Neil Young loses mind, legitimacy on new album
Published: January 20, 2009
Updated: January 21, 2009
Those are the eyes of a crazy man...
The music of our parents’ generation is often lauded as being superior in every way to that of the music of our own. It’s a hard case to argue against. Can any records from the last two decades, even the best of them like Radiohead’s OK Computer, Built To Spill’s Perfect From Now On and My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless measure up against such seminal works as the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Clash’s London Calling or The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds?
The music of the past has defined the music of the future, but it seems oftentimes that the artists who created these generation-defining albums should take pride in their past work… instead of charging blindly forward trying to make music for a generation that wants nothing to do with them.
Neil Young is one of these artists. His work with CSNY and Crazy Horse, as well as his solo output from the ’60s and ’70s, solidified him as one of the greatest folk musicians of all time. However, 99% of the music he has made in the last 20 years has been absolute trash, and Young’s latest record sounds like it will be no different.
According to the Village Voice, the next Neil Young record is set to be “a concept album about eco-friendly cars.” No, I am not kidding.
Young also told The Guardian that the record will explore “dirty blues” and “direct lyrics” and, of course, Young’s own budding LincVolt electric car enterprise.
Cute. I think. The first single off the car-fixated record is called “Fork In The Road,” and it’s a doozy of a “dirty blues” track. The song itself is utterly terrible, and the video up on his website just legitimizes the fact that, indeed, Young has officially gone insane.
One can only wonder why Young would bother to make such a record… a record that will not only hurt his fanbase with its sheer awfulness, but will also very likely damage his wallet. I can only agree with Pitchfork in thinking that Neil Young has done this because, as ‘Fork staffer Tom Breihan puts it: “Neil Young, you see, does whatever the fuck he wants.” Even if what he wants is attrocious and unforgivable. Like a concept album about electric cars. Created by the artist making the concept album.
Can anyone smell that? It’s a dead horse. And Young keeps beating it.
…..oh well…..sad you don’t ‘get it’…head back to Humanity 101 and listen to what the profs tell you…
To say that Uncle Neil’s 20 year output is shit only points that you’ve got NO idea what Neil’s about! He’s not just a folkie, duh, he’s ALWAYS been a loud rocker! If you don’t dig that side, spare us your crap pretension of your knowlwdge. Listen to Ambulance Blues from ‘On The Beach’ and he’ll tell you a truth about a critic….
Jim(one of your parent’s parents….)
I am so sick of these condescending blogs and articles written by people who aren’t artists, can’t create art, don’t know what art is, yet still act as if their worthless, egotistical opinion means anything at all.
This comment alone: “99% of the music he has made in the last 20 years has been absolute trash,” indicates that you have absolutely no understanding of what music, or art, is.
A lot of the music Neil Young has published in the past 20 years is beautiful, diverse and creative, art. You cannot deny it if you actually have any idea what art or music is, or any ability to appreciate it outside of using it as a punching bag by which to elevate your own, shallow, condescending ego.
You offer no constructive criticism, no actual critique of the song, no dissemination of lyric or structure or meaning, only arrogant condescension.
If you have nothing constructive to say at all, then why bother saying it? You offer nothing but shallow insults, and make yourself look like a moron.
The writer of this piece has no legitimacy period. Neil Young, however, remains one of the most powerful artists working today. Fork in The Road is a great document of the times and I look forward keenly to hearing the record.
I’ve followed, driven, partied and gone wild with Neil’s music since the early ’70’s. So many great tunes have ridden shot-gun during the highs and lows of this guys like. Now if Neil has served up an album not up to par with his previous work then so be it. Don’t buy it, get over it, listen to some old recordings and forgive the artist for missing the mark. We all do from time to time.
Matthew:
Neil Young and others are called artists for a reason. They don’t create “art” for “you”, they creates “art” because that is what artist’s do. If Mr. Young chooses to release an album about “electric cars” he will, and as his track record has proven he doesn’t give a damn what you or others in the media or blogosphere (cringe) think about it. His music is an expression of his thoughts and feelings as an artist.
Now, please name me 5 albums Mr. Young has released in the last 20 years, and name me the ones you’ve actually listened to. How can you possibly pass judgement on something you know nothing about.
