release date: May 2, 2006
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,22]
producer: Neil Young, Niko Bolas and L.A. Johnson
label: Reprise Records - nationality: Canada
Track highlights: 1. "After the Garden" (3,5 / 5) - 2. "Living With War" (3 / 5) - 4. "Shock and Awe" (3,5 / 5) - 5. "Families" (3,5 / 5) - 6. "Flags of Freedom" (3 / 5)
28th studio album by Neil Young. It's like Greendale considered conceptual. It's seen as Young's comment and criticism of the US administration's military engagements around the world. It's something as rare these days as a genuine protest rock album. The idea is good, his intentions the best, but the music is... weak. I think, he intentionally has made it sound raw and has taped the tracks as live recordings, but it really lacks great tunes. However, the album was nominated 3 Grammy awards in 2007. In my mind, it contains a couple of fine songs and a bunch of odd ones.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
