After living with Neil Young's Living With War since Friday, the verdict is in. Listen here to render your own.
The new Neil Young album Living With War has created a firestorm of controversy, and it isn't even in record stores yet. The latest word on that seems to suggest a soft release date of May 8, which would put the CD in stores by this Monday or Tuesday — the day most retail outlets adhere to as a rule.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Glen Boyd
Yes you did Mr. Neck. You made it. Should I be happy about that or fear the worst? LOL...
Glad to see you made it Mr. Neck.
I agree there is some repetitive stuff here though Mr. Neck. "Lets Impeach The President" does sound a hell of a lot like "Powderfinger" for example.
I do like this record though. A lot. And thats strictly on musical terms...lyrics or politics aside. I like the big electric noise Neil makes and he was about due for a record like that. I just really like that noise.
And yes, Mr. Neck it is true. I am a very nice guy. Actually you seem like a rather likeable dude yourself...when your not busy hollering away with those big, fat caps of yours anyway.
I take no issue with your politics either. You have every right to say what you feel you need to say. Just as Neil does in my own opinion. Thats all I'm saying.
So welcome to the party Mr. Neck.
Aint America great?
-Glen
27 - RUBBERNECK
I'm Humbled ! Did I spell that right ? Man, I've loved that Screetching Guitar all my life Glenn. (BUT) To think that my idol actually thinks in a 180' direction from me, hurts. I became consumed with Politics in the early 90's and yeah, I always knew Neil was left of center but these days it's straight to the leftward land of silliness. I love the re-writes too. I love to sit and figure which song the new song evolved from. How though can I sit and sing these words which insult our President our Country and our Troops knowing full well most of the words are left wing talking points which I know for a fact have no basis in reality ? President Bush spent like a hundred thousand dollars per Household in New Orleans and I gotta sit and listen to Neil Young call the guy a Boob ? Jeezzz, yeah, he has the right to say what he wants but he's actually spewing lies or like I said talking points. Nearly 2,500 hundred persons have lost there lives in Iraq from our side, quite a number, sure. But I'd say 99% of them went willingly and knew the risks. Those people need to be Honored. We can Honor them to the highest degree by winning this War. Glenn, do you know why we have lost so many fine young people ? Because we are trying to do this thing so carefully that we are risking our own lives to the tune of 2,500 Troops. Hey, if it were me, I'd have flattened the place to be honest, point being, I'm not thrilled about the way the War is being handled either, but I will not go out and bash my own Country and my own President to satisfy Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro and Mike Farrell. I just won't do it. What should we care that the United Nations doesn't like it. They don't like us no matter what we do. What the U.N. wants is our money and for us to be push overs. We do not owe the world a living brother. Back on point I'm talking reality in response to Looney Politics. The words from this album spread to people that don't know better and bamm, more problems. Glenn ?
28 - RUBBERNECK
NOW THIS SAYS IT ALL !
29 - RUBBERNECK
"Living with War" woulda better been named "Sinking like a Stone".
15-25-40
It's onto the scrap heap of forgotten Left Wing Propaganda. Onward.
Your Pal,
Rubberneck
30 - Glen Boyd
Hey there Mr. Neck.
Sorry I've been kinda quiet. I was on vacation in Reno for about a week there.
I never expected Living With War to be a huge commercial record.
Still admire Neil for speaking his mind though. As I do you.
So yeah, probably time to move past the Neil Young record (like about two weeks ago I would suggest).
Speaking strictly as a fan of the man's music though (which is pretty much where I've always come from anyway), I'm looking very forward to the Heart of Gold DVD. I hear it has some pretty nifty extras.
In the meantime there's always those damned Dizie Chicks right? #1 Debut on Billboard this week.
Go get em' Mr. Neck.
I suspect you and Al Barger are gonna get along just fine. Just make sure you bring your sense of humor.
-Glen
31 - RUBBERNECK
Hey Glenn,
Glad you're back. Those Dixie Chicks rub me the wrong way too. They are really risking their audience Bashing the President and it's cost them already no doubt. If they were dudes, they'd be washed up but as luck would have it, they all have nice tits. As for me I'd sooner invite Kim, Jong Il for Tea and Crumpets then listen to country music, except for Neil country music, barr Old Ways of course, because most of that Sucked with a Capital S. Reno huh ? My cousin D lives in Las Vegas.
Peace through Superior Fire Power,
Your Pal,
Rubberneck
32 - Glen Boyd
Whats up Mr. Neck?
