New Neil Young Album: "Life in War"
Well, we've been sitting on this Neil news for some time now but it looks like the time has come since it's bustin' out all over blog-dale.
The title of Neil Young's newest album will be
As we reported last month on Neil's SXSW keynote address, Neil has been urged to deliver another "Ohio" -- a song which helped change public attitudes and marked an important turning point in the Vietnam War.
As Harp Magazine's Katherine Silkaitis reports, the album is complete and nearly ready for release. According to film director Jonathan Demme:
“It is a brilliant electric assault, accompanied by a 100-voice choir, on Bush and the war in Iraq…Truly mind blowing. Will be in stores soon.”
According to the blog Last Left Turn Before Hooterville by a member of the 100-voice choir, the album will contain the lyrics: "Let's impeach the President for lyin'!". The album will also feature a rap with President George Bush’s voice set to the choir chanting “flip/flop”. Alicia blogs:
"Every time new lyrics would come up on the screen, there were cheers, tears and applause. It was a spiritual experience ... We finished the session by singing an a cappella version of "America the Beautiful" and there was not a dry eye in the house."
"I've never been at a recording session that was more like being at church. Heck, I've never been to a church that was more like a church than that session."
In another blog by the former president of Reprise Records, Howie Klein's DownWithTyranny!: "The album, with Young on Old Black, Rick Rosas on bass and Chad Cromwell on drums, took three days to finish."
Could this be the predicted swerve to the ditch?
Needless to say, the rusties are in an uproar, with a serious meme that this all an elaborate hoax circulating. Politics and music sometimes do have a slight tendency to make some uncomfortable. But we've been through that a hundred times before ...
And this isn't the first time Neil has been ahead of the curve on impeachment or calling out for the truth (see album cover close-up).
A Warner Bros. Records spokesperson declined to comment on these reports. Why?
Thrasher's Wheat reports, you decide the truth.
For more, see:
MP3 News: Neil ready for War
LoperCo.: Protestin’ in the free world
haahnster's hallucinations: Neil Young Records LOUD Album Slamming Bush
Sensibly Eclectic: Neil Young to release new song: "Impeach the President"
JamBaseNEIL YOUNG: LIFE IN WAR
AfterDowningStreet.org: Neil Young has new song: "Impeach the President"
Blah3: Now I can forgive him for 'Let's Roll.'
Bad News Beat: Impeach the prez
Rising Hegemon: Rockin' in the Free World again
Impeachin' in the Free World
Here Comes The Flood: New Album Life In War
Editor and Publisher: Neil Young, Son of Famed Reporter, Records "Impeach the President" Song
Eschaton: That's Not Very Subtle with hundreds of comments flooding in like: "Damn Canadian Hippies!!" and "Rock's greatest living dilettante".
And it's already started to get very ugly.
Wonkette: Aging Hippie Dislikes President Bush:
"Neil, we hate to be the ones to remind you, but you’re Canadian. You guys dissolved your parliament or whatever it’s called like last week, isn’t there a grace period before you go around kicking out other people’s elected officers? Sure, “Pass of Motion of No Confidence, Necessitating a General Election That Will Hopefully Result In the Appointment of a New Prime Minister” isn’t as catchy a title, but if you’re releasing three-day albums now, you can’t be too picky.
And why bitch? Under the President’s new immigration plan, you’ll be allowed to stay in California for upwards of six years if you register as a guest worker!"
FRIDAY'S LETTERS: Lovin' and Loathin' Neil Young's Politics: "Neil Young should stick to entertaining pot-heads that can't think their way out of a bag, and forget about politics." - Thomas L. Shimek, Brigham City, Utah
Cole Slaw Blog: Neil Young's "Life in War":
"Mildly disappointed with Neil Young's syrupy fall release 'Prairie Wind,' this morning I'm happy (I'd write 'thrilled' or 'overjoyed,' but I'm trying to be more understated) to read that Neil will soon release a hard-rocking protest album called 'Life in War.'
After the sentimental treacle of "Prairie Wind," it's great to read that Neil has recorded "a brilliant electric assault" about Bush and the war. There's a risk that he'll overreach with this, but I hope not. When Neil connects, he hits them out of the park."
But it gets worse. Or maybe the irony overload has kicked in? On The Huffington Post, MinneapolisMike posts a real winner:
"Neil Young is obviously not on message. Even though a Canadian citizen, he can and must be considered a terrorist threat for giving such aid and comfort to our enemies.
Neil Young is obviously not on the side of Freedom. He obviously refuses to believe the Talking Points but rather the blatant lies put forth by the evil media. Those who do not question the President are on the side of Freedom. Those not on the side of Freedom must therefore be on the side of terror. Therefore, Neil Young should be considered a terrorist and put on a deck of cards to let those around the world know he is a public enemy."
On ilXor.com:
"this could cost the republicans votes, if back-to-nature organic hippie canadian libertarians voted." -- gypsy mothra
"I'm sure Celine Dion recording an anti-Bush album would have more of an impact."
-- James Mitchell
But for some fans, the major concern is that this will delay the release of The Archives Project. The horror.
More on Neil Young's new album and here.
UPDATE: 7:26 PM: Neil Young's official website now confirms the album's title as LIVING WITH WAR. Neil's letter appears as ticker at bottom of page. Neil calls it "Metal Folk Protest". Lyrics to "LIVING WITH WAR" are scrolled.
More discussion on controversial "Living with War" and here and blogdale has exploded.
Also, Will Neil Young's "Living With War" be Rock's "Fahrenheit 9/11"?