Released 14 years ago this October
Sunken Condos
Donald Fagen · 2012
44 min · 9 tracks · rhythm and blues
A smooth blend of jazz rock and soft melodies, enveloping listeners in laid-back rhythms and sophisticated arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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I'm Not the Same Without You — This track features lush instrumentation that complements Fagen's poignant exploration of loss and longing, making it one of the emotional highlights of the album.
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Weather in My Head — Fusing jazzy rhythms with introspective lyrics, this song captures the essence of Fagen's style while addressing themes of uncertainty and change.
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Memorabilia — With its sharp commentary on nostalgia and consumerism, this track stands out for its catchy chorus and clever lyricism, exemplifying Fagen's knack for storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Fagen's smooth blend of jazz rock and sophisticated arrangements creates an engaging yet familiar listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo groove in 'Slinky Thing', establishing a laid-back feel that persists throughout.
- Each track features intricate arrangements with layered instrumentation, often highlighting Fagen's distinctive vocal delivery.
- Several songs incorporate jazz elements, such as syncopated rhythms and extended chord progressions, particularly evident in 'Weather in My Head'.
- The final track, 'Planet D'Rhonda', concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of the album's overall mood.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- witty lyrics with smooth melodies
- thoughtful listening during afternoons
- reflective mood for solo drives
- subtle grooves for relaxed spaces
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefer instant gratification songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Sunken Condos is Donald Fagen's fourth solo album, released in 2012 after a lengthy hiatus following his previous album, Morph the Cat in 2006. At this point in his career, Fagen had solidified his reputation as a key figure in yacht rock and jazz fusion, alongside his work with Steely Dan.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Steely Dan· Boz Scaggs· Michael McDonald
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Slinky Thing 5:12
- 2 I'm Not the Same Without You 4:31
- 3 Memorabilia 4:14
- 4 Weather in My Head 5:29
- 5 The New Breed 4:35
- 6 Out of the Ghetto 4:54
- 7 Miss Marlene 4:43
- 8 Good Stuff 4:54
- 9 Planet D'Rhonda 5:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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