I'm not that much of a country music fan either (except for people like Johnny Cash), and I dont really "get" the Dixie Chicks. I do kind of like their cover version of "Missisippi" by Bob Dylan though. But thats just a great song to begin with. Screwing that song up would be like a fast food joint screwing up a cheeseburger ya know?
You really oughtta check out Al Barger's various articles on the Dixie Chicks here on Blogcritics though Mr. Neck. He's got like a million of em up on the site. Barger shares your political views (and gets a lot of angry comments). But he is also a really funny man. His angry diatribes about the Dixie Chicks are just hilarious reading, even if you don't agree with everything he says (which I don't, but thats beside the point).
Seriously Mr. Neck you should check those out. I think you'd probably have a lot to say on those threads.
By the way, I didn't much care for Old Ways either. My friends and I used to jokingly refer to that record as "Oldness". That was right in the middle of that weird period in the eighties when Neil seemed to have really lost his way artistically for a while there.
He's back now though. And I still can't wait for the Heart of Gold DVD. But I'm still listening to Living With War pretty regularly. What can I say? I just love that freaking noise he makes with Old Black.
-Glen
33 - RUBBERNECK
Glenn,
Thanks I'll check out the thread. You gotta go to Red State update dot com tho' too. Ah Man, I almost pissed my pants. Check out the War on Neil Young Videos, especially Video 1 and 3.
You Pal,
Rubberneck
34 - RUBBERNECK
HEY NEIL FUCKIN YOUNG
IN ONTARIO OF ALL FUCKIN PLACES ! GO IMPEACH YOUR OWN FUCKIN PRESIDENT YOU COMMUNIST JOAN BAEZ LOVIN HIPPY MOTHERFUCKER.
BRAMPTON, Ontario - At least one member of a group of terror suspects plotted to storm Canada's parliament and behead officials, including the prime minister, if Muslim prisoners in Canada and Afghanistan were not released, according to charges made public Tuesday. Authorities also alleged that Steven Vikash Chand plotted to take over media outlets such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
FUCK YOU.
35 - Anti-Lib
NASHVILLE Billboard Initial ticket sales for the Dixie Chicks' upcoming tour are far below expectations and several dates will likely be canceled or postoned. Ticket counts for the
20-plus arena shows that went on sale last weekend were averaging 5,000-6,000 per show in major markets and less in secondaries, according to sources contacted by Billboard. Venue capacities on the tour generally top 15,000.
What ? They can't afford to rent a venue unless they're making millions ? They can't loose a few bucks for the good of the few "fans" that want to see them ? NOPE ! That's what Liberals are, money grubbin' assholes.
Neil, your tours are gonna be just like this you commie fucker. Stick Greendale up your ass. Long live Jackie Brols and Dunlap @ REDSTATEUPDATE DOT COM. War on Neil Young. Let's deport Neil Young for CRYIN' and using his Music to make Money. Don't fuck with this country Neil Young. Go live in Anwar with the seals. You can only get there by ship asshole.
Eat Shit Neil Young ! P.S. Your album is sinking like a stone as usual, of course, you don't care about that, huh ? Make more Shocking Pink music you gauky piece of shit.
36 - Anti-Lib
Hey Neil, Remember when you said you don't want Faggots handling your Potatoes ? How could you say such a thing Hypocrit, oops I mean Liberal ?It's in your book. So you hate Faggots but then you do a movie Philadelphia, supporting them. You do an album supporting the War on Terror then do two albums opposed to it, you say Live Music is Better, then tour with Machines instead of people, you supported Reagan and did a song opposed to Bush 41. Hey Neil, remember when you released Trans you said you thought that was gonna be what you were gonna do from then on ? Computer Music ? Why didn't you ? Yeah, I remember, I still got the article from Parade Magazine. You support Michael Moore whom holds great stock in Haliburton ? Huh ? Yep, Haliburton, Owned by LadyBird Johnson. HYPOCRITS IS ALL YOU ARE, ESPECIALLY YOU NEIL YOUNG, SAY ONE THING, DO ANOTHER, SUPPORT THE LIFE OF A FIELD MOUSE AND PLAY SHOWS TO HELP WOMEN PAY FOR ABORTIONS. HYPOCRIT.
37 - Anti-Lib
Farm Aid is the biggest Sham to hit the United States since Johnsons War on Poverty. Hey Neil, you need to call Joan Baez, she must be very upset today now that one of yalls hero's has been taken out. TRAITOR.
38 - Rubberneck
"Living with War" woulda better been named "Sinking like a Stone".
15-25-40-57 Dropped another 17 spots Neil Young. Har har har dee har har.
It's onto the scrap heap of forgotten Left Wing Propaganda. Onward.
