff and the real fan should have it.

I was blown away by this album. I enjoyed 11 Tracks of Whack but not as much as Fagen's first two solo efforts. Hence I mistakenly was led to believe that Becker was somehow not as genius as Fagen. This album proved me wrong twice over. Spectacular album. Many have mentioned the originality (or novelty as some more cynically put it) of the songs (reggae) but what has impressed me the most is the quality of the lyrics. Amazing.

My faves: Downtown Canon, Darkling Down, God's Eye View, Bob is Not Your Uncle Anymore

OK songs: Upside Looking Down, Circus Money

If your a SD fan, there should be no need to recommend this album. And if you're not, then you should be.