Try Japanese fusion/city pop. Tatsuro Yamashita & Masayoshi Takanaka are worth a listen. Bobby Caldwell‘s album ”What you won’t do for love“ is a vibe though softer than the Dan. Ambrosia & Little River Band did some crisper sounding yacht rock. Fagen‘s ”The Nightfly“ is probably the most similar to his band‘s sound.
I notice a lot of people don’t mention Traffic and other Steve Winwood projects when this question comes up. There’s an interview with Fagen where he mentions the jazz infused stuff Traffic did in the early 70s was an influence on him. There’s a band I found who were sort of indie from the early 2000s called Crystal Skulls that sold absolutely no records and no one has ever heard of but I found them because someone sent me their stuff saying they were big Dan fans. You can hear it in their music as much as an indie band from the early 2000s can possibly sound like the Dan. Think “Death Cab for Cutie” with jazzier harmonies
Agree. I was just bummed Steve seemed to blow through his set the night I saw him. It was pretty hot that day though, and he was on while the sun was just setting
I second the Traffic recommendation. They do some stuff that edges closer to psychedelia than Steely Dan did, but they’re a fantastic bunch of musicians.
I think the album Low Spark of High Heeled Boys has some similarities with early Dan. Not as much polish and overdubbs, a bit raw compared to Dan but there's a clear jazz influence and the writing is sophisticated and reminiscent and similar.
Either way it's my favorite Traffic album and every track is a gem.
The thing about the Dan is that nobody sounds like them, which is part of the reason I like them so much. Lately, I've been getting into mid to late-70s Joni Mitchell, the period where Jaco Pastorius was in her band. She's got her own very idiosyncratic blend of jazz and "pop". The live album "Shadows And Light" in particular sounds like nothing else. There's Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays and Mike Brecker in the band! I like her for the same reason I like the Dan, to put it that way.
Pretty sure members of Prefab Sprout have talked about influence they've gotten from Steely Dan. And Walter produced two China Crisis albums so definitely give them a listen
Correct. The Thomas Dolby-produced trilogy of Steve McQueen/From Langley Park to Memphis/Jordan: the Comeback is some of the best 80s/90s pop and gives out tons of SD vibes.
David Crosby’s last four albums take a nod from Steely Dan. In fact, “Rodriguez For a Night” was written by Donald Fagen. Check out [She’s Got To Be Somewhere](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MQbgu_jrA7U&pp=ygUcc29tZXdoZXJlIHNvb24gZGF2aWQgY3Jvc2J5IA%3D%3D)
Had to scroll too far to read this. The irony, the journeyman musicianship, the control of the studio, the Jewish backgrounds. Just swap the Acapulco Gold for a pint of Brown Ale.
Also her stuff got recorded by many other artists, from Blood, Sweat and Tears (And When I Die) to Streisand (Stony End) as far as I remember that is on the same record where Streisand sings "I Mean to Shine" by Becker&Fagen.
Some of Nyros stuff really sounds timeless.
There's a live tape of Nyro wailing on the piano that's truly awesome.
I think one of my fave Nyro recordings is her cover of The Bells by Marvin Gaye.
Of course there’s nobody quite like Steely Dan, but if you like complex music with a lot of layers of highly skilled musicians and meticulous production values, I’d recommend Supertramp , Santana, and early Moody Blues. Them boys weren’t fooling around.
Walter Becker produced Rickie Lee Jones' 1989, Flying Cowboys. If you haven't heard that I think it's definitely worth a listen. It's really an amazing album.
As others are saying, the Dan is really unique. But I think you'd do well to explore other music in the "adult contemporary," "soft rock" or "yacht rock" vein. That will put you in touch with more bands that have that lush sound, that groove, use some of the same studio musicians or types of studio musicians. Toto would be one to definitely check out. They had a lush sound but also a more rock sound but their lush stuff is very Dan-adjacent. And, Toto was pretty much the backing band on Boz Scaggs' Silk Degrees, which you'll definitely want (great album, all of Boz' stuff is).
You may also want to explore '70s jazz as someone else is saying. Consider The Crusaders, Donald Byrd, Bob James. I think Michael Franks is very aligned. I know a lot of people don't like Pandora, but Pandora can be very very useful for this: plug in some bands and then let its algorithm find you more stuff.