Your Pal,
Rubberneck
39 - Rubberneck
"Living with War" woulda better been named "Sinking like a Stone".
15-25-40-57-74 Dropped yet another 17 spots Neil Young. Har har har dee har har. I doubt it will be in the top 100 next week because the content is in fact, Crap. PIECE OF CRAP !!!
It's onto the scrap heap of forgotten Left Wing Propaganda. Onward.
Your Pal,
Rubberneck
40 - Rubberneck
By the way Neil, I'm the guy who bought Everybody's Rockin'.
41 - Rubberneck
Neil,
Are you going to tour with Barbra this fall ? She's say's it's to fight Global Warming (Which is a Crock of Shit anyway) But we know it's to boost the Democrat Election chances. We Republicans are gonna send out our own bands. Let's see who wins the Election, again. Hint Hint ! How's Jane and Joan Baez commy boy ?
42 - RUBBERNECK
"Greendale," which debuted at No. 22 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 204,000 copies in the United States.
I COULD MAKE AN ALBUM CALLED 'RUBBERNECK'S SHIT SOUNDS FROM THE TOILET" THAT WOULD SELL MORE THAN 204,000 COPIES.
There's no money in Liberalism, except your's and mine huh ? (Think about it Neily Boy)
43 - RUBBERNECK
A BROWN GARBAGE BAG WAS THE PERFECT WRAPPER FOR THIS ANTI-AMERICAN PIECE OF TRASH. GOOD JOB THERE NEIL.
44 - RUBBERNECK
Living with War now @ 92 and sinking like a stone. Not Gold. Not Silver. Not even Tin. It's already wrappped in a Garbage Bag, now throw it away. I wanna see if Wal-Mart will pull this Anti-American Trash from their shelves.
God Bless Rush Limbaugh, George W. Bush and Ann Coulter.
45 - Liberalneck
You are absolutely correct. Living With War is yesterday's news.
So why are you the only person on this thread still talking about it??? Time to back away slowly from the keyboard sir...
46 - Rubberneck
I'll be here till it's off the Charts for good.
I must see this album fail, it's Garbage.
Your Pal,
Rubberneck
47 - gonzo marx
Rubberneck sez...
*God Bless Rush Limbaugh, George W. Bush and Ann Coulter.*
seek...professional...help
your obvious psychotic break is causing severe delusions
oh yes, and Neil Young has more talent left in the sink with the soap scum after he shaves than you will ever possess , in total, for all your days on earth
just so you know
Excelsior?
48 - RUBBERNECK
Talent ? Come on ! The toughest cord the guy can pluck is Em7. Every song he's written in the last 30 years were re-writes. It's either that Cowgirl in the Sand / Wooden Ships riff, an Am G F progression, a variation of the stones Satisfaction or The Ol'Lotta'Love Riff (which was also stolen) every album, every song. Talent ? More like Luck. Much Luck. Hey I loved the guy but this Greendale/Living with War crap has finally pushed me over the edge with this idiot. I lived through Trans and Everybody's Rockin' and Old ways and This notes for you. Garbage but I know every song because I was that dedicated to the skinny Bastard. Like I said a Garbage Bag was a perfect wrapper for Living with War.
49 - RUBBERNECK
Oh and Gonzo, My Ass Hair knows more about Neil Young then you'll ever know. As for my talent, you don't even know who the fuck I am.
50 - RogerMDillon
How much did it cost Neil and the label to put out the album? If it's already recovered its costs, then it's a success, so sales at this point might no longer matter
feel free to go back to your mad ramblings.
51 - Glen Boyd
I am personally really astounded anybody is still talking about this myself.
RUBBERNECK apparently got the thread going again, and for that I thank him (sort of anyway)...
The bottom line is Neil put out a protest record critical of George Bush.
Who is not one of my favorite people in the world either...and I refuse to get into those politics here. My feelings are the guy led us into a war on what have largely been proven to be false pretenses; he is absolutely an OIL GUY which is why we can barely afford to drive to work anymore...NEED I GO ON??
No.
In My review of Neil's album, I tried to judge it by it's musical merits alone, while not ignoring the subject matter altogether. That being said, it's a protest album.
And Mr. Neck, get over it okay.
Neil made an album critical of Bush.
And Like I said, he doesn't top my list of my favorite guys either. But Neil made it. Just like he made "Ohio" which was critical of Nixon (which was the last time we had a president who divided the country like this....remember Bush's "Im a uniter , not a divider bullshit?").
I don't like Bush at all. On that me and Neil Young are in complete agreement.
But I judge these things as I see them. Neil put out his album. He did so with a lot of publicity behind it.
