2 Against Nature


I just bought it as cassette. I wanted Aja but I got this instead. Is it any good? Haven't heard it yet.

And while you're at it, gimmie some recommendations please.

Aja is one of the best albums ever made, IMO. Theres no way you can go wrong w/it. Buy it yesterday.

Fear not, if one of our elder statesman sees this thread, you'll get a treasure trove of Steely recommendations. Since I need to grab Aja as well, let me get aboard the wagon. I first bought Steely Dan: Gold as as starter because it has many of their best known songs on it, after a few years bought The Royal Scam because I love the song " The Fez ". I just recently bought the compilation Showbiz Kids which is another collection of their Hits and singles, and I can't find a dud on it. Don and Walter are a top notch duo, you won't regret buying them.

UncleGrandpa said:

A friend of mine was playing the Aja album in my workplace, I dug the thing sooo much and I thought it was an obscure group from the mid-70's. He told me its Steely Dan and its from 1999, he wanted to give me his copy but I refused to.

I was on the hunt for that album, but all I found was "Two Against Nature".

Seriously, just about anything they put out. I had a greatest hits and am just working my way through their catalogue from Can't Buy a Thrill through Aja. That's six albums and not a bad one in the batch! For some reason I thought you were already a fan. It's right up your alley.

Harlepolis said:

you were half right. The album is from the 70's, but the group isnt so obscure. Aja was realeased in '77.

TommyRoss said:

Oh I already love their stuff. But they have such a lush catalog I don't know where to start.

OK everyone agrees on Aja. But that's the one album I have and I don't know where to go after this.

unkemptpueblo said:

AHA! So its a remastered album.

I stand corrected, like I said, I need to be schooled about SD and whats betta place to get know them than here

These are the only ones I really have in my collection by the Steely clan that I recommend you to pick up immediately:

CinisterCee said:

Try Can't Buy a Thrill. They're all good really, but I think I'm partial to that one, because Do It Again is my fave song of theirs and it leads that album.

. . .

Two Against Nature was their first original studio recording in some time. But it's a good one. "Jack Of Speed," "Almost Gothic" and "Two Against Nature" are outstanding tracks. I believe that it won the Grammy for Album of the Year. Interestingly enough, I think that may as good a starting place as any to listen and work backwards.

Aja is their masterpiece, which is saying something considering the number of standout albums they've put out.

A Decade of Steely Dan is a good compilation to test the waters.

Hell, Donald Fagen's solo efforts, The Nightfly, Kamakiriad and Morph The Cat are virtually Steely Dan albums themselves. I'd cop Nightfly as well.
[Edited 1/10/07 15:07pm]
[Edited 1/10/07 15:07pm]

prettymansson said:

That's the definitive one, but I'm afraid that everything else Harl listens to will pale in comparison.

TommyRoss said:

Sounds good.


Any objections, org beeotches?

namepeace said:

You could say they won't be as good as it, but I don't think "pales in comparison" is appropriate. Good is good.

namepeace said:

THAAAAT good, huh? I doubt it, but coming from you makes me even more excited about it than I'm already am

Thanx for the heads-up, guys

Start with the 70's albums.
There's not really that many to be overwhelming.
I have all those 70's ones on vinyl and love them to death. They get daily rotation.

1972: Can't Buy a Thrill
1973: Countdown to Ecstasy
1974: Pretzel Logic
1975: Katy Lied (my current favourite!)
1976: The Royal Scam
1977: Aja
1980: Gaucho

They didn't release any in 80's (but had solo work which is great too).
Their music fuses pop, jazz, funk, even reggae coherently and wonderfully.
I would call it the epitomy of pop music! Catchy but with tonnes of substance for the musos to appreciate!

_

UncleGrandpa said:

Scary. I bought Gold and Scam in the same order for the same reasons. maybe you're my long lost gramps!!!

There's a compilation disc out called "A Decade of Steely Dan", awesome, really some good tracks on it from a lot of their best albums. On the one you bought, check out the song, Cousin Dupree.

so we all agree that 'Aja' is their masterpiece?

All their albums are worth checking out.

TommyRoss said:

Ditto on that. I couldn't just choose one.

Steely Dan, along with EWF, were my favs back in the day. If U want 2 go ALL out with the Dan...pick up the Box Set. Every Steely Dan Album from "Can't Buy A Thrill" through "Gaucho"...and even the song FM. Although I do not believe this set 2 be remastered...it is still a great set. Also, some of the albums begin on one disc and end on another...including the classic "AJA". (But having the remasted version of that disc takes care of that issue) Enjoy!!

Welcome 2 the Dawn...of a New Era...Bright Circle
[Edited 1/11/07 7:02am]

...

It's hard to say, other than Aja (1977)----- all of their albums certainly have merit, including Two Against Nature(1999), and everyone's got their favorites...here are mine (although I have to have everything they do; I'm a Dan junkie, !!):



but if you like any of those, then check out Donald Fagen's first solo album, The Nightfly :






...
[Edited 1/11/07 9:33am]

SoulAlive said:

probably!! you'll find some naysayers, but most agree that it was their finest hour...shoot, look at the title track alone -- they haven't stretched to that level before or since....


...
[Edited 1/11/07 8:59am]

TommyRoss said:

Well, that's what I think of Aja. But good is good.

Ok new question.....?

which ones have the most FUNK ?

*Not including aja..

prettymansson said:

They've all got some funk to em.. maybe "the royal scam"...

"the fez" and "kid charlemagne" are

nd33 said:

kool