{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Sunken Condos | type = studio | artist = Donald Fagen | cover = Donald Fagen - Sunken Condos.jpg | alt = | released = October 16, 2012 | recorded = 2010–2012 | studio = Candyland <br> Hirsch Studios <br> Sear Sound <br> Avatar Studios <br> Audio Paint <br> Stratosphere Recording <br> Pat Dillett's Studio (all in New York City) | genre = * Yacht rock * R&B | length = 44:07 | label = Reprise | producer = * Michael Leonhart * Donald Fagen | prev_title = Morph the Cat | prev_year = 2006 | next_title = | next_year = }} '''''Sunken Condos''''' is the fourth and most recent solo album from Steely Dan co-founder Donald Fagen, released in October 2012 through Reprise Records.<ref name="broadcast">{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastnewsroom.com/article/Donald-Fagen-to-Release-Sunken-Condos-October-16-on-Reprise-Records--2146073|title=Donald Fagen to Release Sunken Condos, October 16 on Reprise Records|publisher=Broadcast Newsroom|accessdate=2012-08-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014073559/http://www.broadcastnewsroom.com/article/Donald-Fagen-to-Release-Sunken-Condos-October-16-on-Reprise-Records--2146073|archive-date=2012-10-14|url-status=usurped}}</ref> It contains eight new songs and a cover of Isaac Hayes' "Out of the Ghetto".<ref name="ultimate">{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/donald-fagen-sunken-condos/|title=Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen Set to Release Fourth Solo Album, ''Sunken Condos''|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock|accessdate=2012-08-15}}</ref> Fagen began recording the album in 2010 and described it as having a lighter feel than his earlier work, rather than being a continuation of his ''Nightfly'' trilogy.<ref name="after">{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/popmusic/index.ssf/2009/11/after_steely_dan_tour_donald_f.html|title=After Steely Dan tour, Donald Fagen eyes another solo album next year|publisher=Northeast Ohio|accessdate=2012-08-15}}</ref>
On September 17, ''Rolling Stone'' posted a full-length preview of the song "I'm Not the Same Without You".<ref name="rollingstone">{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/song-premiere-donald-fagen-im-not-the-same-without-you-20120917|title=Song Premiere: Donald Fagen, 'I'm Not the Same Without You'|work=Rolling Stone|accessdate=2012-09-18}}</ref> The song charted at number 28 on the ''Billboard'' Japan Hot 100 in October 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail/?a=hot100 |title=''Japan Billboard'' Hot 100 |publisher=Billboard Japan |language=Japanese |date=October 24, 2012 |accessdate=October 24, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109112403/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail/?a=hot100 |url-status=live |archivedate=November 9, 2012}}</ref> The album reached number 23 on the official UK album chart on October 21 and number 12 on the ''Billboard'' 200, becoming his highest charting solo album since 1993.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/albums-chart/ |title=Official UK Albums Top 100 |publisher=officialcharts.com }}</ref><ref name="Billboard">{{cite web|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=donald fagen|chart=Billboard 200}} | title=''Billboard'' Chart - Donald Fagen | work=Billboard| accessdate=2011-09-22}}</ref>
==Critical response== {{Music ratings | ADM = 7.6/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/4958/Donald-Fagen-Sunken-Condos.aspx |title=Sunken Condos by Donald Fagen reviews |publisher=AnyDecentMusic? |accessdate=December 23, 2019}}</ref> | MC = 82/100<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/sunken-condos/donald-fagen |title=Reviews for Sunken Condos by Donald Fagen |publisher=Metacritic |accessdate=February 8, 2016}}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/sunken-condos-mw0002408326 |title=Sunken Condos – Donald Fagen |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=February 8, 2016 |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine}}</ref> | rev2 = ''The Independent'' | rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-donald-fagen-sunken-condos-reprise-8207528.html |title=Album: Donald Fagen, Sunken Condos (Reprise) |work=The Independent |date=October 13, 2012 |accessdate=February 8, 2016 |last=Gill |first=Andy |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011031124/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-donald-fagen-sunken-condos-reprise-8207528.html |archivedate=October 11, 2014}}</ref> | rev3 = ''The Irish Times'' | rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/album-reviews/donald-fagen-1.554899 |title=Donald Fagen |work=The Irish Times |date=October 19, 2012 |accessdate=September 4, 2017 |last=Breen |first=Joe}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Mojo'' | rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journal |title=Donald Fagen: Sunken Condos |work=Mojo |issue=229 |date=December 