release date: Aug. 12, 1985
format: cd (2000 reissue)
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,27]
producer: Neil Young, David Briggs, Ben Keith and Elliot Mazer
label: Geffen Records, USA - nationality: Canada
Track highlight(s): 5. "Misfits"
14th studio album by Neil Young and two years since the most recent Young album, which is almost a rare thing. The lawsuit conflict of 1984 with Geffen was a troublesome issue, and now, with that behind him Young releases an album the record label couldn't claim not characteristic for a Neil Young release. Both Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson feature on several tracks, and this is mostly sheer country but... and there is a 'but' 'cause this is not as one might have hoped for with the presence of classic Neil Young singer / songwriter folk rock. This is simply country only - meaning no rock. At least he has written almost all songs again, but really, I think Jennings and Nelson are better in the traditional Hank Williams genre when it comes to genuine country, and I don't think that's where Neil Young performs the best. So, enough violins, fiddles, lap steel guitars, banjos and vocal harmonies. This is just another minor work by Neil Young, and a continued low profile in the 1980s. I don't really enjoy this album and basically find it below mediocre.
This album is not recommended.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5 stars ]
