NEIL YOUNG WITH CRAZY
HORSE – EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS IS NOWHERE (REPRISE)
With a full band now
in tow Neil Young’s second “solo” album is immediately a much different
proposition to its predecessor. Emerging
in the spring of 1969 by nature of the times it appears to be the work of a
person trying to hold onto the high times of the recent past while also being
resigned to where and how things were changing all around. It comes as no surprise that as a result
there is a downbeat yearn attached to proceedings with a man very much in
transition.
And the process was
not necessarily smooth as Young worked against a fever writing three of the
songs from his sickbed. One of those
songs was “Cinnamon Girl” which with its subtle fuzz and distortion became the
first example of his new style of heavy playing, not that it was necessarily at
the forefront of this album. It is an
immediate classic with its optimistic gestures combining with a crunching riff
introducing the hook and chorus. It is
the sound of a content musician.
The other towering
track and achievement is the nine minute “Down By The River” that glides and
goes on a genuine journey. Another song
written by Young while fevered (the third track being “Cowgirl In The Sand”) it’s
an epic recollection of a share moment gone wrong. Perhaps not as fatal as the surface level
lyrics suggest it does exude a sadness that is undeniable and clear.
For me there seems
quite division in style and direction with the songwriting. “Cowgirl In The Sand” is closer to “Down By
The River” than any of the other tracks around it. A warm fuzz blesses the ground on which Young
performs on such selected occasions.
Personally I find this
record hit and miss. Universally lauded,
personally there are some songs amongst the seven that make me cringe. I realise the rock and power is in the words
but tracks such as “Running Dry (Requiem For The Rockets)” and “The Losing End
(You’re On)” just prompt me to blush when played on my stereo. Country rock will forever be a curious species
to me, an over earnest animal lacking surface intellect. It’s the music of your parents on autopilot. Country is not the white man blues.
It’s half an album.
Thesaurus moment:
bisection.
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