Countdown to Exegesis

Change of the Guard (feat. Pen Jones)

The Danboiz are joined by caricaturist and Pretzel Logic aficionado Ben "Pen" Jones to discuss Change of the Guard. They're ready to sandwich, but is there any meat in this filler?
Also discussed: David Palmer, salmon farmer.
"Donald Fagen is my fursona."
Further listening…
Passport - Change of the Guard
Stanley Dee - Change of the Guard

Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)

It's Brooklyn time. The boys sit down for some serious analysis, interrupted only by a scene from Andrew's never-to-be-completed C.S.N.Y. biopic.
Also featured: the first appearance of The Steely Dan Dictionary; the most pathetic songfacts of the series; Bob Dylan.
"Get me the number of David Palmer."
Further listening...
Donald Fagen & Walter Becker - Brooklyn (demo)
Fleetwood Mac - Sara
Bob Dylan - Queen Jane Approximately
Bob Dylan - Love Minus Zero

Fire In the Hole

A.K.A. 'that episode about Jeff "Skunk" Baxter'.
"A Jools singularity."
Further listening…
O - Made Man
Skero - Fußboi
Five Finger Death Punch - Fire In the Hole
Van Halen - Fire In the Hole
Jools Holland interviewing John Lurie

Reelin' In the Years

Side two kicks off with bona fide hit single and dad rock radio staple Reelin' In the Years. Join our hosts in excitable mood as they get to grips with its slippery charms.
Also: Oli struggles to identify the solo; Andrew recoils at his enjoyment of The Dan so far; both ruin any chance of a lucrative sponshorship deal.
"The finish is dry and refreshing."
Further listening…
Spirit Adrift, High On Fire and Mutoid Man - Reelin' In the Years
Apologetix - Rollin' In the Yeast
Donny and Marie Osmond - Reelin' In the Years
Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone
Bob Dylan - Ballad of a Thin Man

Only a Fool Would Say That

Side one comes to a close with one of The Dan's breeziest numbers. In celebratory style, our hosts relax into their sun loungers and attempt their most thorough exegesis yet. (Or is it the alcohol talking?)
This one comes with a sincere MATURE WARNING, thanks to Andrew's explanation of his unspeakable canine coitus song.
Further Listening…
Ivy - Only a Fool Would Say That

Midnite Cruiser

Strolling a little too far into the backstreets of side one, our hosts discover Midnite Cruiser in tight jeans and 'big, brown shoes'. Neither are particularly pleased about it.
Also covered: Dan memes, Madonna's favourite ale, soft rock séances.
"This is Vantabeige."

Kings

This week, our hosts investigate 'Kings', Can't Buy a Thrill's self-described "vacuous historical romance."
Lots of honest-to-goodness analysis here, with a short detour into crisis management role play featuring two of Wolverhampton's favourite sons.
"My endive salad is on fire."
Further listening…
The Steely Damned - Kings

Dirty Work

Oli and Andrew turn their critical, bloodshot eyes to track two on Can't Buy a Thrill, the single-that-should-have-been 'Dirty Work'
We also hear about the origins of 'Yacht Rock', learn of a few embarassing gig stories, and witness Andrew's chess-based apotheosis.
"Ooh, I sound like a Victorian nurse."
Further listening…
Ian Matthews - Dirty Work
Pointer Sisters - Dirty Work

Do It Again

Andrew and Oli dive right in with album one, track one - the Latin-flavoured, sitar-seasoned barnstormer 'Do It Again'.
Lots of meta-Danchat to kick us off, including an extended monologue on the album itself and a reduction of Becker and Fagen to schoolyard caricatures. Also our most inebriated episode, by some measure.
"I think you're gonna be on board the choo-choo Dan Train."
Further listening...
Club House - Do It Again Medley With Billie Jean