And as you have correctly pointed out, it has pretty much died commercially after an initial surge based on the publicity it got.
So the "converted" got it. And nobody elae really did.
You know what? So be it.
Done deal.
I still applaud this particular artist for having the courage to speak his heart. And in my personal opinion, he did so rather powerfully on this particular effort.
But lets move on shall we?
An artist reflecting his personal views through his art is as American as Apple Pie. Whether or not the public chooses to bite (which in this case they apparently did not) is entirely another matter....
So whats left to talk about?
Next...........?
-Glen
52 - RUBBERNECK
Glen,
It's not George Bush or the Oil Companies hurting the American People. Not at all. The Oil Companies make 9 cents on a Gallon of Gas which costs $2.89. Nine fuckin' cents. The Oil companies total take is atributed to the U.S. sales to the tune of about 30 %. The rest of thier profits come from elsewhere. It's not the Oil Companies fault that Oil prices fly up every time some wacked out Mid-East Diaper head says something. So whats the root cause of high Oil prices ? LIBERALS, HIPPY HOLDOVERS, AMERICA HATING NEIL YOUNG TYPES which refuse to allow us to drill for Oil thus keeping us dependent on the Mid-East and Hugo Chavez. If we could just drill on one 10/1000 of 1 percent of the Land in Northern Alaska, we could have $1.50 gas again. But noooooooooooooooooooooo, Liberals don't like that, that would make America strong. Glen, you are clearly a person of intellect, look it up. Don't let the Drive-By media make you a casualty of their ignorance. Bush was in Oil, sure. He failed, big time. You want to know who in politics profits from Oil ? Ted Kennedy and his family tricked poor Black dirt farmers into uping the mineral rights to their land and set up Oil wells. Money which they draw to this very day. Of course the Drive-By media will never tell that story because it does not fit their template. Glen, WWW.RUSHLIMBAUGH.COM. Give it a listen with an open mind.
All I am saying, is give Rush a Chance !
53 - Martin Lav
Glen,
I can't believe you gave this guy any "props" especially on Al's thread and review of only ONE song on this album. This rubberdick guy is obviously derranged (proven by his postings to himself for weeks) like most right wing wacko's that can rationalize "this war is right" mentality even though there's heaps of proof to the contrary. I myself don't believe Bush and Cheney and Rummy are doing this for the oil, but more like for their crazed philosophy that everyone in the world wants what we have... freedom... Bush is a dry drunk that believes that if he gives the mid-East a taste of the West they will savor it and convert, but as Rubberdick and those like him love to prove ... freedom of speech is only okay if your on their side and agree with them. He can sit here and claim to be a Neil Young fan, but yet is so blinded by his undying support of the right wing agenda of Rush and Bush that he can't even bring himself to support his beloved Neil. If he truly is a fan listening to this record must drive him to the brink.....look he's watching the charts, reporting it in blogsphere, posting to himself and he's obviously tortured.
Like I said on Al Bargers blog, this will go down as one of Neils greatest works.....AND GLEN.
...the catching tune on this album is NO MORE LIES, no more lies.....the Restless Consumer... flies around the world each day.....
I can't believe you missed that one!
Peace
54 - Glen Boyd
Martin,
First, thanks for the comments both here and on Al Barger's NY post.
To answer your question, I don't believe I've given Mr. Neck "props" at all, unless humorously masked sarcasm counts as "props."
But I basically do believe he has as much right to rant away...yes, even when nobody's listening as has been the case for most of the past month...as anybody else does. Even when I don't necessarily agree.
Like you, I find much of what he has to say to be illogical...especially when he gets to really ranting in those irritating caps of his. And I certainly don't agree with the majority of it. But he does have the right to say it.
I guess that makes me a "true liberal"...I'll tolerate pretty much anything short of abusiveness or name calling. From what I can tell, Mr. Neck hasn't yet crossed that line. At least not in a serious way. I will admit his "dedication" to repeated flaming is growing a little tiresome. Which is why I haven't engaged him lately.
But...truth be told, Mr. Neck's rantings have driven traffic to my posts on more than a few occasions. So theres my true ulterior motive in tolerating it I guess. It drives hits up. As someone who once worked in public relations, you certainly have heard that old saying "theres no such thing as bad press"...LOL...
My comment over on Al Barger's NY post with regard to Mr. Neck was intended to be humorous by the way...I'd have thought you would picked up on that. Barger's stuff can be as off-the-wall crazy as Mr. Neck's (why I suggested they could become fast friends...LOL), but I always enjoy reading it because he can be funny as hell.
So theres the best explanation I can offer Martin. There actually is some method to my madness.