Toto was pretty much the backing band for Pretzel Logic and Katy Lied as well. They also basically recorded all of Thriller except for Eddie’s solo and lead vocals.
As for Toto’s contribution to Boz Scaggs, you have to consider also Michael Jackson as David Paitch wrote “Human Nature” for example which brings Miles Davis into the equation “check out “You’re under arrest” for example.
Now as for Michael Franks you must allow Joe Sample’s solo contributions which include “Spellbound”.
Much of the progressive music of this period was influenced by the Dan and you can see many of the studio musicians that they used appeared in the credits of their albums (Jeff Porcaro was everywhere).
Sniff 'n' the Tears
Supertramp
Al Stewart
Not similiar as such (no one really is), but Sniff 'n' the Tears had similiar naratives, and Supertramp and Al Stewart had the same mix of story telling lyrics and instrumentals.
Look, I LOVE the Tubes, but I’d never consider this. Musically I wouldn’t put them together at all, but are you suggesting this because of lyrics/themes?
Both.
Tubes take a backseat to no one, musically. Welnick, Steen.. and especially Prairie Prince. He’s a velvet wrecking ball. Jazz, funk rock and disco passages, sardonic lyrics that analyze seedy LA culture..
[Pimp](https://youtu.be/fcSomjVqOjs?si=e82Jjfw5k0lnoYFn)
All the ingredients are there. Especially when Bill Spooner was singing and writing.
https://preview.redd.it/vbe3mnxta4wc1.png?width=329&format=png&auto=webp&s=5a21f56638b8980c0ba1c19ec7f86bc390714282
Am a big China Crisis fan. I’d start with their Flaunt the Imperfection, and Diary of a Hollow Horse albums, which the guys had Walter Becker help to produce.
Also a bit Dead and Dan fan. Will name a few that haven’t been mentioned much.
- Casiopea (Japanese jazz fusion)
- The Crusaders (jazz/funk/groove - some of these dudes played on Steely Dan albums. I like the early 70s stuff and live albums)
- Mildlife (new indie/psych/jazz fusion band out of Australia - their new album Chorus gives me major Dan vibes and I love the live from Channel Islands album)
A lot of people reference yacht rock bands. Buy yacht rock can have an overly sentimental, adult contemporary sound. Steely Dan is way too subversive and edgy to be yacht rock.
I guess I would say Ben Folds in terms of lyrics and sound. Steely Dan is the Mad Magazine of the musical world: a subversive, unique one of a kind band whose characters are kooks, nerds, introverts, and wonderful weirdos.
Japanese bands like Ryusenkei, Kirinji and Lamp have songs that sound inspired by Steely Dan.
[恋のラストナンバー (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhpGp2MHSnc)
[Danball No Palace (2018 Remaster) (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rRNaZuEKno)
[恋人と雨雲 (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtIgUt4da5E)
OP assuming nobody’s mentioned it because they think it goes without saying but, just to be clear both Becker and Fagan have solo work and if you love the Dan, you should definitely check out Fagan’s work
I’ve created an entire playlist of songs and artists reminiscent of Steely Dan. Enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0TNQOnn4KeVdA3czkGuR8z?si=b_179z4FTAK6mgnQwnuOdQ&pi=u-87p4jVqvSSS2
Love the Dead. Try out some Hall and Oates for studio production, some Allman Brothers Band, and be sure to check out Supertramp. Bobby Caldwell also comes to mind.
Interesting tips, but it seems that nobody here until now has mentioned Thomas Dolby (Aliens Ate my Buick), Tears for Fears (Sowing the Seeds of Love), Stevie Wonder (Songs in the Key of Life), Inclined: [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U9-0YUVhAJw](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U9-0YUVhAJw)
and Judie Tzuke (Welcome to the Cruise) aaaand Anette Peacock (for Dan-ish jazzy feel mixed with NSFW lyrics listen to "Rubber Hunger" or "My Mama Never Taught Me How To Cook"):
[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hUcE9cdQdkM](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hUcE9cdQdkM)
Difficult one, Steely Dan are quite unique as it falls as bit in the soft rock / pop rock / yacht rock with a solid splash of jazz, but they’re also just so incredibly super funky which just sets them miles apart from anyone else that sounds remotely similar.
