NEIL YOUNG - AFTER THE GOLDRUSH

In the past this has been voted among the best 100 albums of the past century, and looking at the wave of rubbish being sold on the shelf today it is hard to disagree. That is not to say that today's music makes After The Goldrush look good, more like ATG is excellent in its own right and today's music is in a shoddy state when there seems no hope of eclipsing the talent of yesteryear.

This is a rather slow, sometimes poetic, often rhythmic but never tedious album that covers some tough personal things that must trouble us all at some time in our lives. What I found rather fascinating about the album was that it works so well considering this feels like a soul-searching piece of music. One that asks questions that it seeks no answer for because it knows there is no straight answer to be had. Instead it works as an engrossing album that carries you along with it until you feel utterly captured. A spiritual album although in a more untoward sense. One that challenges so many prejudices and pre conceptions that the human spirit faces and whether it is possible to overcome these absolutely.

Some of the songs are intriguing with Young's soft guiding vocals helping to create a picture of somewhere you are unlikely to forget, until you realise this place is rather close than you first thought. That particular song being Don't Let It Bring You Down.
Another worthy quality is that Young obviously doesn't feel the need to use loud brash instruments to add any shallow emphasis to his songs, which only goes to increase the effect his voice has. Like in After the Gold Rush whereby the clarity of what he is saying comes perfectly across even though he is making next to no noise at all. Hence the steady peaceful piano gives a gently uplifting feel which proves an ironic note against the songs true intentions. In my opinion the songs that work the best are those without any real beat, as bring out the best in Young with a piano nearby. This would shows through on Only Love Can Break Your Heart which has a folk sound which is at odds with the rest of the album. Especially when you compare with Southern Man which has some stirring guitar work.
This is a thoughtful and instrumental album with some great songs, which cover a range of subjects with their metaphorical words and lustful overtures.

Reviewed by

4/5