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Steely Dan - Two Against Nature CD (album) cover

TWO AGAINST NATURE

Steely Dan

 

Jazz Rock/Fusion

3.36 | 120 ratings

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Kazuhiro
Prog Reviewer
3 stars Tour for re-formation that spends between 1993 and 1994 and is done. They were making remarks at time when "Alive in America" that collected the tune with which the tune of old and new was laced was announced that they composed for a new studio album.

It was in December, 1999 to complete this "Two Against Nature". They were making remarks on this details respectively. It is said that the recording was done in Hawaii for a little while because Walter Becker of the production of this album lived in Hawaii. However, work is produced with River Sound Studio that exists almost in New York.

This studio was a studio that Donald Fagen had constructed. And, it was a studio that had been used to produce "Kamakiriad" that Donald Fagen had announced in 1993. It had the flow that shifted to the tour of Steely Dan since Solo Album of this situation and Donald Fagen was announced. The fan and the listener might have hoped for the re-formation of Steely Dan because Walter Baecker, Steely Dan, and familiar, deep Gary Katz were related to the production of "Kamakiriad" as the result.

If these details are considered, the relation between a problem concerning the drug that Walter Becker set up as their situations after 1980 and Solo Album each other will be enumerated. Activity of Donald Fagen to announce Solo Album besides Walter Becker that migrates to Hawaii. And, it is partial of the work of production concerning Solo Album each other in close relation to the part made to agree in 1993. These might have had details that led to the tour of the re-formation and the revival of Steely Dan as a result. The music character of Solo Album and the music character of the purpose and Steely Dan were made remarks becoming a different kind as the result as a remark each other. There was a part where Steely Dan to say nothing of the content of Solo Album each other was recollected, too. However, there might have been an element and a possibility to be able to be convinced for them in the music character by "Steely Dan" as a result. It is guessed that the conviction was able to be confirmed at the time of the production of "Kamakiriad".

The word called "Nature" is included in this album. They guess that they gave following the music character where they had gone to this album and a universal part. The function of a digital sample and the sequence has already been said the introduction already when "Gaucho" was produced in their remarks. However, the music character at which they had aimed with this album was in the expression of following the music character that they had and a human sound. Expression of human sound that exists in nucleus of part and work to introduce state-of-the-art machine parts. And, it is partial of the pursuit of the sound with warmth. These might be the results of the expression of their music characters of the universal element surely and projection to the album. Passage is guessed to be an incessant flow of their natural parts and pure approachs for about 20 years after "Gaucho" is announced as a studio album.

The rhythm of complete steady groove sounds comfortably in "Gaslighting Abbie". The line of Cutting and Bass of the guitar also gives the tune the flavor of Funk very much. The operation of Chord of the free transforming in which Steely Dan is skillful is alive and well. The tune including the guitar, the wind instrument, and the keyboard combines. Especially, the composition of Chord is splendid.

"What A Shame About Me" has the flavor of Rock And Roll calculated very much. It might be a tune from which their roots are followed. A part of the wind instrument and piano Chord also have some flavors of Jazz. However, their tastes have gone out enough of not simple Rock but this tune. Individuality is expressed enough.

In "Two Against Nature", the rhythm of Latin and the samba is bases. Flavor of rhythm carved in acute angle. Atmosphere of rhythm section that considers bass. The tune including a bright melody gives the transposition a little. Solo of the guitar and Sax also expands the width of the tune.

A few Rock might exist together to the part of Pop in "Janie Runaway". The song and the rhythm are steady. The flavor of the guitar and Sax to get on the flow gives good Rock And Roll. However, this tune is also peculiar to the progress of Chord. It is very unique.

"Almost Gothic" might be a little pastoral tune. The progress of Chord is very peculiar. A little mysterious impression might be given. The chorus and the keyboard contribute to the tune. And, the band including the sound of solo and the clarinet of the trumpet is constructing the mysterious world. The impression follows from the vicinity of "Gaucho" and might be expansive.

"Jack Of Speed" might be Rock where the element of Blues is felt a little. The guitar and the Brass section decide the impression of the tune. The flow that minor Chord is made good use of is steady.

"Cousin Dupree" might be Rock And Roll that has both R&B with the atmosphere in the 50's. The guitar and the rhythm produce good Groove. The keyboard is matched to the atmosphere of the tune. The band advances in union. The flavor with good chorus part is affixed.

"Negative Girl" has a complete transparent feeling and the anacatesthesia. The impression might be very mysterious. As for the progress of original Chord, the guitar and the keyboard decide it. Part of anacatesthesia that contains syncopation. And, the rhythm that Vinnie Colaiuta to give individuality to the impression of this album completely makes might be splendid. The tune including solo of the vibraphone becomes complete.

"West Of Hollywood" is a tune that is reminiscent of the music character of Steely Dan in the 80's. Comfortable dash feeling. Part of verse that makes emotional melody. The keyboard and the guitar have expanded the width of the tune very much. The tune including the part of the transposition develops further and advances. Flavor of Jazz that Sax and Piano are good. Technical respect also shows the performance. Especially, the latter half of the tune might have respect of Jazz Rock.

Old and a past drawing out have the part in which it doesn't feel it too much in this studio album announced after the period of about 20 years. They were doing the music that had to be done with the purpose and the necessity oppositely. It is a good album where universality exists together to development.

Kazuhiro | 3/5 |

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