After the Thanksgiving hustle, it’s time to unwind and enjoy the smooth sounds of yacht rock, a music genre often mocked but now getting its deserved recognition. The Max documentary Music Box: Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through the late ’70s sounds of Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, and Christopher Cross, exploring the genre’s cultural significance and its unlikely resurgence.
Directed by Garret Price, the documentary features interviews with yacht rock icons like Kenny Loggins, the Doobie Brothers, and Christopher Cross, as well as musicians influenced by the genre and the creators of the 2005 parody web series that coined the term “yacht rock.” Price hopes to reintroduce this feel-good music to a new generation, saying, “This music is the soundtrack to our lives, whether we want it or not.”
The film highlights tracks like “Ride Like the Wind” by Cross, “Reelin’ In the Years” by Steely Dan, and “Rosanna” by Toto, while also distinguishing what yacht rock isn’t — namely, bands like the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, who don’t fit the genre’s unique blend of jazz, R&B, and elevated pop.
Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen, though not part of a sit-down interview, allowed the band’s music to feature in the documentary, which was a crucial turning point for Price. The documentary is a celebration of yacht rock’s lasting influence, offering fans and newcomers alike a chance to rediscover the genre’s smooth charm.
