Harvest

Too much Neil Young all at once

4.4

- anyaek stilusu zene, nagyon jo minoseg

The last of the Neil Young solo albums for me and still sad that one of them isn't Harvest Moon. If you haven't listened to that, I highly recommend it for One of These Days alone. But what we have here is Harvest, and frankly the best of the four Neil Young albums in this list. Is it a 5 star - no. But it's a lot better than JAY Z's The Blueprint, which I reluctantly gave 4 stars to yesterday. It's a very high 4. Heart of Gold is a classic for a reason. Old Man is greatly underappreciated. The Needle and the Damage Done and Words really push the album at the end. But there's just something about it that doesn't get it to a 5. You can hear some of that distortion that would show up in Mirror Ball decades later in Words. You get that lyrical depth in Old Man that shines in One of These Days. But there is something flat in the middle too. So it balances into a 4 I'm afraid.

Harvest is a classic Neil Young album, but it's hard to not simply think about A Man Needs A Maid. Don't get me wrong, as a man, I'd love to have someone do some cleaning, mostly because it would be nice to have that kind of free cash to hire out the drudge work, but it's just so whiny. Literally, Young sounds like Strong Sad leveling a whole city with his whining. It's monumental in its bad vibes, tone deaf in its sentiment, and sounds like the howl of an unthreatening ghost in its delivery. Having this as the first signpost on the album does not make one hopeful. To be fair, though, it is the stoppage point to get to the classics. Heart of Gold is probably as good a Neil song as there is… if we distilled his essence to one track, it ain't my favorite, but it's probably the song to do it. The Needle and the Damage Done is no less iconic, if less obviously catchy and memorable. It's arguably the thru-line that leads to the grunge era, almost literally. And Old Man is as incisive a volley as there is to level at the prior generation, forgetting their idealism and passion, pretending the younger generation is nothing like theirs (though one does wonder if the AI era will change this age old disconnect for the even worse… the kids do seem dramatically worse) And then there is Alabama, which got a group of confederate sympathizing hillbillies’ panties in such a twist that they wrote an entire song praising a racist governor and saying Watergate doesn't bother them. That's reason enough to like it (shout out to Drive By Truckers being removed from the new edition, also. Rest in piss), but it's also the most “rocking” song on the album. It's not even that damning (though if there's anything we should know in the time since this was released, it's that folks who fly the ol' traitor flag are very very sensitive about it), but you can tell Young wants to make his point. It's a shame he backed down on that one. Outside of all that, the dramatic strings of There's a World gives an unexpected mid-album vibe shift, and “Words” gives a little more electrification before the album fades out. But it is one more Neil Young album that manages to both make a case for his legend status and also make a case that he's always been a bit of a doddering old man himself. An uneven but strong ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ehhh I kinda found it boring

7/10 nie spodziewałam się że mi się spodoba, a spodobało bardzo przyjemne do sluchania, raczej nie jest to typ muzyki jakiego bym słuchała na co dzień, ale jest spoko ulubione piosenki: "...Out on the weekend", "Harvest", "Heart of gold"

Standard Neil Young sound at start. Where will it go... I've had 3 Neil Young albums already, so what could be special about this one to justify its inclusion? Best track - Heart of Gold 3 stars - please don't let there be any more NY

Love it. Grew up hearing songs from this album, it’s great.

favorite tracks: Out on the Weekend, Heart of Gold, Old Man, The Needle and the Damage Done, Words (Between the Lines of Age)

This is such a good album. “Heart of Gold,” in which you can hear the notes and the spaces in between, and “Old Man” are some of the best somgs Young has produced. I seem to use the adjective haunting a lot to describe music I like, so I will describe the sad “Needle and the Damage Done” as funereal.

Cool

A very nice album

I remember the album artwork and singles, probably thanks to my father. I enjoy Neil Young but this album in particular didn’t grab me outside of the songs I knew from before.

(Light 8/10) Very good mixture of country folk and rock with excellent songwriting and some of Neil's best songs.

This record is great for a slow weekend morning. I’m not a singer-songwriter person at all, but Neil tiptoes the line for me, and I appreciate that he doesn’t make us sit through a full album of just him and an acoustic guitar. You can tell he has the ability to create robust arrangements for any of his songs and just sometimes decides not to.

I really liked this one. Good chill vibes for good background music.

