Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: This is the great Neil Young's latest "lost" album, now released as part of his Analog Original Series. Recorded between May and December 1977, it precedes Comes A Time from 1978 but it also shares its country and folk sound. Three tracksi'Goin' Back,' 'Human Highway' and 'Field of Opportunity' appear on both albums in fact. This vinyl release reflects the album's original planned tracklist and 'Oceanside' finds Young perform solo, while 'Countryside' features collaborators like Ben Keith, Rufus Thibodeaux and Levon Helm. Some tracks differ from Archives Vol. III, with original versions of 'Field of Opportunity' and 'Dance Dance Dance' featuring Young's backing vocals.

Review: There are rock stars, then there are rock stars. Then there are rock starts like Neil Young who, with or without jumping on the Crazy Horse, will always be considered as a bonafide original and a true icon. Hence the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducting him not once, but twice, thanks to services rendered both solo and in the band Buffalo Springfield.

While every show Young plays is always remembered as a real moment in guitar history, some rank higher than others. His performance at New York's Carnegie Hall on 4th December 1970 sits in the latter category. Covering one of the most celebrated eras in this prized artist's career, it boasts an expansive setlist that includes anthems like 'Down By The River' and 'Sugar Mountain' realised in a pared-back style, with then-unreleased and, in the cases of 'Bad Fog Of Loneliness', 'Old Man', and 'See the Sky About to Rain', unrecorded gems also present and correct.

Review: Crazed equestrian songwriter Neil Young hears the first reprisal of a formerly unreleased album, deemed one of his great "lost" albums. Recorded in 1977, Young commented on the record's various inspirational breeding grounds: Florida's Oceanside beach, Triad Studios in Miami, and Crazy Mama's in Nashville, and of the fact that it was "quite a personal record, mostly made up of acoustic songs with no bass or drums." Known of for years online, where it was place-held with a hand-scrawled album cover, the record now comes with full-blown official cover art, documenting Young in the brief interim period between American Stars 'N Bars and Comes A Time (1977-78).

Review: On Before And After, Young chooses favourites from his playbook like a trip into his music history and performs them mostly alone on a solo acoustic journey. Each of the songs blend into each other and morph with mesmerizing clarity into a continuous flow of music creating a 48-minute pure and intimate listening experience. The 13-track album spans Neil's career, from Neil's early Buffalo Springfield contribution, "Burned" (1966) to the recent "Don't Forget Love"(2021) and includes the previously unreleased song "If You Got Love".

As Neil put it on his NYA site:
Songs from my life, recently recorded, create a music montage with no beginnings or endings. The feeling is captured, not in pieces, but as a whole piece. Only for listening.

Review: Neil Young's On the Beach, his fifth studio album, marked a pivotal moment in his career. Originally released in 1974, the album featured a wide array of collaborators, including Crazy Horse members Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina, as well as iconic musicians like Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and David Crosby. Recorded at both his Broken Arrow Ranch in Northern California and Sunset Sound in Hollywood, On the Beach captured a transitional period for Young, as he ventured into new sonic territories while reflecting the evolving counterculture of the 1970s. The album features standout tracks like 'See The Sky About To Rain' and 'Ambulance Blues', songs that poignantly capture the shifting cultural landscape. Known for its introspective tone and bold experimentation, On the Beach signaled new creative directions for Young, expanding his musical palette in unexpected ways. Now, a 50th-anniversary edition of the album will be released via Reprise Records. This limited edition will be pressed on clear vinyl, featuring updated artwork to commemorate the milestone. Decades later, On the Beach remains a defining work in Young's catalogue, resonating with its depth and timeless relevance.

Review: Neil Young's Archives Vol. III Takes is a 16-song sampler that offers a deeper listen into his creative journey from 1976 to 1987. Released as part of the expansive Archives Vol. III box set, this collection is great for die-hard fans but also for those who want to get more familiar with this period of his career, with a balance of unreleased gems, live performances and alternate takes that illuminate one of Young's more prolific eras. Opening with the acoustic beauty 'Hey Babe,' recorded during a session with Nicolette Larson and Linda Ronstadt, the album showcases Neil's knack for crafting harmonies. The live version of 'Drive Back' with Crazy Horse from their 1976 London show injects electric energy into the mix, while 'Razor Love' presents an earlier digital version of the track later polished for Silver & Gold. Another standout is the unreleased 'Bright Sunny Day,' reminiscent of the rugged feel of Ragged Glory, recorded years before that album saw the light. In essence, Archives Vol. III Takes is a curated journey through Neil Young's vault, offering a rich experience for those eager to explore his lesser-known works.

