Two Against Nature

In the 20 years that elapsed since 1980's GAUCHO, Steely Dan linchpins Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have dabbled in solo projects, toured with the Rock & Soul Review, and spent most of the '90s gearing up for the band's long-awaited eighth studio album, TWO AGAINST NATURE. Only nine songs long, TWO AGAINST NATURE is a clear example of quality over quantity. As has been the modus operandi throughout Steely Dan's existence, Fagen and Becker have gathered an impressive backup crew of jazz players with impeccable chops to season the proceedings.
With both Becker and Fagen hovering around age 50, it's not surprising that most of this rich material deals with the uncertainties of middle age. Themes addressed include the complexities of relationships, whether they involve family ("Cousin Dupree"), a toxic significant other ("Negative Girl"), or an old flame met by chance ("What a Shame About Me"). Throughout, Steely Dan manages to successfully straddle the line between the empty calories of light jazz, and the fusion from which the duo has previously borrowed nuances.|