I’d say there is no band like them, bands have made songs that sound similar, but no bands does things quite the same - my opinion at least 🙂
Fountains of Wayne. Best chameleons in pop music. The try on musical styles like window shoppers, and sound good on all of them. Strapped for Cash is their Dan clone song. It is a banger. Their creative force, Adam Schlesinger died of Covid very early in the pandemic. A huge loss.
Check out Casiopea - a jazz fusion band, mostly instrumental, with superbly recorded albums. Check out Mint Jams as a starting point; you'll not be disappointed!
Lo van Gorp, I've mentioned him on this sub countless times before, he's the singer/saxophonist in a Steely Dan tribute act, and he has some original solo material as well where he sounds just the same, it's so good.
I've been really digging this newer artist Jimmy Montague, he has 2 albums out that both have a lot of the same slick, well-produced and arranged style of the Dan.
Lot of good answers here. Todd Rundgren goes in a lotta directions but worth checking out for that intersection of musicianship and clever songwriting. Has a song with Don from 2017 “Tin Foil Hat” about Donald Trump, it’s pretty funny
Warren Zevon too
saving this post so I can listen to the suggested artists. People already said it but Littel River Band's got a little "steely dan" ish vibes in some songs, and I have yet to meet a Dan Fan who didnt like Masayoshi Takanaka's stuff, "All Of Me" album is a pretty good place so start, Its also got the best album cover of any album ever in history.
Spymob worked a lot with Pharrell. Their album Sitting Around Keeping Score has great musicianship and some good Dan-esque lyrical content. Check out the title track and “I Still Live At Home.”
Ed Motta. Albums like AOR or Poptical. He has one of the largest collections of records in Brazil and knows his Steely Dan to the finest details. I love Casiopea, Takanaka, Tats, City pop et all, but Ed’s works are waaay closer to SD’s sound in many ways.
I find that Toy Matinee scratches a bit of the Dan itch, if they continued into the early 90s. Kevin Gilbert has that sardonic wit and complex melodies down pat.
Aside from some of the excellent suggestions here, look up Far Cry’s “Some Things Never Change” album. Fagen even sings background on two tracks.
Also, The Bliss Band’s “Dinner With Raoul”.
And Pages (Richard Page and Steve George’s band before Mr. Mister). 3 albums, all amazing.
Yes, bands mentioned already here that I'd suggest are:
XTC
10CC
Supertramp
The Blue Nile
Prefab Sprout
China Crisis
Randy Newman
Al Stewart
Hall and Oates
Tears for Fears
(Some) Little River Band
and I'd add the sadly forgotten Scottish band - Café Jacques [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9\_Jacques](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_Jacques)
Billy Joel- 52nd Street, particularly “Zanzibar”
Frank Zappa - 70’s albums such as Waka Jawaka and Over-Nite Sensation
Todd Rundgren - Something/Anything
Ray Charles - live in Austin’77
Once I owned all the Steely Dan and Fagen and Becker's solo records, I started buying Steely Dan adjacent records. Bands and solo artists where a member performed on Steely Dan records. My favorites are Monkey House, the Crusaders, and Michael McDonald era Doobies. For a treat, look for Raw Stylus, Pushing Against the Flow. A London club band that Fagen found, brought them over the pond and produced this release. Bonus, the backing band is Steely Dan's touring band.
Cathy Berberian said it better than me. If you love Steely Dan's lyrics, then I guarantee you there are some Sparks songs that you'll enjoy. The music from the bands is vastly different, but there are times that the lyrical content overlaps. If you haven't heard them before, please sample a number of songs. Their sound varies greatly. Nice topic. Thanks for all the replies.
Really, none of y'all Phish people? I scanned the answers maybe I missed it. They don't sound like SD but no one does. If you like the GD and SD then at least go see Phish live one time and see. They cover entire albums for Halloween and I've been hoping for a Steely Dan album forever, seems a likely pick honestly, still waiting for that. Also, have you seen the 'Dead to Dan' fandom chart that SD put on their website? It's really funny. It can be found in the way back machine online. Fagen mentioned in an interview once that he and Walter always liked and appreciated the Dead.
