Steely Dan - "Countdown To Ecstasy" (1973)

From my readings on the Interwebs, I feel that Steely Dan is one of those bands that attracts strong reactions in both positive and negative directions. After listening to Countdown to Ecstasy, the second album by this vaguely jazzy and very 70s rock group, my reaction was strongly... positive! Yes, this may even be a great album. I say that not because the hybrid of jazz and rock styles is all that mind-blowing, but because the instrumental passages are consistently diverse and exciting and because though the compositions seem to come from the 70s soft-rock playbook, Steely Dan manages to keep things classy and adds a touch of sophistication without being too reserved. Basically, if you like "Boddhisatva," you will like this record. I do, and I do.

Alice Cooper - "Killer" (1971)

This album is actually one I've had for years without listening to, which I now regret, because I loved it from beginning to end. I'm familiar with Alice Cooper primarily for his reputation as a 'shocking' rocker of the early 70s and his classic rock radio show that 105.9 in Central Illinois runs at nights. But unlike say, Kiss, Killer proves that Cooper and his backing band had quite a lot of musical substance as well. It's one of those albums that I can't easily categorize, as it crosses rough garage rock, psychedelia, and camp into one near-seamless blend.

The lyrics tend to be intentionally ridiculous, as witnessed by song titles like "Dead Babies." But I am of the opinion that hard rock should not take itself too seriously, and the theatrical side of the group works just well on LP as I imagine it did in their live shows. The musical aspects of a song like "Dead Babies" should not be forgotten as it starts off quiet and menacing with an Eastern-tinged riff before launching into an over-the-top chorus ("Dead babies/can't take care of themselves"). What I'm most impressed with here is the diversity of ideas both within and between songs, as they pull off two-minute garage rockers like "You Drive Me Nervous" just as well as eight-minute freakouts like "Halo of Flies." Thumbs up all around!