There Was A Band Playing In My Head
Jack Baker | LeRoy,IL | 01/11/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Neil Young's third album, After the Goldrush, is testimony to his eloquent songwriting skills. Some of his finest work can be found on this recording. The album is mainly a mix of acoustic guitar and piano driven material, along with some electric intensity reminiscent of his second album, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. This album may be forty years old, but it's still amazing. Young writes plaintive songs, full of yearning. Highlights include the wistful title track, the angry "Southern Man" written about racial inequality (one of Young's songs that inspired some controversy, as well as Lynyrd Skynyrd 's "Sweet Home Alabama"), and the absolutely amazing "Don't Let It Bring You Down". One of my favorite Young tunes has long been the short and sweet "Cripple Creek Ferry". Honestly, there isn't a bad song on this album and even the cover of Don Gibson's "Oh Lonesome Me" fits seamlessly into Young's pastiche of melancholy, redemption, and yearning.
The 2009 remaster is simply amazing. The piano is bright and vibrant, individual notes ring out from the acoustic guitar, and the electric guitar snarls out from the speakers. Background vocals have a clarity not found on the original CD issue. This obviously isn't a repackage job to bring in a few extra bucks, but an honest attempt to breathe new life into a classic session. Even the CD booklet is printed on heavy, textured paper. After the Goldrush was already a 5 star album, but John Nowland and Tim Mulligan's remastering work has served to make it even better.
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Politics Aside!
JB | Indian Harbour Beach Florida | 08/31/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you can seperate the link between Neil Young and his radical left-wing politics, you'll love this disc. Written back in the day when you had to have the music to become a success. Seeing or hearing Mr. Young now, it's hard to believe that it was he, so many years ago, that was filled with such talent. A great cd and a must have for any lover of classic rock!"