Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Year Of The Horse
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Neil Young
Year Of The Horse
Reprise, 1997
RiYL: Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam |
Still, the mad jamming of Crazy Horse, which has actually become even more pronounced in the 1990s, still manages to warm the heart on at least a few songs.
The extended version of "Slip Away" included at the opening of the set's second disc pulls and claws at your heart strings in tremendous fashion. First, the band takes its time, winding through the somewhat catchy choruses, before diving head-on into an oceanic closing, glowing with some of the guitarist's most entrancing work to date.
Other standouts include fine versions of classic rockers "Mr. Soul," "Barstool Blues" and "When You Dance," the last of which sparkles with all the tattered beauty of the original After The Goldrush version. No doubt, Crazy Horse can still bring the roots-rock pain. On "Barstool Blues," the band turns the standard Stones-y number into a nine-minute free-for-all of guitar riff heaven. And the carefree jangle of "Big Time" brings an easy smile to the face.
Unfortunately, the album is ruined by some major duds. "Human Highway" drags a bit, as does the dull "Scattered" and equally lulling "When Your Lonely Heart Breaks." And the endless "Dangerbird" is just plain boring. Ever wonder just how many 10-minute jams are too many for one album? Here's your answer.
But it's the remakes of Rust classics "Pocahontas" and "Sedan Delivery" serve as the release's biggest disappointments. Though the band has tried electrifying "Pocahontas" repeatedly, they never seem to augment or even re-create the magic of Young's solo renderings. And the new "Delivery" is even less impressive. A poor reflection of its former punk self, the song sounds just ragged...
But ragged in a bad way.
This is not this songwriter's worst release -- or even a horrible album in general -- but it is one of his most inessential. It just seems like catching the beauty of Neil Young and Crazy Horse performing live in the middle of their spectacular 1990s renaissance period should have been a no-brainer. Guess not.
BEN FRENCH | Ben founded NATN in the winter of 1998-1999 with fellow IU alums Troy Carpenter and Jonathan Cohen. During the day time, he's working for Nielsen Business Media, publisher of Billboard. Ben's favorite acts include Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, Sonic Youth, Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, Rolling Stones, and the Beach Boys.