2012 |page=89}}</ref> | rev5 = ''MSN Music'' (Expert Witness) | rev5score = A−<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2012-11.php |title=Taylor Swift/Donald Fagen |work=MSN Music |date=November 13, 2012 |accessdate=February 8, 2016 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau}}</ref> | rev6 = ''Q'' | rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journal |title=Donald Fagen: Sunken Condos |work=Q |issue=317 |date=December 2012 |page=104}}</ref> | rev7 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev7score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/sunken-condos-20121016 |title=Sunken Condos |work=Rolling Stone |date=October 16, 2012 |accessdate=February 8, 2016 |last=Hermes |first=Will |author-link=Will Hermes}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Slant Magazine'' | rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/donald-fagen-sunken-condos |title=Donald Fagen: Sunken Condos |work=Slant Magazine |date=October 15, 2012 |accessdate=February 8, 2016 |last=Lanthier |first=Joseph Jon}}</ref> | rev9 = ''Uncut'' | rev9score = 9/10<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/donald-fagen-sunken-condos |title=Donald Fagen – Sunken Condos |work=Uncut |date=October 23, 2012 |accessdate=February 8, 2016 |last=Scoppa |first=Bud |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602162218/http://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/donald-fagen-sunken-condos |archivedate=June 2, 2017}}</ref> | rev10 = ''USA Today'' | rev10score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2012/10/15/donald-fagen-album-of-the-week-sunken-condos/1635167/ |title=Donald Fagen feels at home in 'Sunken Condos' |work=USA Today |date=October 15, 2012 |accessdate=September 4, 2017 |last=Gardner |first=Elysa}}</ref> }} The album was listed at No. 25 on ''Rolling Stone'''s list of the top 50 albums of 2012. The magazine stated that "the music is deceitfully lush, a snazzy cascade of rock, R&B and swing, with production as costly as a Santa Monica beach house."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2012-20121205/donald-fagen-sunken-condos-19691231|title=50 Best Albums of 2012: Donald Fagen, ''Sunken Condos''|work=Rolling Stone|accessdate=December 30, 2012}}</ref> They also named the song "Weather in My Head" the 21st best song of 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-songs-of-2012-20121205/donald-fagen-weather-in-my-head-19691231|title=50 Best Songs of 2012: Donald Fagen, "Weather in My Head"|accessdate=December 30, 2012}}</ref>
Fagen appeared on ''Late Show with David Letterman'' and performed "Weather in My Head" to promote the album.<ref>{{YouTube|DznqCMpcQxQ}}</ref>
==Track listing== All songs written by Donald Fagen, except where noted {{Track listing |title1 = Slinky Thing |length1 = 5:12 |title2 = I'm Not the Same Without You |length2 = 4:31 |title3 = Memorabilia |length3 = 4:14 |title4 = Weather in My Head |length4 = 5:29 |title5 = The New Breed |length5 = 4:35 |title6 = Out of the Ghetto |note6 = Isaac Hayes |length6 = 4:54 |title7 = Miss Marlene |length7 = 4:43 |title8 = Good Stuff |length8 = 4:54 |title9 = Planet D'Rhonda |length9 = 5:35 }}
==Personnel== '''Musicians'''<ref name="liner notes">{{cite AV media notes|title= Sunken Condos |year= 2012 |type= booklet |publisher= Reprise}}</ref> *Donald Fagen – lead vocals {{small|(1–9)}}, piano {{small|(1, 2, 8)}}, Prophet 5 {{small|(1, 5, 7)}}, Wurlitzer {{small|(4, 8, 9)}}, B3 organ {{small|(5, 6)}}, clavinet {{small|(4, 7, 9)}}, Fender Rhodes {{small|(7, 8)}}, melodica {{small|(8)}}, background vocals {{small|(1, 2, 5–9)}} *Harlan Post (alias Donald Fagen)<ref name="HuffPostBlog">{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ragogna/emsunken-condosem-a-conve_b_1965856.html| author=Ragogna, Mike | title=Sunken Condos: A Conversation with Donald Fagen & Michael Leonhart | work=Huffington Post | accessdate=2012-11-16}}</ref> – synth bass {{small|(2, 5, 7, 8)}} *Michael Leonhart – percussion, trumpet {{small|(1–5, 8)}}, flugelhorn {{small|(3, 7, 8)}}, mellophone {{small|(2)}}, mellophonium {{small|(3, 5)}}, Fender Rhodes {{small|(2)}}, minimoog {{small|(2, 6, 8)}}, clavinet {{small|(1, 6)}}, L100 organ {{small|(3)}}, M100 organ {{small|(7)}}, Prophet 5 {{small|(2, 4, 5, 7–9)}}, Wurlitzer {{small|(5, 6, 9)}}, mellotron {{small|(5)}}, B3 organ {{small|(5, 6)}}, Juno 6 {{small|(8)}}, accordion {{small|(6)}}, vibraphone {{small|(1, 6, 8, 9)}}, glockenspiel {{small|(1)}}, background vocals {{small|(1–3, 5–7, 9)}}, scream {{small|(6)}} *Earl Cooke Jr (alias Michael Leonhart)<ref name="Huffington">{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joan-k-smith/donald-fagen-sunken-condos_b_1969720.html | author=Smith, Joan K. | title=Once Again, Donald Fagen Delivers | work=Huffington Post | accessdate=2012-11-10}}</ref> – drums *Jon Herington – guitar {{small|(1, 2, 4–8)}}, twelve-string guitar {{small|(2)}}, rhythm guitar {{small|(9)}}, solo guitar {{small|(4)}} *Walt Weiskopf – alto