Neil Young - Living with War
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Free Music Notes for Living with War
Free Music Review: A Great Patriotic Album
Hit: 5 Stars
Neil Young's career began during a time in US history that had millions living in fear. The Vietnam War had reached some if its worst moments economically and casualty-wise. He brought his political views to life through his music. Being so outspoken, many listened and fell in love with him and his music. His lyrics spoke to a generation with hits including "Ohio" (with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young) and "Rocking the Free World". When the war ended, his influence never faded. He remained outspoken and continued speaking to his generation.
Now that the War in Iraq is in full force, Neil Young once again speaks of his beliefs. However, more than just his words make this album amazing; his musicianship and genius continue his legacy. "Living With War" returns to the 1960's spirit of peace and love. Those days, anybody who spoke against The Vietnam War or Presidents Johnson and /or Nixon were heavily appraised with open ears. Music mainstream has lost its meaning in politics and awareness. These days, if anybody speaks too much against the War in Iraq or against President Bush, their careers become jeopardized, hense Dixie Chicks. On this album Young dares to do what few modern-day artists have. He offers the voice that has been needed for the last three years, the ultimate anti-war album.
Musically, he keeps his melodies simple, yet slightly edgy. Despite the 1960's spirit, he continues moving forward by showing great evolution as an artist. The electric guitar rock sound combines beautifully with the more light remaining background. This alone creates the rock sound for which he is well known. The songs that contain the choir backing blend with the overall sound, which is highly difficult musically. Though occassionally the melodies become repetative, it fits with the overall theme wonderfully. He adds other melodic details that keep everything interesting. Such quality proves his genius hasn't changed since his debut.
Neil Young's performances beautifully express his words throughout this album. Though many of his words carry anger, sadness, and fear, he keeps the emotional value present without screaming. He doesn't overdo it or underdo it. It's perfect. Any different would have altered the affect.
Though Young has received little airplay off "Living With War", it proves to be the ultimate album that speaks to this generation politically. Therefore, it shall please many of its listeners despite political beliefs.
Free Music Review: Just listen.
Hit: 5 Stars
There's not much I can say that hasn't been said in other reviews. I will only say that everyone in America should hear this album. No-- not just hear it. Listen to it. Absorb it. I would strongly suggest that one should listen to this the first time, as I did, while reading along with the written lyrics in the booklet. This is powerful stuff, written and performed by a man who is using his music (and yes, his clout as a musician) to express the anger and outrage that he shares with a good many of us who care enough to speak out against this illegal and unnecessary war and the so-called leaders who put us there.
Numerous references have been made comparing this to "Ohio". I don't want to sound like the proverbial broken record, but this is indeed probably the most important music he has written since then. Musically it is a bit rough at times. But this is Neil Young, after all. Even at his most polished his music has always been purposefully rather primitive and rough around the edges. It's part of what makes him Neil, and in this context it fits perfectly. This is angry music from a deservedly angry man, speaking for an equally angry populace. Some have criticized the choral rendition of "America The Beautiful", saying that it breaks the mood and seems out of place, but I disagree. It makes a poignant statement, and (much like "Find The Cost Of Freedom" did on "4-Way Street") it closes the album-- and the statement-- perfectly. When the song ended I found myself sitting silently for several long moments, just staring at the album cover. I was genuinely moved.
Those on the right will continue to criticize Young because he's from Canada. To this I have two replies. First, while he was born and raised in Canada, he has spent much of his life living in America. And second, what this nation and its leaders do affects all nations. Was it wrong for those to criticize Hitler who did not live in Germany? It is an absurd argument presented by those who have no other valid arguments to offer.
I will say it again. Everyone in America should listen to this album. It's raw, and it's real, and it's honest. Our country is in deep trouble, and something has to change. My hat is off to Neil for being one of the few in today's music world-- and hopefully the first of many-- to have the guts to tell it like it is.
Free Music Review: A 'run out to the middle of the street and roar' album
Hit: 5 Stars
Neil Young's latest, 'Living With War', is an electrifying album pointed at a corrupted government, an inept president, and an urgent message, calling upon the American citizen to become more active, more passionate.
Neil Young, in the end, will be the bookends that the history of rock and roll will go between. There's one end, the soft/philosophical country rock of Harvest, On The Beach, Comes a Time, and Prairie Wind, and then there's his angry/passionate sound of Freedom, Ragged Glory, and the second half of Rust Never Sleeps. Living With War is important BECAUSE of its urgency. Yes the album will probably end up dated because of the name drops, but it's refreshing to listen to an album that doesn't give a damn about posterity or preservation. This one was made for the moment, and isn't that what rock is all about?
