So it's kind of as though Neil Young recognizes that the tank may be finally starting to run out of gas. In his defense — I mean despite all the bitching here, lets not forget that I still consider myself a fan — is the fact that Neil has rather painstakingly overseen the Archives material, and paid particular attention to ensuring that the sound quality is top shelf. Although the box will also be released in CD and DVD versions, if Neil had his way you gotta figure he would have just gone with the Blu-ray.
Of course, this also means that Neil could charge his fans that much more to hear the music — which means a fat $300 bucks in the case of the Blu-ray version of Archives.
This has been another rather sore point for Neil Young fans like me. Neil Young has become quite the born-again capitalist these past few years. He was among the first to pioneer the now common practice of charging exorbitant prices for tickets to his concerts, and continues to lead the way in doing so today. The $300 sticker on that Archives box will also be only the first of several planned volumes of the archival series (this one covers Neil's early years up through about 1972).
Neil Young himself justifies this by basically saying that he is worth it. And you wont get an argument from this fan there. As frustrating as being one of his fans can be, Neil still delivers the goods onstage every single time. I'm also not quite ready to count him out yet as far as the possibility of having one last great new album in him either.
But even my eternal fandom knows some limits, and I have to admit the last several "new" albums have tested my patience a little — Chrome Dreams II notwithstanding.
I love Neil Young. I wouldn't have just devoted this much energy to writing roughly 1100 words about him if I didn't. But I've also got a confession to make here.
It's hard being a Neil Young fan nowadays.
Article comments
1 - Donald Gibson
I really believe that any perceived run of classic Neil Young albums has come predominantly by his own artistic muse and intuition rather an any concerted effort to create a masterwork. He's never been one to do what record execs or managers (or bandmates) have preferred; rather, he's followed his own intuition to wherever it has led him. He likely felt as inspired and believed as much in Prairie Wind as he did in Zuma or After the Goldrush.
I don't think the kind of genius, the kind of creativity that's within him, ever extinguishes until he does.
2 - Glen Boyd
Absolutely correct Gibson, and it's a very great part of why his genius continues to endure.
Neil has always followed his artistic muse to a fault (of which there have been many), for better of for worse, and in the case of such brilliant work as On The Beach for example, it's taken decades for the record buying public to catch up to it.
That said, Neil's artistic stubbornness has meant that we've had to endure shit like "Everybody's Rocking" in between masterpieces like "Freedom."
Thats the hardest part of being a Neil Young fan. It requires the patience of Job. Fortunately, it's usually worth it. But just lately my own patience has been admittedly tested. All I'm saying...
-Glen
3 - Shelley Woods
Personally, I'd be happier if Neil would just release the "Time Fades Away" album, far too long out of print. It's not just the $300 to purchase the Blu-ray version of Archives -- but I'm sure there are countless Neil fans like me who would have to shell out for an actual Blu-ray machine first. I love Neil Young, but I love The Beatles even more ... and they're releasing two boxed sets in September. That's where my $$$ has to go. Priorites.
4 - Craig Leavitt
Agree with many of your comments, although I liked Greendale more than you seem to have (better idea than actual record. But "Carmichael" is priceless and most of the songs work for me).
I basically gave up on Neil over his decision to have his wife sing back-up for him. I'm sure she's a nice person but she's a horrible singer and it really hurts his music. I can't forget or forgive what she did to "Cowgirl" at Red Rocks 2000.
I won't ever spend a dime to see Neil play again, unless he brings back Crazy Horse sans Pegi. I don't buy his records anymore either.