-Glen
55 - RUBBERNECK
[Edited] You obviously know nothing about Neil Young or Politics. I assure, I am well educated on both subjects. You fuckin' Hippy Holdover Michael Moore / Cindy Sheehan types can no longer drum your sick hatred on ABC NBC & CBS unchecked and you still just can't get over that. You're the people that don't want freedom of Speech. We let you [Edited] speak, but we will counter, believe that, we will counter for ever more. As for Neil Young politics, he has changed his views far more times than he's changed his boxers. He's a mean/nasty human being except towards people he considers on his level or above. Everyone else is riff raff to him and he could give a rats ass about them. The albums he's put out "Concept Albums" if you will, are proof enough of that. Shocking Pinks, Trans Band, International Harvesters, Blue Notes ect... Proud to be a Union Man then tours with Machines instead of people, Let's Roll then Greendale and Living with War polar opposite views. He hates oil and owns some 200 cars, he kept his kids in their condition but does concerts to help pay for the abortions of strangers, Where that money is, no one really knows. Probably in the Farm Aid account. Any body out there ever get any Farm-Aid ? This is same guy could not bring himself to kill a couple of Chickens, What a sham. Quoted as saying he didn't want faggots handling his potatoes @ the Supermarket he later assists with a pro-fag movie. HYPOCRITS IS WHAT YOU ALL ARE. How many Blacks did Neil Pick up from New Orleans in his buses and let homestead on his land in Northern California ? Answer (NONE) He was crying for tax payer money though, wasn't he ? Now we have (2) Billion Dollars (That's 2 Thousand Million Dollars) in confirmed fraud (Disney Vacations/Big ScreenT.V.'s/Weddings/Ship Voyages/New Cars/Stereos) Worked about as well as the U.N. Oil for Food Scam which would have been better named Kick Backs for Communists. Thousands of new modular homes stuck on mud paths rendered worthless beacause of shit house Hippys such as yourself. Don't you ever lecture me Martin. You'll loose every time. You wit da big boyz now homie.
FRAUD: RIGHT FROM THE LIB MEDIA YET ! SO IT MUST BE TRUE, HUH ?
wwltv.com
abcactionnews.com
cnn.com
56 - Glen Boyd
I may have to retract my above comments about you not "crossing the line" Mr. Neck.
Dude, make your point. Nobody here, least of all me, begrudges you that right.
But make it civilly okay?
Your apology is accepted. But know this, the people who manage this site may not as generous in that regard.
You're treading a thin line with the comments editor here when you resort to name-calling and abusive language. This conversation can be had in a civil manner. I suggest you adhere to that in the future okay?
Thanks.
-Glen
57 - RUBBERNECK
I here-by retract any bad words on # 55 above. Glen, if you control the board change the bad words for me, please. Thanks.
58 - RUBBERNECK
Lost my head there huh ? Liberal view points just turn my stomach.
59 - RUBBERNECK
Bad news guys. Now don't go wake your wives and start crying in their arms but Rush will not be behind the Golden E.I.B. Microphone tomorrow. It will be a greatest hits show. Almost as good.
60 - Glen Boyd
Re: #55/#58
Unfortunately, I don't "control the board." The comments here are controlled by a comments editor. I do appreciate your contrition however. But if the comments editor chooses to delete your comments above in #55 (and theres a fair chance they will), theres nothing I can do.
The best advice I can give is just to think before starting a post with "Fuck You" and going on to say things like "liberal piece of dog shit." You can make your points without the attacks okay? And I, as the lowly writer of the article, absolutely support your right to make your points.
If the editors delete the comment (which they likely will), I have no control of that however.
Just keep it civil in the future okay? No one is saying not to be passionate about your viewpoint. Just don't take that passion to the point of verbal fisticuffs.
I like seeing the debate. I also like it when my articles get people talking...pro, con, or otherwise. I like civil and intellectual discourse. But the "intellectual" and yes, the "civil" must be emphasized.
Common sense Mr. Neck...thats all.
Thanx again!
-Glen
61 - Martin Lav
Glen,
Sorry, didn't understand your original sarcasm on Al's site......I'm a little slow maybe, but I'm glad you pointed it out. Maybe Al will come into your house and post and he can see how his views sometimes play on the truly deranged.
You didn't comment on Restless Consumer I noticed, didn't you like that song? I think it's the best one on the entire CD and I do believe most NY fans voted it the best as well.
62 - Glen Boyd
No problem Martin.
I like "Restless Consumer" fine...truth is I like the whole album a lot.