This was a really enjoyable album. Im already partial to the musician, so I had a feeling id like his work. The album however is a little on the short side but I think the fact I just wanted more is a good sign I really enjoyed the album. Its hard to say it its a four or a five yet though, I'm currently feeling a four.

Neil at his softest - still great, but you can see how he’d fit with the watery limpness of CSN here. Anyway, Harvest (the song) is in my top 5 by him, and Heart of Gold and Old Man are obvious all-timers (if absurdly overplayed).

Зачёт автоматом за песню из Врожденного порока, и пока чувак звучит как ностальгия по неслучившемуся будущему пусть он и дальше собирает урожай моих необъективных оценок

Harvest, конечно, не harvest moon, но тоже красиво. На этом альбоме так же есть песня, из-за которой Lynyrd Skynyrd задиссили Нила Янга и написали свит хоум алабамыч.

любимые песни собрались на этом альбоме, потому все таки 4 проставлю

i can see why ppl like him

Not what I expected since I've never really listened to Neil before, The album reminded me a lot of Gary Fanes constellations album. The album is full of sadness, softness and hope. Favourite song/s is out on the the weekend, Alabama, the needle and the damage and words. There is a sense of a loving and losing the past, the moments you had and the people you shared them with but knowing it's not over and although you may never have those moments again, you can have other new ones

Dope

Holds up

En stark trea. Mysigt album och tycker om Neils stämma. Väldigt enkla låtar och lite förutsägbara men positivt överraskad ändå.

7/10

Coño, la realidad es que no me espera que me gustara un album de country tanto

Mood

I own this one. Lots of love for this album and I expect that there are more Neil Young albums on this list. Some things I love: "Out on the Weekend" - the single note drone during the chorus; "A Man Needs a Maid" - the first low entrance of the strings of the LSO under the piano in the first chorus and the huge build at the end; "Old Man" - written for a landlord of Young's, but with a message that reaches into the soul of father/son/male relationship dynamics; "The Needle and the Damage Done" - like Tom Petty's "Don't Fade On Me" or Elliott Smith's "Needle in the Hay", a cutting, solitary, emotion filled plea to someone the author deeply cares about, almost uncomfortable in its intimacy. Essential listening. 5 Stars.

Mediocre sadboy country.

It was a comforting album

Great music, great lyrics, the slightly annoying (but less annoying with repeated exposure) voice keeps it from being a fiver.

5 stars aren’t enough.

Just not for me

Nice fall vibes, sad of course, a little melancholy but bright. Like a warm October afternoon with the light fading but winter is starting to remind you it's coming. I'd only heard the 2 famous songs on here, Heart of Gold (forgot how groovy this one is) and Needle and the Damage Done. Don't especially love his voice, a little to high and reedy. Also a Man Needs A Maid, really?? Stand out tracks: Out of the Weekend, Harvest, Alabama, Heart of Gold

Another artist I have heard of but never actually listened to… and I’ve been missing out! I really enjoyed my first Neil Young experience and will definitely be listening again. I feel like one of my favourite albums, Plans by Death Cab for Cutie, was heavily influenced by NY and was really struck by similar aspects in this album. It’s always good to hear the “first”! I loved NY’s voice and its unusual sound. Matched with great guitars, and some very cinematic-style tracks it was very captivating. I honestly enjoyed every track on this album for one reason or another and feel very late to the NY party! Looking forward to listening to more (apparently he’s the godfather of grunge so I’m excited to hear that segway!) Highlight: NY’s gorgeous tenor voice that at times is ethereal, matched with great lyrics, harmonica and guitars. Gorgeous! Lowlights: I don’t know why fade outs were ever popular. Top tracks: Man needs a Maid, Heart of gold, Needle and the Damage Done. Rating: 4

I didn’t listen to it

Listened to this in bits due to his Amazon boycott ( new fact for me). Genuinely deserves its place on the list. There are some weaker tunes but also 2 or 3 classics. 3.2/5

Yawn. Neil Young's voice does nothing to elevate standard folk style. The only bright spots in the album were the upbeat instrumental segments - which are sadly short lived. The less said about "maids" the better.

Love this album, some great tracks. It’s aged well. I find the lyrics interesting and I enjoy how the instruments build throughout the album. Looking forward to my next listen.

