Walter Becker - 11 Tracks of Whack (1994) [Flac] torrent

Walter Becker emerged from seclusion in 1993 to produce his old pal Fagen’s second solo LP, Kamakiriad, on which he contributed bass and lead guitar. Donald Fagen would return the favor for Becker’s 11 Tracks of Whack, the following year. Aside from a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it pass on vocals for Steely Dan’s debut album, 11 Tracks of Whack would be the first instance of Walter Becker inhabiting the role of lead singer.

Indeed, it is Becker’s voice that jumps out at the listener before anything else. It is worth noting that Walter Becker was just entering middle age at the time of 11 Tracks of Whack’s recording, so it is quite possible he sounded much different as a younger man.

In any case, early 90s Walter Becker presents with an affable, well-worn timbre that connects exceptionally well, despite (or perhaps due to) not being pitch-perfect 100% of the time.

One thing that 11 Tracks of Whack makes readily apparent is the well-established identity and values of the man behind its tunes. Again, Walter Becker was in his 40s when these tracks were recorded. What we’re hearing is not necessarily a man searching for his place or looking to determine what it is he believes in, but a writer with a fairly well-established view of the world.

While casual listeners may never move past the more popular Steely Dan output, Walter Becker’s debut solo outing is a compelling exploration of one of the most unique minds popular music has yet to produce.