release date: Nov. 9, 1981
format: cd (2003 hdcd reissue)
[album rate: 2 / 5] [2,12]
producer: Neil Young, Tim Mulligan, David Briggs, Jerry Napier
label Reprise Records, Germany - nationality: Canada
Track highlights: 1. "Op-er-a Star" - 3. "T-Bone" - 6. "Mo-tor Cit-y" - 7. "Rap-id Tran-sit"
Released as Neil Young & Crazy Horse in a time of ever-changing styles with punk rock, post-punk new wave gothic rock synth pop and art pop / art rock, Neil seems caught in confusion of what to do. And once again the result is not one of his best albums. This is his perhaps first real hard rock release, and as such not really great, unless that's what you love. And no, it's not entirely hard rock - had it only been that, and it may have been worthwhile, but Young wants to have his say with new wave, and that's really a shame. The album opener "Op-er-a Star" is a pretty good rock song - my only complaint is that it sounds like another version (and with different lyrics) of "Welfare Mothers" from Rust Never Sleeps. Unfortunately, the album is not his only blunder in the 80s.
This album is not recommended for other than completists.
[ allmusic.com 2 / 5 stars ]