A new discovery for me. I really enjoyed this album and it’s definitely one I’ll revisit. Found myself humming Heart of Gold after listening. Highlights: I actually enjoyed every song on this album but especially the opening track and The Needle and the Damage Done. Rating: 4.0

Could have been a 5, Neil, but Maid is one of the worst songs I've ever heard.

Goes deep

I like the album. Excellent production and heartfelt lyrics.

I'm glad I got a Neil Young album today! Autumn has come and this is my favourite time of year to listen to him :) This isn't a top 5 Neil Young album, mostly due to awkward lows (I think we all know the 2 that don't quite fit here), though I have a growing soft spot for "A Man Needs a Maid", mostly for the parts that aren't the chorus. The other lowish spot besides the two orchestral pieces is "Are You Ready For the Country, which isn't bad, but it's a little slight compared to the other songs here, not much interesting about it. But the highs are obviously really high. The first two songs are two underappreciated favourites of mine, big emotional works for me. "Heart of Gold" is probably one of my all time favourite big Canadian songs, and "Old Man" is up there too. "Alabama" became a pretty polarizing track, and for what it's worth, it's better than "Sweet Home Alabama". The final two songs feel kind of like a suite, I love the instant transition between "Needle" and "Words", and the contrast between the lyrics looking back at one's own self destruction of the former, and the sort of fantastical and vague ones of the latter works really well. Great album!!

a musica que eu mais escutei 1 dia após o maior término que já tive foi heart of gold. música muito importante para mim.

Great album, lots of hits, some classic folk and some more powerful songs as well.

After having just pulled a CSN album from the 1001 a few days ago, I really thing Young is what was missing on that album. His haunting voice and melancholy tone give even his more "upbeat" songs a spooky quality that's perfect for fall- the Harvest time.

Fantastic Album - 5/5

Listened before? Yes Thoughts: - This one is an immediate 5 for me, in large part due to nostalgia. . . It's my dad's favourite album, and one I heard hundreds of times growing up. I was woken up to it blasting throughout the house many times when I slept in too late, and even that didn't make me dislike it 😂 - Hadn't really noticed before, but I kind of laughed at the swing between the normal folk / rock instrumentation of most of the songs, and the dramatic orchestration of "A Man Needs a Maid" and "There's a World." - There's really not a song here I don't love; it's probably my personal favourite that's come up so far in the project. Favorite track(s): Heart of Gold

If you sing like Neil Young, you shouldn't make a bunch of slow, soft ballads

Just like Hotel California a few days earlier this album is a pleasant listen, but aside from ‘Heart of Gold’ never really gets beyond that. It made a fine accompaniment to a sunny autumn Sunday morning, but didn’t remain much in the memory beyond when I was actively listening to it

This has been my favourite of the Neil Young albums so far - probably because it’s not the most obvious sounding Neil Young album. There are moments where it sounds like you’re about to listen to a song in a musical (“There’s a World”); then there are moments it’s stripped back to only an acoustic guitar and hard-hitting lyrics (“The Needle and the Damage Done”). I’ve always loved “Heart of Gold”, especially the backing vocals. None of the other tracks reach that height for me individually, but I enjoyed the album overall.

I still don't like his voice, so the exposure therapy the generator seems to be subjecting me to is clearly failing. The first song: bit boring. The second song: ditto. The third song: a man needs a maid? Fuck off! I actually like the music a lot more, but I was so put out by the lyrics, I think I dislike this the most so far. The fourth song: don't mind it at all, especially when the backing vocals kick in. The fifth song: finally one I'd actually say I like. The sixth song: I quite like but wish it was being sung by almost anyone except Neil (again the backing vocals make this a more enjoyable listen for me). The seventh song: back to the orchestral stuff but this time with lyrics that don't make me want to throw stuff. Like. The eighth song: starting to really run of of patience with his voice, but I don't mind the actual song. The ninth song: I really like the name (The Needle and the Damage Done) and the storytelling, but some of the singing is the most egregious on the record. Last track: is soooooooo looooonnnnngggg. Would have been a 2.5 with half stars probably, but I'm not stretching to a 3, so: 2/5

The highs are very high, with incredible, evocative, and introspective lyrics. Some tracks I just don't personally connect with, and the lows can get a bit dull. I love the production for the most part. As someone who usually loves the use of strings and wind instruments in modern music, I actually prefer the more stripped-down, earthier production to the grand, soaring orchestral sound for this album specifically. There are some gorgeous moments with these arrangements, though. Standout tracks: Out on the Weekend, Heart of Gold, Old Man, Needle and the Damage Done

6-7/10

I'm not a fan of country, but I have a deep soft spot for folk rock (think noah kahan, labi siffre, the waterboys) and so this album was tied between 3 and 4 stars. I hands down adored Old Man and Out on The Weekend, pulled at my heartstrings with a gorgeous melody. The rest were honestly enjoyable, but I wouldn't say I loved them as much. Excited to hear other Neil Young albums.