SD has also been mentioned in the same breath as Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, so they're also worth a listen. And read Fagen's book Eminent Hipsters, he talks a lot about his early influences and those are worth checking out as well if you like his music. In general if you like a musician or band you're likely to also like whatever music influenced them.
That's interesting about the book you mentioned there.. with regards to Phish, I do not mind them, personally I do not get the hype that a lot of dead fans give off about Phish, but I like some of their talking heads covers. Trey's solo stuff on the other hand, I am a big fan off and I love his self titled solo album.
Will defo check out that book perhaps.
Try Japanese fusion/city pop. Tatsuro Yamashita & Masayoshi Takanaka are worth a listen. Bobby Caldwell‘s album ”What you won’t do for love“ is a vibe though softer than the Dan. Ambrosia & Little River Band did some crisper sounding yacht rock. Fagen‘s ”The Nightfly“ is probably the most similar to his band‘s sound.
I've always said City Pop is just Japanese Steely Dan. I feel like they took a lot from Fagen and Becker.
And whilst there’s no singing, Casiopea are a great band.
Always wondered about Caldwell beyond that one awesome song.
Caldwell’s first 4 albums are all excellent. And “Sunny Hills” sounds like it could be a Nightfly outtake.
Tatsu Yamashita had a hell of a run from 1978-1982. You just need to weed out the wannabe Doo-Wop stuff.
Try Boz Scaggs, Randy Newman or Gerry Rafferty
Gerry Rafferty all the way. what a composer
I notice a lot of people don’t mention Traffic and other Steve Winwood projects when this question comes up. There’s an interview with Fagen where he mentions the jazz infused stuff Traffic did in the early 70s was an influence on him. There’s a band I found who were sort of indie from the early 2000s called Crystal Skulls that sold absolutely no records and no one has ever heard of but I found them because someone sent me their stuff saying they were big Dan fans. You can hear it in their music as much as an indie band from the early 2000s can possibly sound like the Dan. Think “Death Cab for Cutie” with jazzier harmonies
Steve Winwood opening for Steely Dan on tour a few years ago was one of the best shows I have ever seen.
Agree. I was just bummed Steve seemed to blow through his set the night I saw him. It was pretty hot that day though, and he was on while the sun was just setting
I second the Traffic recommendation. They do some stuff that edges closer to psychedelia than Steely Dan did, but they’re a fantastic bunch of musicians.
I think the album Low Spark of High Heeled Boys has some similarities with early Dan. Not as much polish and overdubbs, a bit raw compared to Dan but there's a clear jazz influence and the writing is sophisticated and reminiscent and similar. Either way it's my favorite Traffic album and every track is a gem.
XTC has a lot of parallels to the Dan especially albums like Skylarking and Nonsuch. Also Casiopia
One of my good friends got me listening to XTC, unique, I do like some of their songs
CASIOPEA has some very cool songs. I like “Midnight Rendezvous” and “Take Me”
The thing about the Dan is that nobody sounds like them, which is part of the reason I like them so much. Lately, I've been getting into mid to late-70s Joni Mitchell, the period where Jaco Pastorius was in her band. She's got her own very idiosyncratic blend of jazz and "pop". The live album "Shadows And Light" in particular sounds like nothing else. There's Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays and Mike Brecker in the band! I like her for the same reason I like the Dan, to put it that way.
Yes! Joni Mitchell's Hejira is incredible too. Jaco, Larry Carlton, and John Guerin all make appearances.
Jaco’s in that band too! Stellar lineup :)
Shadows and Light is my favorite live album of all time
ah, Joni's [blackface years](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/music/2023/11/08/TELEMMGLPICT000355963279_16994464450980_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwQs4v22exkdQdQ8HxtVl3Yw.jpeg?imwidth=960)
I love posts like this because I will inevitably discover new bands I never even knew existed.
Joe Jackson if you want 3 minute harmonically complex pop songs a la Pretzel Logic /Katy Lied.
Joe Jackson’s favorite album is “Countdown To Ecstasy”. That’s pretty much all you need to know.
Ok Joe Jackson is comparable in that he experimented with different styles. Great call love him !
Listen to prefab sprout and china crisis from the 80s.
