Sunken Condos
by Donald Fagen
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Oct 16, 2012
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
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  1. Dr_Wu
    Nov 16, 2012
    10
    Well, you can guess how I feel. Well, OK, more detail...some winners like Slinky Thing and I"m Not the Same Without You, some misfires, but even the misfires are worth repeated listens just for the musicianship of the crew and DF. But anyway all reviews are bs because everyone creates their own reality and who the eff am I to pass judgement on some else's creativity? Who, I ask you?
  2. awdiocritik
    Nov 2, 2012
    8
    I made the same exact observation as sunkendreams regarding the music style as compared to early Dan work. However my interpretation varies slightly. B&F started with three great albums (thrill/ecstasy/logic) which were quirky, light, figure-it-out kind of young artistry, like a party. The next three (lied/scam/aja) represent growth from excellent in Katy Lied,to profound in Scam, toI made the same exact observation as sunkendreams regarding the music style as compared to early Dan work. However my interpretation varies slightly. B&F started with three great albums (thrill/ecstasy/logic) which were quirky, light, figure-it-out kind of young artistry, like a party. The next three (lied/scam/aja) represent growth from excellent in Katy Lied,to profound in Scam, to genius with Aja. Gaucho combined phase 1&2 above, with fun with really impeccable music and lyrics, and was almost like a wind down after altering music forever. **** solo albums (nightfly/kamikariad/morph/condos) show Donald's various styles and interests, and are all fun. Everyone likes fun. Now it's 2012, and it's been 40 years since the first SD album, and 35 years since Aja. What I hear is just the latest from the man who wrote music decades ahead of the pack for 5 years, from 1972 to 1977. The man who has written lyrics that are brilliant and thought compelling and have not been outmatched to this day.

    Donald is 64 years old and putting out music to match his attitude accordingly. It's beautiful when you look at the big picture. I get to groove to **** yet again, realizing who he is, how much he's accomplished, and how his music has changed through the years, as I have. We're at the phase where he's writing smooth, soulful relaxed music. I like this phase. I hope there are more.    … Collapse
  3. emin9th
    Nov 13, 2012
    10
    Great album! It has those songs you have to listen to a couple of times, and then you need to hear because they are stuck in your brain.

    I really liked "Not the same without you" It may be a relationship song, but listen to it again as a metaphor about past drug addiction.

    Bless you Donald for continuing to give us excellent songs and arrangements.

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Best Album of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Mojo
    Nov 21, 2012
    80
    Sunken Condos is a slyer, slow-burning pleasure. [Dec 2012, p.89]
  2. Q Magazine
    Nov 21, 2012
    80
    Fagen's fourth albums is as airtight as his others. [Dec 2012, p.104]
  3. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Nov 13, 2012
    91
    You'll grow to love the queen of Bowlmor Lanes, the Jazz Age gangster who takes pride in his work, the souvenirs of dooms past rusting in the back of the sci-fi shop.
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