My personal favorite track is "Roger And Out" though. It has that laid back sort of feel kind of like a slightly louder version of something from "On The Beach." It's also a nice sequeway into the beautiful choir-sung version of "America The Beautiful" that closes the record.
If I didn't mention "Restless Consumer" in the original review though, it was just an oversight. When I first wrote that review, this album was still a "news-item" as much as it was just a CD release, and I may have been rushing a bit to get it out there while it was still, you know, newsworthy.
Anyway, I appreciate the comments Martin. And Happy July 4 Holiday!
-Glen
63 - Al Barger
Howdy Martin, Glen, Rubberneck- Happy 4th of July. Per Martin's request, thought I'd show up and say howdy.
As to deranged, I'd say that Rubberneck maybe just gets a touch overly adamant now and again. The word "deranged" would perhaps better apply to some of Martin's fantasies about me and VRWC. But it's not like you ain't baiting ol' Rubberneck. Still, stuff like his comment 55 does show y'all got his goat there for a minute, and now he's having to rassle it back from you. My goat ain't so easily gotten.
Still, I note that Rubberneck's actually a Neil Young fan- apparently considerably moreso than me. Also, he is mostly trying to actually talk about Neil Young's music and the specific record, not just the cheesy politics.
But Brother Boyd, with due respect I'ma have to call bullshit on your big ending about "free speech." This is some silly stuff right here, "I personally find it ironic that quite often the loudest voices at home in support of unpopular wars " from Vietnam in the sixties to Iraq in the present day " have also been among the quickest to call for quieting those voices of protest."
Your big climax is a really, really dumb straw man. No one is trying to quiet Neil Young's voice of dissent. Y'all liberals are making like Don Quixote with this nonsense about free speech, gallantly battling censorship that ain't even vaguely happening.
Yup, Neil Young has every right in the world to make this record, and more power to him if he can sucker folks into buying it. Likewise, it's my duty as a patriotic music loving American to say that the album is mostly just crap, with one halfway decent single, speaking to actual music.
No one will give a rat's ass about this record a year from now. It'll be one more forgotten half-assed Neil Young record. Don't worry though, he can puke these generic NY records out in his sleep. He'll have two or three more records that sound exactly the same before the end of the year most likely.
64 - Glen Boyd
Al,
See my above comments (specifically #54, 56, 60) for clarification on my feelings about "free speech." I wholeheartedly support freedom of expression no matter what form it takes. Whether it be from Neil Young, Mr. Neck, or anybody else.
I'm a tried and true, dyed in the wool bleeding heart that way.
Glad you could join the party though Mr. Barger. Your voice is always welcome where it comes to my articles far as I am concerned.
Anyway, what better way to celebrate our independence huh? USA...USA...USA...
-Glen
65 - Al Barger
America, f&*% yeah!
Glen, I'm all in favor of that free speech stuff, but I'm just not feeling that much need for cheerleading on the topic, at least not so far as the US is concerned. It's not under any significant attack, other than the wicked campaign finance laws. If you're feeling an urge to do battle for our freedom of expression, you'd be better off working for repeal of McCain-Feingold.
When you carry on about it like this though, it's like you're implying that someone is trying to shut Neil down from speaking his piece, which simply is not even vaguely the case.
Nonetheless, it's groovy to spend the last few minutes of Independence Day in your playground. Rock and roll!
66 - Glen Boyd
Al,
Well if it appeared I was implying that Neil's right to freely express his opinions was under attack, that was not my intent.
I was merely pointing out (correctly in my opinion) that a lot of those who are most vocal in their support of unpopular wars are often the same people who carp the loudest when artists express their views in voices of protest.
From the "love it or leave it" crowd back in the Nixon years to those who revoke someone like Linda Ronstadt's performingt contract in Vegas more recently, this type of thing DOES go on.
The reason I find it ironic is because it is that very right to freely express yourself that is one of the most fundamental rights our soldiers fight to defend. I find irony in that Al...thats all.
But I never directly said Neil Young's right to freedom of speech was being attacked. Nor do I believe it is.
I do support that right however. Just the same way I do yours, mine, Rubberneck's, or anybody else's in this great country of ours. It is NOT something that is dependent on whether or not I agree with your views.
Like I said, glad you could join the party over here Al.
Aw hell, Aint America Great? Its about 9:00 out here on the West Coast and I'm off to watch me some fireworks.
Happy Birthday America.
-Glen
67 - Martin Lav
Hey All...
Glen your comments are "spot on" in my opinion and proved beyond a shadow of a doubt based on Rubbernecks own spewing. Here's a guy who supposedly loves Neil Young, but because he's so damn "patriotic" he wants to attack everything about him from FarmAid, to Bridge School and everything in between. I think that's your point...pro - US - anything including WAR and if anyone dare to differ....ATTACK THEM TOO.
