A news blog for Neil Young fans from Thrasher's Wheat with concert and album updates, reviews, analysis, and other Rock & Roll ramblings. Separating the wheat from the chaff since 1996.
by Thrasher @ PermaLink: 2/19/2007 09:49:00 AM
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Veg said...
I read this guy's review; and I'll give him kudos on everything electric; he knows exactly what to look for and how to sift through the production techniques which were extremely relevant to this album, as it apparently took quite a long time to produce once it had been recorded. The Loner, I've Been Waiting For You, and What Did You Do To My Life are all excellent electric from Neil.
Where is disagree with this guy is on anything acoustic. You can't downplay The Old Laughing Lady, it's a masterpiece, and one of Neil's most profound forays into lyrical depth and beauty. While I agree the chorus is unnecessary, it's not hurting it too much. The Dylan-esque imagery and slow folky beat are what make this song so critical to understanding the songwriting aspect of Neil's career, it's the same kind of feel we would later see in Ambulance Blues.
The Last Trip To Tulsa, according to Neil, is supposed to be a very funny song, and when you think about the lyrics, they're pretty ridiculous. The imagery Young uses starts strong and direct, but then starts to throw in bits of symbolism and metaphor here and there; until it totally spirals out of control. The whole time, the beat gets quicker and quicker, as the song loses itself.
"Well I used to be a folk singer, keepin managers alive,
when you saw me on a corner
and told me I was jive.
So I unlocked your mind you know, to see what I could see,
if you guarantee the postage,
I'll mail you back the key."
Pretty amazing few lyrics there; the entire thing is supposed to be like a "dream", and it succeeds, it's inexplicable connections and irrational twists and turns are just the kind of thing you'd expect after an evening of spicy food and binge drinking. Personally, I think it's a very listenable and beautiful song.
The guy in the link knows his stuff on the electric, but he doesn't even look at lyrics beyond their melodic qualities, so to be honest, he's missing out on half of Neil.
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