Neil Young's new album and car
April 13, 2009 1:13 PM   Subscribe

Neil Young has a new album out. Ever innovative, Neil has written his new album about his electric car. [via]
posted by peewinkle (42 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
Sound Opinions' review was mixed - one Burn it, one Trash it. The idea that it's a little bit rushed, a little bit recycled sounds right on from what I've heard.
posted by sadiehawkinstein at 1:20 PM on April 13, 2009


NYT article about the album from last October.
posted by mediareport at 1:21 PM on April 13, 2009


Er, a previous album and two years ago. Lots about the Linc-Volt, though.
posted by mediareport at 1:22 PM on April 13, 2009


Wow, I am a huge fan and today was the first I've ever heard of the album.......

/also a fan of stuff like the Lincvolt
posted by peewinkle at 1:23 PM on April 13, 2009


sadiehawkinstein: "The idea that it's a little bit rushed, a little bit recycled sounds right on from what I've heard."

Neil is one of my favorite musicians, but I'll be the first to admit that this album sounds like it was written and recorded in the course of an hour.
- Amazon.com customer
posted by Joe Beese at 1:29 PM on April 13, 2009 [1 favorite]


I was ready to write something snarky about hoping that it would be better than Trans, but the wiki sez that it's better than I remember it being. Young wasn't the only artist who took a radically different direction in the eighties (see also Bowie and The Boss) that I wasn't fond of at the time; I wonder if that's really a function more of where they were at the time, or where I was? (I've since come to appreciate Born In The USA more; Let's Dance, not so much, although I like the version of the title song that's on the bonus disc of Bowie at the Beeb.)

Anyway, the last link doesn't quite make clear, at least at first glance, that this is really Young's hybrid conversion of a 1959 Lincoln Continental. An interesting project, but "repowering the American dream" may be stretching things a bit.
posted by Halloween Jack at 1:31 PM on April 13, 2009


"Three hours on a full charge may you run?"
posted by drjimmy11 at 1:41 PM on April 13, 2009 [2 favorites]


"Detroit don't make great cars anymore?"
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 1:54 PM on April 13, 2009


According to the Lincvolt page, someone got it up to 93 mph in November of 2008. And for a free concert, I promise not to share that information with your insurance company, Mr. Young.
posted by mecran01 at 1:58 PM on April 13, 2009


He should get himself one of those crazy horseless carriages.
posted by Ratio at 2:24 PM on April 13, 2009 [3 favorites]


Does it have a digital clock?
posted by stargell at 2:28 PM on April 13, 2009


CAn he write about his navel next? That would be oh so timely and relevant, too.
posted by oddman at 2:35 PM on April 13, 2009


I'm pissed that after all the hype and run-up to Archives, it's like 65% previously released material.
posted by anazgnos at 2:46 PM on April 13, 2009


People are lumping Fork... in with Trans? No way, man.

While Trans is awesome and one of his best records ever, Fork in the Road is his worst record since the surprisingly passionless Are You Passionate? The title track from Fork... is particularly lame with some really embarrassing lyrics.

"I'm a big rock star
My sales have tanked
But I still got you
Thanks
Download this
Sounds like shit
Keep on bloggin'
'Til the power goes out
Your battery's dead
Twist and shout."


For every reason that On the Beach is one of the best records ever made, there's 100 reasons that Fork is one of Neil's worst records ever.
posted by porn in the woods at 2:54 PM on April 13, 2009


Is this one of those things that I'd have to have slept with Pocahontas to find out how she felt?
posted by shakespeherian at 2:57 PM on April 13, 2009 [4 favorites]


The awesome power of electricity
stored for you in a giant battery


I love Neil Young but this makes my brain hurt. It's like Raffi for baby boomers.
posted by starman at 2:59 PM on April 13, 2009


Neil's like Woody Allen - you hang in there and accept that half of his output will be forgettable, half will be great. I can live with that.
posted by davebush at 3:05 PM on April 13, 2009 [1 favorite]


davebush: "Neil's like Woody Allen - you hang in there and accept that half of his output will be forgettable, half will be great."

You mean first came the great half and then came the forgettable half?
posted by Joe Beese at 3:13 PM on April 13, 2009


Well, at least he hasn't discovered yet how to write some lyrics that slag on Twitter.
posted by blucevalo at 3:14 PM on April 13, 2009


I dunno, I kind of like it. Made me laugh.
You wouldn't even put it on the same shelf as On The Beach, doesn't belong there.
More at home beside "Piece of Crap" or "Welfare Mothers."
Then again, Neil Young is my hero.

but I'll be the first to admit that this album sounds like it was written and recorded in the course of an hour
I'm sure it was. Awesome.
posted by chococat at 3:15 PM on April 13, 2009


I'm listening to Neil Young
I gotta turn up the sound
someone's always yelling
turn it down!

-Bob Dylan
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:47 PM on April 13, 2009 [1 favorite]


I'm with chococat. I like the corny-out-of-touch old-man lyrics with the rough garage "Sister Ray" vibe. Awesome. I also am not a big fan of Neil. Love side A of Harvest, but side B… side b sucks.
posted by JBennett at 3:51 PM on April 13, 2009


So this thread got me thinking: what is the last truly great Neil record? Harvest Moon is good but not great; Freedom had two great songs and a bunch of forgettable ones...so I'd probably have to say that Rust Never Sleeps was his last indispensable record. I'm open to opposing viewpoints, however.
posted by Rangeboy at 3:51 PM on April 13, 2009


So this thread got me thinking: what is the last truly great Neil record?