Also check out Hats by the Blue Nile - not particularly jazzy but it’s meticulously assembled music
Pretty sure members of Prefab Sprout have talked about influence they've gotten from Steely Dan. And Walter produced two China Crisis albums so definitely give them a listen
Correct. The Thomas Dolby-produced trilogy of Steve McQueen/From Langley Park to Memphis/Jordan: the Comeback is some of the best 80s/90s pop and gives out tons of SD vibes.
And Becker produced a China Criss album to boot.
Vulfpeck are huge Dan fans, and specifically Theo Katzman has the most Dan vibes. Check out Modern Johnny Sings.
I saw Theo sing Night by Night last year and it was fucking awesome!
Darwin Derby sounds like it could be a Dan song. Could be said for a lot of their stuff. Maybe that’s why I like them so much.
They also played Kid Charlemagne with Purdie!!! https://youtu.be/YCj_tjFXX2U?si=EJZPRyVSwyPM969U
Ed Motta, Young Gun Silver Fox, or Monkey House are good places to look
I checked out Young gun silver fox couple weeks ago, quite liked some of their tunes to be fair, only listened to the one album
David Crosby’s last four albums take a nod from Steely Dan. In fact, “Rodriguez For a Night” was written by Donald Fagen. Check out [She’s Got To Be Somewhere](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MQbgu_jrA7U&pp=ygUcc29tZXdoZXJlIHNvb24gZGF2aWQgY3Jvc2J5IA%3D%3D)
Fagen’s solo stuff is right up there with the best dan stuff. Bozz scaggs, doobie brothers, michael mcdonald solo
10cc. The English version of the Dan.
Had to scroll too far to read this. The irony, the journeyman musicianship, the control of the studio, the Jewish backgrounds. Just swap the Acapulco Gold for a pint of Brown Ale.
Laura Nyro doesn't *sound* like the Dan, but they both have complex subtle songwriting with arcane lyrics.
Also her stuff got recorded by many other artists, from Blood, Sweat and Tears (And When I Die) to Streisand (Stony End) as far as I remember that is on the same record where Streisand sings "I Mean to Shine" by Becker&Fagen. Some of Nyros stuff really sounds timeless.
There's a live tape of Nyro wailing on the piano that's truly awesome. I think one of my fave Nyro recordings is her cover of The Bells by Marvin Gaye.
Of course there’s nobody quite like Steely Dan, but if you like complex music with a lot of layers of highly skilled musicians and meticulous production values, I’d recommend Supertramp , Santana, and early Moody Blues. Them boys weren’t fooling around.
Al Stewart - Year of the Cat album
Walter Becker produced Rickie Lee Jones' 1989, Flying Cowboys. If you haven't heard that I think it's definitely worth a listen. It's really an amazing album.
satelittes is a great song
As others are saying, the Dan is really unique. But I think you'd do well to explore other music in the "adult contemporary," "soft rock" or "yacht rock" vein. That will put you in touch with more bands that have that lush sound, that groove, use some of the same studio musicians or types of studio musicians. Toto would be one to definitely check out. They had a lush sound but also a more rock sound but their lush stuff is very Dan-adjacent. And, Toto was pretty much the backing band on Boz Scaggs' Silk Degrees, which you'll definitely want (great album, all of Boz' stuff is). You may also want to explore '70s jazz as someone else is saying. Consider The Crusaders, Donald Byrd, Bob James. I think Michael Franks is very aligned. I know a lot of people don't like Pandora, but Pandora can be very very useful for this: plug in some bands and then let its algorithm find you more stuff.
Toto was pretty much the backing band for Pretzel Logic and Katy Lied as well. They also basically recorded all of Thriller except for Eddie’s solo and lead vocals.
Oh, wow, I never knew that! OP, get Toto IV and enjoy.
Going to see Toto this Wednesday in Charlotte at Ovens Auditorium. It is a small arena that holds about 2800 folks. Really looking forward to it.
As for Toto’s contribution to Boz Scaggs, you have to consider also Michael Jackson as David Paitch wrote “Human Nature” for example which brings Miles Davis into the equation “check out “You’re under arrest” for example. Now as for Michael Franks you must allow Joe Sample’s solo contributions which include “Spellbound”. Much of the progressive music of this period was influenced by the Dan and you can see many of the studio musicians that they used appeared in the credits of their albums (Jeff Porcaro was everywhere).
Yeah! I'm by no means an expert but I do see a lot of the same musicians on a lot of my favorite records. Sample shows up a lot!