As far as you Mr. Barger, I'm glad you decided to show your ink and welcome the continuation of our dialog. It looks like Mr. Young will once again serve his purpose. After all if he didn't churn out his crap music and this record was really, really first-class good music, you would have nothing to talk about right? After all, you have stated repeatedly (to the extent whereby YOU may actually believe it yourself) that your review was based on the music and lyrics, NOT about the politics. And of course we all know that Dr. BLT is a far better writer and musician than Neil Young, but for some reason feels compelled to use his name and post on his fan website (profiteering anyone?).
Bottomline is that Neil's record has gotten solid reviews from reputable music critics except for those that lean right and I predict that this particular album will be considered one of his finest, twenty years from now. I also predict that Al's beloved Dr. BLT will change his name to Dr. PBJ and will still be copying other peoples music and paying critics to promote his vile.
68 - Al Barger
Again Martin, you're being dishonest with your made up "paying critics" nonsense. That's the kind of thing that tends to give me feelings of contempt for wingnuts like Michael Moore. It's not that he's liberal, but that he's dishonest. On 1/1000th the scale, that's the kind of thing you keep doing in these Neil Young/BLT threads. You keep repeating your malicious fabrications again and again, as if you just repeating it enough will make it true, or convince others that it's true.
Also though, this statement is specifically silly, "After all if he didn't churn out his crap music and this record was really, really first-class good music, you would have nothing to talk about right?" No, if he made a great record, I'd be carrying on about what a great record he made. See for example my recent review of Paul Simon's Surprise.
By the way, anyone joining our conversation late can GO HERE to see my review of "Let's Impeach the President" and to get a free download of BLT's answer song, "Neil Young (Have You Forgotten)"
I note in defense of Neil Young, or at least of his webmaster, that the official Neil Young site has a link for my mp3 download of the BLT song. I was pleased to see that someone there seems to have a positive attitude towards presenting dissent, certainly more positive than Martin's rather Stalinist attitude here.
69 - Martin Lav
Okay Al...you may be right...I may be so offended by this Dr. BLT song that I am assuming there must be some sort of conspiracy brewing. I guess I just can't get over that someone with your obvious intelligence could prefer this so-called song of his over one of the greatest artists of all time. It is beyond belief to me and I just can't rationalize it at all. In fact just to be sure I was being objective, I listened to the free link you so graciously posted (I assume for free) of this Dr. BLT crap once again and I still can't get over it. It is total crap, repeating the same lines, talking over each other (wow CSN&Y would love that harmony huh?) using Neils own words......I mean this thing is so devoid of a music catchiness and lyrics that I am apalled once again that you could dare to give it so glowing a review. Now to have it posted here for another free download, I am almost convinced that you love Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches so much, that you are in fact the good Dr. himself.
Impeach the President for Lying!
70 - Al Barger
Martin, obviously you've got issues that are so severe that they have effected your vision, or at least your reading comprehension. Again, you seem unable to consider this Neil Young song as an entity to itself when you write that I "prefer this so-called song of his over one of the greatest artists of all time."
No, I don't prefer BLT's song to anything and everything that Neil Young has ever done. The BLT song is not in a league with "Cinnamon Girl," for starters. But it definitely IS a better song than "Let's Impeach the President," which is the point of comparison.
I'll assume at this point that the business about me actually being BLT is just you pulling my chain, and I'll take it for a joke.
As to the actual musical criticism of the BLT song as repetitive, I suppose you could argue that. Repetition is a basic element of pop songs, stuff like choruses and hooks. Is there four minutes worth of song to the BLT though, or is he overly repeating himself? That's a reasonable point of critical debate, but there's clearly more musical development in this BLT song than in this particular Neil Young song.
What words of Neil's does BLT use here for you to be complaining about? The only ones that come to mind are the three words of the title "rust never sleeps" as part of the particularly good turn of lyrical phrase, "They say 'rust never sleeps,' but your memory fades."
71 - Martin Lav
Al,
Let me answer you....you even say in your own "review" that BLT wrote a "Neil-style song" he uses a form of RNS and also Lynard Skynards song as well, but this trash loses me from the very first lyric....Neil Young....Neil Young....
we both wrote a song that shared the same title
my song was the first song to get played
let's roll was that song title
What crap!
Come on Al, get real, you compared these two songs because of your bullshit political leanings and you slam Neil Young all along the way. Your review must be a joke as it can't be serious. BLT's better crafted lyrics? Nice raw guitar throb? Give me a break!