Review: Neil Young's Freedom marks a triumphant return at the end of what was a turbulent 80s for the Canadian-American legend, re-establishing him as a force in rock music. The album blends gritty hard rock with country influences, harking back to his classic 70s sound, while also laying the groundwork for the grunge movement. With standout tracks like 'Rockin' in the Free World', the socially charged 'Crime in the City', and the sonic adventure of 'Eldorado', Young proves his songwriting and guitar prowess remain intact. Balancing aggressive, distorted guitars with heartfelt ballads like 'Hangin' on a Limb' and 'Wrecking Ball', the album showcases Young's versatility. Its diverse soundiranging from raw rock to introspective folkicreates a cohesive, compelling experience. The blend of intelligent lyrics, dynamic drumming, and distinct lead guitar playing solidify Freedom as one of his most potent efforts. It revitalised Young's career as the grunge music was forming and its influence would echo throughout the next decade.

Review: Back in November 1990, fresh off recording Ragged Glory, Neil Young and Crazy Horse took the stage at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz. They played a long and sprawling set of tunes that last three hours and took in songs like 'Love and Only Love' and 'Like a Hurricane' which they managed to hypnotically stretching out for more than ten minutes. The gig was also the debut live airing for 'Danger Bird' which was on the 1975 album Zuma. All of these make it on to the Way Down In The Rust Bucket album as part of Young's on going Performance Series.

Review: Neil Young's Weld is a raw, electrifying live album showcasing his signature collaboration with Crazy Horse. Recorded during the 1991 tour, the triple vinyl set features sixteen tracks filled with gritty intensity. Opening with 'Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)', a rock anthem, the album shifts into fierce renditions of songs like 'Blowin' in the Wind' and 'Love to Burn'. Performances of classics such as 'Cortez the Killer' and 'Powderfinger', with extended jams adding fresh layers to the originals. The thunderous 'Like a Hurricane' stretches over 13 minutes, bringing the full force of the band's energy. Weld highlights the enduring chemistry between Young and Crazy Horse, whose synergy elevates the powerful, guitar-heavy sound. While it may lack acoustic diversity, its relentless rock-and-roll edge is a great glimpse of Young's grunge-influenced rock side.

Review: Neil Young's Ragged Glory is a masterful return to form, blending raw power with a grungy edge that solidified his status as the "Godfather of Grunge." Released in 1990, this album with Crazy Horse is one of his most distortion-heavy works, offering a gritty, jam-packed sound that contrasts sharply with his earlier folk and country rock roots. Songs like 'F*!#kin' Up' and 'Over and Over' showcase Neil's ability to lock into extended grooves, delivering music that's both intense and heartfelt. One of rhe album's standout tracks, 'Mansion on the Hill,' carries a nostalgic weight, while 'Country Home' evokes warmth and memories of simpler times. The instrumentation is where Ragged Glory truly shines. Each track, is loaded with powerful guitar solos and heavy riffs. Neil's collaboration with Crazy Horse is unfiltered, spontaneous, and fiercely alive. With the closing track 'Mother Earth (Natural Anthem)' closing the album out in style, Ragged Glory remains a triumph. Its a raw, unapologetic album that shows Neil Young at his grungiest best.

Review: With Neil Young's late 60s and early to mid-70s music being so well beloved, fans are ecstatic about this release. Dume is a 16-song album (2 LPs) by Neil Young with Crazy Horse from 1975, recorded during the Zuma recording sessions. It includes tracks and outtakes from Zuma. Thus, think of it like the most complete package or extended version on Zuma. This period (just three years after Harvest) of Neil's music is some of his most productive and beloved writing in his 50+ year career. These extra tracks add not only just more music to enjoy but a unique look into the sessions as they were. The two albums are housed a beautifully packaged gatefold as well.

Review: Neil Young's Early Daze with Crazy Horse is a treasure trove of mostly unreleased rarities from the early 70s. This 10-track album features familiar songs in rare and previously unheard versions, showcasing Young's raw, unfiltered creativity. Highlights include unreleased takes of 'Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown' and 'Look At All The Things,' co-written with Danny Whitten, adding depth to their collaborative legacy. Fans will also relish unreleased versions of classics like 'Helpless,' 'Wonderin',' and 'Down by the River.' The album offers a fresh experience with rare mixes of 'Birds' and the seven-inch mono mix of 'Cinnamon Girl,' complete with a unique guitar outro not present on the original LP. Early Daze is a compelling collection that captures the essence of Neil Young and Crazy Horse's early synergy, making it a vital piece of rock history.