You can find groups that have a "sound" like them, but they're lyrically unique. I usually don't pay attention to lyrics unless they're terrible, but I love Steely Dan's lyrics.
It's only a matter of time before they get mentioned, so: Boz Scaggs, Toto and Michael Franks. Michael Franks / Steely Dan
If Steely Dan was a European art movie, Toto would be its Hollywood remake. It can be entertaining but something definitely gets lost in the process...
Nope, none I can think of. Not even the many UK bands in the 80s who had the "Steely Dan influence" mentioned in dispatches. EG.
Some of Destroyer’s work sounds a bit like later Steely Dan. It has the slick, sophisticated sound, jazzy touches, and juxtaposition of catchy melodies with cryptically sardonic lyrics. His album Kaputt is very good.
I once suggested to an ex-boss that he check out Steely Dan's music. He replied, "Steely Dan? That's like Toto." So I never brought up the Dan again.
I believe Steely Dan exists in its own singular category. And even though I thoroughly enjoy Becker and Fagen's solo albums, they are close at times, but never really achieve the same synergy that the Dan produced. As was mentioned earlier in the thread, the lyrics are a real differentiator in the equation.
One act I'll mention although I know most will disagree - Seals & Crofts. Different in that their lyrics had a moralistic tone quite unlike Steely Dan, but they were also more musically skilled than most acts of their time, and used many of the same A-list L.A. studio musicians who played with Steely Dan, including the Toto guys.
If a student liked Steely Dan and asked for another somewhat similar artist to explore, I'd probably advise mid-period Joni Mitchell, when she was at her jazziest: COURT & SPARK, HISSING OF SUMMER LAWNS, HEJIRA, DON JUAN'S RECKLESS DAUGHTER . . .
we cannot clone a pair of 60s geeky weirdos (with all due respect) who can ironically crank out song after song with indeterminable meaning, probably something to do with the darkest side of underground, drugs, dangerous babes and that whole 70s vibe.
Nobody is much like Steely Dan. Trying to find a similar act is a wild goose chase. You can find some with a few superficial similarities, but in the end there's nobody like Becker and Fagen. Fortunately, I've listened to them a LOT over the years (I started by buying the 45 of Do It Again right after I heard it on the radio) and I'm still not tired of them.