I have to admit I have always been mystified by the sound on the Can’t Buy a Thrill album. And many of the follow up albums too.
And don’t forget doing this was just a bit of fun (although I have got a license for it - as I do for any covers I use - which will be sent to the moderators if they wish to see it).
I didn’t ever intend to copy the original sounds. I would have had no idea where to start with that guitar sound and your article now explains partly why. And also Fagen’s vocals - Love them or hate them - No one can sing like that.
It’s odd for me because most of my living in the past few years has come from original dance and pop stuff - remixes etc. and performing live.
So I am finding it really refreshing to go back to the studio roots for a bit.
Good talk Jack. 
Do you have any of your stuff around to listen to?