release date: Jul. 26, 1983
format: cd (1993 reissue)
[album rate: 2 / 5] [2,18]
producer: Neil Young and Elliot Mazer
label: Geffen Records, Germany - nationality: Canada
Track highlights: 4. "Wonderin' " - 5. "Kinda Fonda Wanda" - 9. "Mystery Train"
13th studio album by Neil Young released as Neil Young and the Shocking Pinks. This is rockabilly country rock! Now, talk about an unlucky number! Gee, I hardly now how to rate this. Is it just a joke, or is it Neil's homage to some of his original sources of inspiration from the 1950s?? One theory suggests that it's an attempt, once and for all, to make the record company decide that Neil Young is no more - that all that is left of this gifted musician is some crazy guy who used to be one of the most lucent singers and songwriters. Fact is, the following year, Geffen Records sued Neil Young for $3.3 million dollars on grounds that this album and its predecessor were uncharacteristic for his style. Young counter-sued Geffen for $21 million for neglecting contractual specifications about his artistic freedom and they settled their dispute off-court.
Neil Young is notoriously known for writing his own songs, but most of these are cover-versions, so it's also an album off the track in that respect, and I don't really like it much. Anyway, you really have to love both cheesy country AND rockabilly to appreciate this album - I mean, it's not quite enough to love Neil Young. Even gods make mistakes, and this is one of his biggest blunders, although, I find it more digestible than both the 1981 and '82 albums.
This album is not recommended except for completists.
[ allmusic.com 2 / 5 stars ]