Meanwhile, Neils song is "common rock and roll" has "unimaginative, generic chords" and "he just slops out a lot of half-assed crap" with "plain vanilla" harmonies and "stupid Neil Young lyrics" and Neil Young "looks like a fool talking crazy".
You are so jaded in your thinking that you think the SNL paraody is poking fun at Neil, when in fact this "ode" points to the directness that artist himself states are called for at this time. (see Glen's link to the CNN interview above). This is no time to mince words Mr. Barger and I see right through all of your coyness when it comes to your claim that you wrote an honest review of two separate pieces of music. Another example of your not so OBJECTIVE review, aside from the demonizing of anything liberal is the lack of any links to Neil Youngs songs or his website. As I pointed out in previous posts, you not only "trash" Neil Young countlessly (and I counted 19 times) you state that Mr. BLT graciously gave you permission to offer his song for free. Where did you run across this little diddy by the way? How do you know the good Dr? $1.00 per download and if you get a dime, you might be able to buy a cup of coffee in a week.
Good Luck !
72 - Glen Boyd
Martin and Al,
If it's all the same to you two guys, I'm staying out of this one. I'll just leave you two to discuss among yourselves. Once again though I have to offhandedly thank Mr. Neck (and of course you two) for getting "the thread that would not die" going pretty strong again.
Hope you all had a good 4th too. Things blowed up real good here at the Boyd house.
-Glen
73 - Rubberneck
Well Well. It seems maybe ol' Rubberneck wasn't so far from shore after all. Some of you even agree with me a bit. Yes fellas, I openly admit to being a Neil Young fan since I was a kid. I have every album, every song, every book and basically know everything anyone could possibly know about another human being. Truth is I have been taking "shots" pardon the pun if you know what I mean, some of you don't, over this man since I was a kid. When everyone else was into Van Halen and AC/DC and Ozzy and Blue Oyster Cult and ect...I stuck by this man. Hawks and Doves, Trans, Everybody's Rockin', Old Ways, Landing on Water, Life. I saw this guy with Waylon Jennings and Jessie Coulter. Did you hear me ? Waylon Jennings and Jessie Coulter ! Jones Beach, Long Island. The big encore was "Mamma don't let you babies grow up to be Cowboys". Country music in the North East. But I stuck by this guy and took all the arrows my friends could sling. Now this guy is Offending my country, my president and my way of life over talking points set in motion by Michael Moore. All lies, you may have to wait a day or a week or a month but Liberal talking points always prove out to be a lie if you choose to honestly look at the facts. Now I spent years in the Military doing my part to defend this country and I'm not going to let Neil Young or anyone else for that matter ridicule and or berate this country and our President without zinging that person or entity right back. So for me, this guy has finally gone too far. I didn't spend 4 Harship tours living in a Rice Patty in Korea to listen to a Canadian cut my country down. His views are those of Cindy Sheehan and Michael Moore and George Soros and John Kerry, a Traitor by the way, I mean, do you Libs really need more proof than that ? You expect the American people to believe that the aforementioned persons project the main stream views of the majority in this country ? Get serious and if you are, run Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell in the 08 election, please. Or better yet a Gore / Kerry Ticket oh, that would be yummy. This war, even being forced by Liberals to fight it the way we are, has netted the fewest casualties ever of any Major conflict. More people are being killed in Baltimore as I type. That's a fact. Glen, no bad words here brother. I was crazy but I'm much better now.
74 - Martin Lav
Now there's an ultimate FLIP/FLOP
I love Neil
I hate Neil
I defended Neil
I attack Neil
Not sure what all those people have to do with Neil's album at all........and I don't think Neil berated this country at all. You have the right to your opinion and so does he. Free societies do, just don't try and stop them from speaking and don't make it seem unpatriotic. If you silence them you silence yourself.
Major conflict?
I thought that ended when your beloved MR. President announced it on the deck of an aircraft carrier? And the killing goes on. One body at a time, makes no difference, it's in the name of good.
75 - Al Barger
No Martin, that's not Rubberneck flip-flopping, that's him having mixed feelings. He likes some Neil Young records, doesn't like others. Likes some things the guy does, doesn't appreciate others. You have that Stalinist us/them mentality going on here so that you can't even seem to comprehend normal thinking like this. Are you for Neil, or against him?
Again, you're really ideologically blindered to a point of pure foolishness to write "You are so jaded in your thinking that you think the SNL paraody is poking fun at Neil." Well, yes, that was exactly the point of the sketch about Neil's "SUBTLEST" (in huge letters on screen) album yet.