Two Against Nature - Steely Dan (2000)
After spending the 80s apart, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen began working together again in the 90s. Becker acted as producer on Fagen’s 1993 record Kamakiriad, and the two started touring again as Steely Dan in the second half of the decade.
The turn of the century would see the first collection of new Dan Recordings since 1980’s Gaucho.
I put this 30-years-apart project together to look at what changed as well as what didn’t for an artist after 30 years. Dan gives you a pretty solid view of what doesn’t change.
While these newer tracks are slightly less rocking, the main idea is almost unchanged. You get lyrics telling the tale of outcasts and weirdos, and laid back music that hides its complexity and nuance under what could easily be mistaken for soft rock if you’re not paying attention.
Neither the band nor their jazz- and harmony-laden sound were really part of the pop and rock conversation by this point, but they still made a great record that no doubt sounded exactly like they wanted it to.