Two that stand out are 'Shock and Awe'...."Back in the days of Shock and Awe"...this first line made me smile because it reminded me of all the other songs Neil came out with when he was actually trying to describe something beautiful. 'Shock and Awe', however, is a recording of how humiliated we should feel about how much power we thought we had.
'Let's Impeach the President', is excellent because of its manic experimentation. The Taps beginning, the 100 voice choir, the flip flop inserts, the question 'What if Al-Qaeda blew up the levees' (and no, according to a different reviewer, Neil doesn't think they actually did. It's figurative)...all of it makes for an uproarious, celebratory sound. Hopeful yet desperate.
In any event, this CD will light a fire under your ass if you just let it......what would be absolutely wonderful (yet I'm aware of the contradiction) is if Neil donated all the proceeds to the soldiers in Iraq so everyone could have body armor. Just think, a protest album that actually helps the soldiers already over there. Yes we don't want them over there, but since we've dug such an enormous hole of our making, why not protect them the best we can? If Neil did this, I can bet you Bush would have to acknowledge the CD's presence/impact/message. I can see him tapping his foot right now, grinding his teeth for enjoying a CD documenting his very own condemnation.
Free Music Review: Hail, Hail Neil Young - Rock N' Roll Will Never Die
Hit: 5 Stars
What important anti-war albums can any of us name since 2002? I mean actual entire albums that go straight to the throat of what's happening in Iraq & the Whitehouse right now. No sugar-coating. No BS.
This is an album that does.. Neil Young pushes aside any matter of album sales & goes straight to the throat of George W. Bush & says things in this album 99.9% of artists are afraid to do to the extent he does, because they don't want their precious record sales to be hurt.
This record is an important musical landmark in the inevitable revolution this country must go through... One way or another, for the good or worse.. Something has to change in the USA & this album doesn't hold back saying that straight out loud.
Remember all of the old anti-Vietnam songs? How come so few artists seem to be doing that today when things are more desperate than ever? Well Neil Young lived through the Vietnam experience & he knows that when it comes to war... There is no holding back in the rebelion to stop a corrupt government & a country destroying itself.
As far as the music itself goes, Neil Young has never been a let-down. His worst albums are more fulfilling than the majority of what's played on the radio. This album doesn't break any new musical grounds for him.. But it does give us one more album from one of the most beloved, influential, & powerful songwriters to ever live. I don't think Neil Young is second to Dylan, I think they're equals. But even today, Bob Dylan would rather do Victorias Secret commercials than come out with an album like this when we need it most... So Neil Young is taking complete charge & is proving he is truly one of the very last songwriters around with enough power & followers to help move a revolution forward.
I've never been more proud of any songwriter in my life.
Buy this, & the new Pearl Jam album (the one with the avocado on the cover) which is another vicious anti-war, anti-bush album that doesn't hold back. (he made an album with them in 95' - Mirrorball) Fourtantely for us they're both released the same week. Play them loud, read the lyrics, and feel lucky you're not one of the blind followers.
Free Music Review: An untimely CD that rocks
Hit: 5 Stars
At a time when about 70% of the nation does not approve of the job that President Bush is doing, I cannot understand why people are getting worked up just because one more person states his agreement with the majority. On this CD, Young makes his views very clear, but I don't expect it will change many minds one way or the other. It's a bit late in the game for that, and does not offer much food for thought.
But if we put the politics aside, and go by the music, Neil Young has created a cohesive yet uneven collection of very powerful and compelling tunes centered around a specific issue. He has long been a master of using music in an effective way to bring out the emotion of what he is trying to convey. While his prowess does not show through as brilliantly on all his CDs as it does on his best works, he does not fall short on this CD.
What's surprising is that most reviewers' opinions of the musicianship and overall musical quality seem directly linked to the reviewers' political views. Not only is that true here, but it's also true among mainstream publications. Since when was the National Review in the business of reviewing records anyway? It's also questionable whether some of the reviewers here have even listened to the CD.
If you set the politics aside, this is a fine album of excellent music. If you don't come to that conclusion, you are either not being objective, or don't like Neil Young's more powerful electric albums to begin with. But despite this, if your political views are such that any criticism of Bush or the state of affairs in Iraq make you cringe, it goes without saying that this Cd will make your blood boil. In that case, stay away from it. The music will not make up for his opposition to your views.
On the other hand, if you are in agreement with him that Bush mishandled the war and other parts of his presidency, you'll find it easier to let the lyrics flow with music that does a wonderful job of reinforcing them. But don't expect them to be thought provoking in that case. Just accept it as good music.