Two Against Nature
by Steely Dan
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  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.
  5. 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.
  6. AllMusic
    80
    The most surprising thing about the album is that it sounds exactly like classic Steely Dan, but without feeling dated.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Wall of Sound
    74
    Familiar-sounding as these songs may be, they function as well as any blend of jazz and rock...
  10. Rolling Stone
    70
    What makes Two Against Nature work isn't its cerebral ellipticity but its stunning musical clarity.
  11. 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.
  12. Spin
    70
    Unfortunately, timelessness does not always equate with flawlessness.... it is all a little too pristine and sanitized for someone's protection...

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Best Album of 2000
44
#44 Most Discussed Album of 2000
54
#54 Most Shared Album of 2000

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. BigBiggo
    Dec 9, 2014
    10
    An incredible sounding record with great tracks and no filler. It's the best parts of all their previous output combined. Every Dan album hasAn incredible sounding record with great tracks and no filler. It's the best parts of all their previous output combined. Every Dan album has tracks I love but in this case I love the whole album.… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    Feb 1, 2022
    6
    When Steely Dan were producing some great songs you'd allow for self indulgence from them. An all time classic here, and bit of jazz fusionWhen Steely Dan were producing some great songs you'd allow for self indulgence from them. An all time classic here, and bit of jazz fusion jamming there resulting in an overall satisfactory result. On "Two Against Nature" we have too much self indulgence and not enough at all of the good I associate with Steely Dan. There are maybe one or two decent songs to be fair and you have to hold your hand up to the technical ability on show on this record but for the most part when "Two Against Nature" isn't frustrating you then it's boring you.… Full Review »
  3. Jonathan_Rose
    Jul 16, 2020
    10
    A fantastic comeback after 20 years of not recording new material from the legendary Steely Dan. Standout tracks include Janie Runaway andA fantastic comeback after 20 years of not recording new material from the legendary Steely Dan. Standout tracks include Janie Runaway and Cousin Dupree. While none of the tracks are true masterpieces like some of their earlier songs like The Caves of Altamira or Kid Charlemagne, there's also no filler songs. It's a rather solid album across the board, rightfully earning Steely Dan several Grammy awards which were long overdue.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »