On "Shock And Awe," Neil's snarling guitar trades off with the military funeral procession like sounds of the trumpet as he recalls "back in the days of mission accomplished" and prior times "when we had a chance to change our mind."
On "Flags of Freedom," the chorus is sung almost as a companion piece to another famous protest song with a patriotic twist — Bob Dylan's "Chimes of Freedom." He even name drops Dylan in the lyrics between a chorus which celebrates "these flags of freedom flying," while questioning the wisdom of sending a family's kids off to war. It's a great touch.
On "Looking For A Leader," Young yearns for "someone who walks among us and I hope he hears the call." He then rattles off a list of candidates, including prominent black politicians like Obama and Colin Powell, because "maybe it's a woman or a black man after all."
The album closes with "Roger and Out," which returns Neil Young to "that old hippie highway" he has repeatedly revisited throughout his career in an obligatory moment of nostalgia and reflection that recalls more pensive mid-seventies work like On The Beach. Here, he seems to be saying "Roger And Out" to a fallen comrade. This is followed appropriately enough by the choir's solemn, reverent, and gorgeous intonation of "America The Beautiful."
While it would be easy to use the unapologetically anti-Bush tone of the lyrics on Living With War as a flashpoint for debate — indeed, many in the media are already doing just that — it's an argument which, ultimately, nobody wins.
Some are going to agree with every word Neil Young says on this album, while others are going to lead the charge to ship him back to his native Canada.
For that reason alone, at a time when America is divided by political and cultural ideology like it hasn't been at any time since the Nixon years, it can be reasonably argued that voices of protest and dissent like Neil Young's should not only be welcomed — but that they are necessary. If for no other reason than the fact that they remind us of just why soldiers are sent to war to fight for those freedoms we cherish so dearly in the first place.
Freedom of speech is a constitutional guarantee. One which means, among other things, the right to protest or dissent. Whether it be in song or otherwise.
Protest music is as richly American an artform as you'll find anywhere in the landscape of our country's history. From the protest songs born in the dust bowls and the union struggles, to the negro spirituals which arose from the cotton fields of the Civil War era.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Daniel Woolstencroft
Excellent review Glen - you've wisely reviewed the album itself rather than getting too heavily drawn into the political message. I'd agree with this review 100%.
This also proves that streaming an entire album online before its release isn't a bad thing; I'd probably never have bought this had I not had the chance to hear it first.
2 - Rodney Welch
I like the review, too, Glen, and I think you're on the mark. It's not a masterpiece, but that's okay -- it's nice to hear Young release something that's very spontaneous, raw, and of-the-moment. There's an immediacy to it. What will we say of it in ten years? Maybe not much. We'll see. It works for now though.
3 - Mark Saleski
got mashed potatoes...ain't got no t-bone.
uh..sorry, what were we talking about?
good review. it does sound like a tightened up version of Crazy Horse. i'm gonna buy it.
4 - Mark Saleski
also, i like the trumpet solo quoting "Hey, Hey, My My" during "Shock and Awe".
5 - J. P. Spencer
It's interesting that this review is written on the 36th anniversary of the Kent State shootings.
"...4 dead in Ohio"
You wrote a great review for this, Glen. I can't wait to get my hands on this.
6 - Jerry P.
I just want to comment on something you said in your review. This album definitely grows on you with repeated listenings. Sure it may be a little rough around the edges at times, but it is the immediacy of the message that is the power of the work. That said, Young has employed a time tested method of getting a message across--the protest song. I believe there are several cuts that will become anthems of the growing anti-war movement. My favorite is "Roger and Out." Young is an anti-war voice that crosses generations. Part of the power of the sixties anti-war movement was the soundtrack playing in the background. Neil Young has added a powerful voice to today's.
7 - Glen Boyd
Thanks for the kind words you guys (Daniel, Rodney, Mark, J.P. and Jerry).
J.P. I actually had no idea that today was the anniversary of the Kent State shootings...that is a pretty wild coincidence. I was actually looking for something on Living With War that would get stuck in my brain like "Ohio" did the first time I heard it. I was a little bit disapointed at first when I didn't hear it immediately. But then I allowed the songs on Living With War to grow on me...and now there is about 3 or 4 of them that are stuck in my head.
It really is a good record. Like Rodney says, it remains to be seen how it is looked back upon in ten years, but for now something this immediate and relevant is welcome indeed.
And Mark...I got your T Bone right here...LOL!
Actually I always liked "Southern Pacific" off of that particular, largely forgotten NY album.
Thanks for the comments everyone.
-Glen
8 - Rodney Welch
Reactor was -- and I guess still is -- largely shat upon when it came out, but i find it still makes for pretty good Saturday morning house-cleaning music.
9 - Glen Boyd
Check it out...
Right bow, if you a Google Blog search for any of the following:
Neil Young
"Living With War"
Neil Young Living With War
This article is ranked in the #1 position.
Gotta love that...
-Glen
10 - Glen Boyd
oops...that would be "right now" not "right bow".
typing without my glasses on...lol
11 - Rubber Neck
Seriously,
What does "After the Garden" mean ? Is it like an environmentalwacko tune implying there's no more trees or something ? Please, I'd like to know, seriously.
12 - RubberNeck
LANDING ON WATER IS A GREAT ALBUM YALL. IT ROCKS.
13 - RubberNeck
When the sensitive, caring, proper, and understanding Joe Biden, liberal Democrat, says Moussaoui may not have 'gotten the better end of the deal,' you can't fool me. I know exactly what he's talking about: the old bend-over-forward-and-grab-the-ankles-in-prison time.
Abu Grab upset him sooooo much.
Hypocrisy Hypocracy (No matter how you spell it it comes up Communist/Liberal)
Kerry/Barbra/Jane/Neil
14 - Paul (Liverpool)
"After the Garden" is a reference to:
1. The Garden of Eden (possibly located by Biblical scholars within modern-day Iraq)
2. Woodstock (reference "purple haze")
3. "Johnny's garden" by Manassas (reference "haircut" and "shoeshine")
4. Symbolic for a collective loss of innocence
5. A combination of all the above? - or something else!
15 - Glen Boyd
Some very interesting observations there Paul. Particularly the one about the Garden of Eden possibly being located in modern day Iraq. I think I'm just going to have to Google that one...thanks!
-Glen
16 - Mordred
Reference to the "Woodstock" song by Joni Mitchell:
"We are stardust,we are a billion year old carbon,
we are golden
We just got caught up in some devil's bargain
And we got to get ourselves back to the garden.
To some semblance of a garden."
17 - tomtrumpet
This record was a joy to make. Neil can't hold back all the emotions he has in his heart. On sat.april 1st he wrote and we recorded 3 songs in the same day. I've never seen anything like this and I've been around awhile. Its like Neil said,"both sides are losing now and heaven takes them in.." We need to stop this war..
18 - Glen Boyd
So assuming this actually is Tommy Bray...and that is exactly what I am going to assume until you tell me otherwise...do you think Neil would be interested in doing an interview for Blogcritics?
I originally was supposed to be doing one with him for the "Heart of Gold" movie around the time of SXSW, but then obviously a lot of things changed pretty rapidly. I would still love to interview Neil and think this record would make such an article for Blogcritics more topical than ever.
If you think he would be interested you can follow the URL here to my own personal weblog and leave a message. You should be able to find my email address there as well. I promise to reply immediately upon getting your message.
For that matter, Tommy, if you would like to talk about your own experiences making this record I'd be very interested in hearing them as well.
Thanks for leaving the comment Tommy...it really is a great album.
Glen Boyd
19 - Glen Boyd
Just in case anyone was wondering, Living With War did come out in record stores today. Just picked up at my copy at Easy Street here in Seattle about 15 mins ago.
-Glen
20 - tomtrumpet
Hey Glen, How ya do'in?? As far as Neil is concerned it would be best to check with Lookout Mg. to get the word to him. Talk to Elliott. I'll also get in touch with him. Thanks for the great review. The main guys who created this record are Neil, Rick and Chad. Neil also got Niko Bolas to co-produce. The Volume Dealers, as their known work great together. Balls to the Walls and lets Keep Rockin' in the Free World..
21 - Rodney Welch
Tom--
Just chiming in to say great record and to give a shout-out to Niko Bolas, who has contributed so significantly to the lives of two of my favorite singers, Neil Young and Warren Zevon, and helping both to realize their unique musical visions.
22 - Glen Boyd
Tommy,
I appreciate the help there.
I have to be honest here and tell you I don't have the slightest idea of how to get in touch with Elliott or anybody else at Lookout.
When I was originally going to interview Neil for the "Heart of Gold" project, I was going through the folks at Cornerstone, who we're handling some of the Internet promotions for the project.
Now of course I understand completely if you don't want contact info for Elliott Roberts blasted out over the Internet. In fact, for both of our sakes, please don't do that...LOL
But I also greatly appreciate any help you can offer (definitely appreciate your saying you'd get word to Neil--many, many thanks for that!).
If you did want to pass any info to me, you can always email me. I'm not totally sure what Blogcritics protocol for passing an email address is, except that I don't believe we writers are permitted to do that here in the comments box.
But I do know that if you go to my "author's page" here, it should be there.
If not, you should be able to find it by going to my personal web blog. Just click where it says "URL" right below my name in this comment box.
Again, I really appreciate your help (if of course you are even able).
And I'm really glad you liked the review.
Thanx!
-Glen
23 - RUBBERNECK
Hi Glenn,
I made it.
Your Pal,
Rubberneck !
24 - RUBBERNECK
O.K. O.K., Lets forget politics. Would you agree Mr. Glenn that the MUSIC here is an evolved version of songs we have all heard before many time over. I want some original stuff from Neil minus the politics. Believe me, he has Republican fans. Doesn't he care about us ? Hell, I'm the guy that bought the Shocking Pinks Record not to mention Old Ways. Come on man, throw me a freakin here, Glenn, Neil. I think Neil has a Like a Hurricane some where up his sleeve, lets here that. Let's Roll. Glenn, you must be one helleva' nice fella.
Your Pal,
Rubberneck
25 - RUBBERNECK
HEAR GLENN NOT HERE, THOUGHT YOU HAD ME, YOU LITTLE DEVIL !