I like Ragged Glory pretty much start to finish. Even - or maybe especially - the big dumb riffage of "Fuckin' Up." And I'd put the Dead Man soundtrack in the Essential Neil category as well.
posted by gompa at 4:17 PM on April 13, 2009


Ah, I'd forgotten that Young did the Dead Man soundtrack. I love that movie! "Stupid fucking white man." Hahahahaha! Thanks for reminding me. I gotta buy that movie.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:29 PM on April 13, 2009


Love side A of Harvest, but side B… side b sucks.

Um...Old Man, Needle and the Damage Done and Alabama. The B side of Harvest does not suck. It's a scientific fact.
posted by jimmythefish at 4:34 PM on April 13, 2009 [2 favorites]


I don't worship Neil Young, but Neil Young deserves to be cut some slack, because Neil Young is Neil Young; a man who has learned and forgotten more about good music than most people will ever know.
posted by imjustsaying at 4:41 PM on April 13, 2009 [2 favorites]


I have to check that out, never saw Dead Man!

As for Neil, nobody is perfect, but he's been much closer than I'll ever be!

Long may you Run, you crazy ass old hippie!
posted by snsranch at 4:48 PM on April 13, 2009


Old hippie rocker writes album about electric car

(steps away from keyboard and counts to 10)
posted by hellslinger at 4:52 PM on April 13, 2009


So this thread got me thinking: what is the last truly great Neil record?
I've never met a single person who agrees with me, but I think Broken Arrow is spectacularly good.
posted by bunglin jones at 5:37 PM on April 13, 2009


Sleeps with Angels (1994) was his last really good one. Drive-By, Change Your Mind, Sleeps with Angels, My Heart, Blue Eden...

But Neil owned the 1970s.

Also have to share this Neil anecdote from 1968 I just saw today. The Buffalo Springfield were doing one of their last tours before it all fell apart. Neil, 22, had just signed Elliott Roberts as his manager, who along with David Geffen was one of the biggest names in the music business at the time. They all got to the hotel before the gig and went to their rooms. ER, a golf nut, noticed a pitch and putt nearby and headed out for a quick nine.

When he got back, Neil called him on the carpet. "You're playing golf? You think this is a game? You think this is a tourney? You should be in your room, planning my career, thinking about our next moves! You're not here for fun! You're fired! Get out!"

Neil was a little intense. Elliott Roberts still manages him, though.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 6:07 PM on April 13, 2009


You know why Neil is awesome? Because you can pretty much play along with any song he's done. I love just putting Ragged Glory on, turning everything up to 11 and jamming.
posted by stargell at 6:21 PM on April 13, 2009


but I'll be the first to admit that this album sounds like it was written and recorded in the course of an hour

And what would be wrong with that?
posted by Sailormom at 6:46 PM on April 13, 2009


sounds like it was written and recorded in the course of an hour

that is exactly Mr. Young's m.o.
posted by artdrectr at 6:56 PM on April 13, 2009


Ragged Glory is awesome. Find a way to play it so loud that it damages the foundation of your home.
posted by popechunk at 8:00 PM on April 13, 2009


Sleeps with Angels (1994) was his last really good one.

Can't agree with that. Mirrorball rocks.
posted by jimmythefish at 8:40 PM on April 13, 2009


So this thread got me thinking: what is the last truly great Neil record?

greendale - i haven't heard prairie wind - but the others have their moments - and i like fork in the road's title song

and i'm waiting for trans 2
posted by pyramid termite at 8:50 PM on April 13, 2009


Greendale blew me away. The Northern California mythology and heart to the songs more than made up for the fact that while I love many of the songs, they're not my favorite of his musically. But when I saw the movie and how it worked as a musical, then heard the Fresh Air interview describing the process - that guy is a fucking genius and geniuses get to do goofy stuff.

Electric trains? Not my thing. Neil Young paying to develop the electric train he always dreamed of, with incredible digital sound? Awesome. I see this car project as just the latest in a long line of really great demonstrations from him that you can be a Famous Person and still really be a person.
posted by freebird at 12:36 AM on April 14, 2009 [2 favorites]


I see this car project as just the latest in a long line of really great demonstrations from him that you can be a Famous Person and still really be a person.

Indeed. And I know we all expect Billy Bob Thornton to get on that right away!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:49 AM on April 14, 2009


This volt's for YOU!
posted by orme at 6:33 AM on April 14, 2009 [1 favorite]


It's like "This Note's for You." Well intentioned but not really his best work.

Ah, see that orme beat me to it.
posted by krinklyfig at 8:40 AM on April 14, 2009


"I have to check that out, never saw Dead Man!"

Excellent film. My real intro to Jim Jarmusch. And of course the Neil Young soundtrack is great, but is mostly him meandering on his guitar, which is fine by me and suits the film very well.
posted by krinklyfig at 8:42 AM on April 14, 2009


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