Tuesday, April 07, 2009
NEIL YOUNG
FORK IN THE ROAD
OK, this one just out comes in a CD only version and for a few dollars/pounds/euros more, you get a DVD as well. The CD is a short, tight, grunged up rockin’ 10 songs by Young and band that are a blessed improvement from the dreadful Living with War CD. And it IS somewhat political. The message of bailouts but not for you and me comes out loud (very loud) and clear. Moreover Neil Young has admitted and apparently learned singing a song will not change the world.
I really like the live in the studio sound and feel of this punchy bangin’ collection, and although raggedly produced does not sound anything less but right on! Although way way way too short at about 38 minutes, it’s a keeper.
Now should you spring for the DVD/CD set? Well, super fans will want the remarkably astute take on A Day In The Life (from the Beatles of course) that appears as a live video by Young and band. Curiously Pegi Young (the Missus of course) appears on a riser, playing the vibes in this track and is vaguely reminiscent of the McCartney Wings set up with Paul at the main mike out front and the late and lovely Linda McCartney similarly perched on keyboards. Young de-strings and appears to attempt destruction on his classic Gibson electric axe at the end of the song, rather artistically to produce wild distorted closing noise (like a drummer does at the end of a long set live) and it works. So this cut makes the video a deal for me. But, note the other more MTVish videos basically are a wretchedly appearing Young up close mouthing the songs; watch once and forget them. And if you are into super high fidelity on DVD, there is a great audio rendering of the entire CD to play on your super system….I’ll stick to my iPod and Tripod phones however. So, oh well, if you are a super fan buy the set, if not borrow the DVD from someone for a spin or at most 2 and save the extra shillings.
SUM 41
ALL THE GOOD SH**
In short I was very late to the Sum 41 party. I picked up this superb best of because of course Avril is married to one of these guys. And I must say it’s a wonderful power pop (or even young grunge pop?) collection; a keeper on CD. Moreover you can get a DVD set here too, and the videos are very clever and worthy of many spins in your favorite home theater. A real keeper.
BOTTOM LINE:
Fork In The Road 4/5 stars (w/ or w/o DVD)
All The Good Sh** 5/5 stars in any format
Zeph, out
PS: on a personal note I can not wait for the new "covers" CD due out by Crosby Stills & Nash! Stay tuned, and thanks for your visit.
FORK IN THE ROAD
OK, this one just out comes in a CD only version and for a few dollars/pounds/euros more, you get a DVD as well. The CD is a short, tight, grunged up rockin’ 10 songs by Young and band that are a blessed improvement from the dreadful Living with War CD. And it IS somewhat political. The message of bailouts but not for you and me comes out loud (very loud) and clear. Moreover Neil Young has admitted and apparently learned singing a song will not change the world.
I really like the live in the studio sound and feel of this punchy bangin’ collection, and although raggedly produced does not sound anything less but right on! Although way way way too short at about 38 minutes, it’s a keeper.
Now should you spring for the DVD/CD set? Well, super fans will want the remarkably astute take on A Day In The Life (from the Beatles of course) that appears as a live video by Young and band. Curiously Pegi Young (the Missus of course) appears on a riser, playing the vibes in this track and is vaguely reminiscent of the McCartney Wings set up with Paul at the main mike out front and the late and lovely Linda McCartney similarly perched on keyboards. Young de-strings and appears to attempt destruction on his classic Gibson electric axe at the end of the song, rather artistically to produce wild distorted closing noise (like a drummer does at the end of a long set live) and it works. So this cut makes the video a deal for me. But, note the other more MTVish videos basically are a wretchedly appearing Young up close mouthing the songs; watch once and forget them. And if you are into super high fidelity on DVD, there is a great audio rendering of the entire CD to play on your super system….I’ll stick to my iPod and Tripod phones however. So, oh well, if you are a super fan buy the set, if not borrow the DVD from someone for a spin or at most 2 and save the extra shillings.
SUM 41
ALL THE GOOD SH**
In short I was very late to the Sum 41 party. I picked up this superb best of because of course Avril is married to one of these guys. And I must say it’s a wonderful power pop (or even young grunge pop?) collection; a keeper on CD. Moreover you can get a DVD set here too, and the videos are very clever and worthy of many spins in your favorite home theater. A real keeper.
BOTTOM LINE:
Fork In The Road 4/5 stars (w/ or w/o DVD)
All The Good Sh** 5/5 stars in any format
Zeph, out
PS: on a personal note I can not wait for the new "covers" CD due out by Crosby Stills & Nash! Stay tuned, and thanks for your visit.