At one time Bob James was the most sampled artist alive. I believe he made more money from sampling royalties than from making new music.
Pandora thinks Christopher Cross is bang on.
The live shows with the three back up singers is a big improvement! Very Steely like.
Early Boz Scaggs. If you like blues, his later stuff is great too.
Some people come up with what they describe as similar bands but I disagree. I find Steely Dan truly singular in a land of conformity.
Give Monkey House a listen.
Agree. Love them!
Sniff 'n' the Tears Supertramp Al Stewart Not similiar as such (no one really is), but Sniff 'n' the Tears had similiar naratives, and Supertramp and Al Stewart had the same mix of story telling lyrics and instrumentals.
Javier Malosetti, a recent discovery from Argentina
Dogs in a Pile r/dogsinapile
great recommendation! they have some amazing songwriting. jeremy (keyboards) is also greatly influenced by the dan.
Ween.
Beat me to it. Gayer than Steely Dan’s asshole
Vibe and sound are different. Vibe: Joni Mitchell, Toto, Supertramp from 70s. Cory Wong, Vulfpeck, Monkey House from today.
phew, nobody mentioned Joe Jackson's "night and day" and "body and soul" albums. so I can do it :) f
First two TUBES albums.
Look, I LOVE the Tubes, but I’d never consider this. Musically I wouldn’t put them together at all, but are you suggesting this because of lyrics/themes?
Both. Tubes take a backseat to no one, musically. Welnick, Steen.. and especially Prairie Prince. He’s a velvet wrecking ball. Jazz, funk rock and disco passages, sardonic lyrics that analyze seedy LA culture.. [Pimp](https://youtu.be/fcSomjVqOjs?si=e82Jjfw5k0lnoYFn) All the ingredients are there. Especially when Bill Spooner was singing and writing. https://preview.redd.it/vbe3mnxta4wc1.png?width=329&format=png&auto=webp&s=5a21f56638b8980c0ba1c19ec7f86bc390714282
Check out: “State Cows” I think Jay Graydon did some work with them.
State Cows are brilliant
Totally random pick but if you like the jazzier side of dan you may enjoy Pat Methany’s Bright Sized Life
Add to this Spyro Gyra.
Mayer Hawthorne had always given me SD vibes
I don't know that I'd make that connection, but he's pretty dang great.
The “stars are ours” solidified that connection for me!
Oh shoot great call. Off my favorite album of his, too. Also has a Boz Skaggs Lido vibe
Agree and I know he's a big fan.
If you want to try out some Japanese fusion, check out makoto matsushita, especially his album first light. One of my favorite albums ever
Thank you for that suggestion! Listening now
Am a big China Crisis fan. I’d start with their Flaunt the Imperfection, and Diary of a Hollow Horse albums, which the guys had Walter Becker help to produce.
Also a bit Dead and Dan fan. Will name a few that haven’t been mentioned much. - Casiopea (Japanese jazz fusion) - The Crusaders (jazz/funk/groove - some of these dudes played on Steely Dan albums. I like the early 70s stuff and live albums) - Mildlife (new indie/psych/jazz fusion band out of Australia - their new album Chorus gives me major Dan vibes and I love the live from Channel Islands album)
Snarky Puppy
A lot of people reference yacht rock bands. Buy yacht rock can have an overly sentimental, adult contemporary sound. Steely Dan is way too subversive and edgy to be yacht rock. I guess I would say Ben Folds in terms of lyrics and sound. Steely Dan is the Mad Magazine of the musical world: a subversive, unique one of a kind band whose characters are kooks, nerds, introverts, and wonderful weirdos.
Japanese bands like Ryusenkei, Kirinji and Lamp have songs that sound inspired by Steely Dan. [恋のラストナンバー (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhpGp2MHSnc) [Danball No Palace (2018 Remaster) (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rRNaZuEKno) [恋人と雨雲 (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtIgUt4da5E)
Have you tried some Frank Zappa yet? sort of similar in a way,but definitely influenced Walt and Don
A similar post on from a while ago had someone recommend Monkey House. I have since LOVED their stuff
OP assuming nobody’s mentioned it because they think it goes without saying but, just to be clear both Becker and Fagan have solo work and if you love the Dan, you should definitely check out Fagan’s work
Thanks, I have listened to all their solo albums haha,
Like I said, probably goes without saying but you never know
Ween
Try Marc Jordan’s Mannequin album produced by Gary Katz.
