REVIEW: NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE - WORLD RECORD

4/5

For The World.

For the record, like Joni Mitchell (who never lies), the truth is, even though Neil Young has taken his record and ball home from the chains of Spotify. He's still released enough music this year to keep his playlist punctuated, or even relaunch his own streaming service Pono, waging heavy peace. People always talk about Dylan and Springsteen's songbooks (The Boss borrowing a few from Motown last week for 'Only The Strong Survive'). But what of the third part of the big-three and the great Canadian/American songbook? There was the dedicated live show of 'Noise and Flowers' with Promise of the Real (his backing band, truth be told) mere months ago. And the popped-up previously unreleased 'Toast' album from the early 2000s, taken off the shelf, weeks before that. The latter that came first being a record with his band Crazy Horse, who are unbridled once again this calendar for a revered reunion fit for the fall. It's a 'World Record' and one that will hit big gold in the charts it competes in. Because this is for much more than numbers, tracking the world statistics for a planet in all sorts of pandemics and getting it down on songbook paper for the those on the third rock from the sun to see. Before it's all too little, too late. Too gone, so long. 

Reprise Records, Rick Rubin produced. A photograph of his father, journalist Scott Young back in the day, suited and booted and looking like a don on the album jacket as he walks past Sally's Flowers. All of this makes Young's 42nd album more than worthy. But it's the message that means even more than this, like Roxy Music. This crazy world like a steed needs Neil and his horsemen before we face the apocalypse that seems more now than Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando. Don't call me an errand boy just for speaking the truth. There are tracks that burn with urgency like greenhouse gases for an album that's a love letter and call to planetary peace in a natural form. Tracks like 'Love Earth' and the 'Changing Days' of 'This Old Planet' and its raw reprise. Grateful for this earth's gift, but uncertain of its future in this world at war with weapons, words and diseases of both the viral and in the mind of those trying to troll take each other down. Misinformation spread. Ill intention meant. 

"The world is in trouble now', warns the old Young on this world mission statement of an album recorded. But the author of 'A Memoir Of Life And Cars' still lets the born to run wheels spin on a continent in love with the all-American automobile. 'Chevrolet' takes you for that ride as Neil nuances the woodwork.  Musing in-between the meaningful messages, this 15-minute track is just that epic and long a drive for an artist in cool, creative cruise control of his catalogue. Cadillacs used to poke out of the sand like reverse cowgirl, but now under the moon, these engines are in harvest. 

Shangri-La recorded in the ruby of Rubin's sunny studios in Malibu, California, this record can be heard 'Overhead' in all its analogue detail. All for a timeless era where California was more about the dreamin' for the Mamas and Papas than the Hollywood Hills. 'I Walk With You' he calls upon the planet on the 'Earth Ringtone' of seeing through all the smog up there. 'The World (Is In Trouble)' he urges to us, back down on earth with the sand in-between our toes. We are the needle, and just look at the damage done. Climate change should be at the forefront of our mind, like it is the package of our problems. It's time to 'Break The Chain', singing in unison. Just like 'The Long Day Before' and its lyrics like, "In the old days and the newer days and the present days, the future days/ Tomorrow will never be late if your dreams can come true/On the TV in the newscast they’re never gonna talk about/ On the front page of the internet, you’re never gonna see about/ The big thing in the room that’s happening right now." 

These are the Dave Matthews dreams of his father with real journalistic integrity, whilst those with a podcast think that their mouthpiece serves as such. Exactly the reason Neil Young gave Spotify the old heave-ho. But surely singers do the same, you must ask? Yet this one has always been about preaching positivity and a better world and Ben Harper way for you and me. The sweet singing on these songs brilliantly disguising the sombre tones and moral message underneath like a Stevie Wonder 'Happy Birthday' that in protest song reality campaigns and celebrates on behalf of late, legendary Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And look what that did for MLK after his death as we all sing it each time he revolves around the world like it's all about us. 

Peace on earth, whether physical, mental, or a combination of both is a better thing to sing about then trying to marginalize and hate on groups which seems to be the disgraceful way of some of the biggest names in the world right now. 'Walkin' On The Road (To The Future)', we need to take this long and winding path and make the right' Stand' like the magnum opus of a Stephen King novel. For better or worse. There's a war of words right now, trying to make you believe in theirs, but this freedom of speech going for the 'World Record' is what you need to hear and heed. “These are the things we’ve done, and they have a cost, but we will take it on,” he softly sings in what seems like a soothe. “One step right in front of the other, walkin’ to the future as sisters and brothers/ We got to do it now, though some may say it’s too late.” Don't let it scathe. Because 'The Wonder Won't Wait' he warns. Imploring with his influence that it's time to love and live your life, man or wife and this very world itself at your best (with relish, but responsibility), before it's all gone. "Take some time to live before you die" and of course on 'Love Earth', "love earth, and your love comes back to you." 'World Record' for this wide one may just be one of the most important of not only the year, but our lives that depend on its message. Let this go in the record books for the right reasons. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'Love Earth', 'This Old Planet (Changing Days)', 'The Wonder Won't Wait'.