Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Toast

 


In the time it takes for you to say "Willie Nelson just released another album," Neil Young releases another album. This one, "Toast," features Crazy Horse and is coming out on July 8th. Recorded in 2001 and "buried" for being "too sad," "Toast" is now getting the Neil nod for exhuming.

There are a number of jokes here. I'll let you make them. I'll just ask a question.

When you release a record like "Barn" that includes a song called "Canerican" or a record like "Storytone" which includes songs that make up an album called "Storytone," what is the criteria for finally getting out a "sad" record twenty years after the fact?

The answer is most likely that Neil has gotten beyond the sadness of the broken relationship that runs through the songs on "Toast." But his recent streak of mediocre to unlistenable is mind-boggling. Even if you can pull one or two great songs from every album since "Sleeps With Angels," news of a new Neil Young record...a new "sad" Neil Young record...makes me just say, "Another?" 

That said, I really like the first single!

10 comments:

snakeboy said...

I wish I could care. Even a little. Is it me?

Keith35 said...

I may be in the minority, but I kind of liked his last album. I don't buy everything he releases (I buy most). I will pick up this album. And you're right, the new single is very good

M_Sharp said...

If you're gonna be sad, you might as well rock. Acoustic sad is a drag.

Anonymous said...

The song rocks, but the lyrics are in that autobiographical vein that some of the modern pop divas mine. Is Neil trying to show Adele and Olivia Rodriquez how they'd sound with Crazy Horse backing them? Still, it's not in the same league as Cocaine Eyes or Don't Spook The Horse, so I can understand why it was shelved.

- Paul in DK

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, Neil Young songs since 1992? Sounds interesting.
:)

This song sound much better than a lot from the last 20 years. Cautiously optimistic about the album.

Bill

A Walk In The Woods said...

No comment really on the song, which doesn't move me. But one of the worst parts about the desultory run of Neil LPs over the past 25+ years is the awful cover art. Unless I'm missing something, this one fits right in that trend.

Marc said...

I like that song too. It breaks absolutely no new ground for Neil Young (and it wouldn't have 20 years ago), but if you like Crazy Horse rockers -- and I sure do -- here's another one to like.

Marc

dogbreath said...

A Young/Crazy Horse song with chugging guitars that rocks along v nicely. What's not to like? If it's a sad one, then Heaven knows I'm miserable now. Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Young seems to think that his every utterance is great art. It ain’t. I’d guess that he’s surrounded by sycophants that reinforce his ego. Also, I guess people keep buying this stuff. Why, I couldn’t tell you.

Anonymous said...

recycled riff from 'smoke on the water'. as seth meyers would say - neil ya burnt.