I'm the biggest fickle classic rock fan in the world. I love the genre. I listen to it very, very often. But for some reason, when people ask me what my favorite music is, I typically talk about alt rock and rap substantially more often. I don't get it. Neil Young is one of those guys, where everybody knows a few songs by him, but maybe doesn't know they're listening to him. If that makes sense. He was born in 1945 up in Canada. He was a part of a variety of bands - including Buffalo Springfield, Crazy Horse and obviously CSNY. Why is that obvious? Well, that stands for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. While with CSNY, they (specifically Young) had a bit of a rivalry with Lynyrd Skynyrd. The track 'Southern Man' on this album was one that Young wrote as his outcry against racism in this country and in the world overall. While Skynyrd shot back with the direct lyric in Sweet Home Alabama - the "rivalry" between the artists was always a friendly one. Which is nice...a debate about values while not needing to involve violence. This particular record came out in 1970 - and was his third studio recording. It's a modest 2x platinum, but Neil Young never did burn down the house with album sales. I think a lot of that relates to his style. He's very folky, very much a songwriter and lyricist. Some people can't stand his voice, I don't mind it. But the music is typically very slow tempo and can tend to blend together if you don't know the words. There is a classic track like 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart' - which I'm sure everyone in the world knows by different artists. Most critics call this one of the best albums ever made. And I certainly do really enjoy this one, and think it's a fantastic album. I just hesitate to be too praising of an album that I don't own, and probably would never buy. Admittedly, I'm not the biggest folk rock fan - and typically if I'm in the mood, I turn to Dylan. But this is still quite good - three or four amazing tracks. At the very least, check those out.
TRACK LISTING:
1. Tell Me Why
2. After the Gold Rush
3. Only Love Can Break Your Heart
4. Southern Man
5. Till the Morning Comes
6. Oh, Lonesome Me
7. Don't Let It Bring You Down
8. Birds
9. When You Dance You Can Really Love
10. I Believe in You
11. Cripple Creek Ferry
Listen To Samples
Top 3 Tracks:
1. Don't Let It Bring You Down
2. Southern Man
3. Only Love Can Break Your Heart
FINAL RATING:
4.25 out of 5 stars
so, not related, but this post made me think of jimmy fallon as neil young sining 'pants on the ground.' and then i got to thinking, 'pants on the ground' could fit quite well to the melody of 'band on the run.' which then just got me thinking how ben & jerry's bananas on the rum ice cream flavor was one of the best ever, and they should have sold that in pints.
ReplyDeletethe end.
Damnit! I was really hoping someone would comment and agree how awesome this album was! You were one of just a couple people I thought might do so. My excitement was very short lived when I learned your post was just babble. =)
ReplyDeleteReally is a great album though..you should run through it sometime.
see, the problem is that i don't care for neil young. right there with dylan. just can't do it. read my lips: not gonna do it.
ReplyDeleteHistorically I didn't care for him either. But this album.....yeah - I don't know.
ReplyDeleteIt's just good.