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Two Against Nature - Steely Dan
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    Their ensemble sound remains sharp and inimitable.
  2. Village Voice
    90
    The music turns Aja's fusion-pop mode jumpier and snappier, sourer and trickier and less soothing--postfunk, whether anyone will admit it or not.
  3. Sonicnet
    80
    Two Against Nature marks a timely return of two chilly, heartless hipsters.
  4. All Music Guide
    80
    The most surprising thing about the album is that it sounds exactly like classic Steely Dan, but without feeling dated.
  5. Q Magazine
    80
    They've produced a demanding slice of music, brilliantly out of sync in an age of quick fixes and plummeting attention spans.
  6. CDNow
    80
    Becker and Fagen seem to have found their happy place during the recording of Two Against Nature. And as it's presented on this extremely infectious collection, their joy is contagious.
  7. Mojo
    80
    Sharp, sleek, sophisticated, more going on (jazzy horns, juicy backing vocals, switchblade rock guitar) than a couple of spins can take in and seductive enough to keep drawing you back.
  8. Wall of Sound
    74
    Familiar-sounding as these songs may be, they function as well as any blend of jazz and rock...
  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Once more, we're in a world of uptight, high-gloss grooves, wry tales of dirty old men, and, of course, terrifyingly proficient guitar solos.
  10. Rolling Stone
    70
    What makes Two Against Nature work isn't its cerebral ellipticity but its stunning musical clarity.
  11. Spin
    70
    Unfortunately, timelessness does not always equate with flawlessness.... it is all a little too pristine and sanitized for someone's protection...
  12. Checkout.com
    50
    While Two Against Nature certainly has its moments, it doesn't catch your ear with the crafty songsmith of Steely Dan past.
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Pitchfork
    16
    The lengthy, indistinguishable tracks could pass for a Daniel Lanois-produced collaboration between the Dave Matthews Band and Kenny G.
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. JohnL
    9
    Most of their previous output rates a "10". They were as important an American band as their was in the 70's to be sure. I'd almost rate this an 8, but while I don't like it as much as Fagen's "the Nightfly", it is a great one to be sure. Morph the Cat is fine too, whilst the one that followed this is only good.… Full Review »
  2. KristianT
    9
    Its so good to have them back. This is a great album, definatly the best album in 2000. However it isnt as good as their newest release, Everything Must Go.… Full Review »
  3. JonathanH
    6
    Not bad, but forgettable
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