Neil Young is prolific, extremely talented, opinionated and yes at times he will release music that I (a huge fan of his) do not like. But that is his right as an artist and thats what makes him different from todays musical artists, he doesn’t release albums or tracks for sales, face time on television, or recognition from folks like yourself. He releases music that matters to him, that is close to his heart.
Matthew, I hate to do this to you, but your a moron. And now everyone who reads your “blog” will know that.
Just because you have an outlet like this doesn’t mean you know a damn thing about what your saying. Get a clue.
Blogs are the worst thing that ever happened to music criticism. It means that assholes like this guy can get away with saying unfounded bullshit like this.
Another semi-dude that hasnt been around the block enough to understand his topic…….clearly has no awareness of Neils discography and release history…..also doesnt seem to understand that its highly likely that Neil (and this writer) dont give two S**ts if he buys the record ……. in any media format…….
When Dylan went electric in Newport, people thought he had gone insane too…….but of course all were wrong…….please do your research next time before your proffer such positive proof of your own mediocrity.
Peace and Love dude……peace and love
What? Pop in Greendale and listen to the lyrics shithead.
And of course the author never surfaces to defend his lack of knowledge, credibility, or ability to think critically.
Matthew Martell is just clowning around to get a reaction. No doubt he pretends he doesn’t like listening to Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart.
Is this guy (Matthew Martell) serious? The last 20 albums trash? Why is it that every Neil Young concert I go to, the fan age group is about 50% teens and early 20’s..seems to me Neil still has a lot of listeners in the younger generation. My daughter is 14, and thinks Neil is fantastic! The last concer t in Vancouver (late 2008) I felt out of place (at 55) amoungst all the young people! Calling Neil a “folk” artist just proves you really no nothing about his music…what about the fact he has been dubbed the “grandfather of grunge”, playing often with such bands as Pearl Jam? Neil has also been the only artist I know that has really expressed his feelings about polotics, war, the environment etc through his music and has done it with lyrics that are truly meaninful…(Greendale, Living with War were very powerful from a lyrical and musical content). As for the new album, I agree that the “car songs” are not that great, but “Fork in the Road” is fantastic. Its hilarious and has a great blues beat. The other new songs that he sang at the concert (atleast in Vancouver) were excellent…and I remember saying so to my wife the first time I heard them…(“Just Singin’ a Song Won’t Change the World”, “When World’s Collide and “Sea Change”) and I hope they end up on the new album. Neil has been called a prophet by some and although I wouldn’t go that far, there has been no songwriter/singer over the past 40 years that has come close to his extremely timely and meaningful work. And he is still rockin’ in his 60’s! THEY’RE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER NEIL YOUNG! Check out “Powderfinger”, which is arguably his best song ever!
Ken.
Discocraphy for the last 20 years. Some extreme classics in here:
Ragged Glory, Freedom, Harvest Moon, Weld, Sleeps with Angels, and my absolute favorite “Greendale”.
This self-affected individual is most definitely mistaken and misguided.
Blogs bad………..Neil good
1989 Neil Young Freedom
1990 Neil Young & Crazy Horse Ragged Glory
1991 Neil Young & Crazy Horse Arc Weld
1992 Neil Young Harvest Moon
1993 Neil Young Lucky 13
1993 Neil Young Unplugged
1994 Neil Young & Crazy Horse Sleeps With Angels
1995 Neil Young Mirror Ball
1996 Neil Young Dead Man
1996 Neil Young & Crazy Horse Broken Arrow
1997 Neil Young & Crazy Horse Year of the Horse
1999 Crosby Stills Nash & Young Looking Forward
2000 Neil Young Silver & Gold
2000 Neil Young Road Rock v1
2001 Buffalo Springfield Box Set
2002 Neil Young Are You Passionate?
2003 Neil Young & Crazy Horse Greendale
2003 Neil Young Greatest Hits
2005 Neil Young Prairie Wind
2006 Neil Young Living With War
2006 Neil Young & Crazy Horse Live At The Fillmore East 1970
2006 Neil Young Living With War: In The Beginning
2007 Neil Young Live At Massey Hall 1971
2007 Neil Young Chrome Dreams 2
2008 Crosby Stills Nash & Young CSNY/Déjà Vu Live
2008 Neil Young Sugar Mountain – Live at Canterbury House 1968
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Joannah
http://keyboardpiano.net
What kind of an idot is this guy
Neil Young rocks.
An absolute wanker for sure