Quantum Criminals

Entertaining, very well written, and moderately balanced even though the author is a fan of the band (the chapter on their final two albums was appropriately critical).

I lost my respect for Becker/Fagen after reading the story of how they took not only 100% of the royalties from an early rap group who sampled “Black Cow”, but also took the plaque from an award the song received.

A dense analysis of the history and music of Steely Dan through its permanent and transient members, its music, and the characters in the songs from Steely Dan, or characters both real and fictional related to the same. Highly recommended for Dan fans and enthusiasts. Others should listen to the music of Steely Dan for a couple decades before diving in to the deep end, because I kid you not, this book is the deep end and there ain't no lifeguards.

This amazing book is a combination of Steely Dan history, “speculative song analysis” about the various losers/criminals who populate the Dan's music, rabbit hole detours about real people who crossed paths with Becker/Fagen (e.g., the woman on the front cover of Aja), and an elegy for Walter Becker. And it's illustrated!

“Is there gas in the car?” If your immediate response isn't “Yes, there's gas in the car!” your may find yourself bemused by this book. But for crazed Dan Fans like me, it was 100% catnip.