Sunken Condos

Sparkling slivers of Steely Dan

Donald Fagen’s albums come out nearly every ten years only, which significantly raises public interest to them and makes them even more anticipated events which must promise to bring something of their own, unique, exquisite. Furthermore, this great artist’s solo career, albeit in parts, reflects something Steely Dan, established masters of intellectual music. From his original band, Donald borrowed the same attention to details, elaboration of all instrumental parts and jazz components. Having finally got over with his Nightfly trilogy, which has taken him quarter of a century to complete, Donald Fagen, who has reached by now a respectable age, is beginning what can be called a new chapter in his musical biography. In October 2012, the musician released his fourth solo album called Sunken Condos. Nine new tracks performed by worthy musicians are equipped with perfect arrangements will be a great treat for fans of both Steely Dan and Donald Fagen himself.

Fagen’s music is becoming simpler, yet remains as interesting

It is not a secret that in their best times Steely Dan were so much into studio work that they almost completely abandoned concert activity. After getting over with this mania, Donald Fagen made his fourth album in such a manner that allowed him to reach almost an ideal balance between music material complexity and its accessibility for large masses of listeners. Jazz rock that used to be played by his ensemble in his solo project seems more like jazz pop, yet funk, focus on rhythm-section, remain the same. The lyrics are still paid a lot of attention, but now vast speculations and alarming metaphors more and more often leave their room for humorous insertions. All of these are well illustrated by the first of the nine songs presented in the fresh CD, Slinky Thing, broadcasting a man’s happiness about having a beautiful woman who is much younger than him. The easy atmosphere created right off is translated into the further tracks. The upbeat I’m Not The Same Without You is almost disco, yet a peculiar kind with harmonica which will reappear again and again. The New Breed is a dialogue with a younger generation representative who has stolen the main character’s girlfriend. And all this is conveyed without pathos or tragedy, and thus perceived easily and joyfully.

Good jazz for fans of various genres

The bass and drums advanced forward sound convincing and spaciously, but it feels that Sunken Condos grants the musicians a lot of room for expressing themselves And although the starring part still belongs to the still vibrant Fagen, the instrumentalists occasionally manage to snatch the listener’s focus to their performance, like guitarist Jon Herington does it with his brilliant solo in Weather In My Head. And there can be no doubt that this record was recorded not as much for those who love savoring musical subtleties and hints in calm home environment as for those who prefer listening to good jazz played onstage. Some monotonousness, which, apparently, helps Fagen easily handle all the vocal parts, does not spoil the impression from the record. Its main advantage is the stylistic unity of all the tracks and the embracing aura of another time, another music climate. Frankly speaking, few would have wanted Donald to offer anything different.