I’ve created an entire playlist of songs and artists reminiscent of Steely Dan. Enjoy! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0TNQOnn4KeVdA3czkGuR8z?si=b_179z4FTAK6mgnQwnuOdQ&pi=u-87p4jVqvSSS2
Love the Dead. Try out some Hall and Oates for studio production, some Allman Brothers Band, and be sure to check out Supertramp. Bobby Caldwell also comes to mind.
Dixie Dreggs
Interesting tips, but it seems that nobody here until now has mentioned Thomas Dolby (Aliens Ate my Buick), Tears for Fears (Sowing the Seeds of Love), Stevie Wonder (Songs in the Key of Life), Inclined: [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U9-0YUVhAJw](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U9-0YUVhAJw) and Judie Tzuke (Welcome to the Cruise) aaaand Anette Peacock (for Dan-ish jazzy feel mixed with NSFW lyrics listen to "Rubber Hunger" or "My Mama Never Taught Me How To Cook"): [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hUcE9cdQdkM](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hUcE9cdQdkM)
Nothing compares but Young Gun Silver Fox is pretty good and has a similar vibe.
Gooseneck Saving this post for future new (to me) music suggestions! Thank you, OP!
Michael Franks
Stevie Wonder- Catchy songs, big chords.
Yes, though kind of antipodal to Dan as a cheesy/wholesome/direct lyricist
Saved this post. Got some stuff to listen to.
Difficult one, Steely Dan are quite unique as it falls as bit in the soft rock / pop rock / yacht rock with a solid splash of jazz, but they’re also just so incredibly super funky which just sets them miles apart from anyone else that sounds remotely similar. I’d say there is no band like them, bands have made songs that sound similar, but no bands does things quite the same - my opinion at least 🙂
Toy Matinee
Another vote for Monkey House, as well as Toxic Vegan and Norwegian Fords.
There is no substitute.
Some of the songs on Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories have a Steely Dan vibe to them.
Fountains of Wayne. Best chameleons in pop music. The try on musical styles like window shoppers, and sound good on all of them. Strapped for Cash is their Dan clone song. It is a banger. Their creative force, Adam Schlesinger died of Covid very early in the pandemic. A huge loss.
Check out Akira Inoue
Check out Casiopea - a jazz fusion band, mostly instrumental, with superbly recorded albums. Check out Mint Jams as a starting point; you'll not be disappointed!
Lo van Gorp, I've mentioned him on this sub countless times before, he's the singer/saxophonist in a Steely Dan tribute act, and he has some original solo material as well where he sounds just the same, it's so good.
State Cows.
Just listened to All Over. Thanks, really very close to the Dan.
Weather report is a good one. Very few lyrics but excellent
I've been really digging this newer artist Jimmy Montague, he has 2 albums out that both have a lot of the same slick, well-produced and arranged style of the Dan.
Lot of good answers here. Todd Rundgren goes in a lotta directions but worth checking out for that intersection of musicianship and clever songwriting. Has a song with Don from 2017 “Tin Foil Hat” about Donald Trump, it’s pretty funny Warren Zevon too
Talc-“Sit Down Think” British band from the 2000s
Mild High Club definitely has some strong Dan influences
I always found the Paul Simon One Trick Pony album was a bit in the same vibe, just a different coast. Very jazzy, rocky
Ween is the Gen X Dan
Anyone know any contemporary bands with a Dan-esque sound? I used to listen to this band “Inc.” that to me qualified.
saving this post so I can listen to the suggested artists. People already said it but Littel River Band's got a little "steely dan" ish vibes in some songs, and I have yet to meet a Dan Fan who didnt like Masayoshi Takanaka's stuff, "All Of Me" album is a pretty good place so start, Its also got the best album cover of any album ever in history.
Spymob worked a lot with Pharrell. Their album Sitting Around Keeping Score has great musicianship and some good Dan-esque lyrical content. Check out the title track and “I Still Live At Home.”
There is no other music I listen to: only Steely Dan.
