Walter Becker
11 Tracks Of Whack

A large part of the charm and "cultural" content of the Steely Dan phenomenon, in addition to the music, lies in the uniqueness of the lyrics and the wordplay they contain, with explicit or hidden references to contemporary U.S. culture. This solo album by Walter Becker (half of Steely Dan along with Donald Fagen) is, from this perspective, "probably" in the same vein.
The problem for me is that years ago I bought this album (original) for a couple of dollars or a little more at a Pawn Shop in the U.S., finding it by chance inside a Michael Brecker CD case. Thinking I had made a great jazz find, I got in the car, hit the 'motorway' with my three or four purchased CDs, and only after several miles (!) towards home did I put this album in the player, remaining nonetheless very satisfied with the "mismatch."
So I wouldn't be able to comment on the lyrics, although some phrases can be understood in the singing. It's always a very challenging task. More so than understanding an English cab driver found in the suburbs of London.

Regarding the music, we find, precisely, in this unique solo CD by Becker, 11 tracks of Whack (which should be a slightly derogatory nickname in a playful sense for Walter himself) plus probably a track by someone else for a total of 12 (sorry but I have no cover and can't find anything anywhere online!). Original and quite in line with Steely Dan's production, it remains a hidden gem to many. Each track tells its own story and returns the unique and beloved voice of Walter.
1. “Down In The Bottom”: begins with a beautiful guitar arpeggio and a breathtaking bass and drum groove. The voice sings over a constant tension base, with a background vibraphone. Guitar solo towards the end. Leaves you with a taste of novelty in the eardrums.
2. “Junkie Girl”: is a song in a somewhat west coast style but still very engaging.
3. “Surf And/Or Die”: an example of how to build an incredibly vibrant piece around a single bass note, with a reverberated guitar not far away dancing around the note, constructing the piece with harmonics to that same note. Walter's voice narrates, emotionally involved. The guitar performs a strange solo, arpeggios and flights with a slight chorus. Wonderful.
4. “Book Of Liars”: is partly oriental; Fender piano and muffled sounds for a late-night track. Insinuating sax and key changes at just the right moment.
5. “Lucky Henry”: returns to a faster tempo for another burst of energy. Very unique track, with a sunnier guitar than ever. Becker is quite good with the guitar. And often plays the bass, although in Steely Dan the two focus on other aspects, composition, production, and mixing, leaving the instrumental tasks to contour professionals of a certain caliber.
6. “Hard Up Case”: funky tempo for a track with a loose, '70s Go Go music-like rhythm.
7. “Cringemaker”: this intense piece gets into your head, and you hum it for a week. Intense dialogue of the rhythm section with voice and guitar. Female choral answers at times like Joe Cocker or similar. Nothing else to say; I would leave the surprise to you.
8. “Girlfriend”: more traditional track, with a wild and uncontrollable baritone sax. Electric piano to keep the base.
9. “My Waterloo”: returns to the jerky pace for a simple song in the house-style.
10. “This Moody Bastard”: is more contained and subdued, with very discreet voice and sound blanket.
11. “Hat Too Flat”: clangor of cymbals and unusual sounds introduce a piece that goes all the way with sounds unfamiliar to Steely Dan.
12. “Little Kawai”: is a small ballad, a quasi-waltz, that closes the CD worthily.

Although at least half of the tracks are of high level, subdued tones and scattered guitars with piercing arpeggios do not make this work an essential masterpiece. Still, it remains, instead, an indispensable album, a collector's item, for all those who love Steely Dan; something that completes the picture, along with Donald Fagen’s albums (who co-produces the album): The Nightfly (a historic masterpiece, unmatched example of the genre), Kamakiriad (respectable follow-up) and the latest just released, Morph The Cat (which I have yet to have the pleasure to meet).