CD Review: Neil Young - Living With War
Published June 06, 2006
The debate has become predictable; maybe a little sad, too. An artist is coming out with a protest record. You can hear the bluster from miles away. Folks twist themselves into spittle-flecked knots in the attempt to dress down the album as insincere, misguided, vain, self-absorbed — go ahead, pick your own adjective. Add to this the obligatory "They're just musicians, they should keep their mouths shut" line of reasoning and well, there's your template for debate.
I'm not here to solve this problem. Heck, I'm pretty well sure that it can't be. Not with the current level of divisiveness in the political environment.
What I will say is that I like it when artists put out records that piss people off. Neil Young does it. Pearl Jam does it. Lee Greenwood does it. Toby Keith does it. While I might not be aligned so much with the latter two musicians, their viewpoints are equally welcome.
One of the many functions of art is the expression of points of view. It's inevitable. If you don't like what's being said, join the debate. But to suggest that the opinion shouldn't be aired because "They're only musicians" is to apply a restriction unevenly. Bono can't talk about this stuff but George Will can? Take the opposite angle: Pro-war songs and/or direct support of the troops are generally acceptable. Really? They're just musicians. Shouldn't they keep their mouths shut as well?
Neil Young, of course, is not known for keeping his mouth shut. In fact, his heart seems to be wide open with a direct line to his guitar and pen. The results, very much like all of our interior lives, are often spotty. I mean, I know that Trans was Young's way of expressing his desire to communicate with his son Ben, who suffers from severe cerebral palsy, but that doesn't make the record any less weird. On the other hand, Prairie Wind was a sincere reaction to a tough year in Young's life — one that sits comfortably beside both Harvest and Harvest Moon.
Living With War finds "Ohio"-era Neil sandblasting away at the problems he sees with the American political situation, specifically, the war in Iraq and the current political climate. The themes are what we'd expect to argue about: abuse of power, shadow governments, media overload, and political swagger. Much less confrontational are the ideas of how families deal with war, hope for future leaders, and pacifism.
Sonically, it's the electric side of Rust Never Sleeps-meets-Greendale. Thanks to the lack of the presence of Crazy Horse (Don't get me wrong, I love Crazy Horse) this record has a tighter feel than your average Young rumblefest. On the other hand, it has a sense of urgency, given that it was recorded in a fairly spontaneous manner. Though Young has used horns on other records, the trumpet here is sometimes really creepy. On "Shock and Awe," basically a reworking of "My My Hey Hey (Into The Black)," the horn faithfully reproduces the original melody line.
Living With War ends with the freaky Neil Young Choir singing "America The Beautiful." It's been said that this song should be our national anthem. I'd go for that. It is a beautiful country. Yet, it does has flaws— flaws that should be debated. If we can't do that, then I do fear for our future.
Mark Saleski is a writer and music obsessive based out of the Monadnock region of New Hampshire. On his best day, he hopes to channel the ghosts of Lester Bangs and Jack Kerouac. He spends the hours of 9:32PM to 1:37AM carving out music reviews and essays for Jazz.com, Blogcritics.org and other publications.
- CD Review: Neil Young - Living With War
- Published: June 06, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Rock, Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Review
- Writer: Mark Saleski
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Comments on this articleComments
Old Shakey's back!
Despite the holes in some of his political reasoning, his heart is never far from the truth. In this case, his message is dead on.
It is because he wears his heart so readily on his sleve that he is one of the most important artists of our time.
I also find it interesting how his Canadian Experiences seem to influence his perspective on America... his other home. This album seems to fall in line with the thinking of many Canadian's with regards to America; A country whose faults are as glaring as its strengths.
I have yet to hear this disk, though the local independent radio station did give the entire thing a whirl the other night. Before they played it they gave a long schpeel about an artists rights and that a listener should actually hear the dang thing before passing judgment.
I'm all for protest music and artists speaking their minds. It's always amazing to me how many people get freaked out about it. I mean, really with all the other shite going on, why would I get all that riled up over what Neil Young or Natalie Maines thinks?
But if an artist can't speak their minds/hearts what a dull world this would be. Should Neil written a concept album on the mold that grows behind the sink instead?
I have nothing to add. Your article says it all. Well said Mark.
-Glen
I Have listened to the album, and read with some amusement the social and political commentaries on the lyrical content. In an age of so called free speech and the premise of "democratising" one party states, I find it astonishing some of the critical sentiment that has been levelled at the album. It is not an attack on the American people, who come across as the victims, but the political decision makers. As a brit, we are as culpable with our political choices this side of the pond, and to voice an opinion is considered a prerequisite of civil liberties. This album is Neil Youngs platform for his views.
To the music: I agree with the plaigerism comment on shock and awe, and it comes as no surprise that this is one of the best tracks ( the rest of the album has plenty of highlights ). As a whole, by NY's standards, not quite upto his benchmark musical qualty, but the lyrics and track sequence help to make this a noteworthy offering. For the unhappy politicos, don't buy it or listen to it, take it at face value, an opinion expressed, be bold enough to digest and decide what we are told and listen to, and make your own minds up!
This is one of the best Neil Young albums of all time! Pure and simple urgent rock with pure and simple lyrics get the point across wonderfully. I couldn't be more pleased with the message and the messenger. Play it loud and play it long this one should blast them out of the white house and let history become the forgiving judge to us that took so long to right this ship.
6/21 My husband is a VN vet and a life time fan
of Neil Young. He got the new Heart of Gold CD and the new DVD, Neil Young is the voice of the
Vets and the american people. It is time for him
to call out the old hippi, they still know how to protest a war and change a government. Music
lead the protest, it is time for music to lead
again. Neil Young call out the hippi
Well I bought this album on Vinyl... Yes Vinyl!! 200gram Vinyl. The album has next to no poor songs. For the greater part it rocks. I photograph politics for several magazines and papers and I think we need an Album like this. To say nothing on the state of the world would be a wasted opportunity for someone as great as Neil Young. I have met Bush, Clinton, Rice, Powel,Gore, Musharif and Hamid Karasi, I can tell you if they heard this album they would get pissed. I kind of like that idea. OK besides the point. Go get this album it's good music and is not anti American. I like the way the instuments were mic'd and the not "over produced" sound.
PS the president shouldn't be spying on the people.
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If I want to see a protest artist, I can. If I pay to see an entertainer and get a protest, I want a refund.
With one (the protester), you expect it, you want to share in it, you wish you could only wax so eloquently. With the other, you admire something else.