Living with War - Neil Young Album Review

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Album Review

Following his recent masterpiece Prairie Wind, Shakey puts on his 'political conscience head' and rush-releases 10 new songs to bash Bush and homeland issues.

Knocked together fairly quickly and backed by musicians, Chad Cromwell (drums) Rick Rosas (bass) Tommy Bray (trumpet) and a 100 strong choir, Neil Young goes all out to have a pop at the leader of his adopted country: how his new countrymen will receive it is open to question, though Bush's ratings have reached an all time low of 33% in some polls, so he might just strike a chord with floating discontents. Week commencing May 22, its reached 15 in the USA Billboard 200 chart and 14 on the BBC chart. His rough and ready musical approach, or a Young describes it, "metal-folk", is reminiscent of some Crazy Horse outings, so it might be inappropriate to make pretty little songs about emotive issues, with the lyrical content being the principle attraction here. As protest albums go he's having a right old rant, with tirades like .....

Living With War,

The rocket's red glare / Bombs bursting in air / Give proof through the night / That our flag is still there ( let's remember here Young is a Canadian, so the 'our' is somewhat misplaced ),

Shock And Awe ,

Thousands of children scarred for life / Millions of tears for a soldier's wife / Both sides are losing now / Heaven takes them in / Thousands of children scarred for life

Families,

I'm going back to the USA / I just got my ticket today / I can't wait to see you again in the USA"

Let's Impeach The President,

What If Al-Qaeda blew up the levees? Would New Orleans have been safer that way / Sheltered by our government's protection / Or was someone not home that day?", Lookin' For A Leader, " Yeah we've got our election / But corruption has a chance / We got to have a clean win / To regain confidence / America is beautiful / But she has an ugly side.

Real musical highlights are in short supply, though the thrusting Shock And Awe complimented by military style trumpet and rousing choir take the top prize. America The Beautiful is a stirring finale.

You could say he's angry, very angry.

It's not his best by any standard, but his message to Capital Hill is loud and clear.

Elly Roberts