Sybil, Defend 'Living with War'

[NerfHerder]

I just got my promotional copy and after two runthroughs, I'm just not digging it.

Am I just a fool? What do you see in the record that I do not?

[mr_j]

he found a way to exploit the war, get lots of headlines, and make a lot of money. that's what he did.

i listened to it, and even though i don't agree with his politics, it doesn't change the fact that it's just not a good record.

[Sybil]

Neil Young doesn't need defending from the likes of me, and ANYONE who thinks Neil Young has ever done ANYTHING for the sake of making money just hasn't been paying attention.

That being said, I think Neil Young is probably an acquired taste, one that I acquired very long ago. I've liked him through most of his twists and turns, from the sweet acoustics of Harvest and the messy fuzzed guitars of the Crazy Horse works. This new record is Neil at his messiest and most fuzzy and discordant, which is quite fitting for the material. He's a man with something to say, and he says it loud - I only wish he'd used Crazy Horse, I think that would have made it even better. I like music to be "about" something, and I like it to hit me emotionally - this record does that. I'm also happy to see the return of a hummable tune, and of course, the fact that I agree with his politics doesn't hurt. I'm sure the fact that we are of the same generation makes it easier for me to relate to the music - this man has been part of the soundtrack of my life and all that.

Bottom line is that Neil doesn't give a big fat rat's ass what you think, or what I think, or anyone else. He's had his say, he'll sell some records...or not. And then it's off to the next thing. Music is completely subjective, and I love this record.

Sy "keep on rockin' in the free world" bil

p.s. oh, yeah, and once upon a time Neil Young slept with Joni Mitchell, so the man is clearly a god.

[mr_j]

Neil Young doesn't need defending from the likes of me, and ANYONE who thinks Neil Young has ever done ANYTHING for the sake of making money just hasn't been paying attention.

david crosby has alluded to the fact that Crosby, Stills and Nash was/is Young's 'fallback' that he can always count on being financially rewarding when the solo career's not doing too well. not that i'm opposed to the making of money, but one must realize that the reason CSN&Y commands high prices in concert playing oldies isn't because it's a rare artistic experience....

and i've always threatened to become a joni mitchell fan. some reason i haven't made that leap yet. when i go record shopping, i always look at her section, and i 'blue' and 'the court and spark' and 'the hissing of summer lawns' and 'clouds' and i always think 'some day, when i have the money to explore further...' i have my sisters' old 45s of 'both sides now' and 'big yellow taxi' and 'woodstock' and i think those are awesome.

i almost thought of getting 'clouds' today. but i ordered thunderclap newman instead. that's a better choice...esp. as my record player is out and i've been wanting to hear some t. newman lately....

[Sybil]

Yeah, and David Crosby has taken a lot of drugs. If anything, Neil Young has been CSN's meal ticket in recent years. Notice that they only get the big ticket prices when Neil is on the bill - I even heard a radio ad a couple years ago touting the show as "Neil Young, performing with Crosby, Stills & Nash". I love their music, but those once crystalline harmonies are gone, I prefer to remember them the way they were rather than be slapped in the face with Crosby's failing health and Stills' failing voice.

But Neil for some reason stays the same - perhaps because he wasn't all that great a singer to begin with.

Sybil

[mr_j]

i recently read crosby's autobiography. in a way i feel sorry for him and in a way i don't. he was a real arrogant prick, and is a shining example of what happens when you get your head and your ego stuck up your ass. and even though he seems really grateful about coming out of his experiences alive, i get the feeling that he doesn't exactly regret the things he did.

[Dutch]

and i've always threatened to become a joni mitchell fan.

SUB-MIT.

There is none greater... save for perhaps Nina Simone.

[James]

he found a way to exploit the war

A lot of bands have done that recently, and apparently will continue to do so.

[James]

The thing about Neil Young is he's always been political. Listen to "Ohio" sometime. That's political. This isn't new territory for Neil. I need to hear his new record, but just based on the subject matter, that doesn't turn me off of it. He does have albums that don't do it for me, but it's for entirely musical reasons.

Seeing him at Bonnaroo though was amazing. Even if a lot of the people I was with thought he was boring.

[Dutch]

Even if a lot of the people I was with thought he was boring.

He was, and I was really excited about seeing him at that show. You and Steven, I can't get past it. I've tried and tried, and I just don't like Neil Young. He has some good songs and all his merit, I'm not saying he doesn't... he just doesn't do it for me.

Now, the harmonic blend in CSNY... that's heavenly.

[James]

Even if a lot of the people I was with thought he was boring.

He was, and I was really excited about seeing him at that show. You and Steven, I can't get past it. I've tried and tried, and I just don't like Neil Young. He has some good songs and all his merit, I'm not saying he doesn't... he just doesn't do it for me.

Now, the harmonic blend in CSNY... that's heavenly.

Well, he didn't hang the moon for me either. That job is forever held by XTC. But I thoroughly enjoyed him at Bonnaroo, probably because I was laying back on the grass, and it was the end of a tour, and I was exhausted. It was like I was a child all over again (keep in mind, I've been listening to him since before I was born probably). He's not the best musician or singer, but lyrically he's amazing.

I understand though. There are plenty of groups I don't get or care for that are legendary.

[Dutch]

Word.

(I <3 semaJ)

[Sybil]

Like I said, Neil is probably an acquired taste, and music preferences are totally subjective. And that's what makes the world go round.

Mr J, just get "Court and Spark" already! If you don't like that one there's no point in investing further.

Sybil