saxophone {{small|(1–5, 7)}}, tenor saxophone {{small|(3, 5)}}, clarinet {{small|(7)}} *Charlie Pillow – tenor saxophone {{small|(1, 2)}}, clarinet {{small|(2, 6, 7)}}, bass clarinet {{small|(6)}}, bass flute {{small|(7)}} *Roger Rosenberg – baritone saxophone {{small|(1, 2, 4)}}, bass clarinet {{small|(7)}} *Jim Pugh – trombone {{small|(1, 2, 4)}} *Carolyn Leonhart – background vocals {{small|(1, 2, 4, 7–9)}}, ad-lib vocals {{small|(1)}} *Jamie Leonhart – background vocals {{small|(1, 9)}} *Catherine Russell – background vocals {{small|(1, 2, 4, 7, 8)}} *Cindy Mizelle – background vocals {{small|(4, 7)}} *Joe Martin – acoustic bass {{small|(1)}} *William Galison – harmonica {{small|(2, 5)}}, bass harmonica {{small|(5)}} *Lincoln Schleifer – bass {{small|(3, 4, 9)}} *Gary Sieger – guitar {{small|(3)}} *Larry Campbell – rhythm guitar {{small|(4)}} *Jay Leonhart – acoustic bass {{small|(5)}} *Freddie Washington – bass {{small|(6)}} *Antoine Silverman – violin {{small|(6)}} *Aaron Heick – bass flute {{small|(7)}} *Kurt Rosenwinkel – solo guitar {{small|(9)}}
'''Production'''<ref name="liner notes"/> * Donald Fagen – rhythm arrangements, vocal arrangements, horn arrangements, mixing * Michael Leonhart – vocal and horn arrangements, engineer, mixing * Charles Martinez – engineer * Normyn – assistant engineer * David Schoenwetter – assistant engineer * Ted Tuthill – assistant engineer * Pat Dillett – mixing, additional engineering * Elliot Scheiner – additional engineering * Amanda Hirsch – additional Pro Tools engineering * Jon Silverman – assistant mix engineer * Scott Hull – mastering
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Sunken Condos'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2012) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Austria|69|artist=Donald Fagen|album=Sunken Condos|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|22|artist=Donald Fagen|album=Sunken Condos|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|99|artist=Donald Fagen|album=Sunken Condos|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Denmark|36|artist=Donald Fagen|album=Sunken Condos|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|13|artist=Donald Fagen|album=Sunken Condos|rowheader=true|access-date=March 21, 2026|refname=Dutchchart}} |- ! scope="row"| Dutch Alternative Albums (Alternative Top 30)<ref name="Dutchchart"/> | 4 |- {{album chart|Finland|46|artist=Donald Fagen|album=Sunken Condos|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|France|85|artist=Donald Fagen|album=Sunken Condos|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Germany|29|id=205511|artist=Donald Fagen|album=Sunken Condos|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Ireland2|27|artist=Donald Fagen|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Italy|22|artist=Donald Fagen|album=Sunken Condos|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Oricon|11|M|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/116637/products/986972/1/|title=Album on Oricon News|publisher=Oricon News|rowheader=true|access-date=March 21, 2026}} |- {{album chart|Norway|5|artist=Donald Fagen|album=Sunken Condos|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|23|date=20121021|rowheader=true|access-date=March 21, 2026}} |- {{album chart|Sweden|10|artist=Donald Fagen|album=Sunken Condos|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|53|artist=Donald Fagen|album=Sunken Condos|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|UK2|23|date=20121021|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|12|artist=Donald Fagen|rowheader=true|access-date=September 29, 2021|M|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/Donald-Fagen/chart-history/TLP|title=Donald Fagen Chart History (''Billboard'' 200)|work=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117152218/https://www.billboard.com/artist/donald-fagen/chart-history/tlp/|archive-date=November 17, 2021|url-status=dead}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRock|3|artist=Donald Fagen|rowheader=true|access-date=March 21, 2026|M|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/Donald-Fagen/chart-history/RCK|title=Donald Fagen Chart History (Top Rock Albums)|work=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117164956/https://www.billboard.com/artist/donald-fagen/chart-history/rck/|archive-date=November 17, 2021|url-status=dead}} |- ! scope="row"| US Top Tastemaker Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/Donald-Fagen/chart-history/TAS|title=Donald Fagen Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 21, 2026|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929042047/https://www.billboard.com/music/Donald-Fagen/chart-history/TAS|archive-date=September 29, 2021}}</ref> | 3 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Donald Fagen}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Donald Fagen albums Category:2012 albums Category:Albums produced by Donald Fagen Category:Reprise Records albums Category:Yacht rock albums