Steely Dan - Two Against Nature

Notorious for shunning concert performances, Steely Dan's improbable live reunion in the mid-'90s eventually turned into a full-fledged reunion album. Since Steely Dan fans went two decades without even the hope of a new record, the very prospect was a delight, but it was also a little worrying, since a botched comeback would tarnish the band's legacy. Fortunately, Two Against Nature is as seductive and alluring as the best of Steely Dan's later work, with a similar emphasis on classy atmosphere and groove. Pitched halfway between Gaucho and the immaculate production of Fagen's solo album Kamakiriad, it's a graceful, intricate record that works its subtle charms at its own pace. While that means it isn't a knockout on the first listen, it's a real grower -- a quietly addicting album that slowly works its way into the subconscious. It's also an uncannily natural extension of the duo's previous work, but surprisingly, it never sounds nostalgic or dated. It's clear that Becker and Fagen re-teamed because they simply enjoy working together: crafting the songs and arrangements, designing the production, shoehorning in-jokes into the lyrics, finding the exact performances that fit their specifications. In this sense, Two Against Nature is no different than any past Steely Dan effort; that's exactly why it's welcome, since they find nearly endless permutations within their signature sound. Lyrically, the album isn't quite as malicious as their '70s work, but they haven't lost their sharp humor, even on some mere throwaway lines. The real payoff, however, is musical. Each song gradually reveals its own identity through small, thrilling touches, giving the record depth and character, and fitting it comfortably into Steely Dan's acclaimed body of work. And that's as delightfully unexpected and peculiarly beautiful as anything else in their career. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Amy Helm Whistle (Instrument) Anthony Gorman Engineer Any Helm Whistle (Human) Carol Bobolts Design Carolyn Leonhart Vocals (Background) Chris Potter Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor) Cynthia Calhoun Vocals (Background) Daniel Sadownick Timbales, Percussion Dave Russell Engineer, Mixing David Schenk Vibraphone David Tofani Saxophone Dean Parks Guitar Donald Fagen Fender Rhodes, Piano, Arranger, Horn Arrangements, Organ, Producer, Wurlitzer Elliot Scheiner Engineer Gordon Gottlieb Percussion Hugh McCracken Guitar Jan Folkson Editing Jason Fulford Photography Jay A. Ryan Engineer Jill Dell'Abate Project Manager Jim Pugh Trombone Johan Edlund Engineer Jon Herington Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar (Acoustic) Jon Herrington Guitar (Rhythm) Keith Carlock Drums (Snare) Ken Ross Engineer Lawrence Feldman Saxophone, Clarinet, Sax (Tenor) Leroy Clouden Drums (Snare) Lou Marini Sax (Alto) Michael Hitchcock Trumpet Michael Leonhart Consultant, Copyist, Conductor, Horn Arrangements, Wurlitzer, Trumpet Michael White Drums, Drums (Snare) Mike Harvey Vocals (Background) Paul Jackson, Jr. Guitar Per-Christian Nielsen Engineer Peta Scriba Engineer Phil Burnett Engineer Reaann Zschokke Assistant Ricky Lawson Drums Roger Nichols Engineer, Executive Engineer, Technician, Mixing Roger Rosenberg Sax (Baritone), Clarinet (Bass) Sam Berd Piano Tuner Scott Hull Mastering Sonny Emory Drums (Snare) Steve Shapiro Vibraphone Suzana Haugh Project Coordinator Suzy Barrows Assistant Ted Baker Piano, Fender Rhodes Tom Barney Bass Vinnie Colaiuta Drums (Snare) Walter Becker Guitar, Arranger, Photography, Bass, Producer, Horn Arrangements Will Lee Percussion