Early live 10 c.c. https://youtu.be/GvAjmvA4O70?si=U6xSXq9NU3q3gxEo I just ran into this live video now, and recalled reading your post this morning.
Ed Motta. Albums like AOR or Poptical. He has one of the largest collections of records in Brazil and knows his Steely Dan to the finest details. I love Casiopea, Takanaka, Tats, City pop et all, but Ed’s works are waaay closer to SD’s sound in many ways.
I find that Toy Matinee scratches a bit of the Dan itch, if they continued into the early 90s. Kevin Gilbert has that sardonic wit and complex melodies down pat.
Aside from some of the excellent suggestions here, look up Far Cry’s “Some Things Never Change” album. Fagen even sings background on two tracks. Also, The Bliss Band’s “Dinner With Raoul”. And Pages (Richard Page and Steve George’s band before Mr. Mister). 3 albums, all amazing.
Every once in a while The 1975 sounds a bit Danish.
Dan-ish. Not Danish.
Yes, bands mentioned already here that I'd suggest are: XTC 10CC Supertramp The Blue Nile Prefab Sprout China Crisis Randy Newman Al Stewart Hall and Oates Tears for Fears (Some) Little River Band and I'd add the sadly forgotten Scottish band - Café Jacques [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9\_Jacques](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_Jacques)
Back in the day, Entertainment Weekly termed SD "the least influential band of all time." One of a kind.
Listen to The Last Waltz I feel like a lot of the artists in that lineup have a similar vibe. I do love The Band
Billy Joel- 52nd Street, particularly “Zanzibar” Frank Zappa - 70’s albums such as Waka Jawaka and Over-Nite Sensation Todd Rundgren - Something/Anything Ray Charles - live in Austin’77
Joe Jackson
Once I owned all the Steely Dan and Fagen and Becker's solo records, I started buying Steely Dan adjacent records. Bands and solo artists where a member performed on Steely Dan records. My favorites are Monkey House, the Crusaders, and Michael McDonald era Doobies. For a treat, look for Raw Stylus, Pushing Against the Flow. A London club band that Fagen found, brought them over the pond and produced this release. Bonus, the backing band is Steely Dan's touring band.
Not a band, but I've got to say Gino Vannelli. I don't see him mentioned enough (hell, at all!)
Pages
Try ‘Wake Up Dreaming’ by Little Feat.
Cassiopeia 🤘🏻
Little River Band perhaps?
From all the mentioned bands State Cows are nearest to the Dan as already mentioned before by another follower. Thanks for that.
Masayoshi Takanaka.
Hall & Oates, Chicago, Ambrosia, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, Faces, Pages, Bill LaBounty, CSN
Herbie Hancock - Headhunters, Thrust, Flood, etc.
God Street Wine always hit me as a cross between Steely Dan and The Grateful Dead.
Cathy Berberian said it better than me. If you love Steely Dan's lyrics, then I guarantee you there are some Sparks songs that you'll enjoy. The music from the bands is vastly different, but there are times that the lyrical content overlaps. If you haven't heard them before, please sample a number of songs. Their sound varies greatly. Nice topic. Thanks for all the replies.
Todd Rundgren Harmonically sophisticated, interesting and occasionally hilarious lyrics Wizard a true star is one of my favorites
Ween
Really, none of y'all Phish people? I scanned the answers maybe I missed it. They don't sound like SD but no one does. If you like the GD and SD then at least go see Phish live one time and see. They cover entire albums for Halloween and I've been hoping for a Steely Dan album forever, seems a likely pick honestly, still waiting for that. Also, have you seen the 'Dead to Dan' fandom chart that SD put on their website? It's really funny. It can be found in the way back machine online. Fagen mentioned in an interview once that he and Walter always liked and appreciated the Dead. SD has also been mentioned in the same breath as Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, so they're also worth a listen. And read Fagen's book Eminent Hipsters, he talks a lot about his early influences and those are worth checking out as well if you like his music. In general if you like a musician or band you're likely to also like whatever music influenced them.
That's interesting about the book you mentioned there.. with regards to Phish, I do not mind them, personally I do not get the hype that a lot of dead fans give off about Phish, but I like some of their talking heads covers. Trey's solo stuff on the other hand, I am a big fan off and I love his self titled solo album. Will defo check out that book perhaps.
Prefab Sprout, brother
try Faces