Huge fan of this album it's been in my rotation before I got it here.

Superb album. Neil has made so many great albums over nearly six decades, but I honestly think is his best.

If you bracket out the two orchestral songs, this is a perfect album. (Neil literally never made another song with that kind of orchestral arrangement, so I argue it's perfectly valid to do so.) More barn!

There are some really good fucking songs on here. He's really good at writing lyrics... the harmonica pisses me off. It sounds really infantile.

Out on the Weekend - 4/5 Harvest - 4/5 A Man Needs a Maid - 3.5/5 Heart of Gold - 4.5/5 Are You Ready for the Country - 3.5/5 Old Man - 4/5 There's a World - 3/5 Alabama - 4/5 The Needle and the Damage Done - 4/5 Worlds (Between the Lines of Age) - 4/5 Neil Young finally broke into the mainstream as a solo artist, and the more "pop"-influenced tracks definitely helped him. Heart of Gold is the most obvious standout, though most of the others on here are also pretty good. Although pulling the London Symphony Orchestra for the worst track on the album is definitely a choice for how overproduced that track is. It's not my favorite Young album that's on the list (that goes to Rust Never Sleeps), but I do understand why it gave Young the credit he deserved. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Heart of Gold

Moon?

I inherited this on vinyl long ago. Never could get into Neil Young. It's deservedly a classic. Just not my tastes overall.

Just chill country, nothing special

Harvest was better than the first three Neil Young albums I was served, and I enjoyed those... but hopefully it ends here... how much more Neil Young could I possibly need?

Best Track - "Heart Of Gold"

this was pretty good ig, what really surprised me was the big orchestral sections on this album... i'm not really sure if this album needed that. the last song on the album reminded me of the song Rocky Raccoon by the Beatles

Already loved this album lol, Neil Young is the goat. Listened while working on my QGIS homework so not too too focused. Just added Out On the Weekend to the mega playlist! Harvest is great Man Needs a Maid was alright, not my favorite so far Heart of Gold is a classic "And I'm getting old" Are You Ready For the Country had big Muppets vibes lol Love love love Old Man, easily my favorite song There's a World... kinda spooky if I'm being honest Alabama was good, Ohio better The Needle and the Damage Done was probably my favorite new song Ended well too on Words

that’s a man

this album really got y'alls fingers goin, didn't it? bring back fingering instead

Genuinely pleasant

Neil Young at his most approachable and low-key. The album's vibe is nostalgic, plaintive, and melancholy. His two most popular songs- possibly his best, too- with "Old Man" and "Heart of Gold," plus a few really great deep tracks- the emotive and bombastic "A Man Needs a Maid" and the dark anti-drug "The Needle and the Damage Done."

Banger honestly

not bad

Nooit groot fan geweest van Harvest, maar het is wel gewoon een goed folk album, al zijn sommige nummers wel een beetje forgettable

Ik hou hou hou van Harvest. 'On The Beach' was de grote verrassing, van deze wist ik al dat ik het vet vond. Gewoon super mooie folk, beter dan dit wordt het niet in deze stijl. De title track is één van mijn favoriete nummers uit de jaren 70.

One of the best albums of all time. Listen to it many many times.

Loved this. Almost every song has a strong sense of place. Just a joy start to end.

Have I listened to this album before No How familiar am I with this album Somewhat familiar How do I feel about this artist? Sometimes I like Neil Young more than other times Pre-Listen Thoughts: This seems like a really nice album to get right at the start of fall, it’ll be my last album for a week or so because I’m going on vacation so I hope it’s good Favorite track(s): There’s a World Post-Listen Thoughts: I liked this a lot more than Gold Rush. I know Neil Young’s voice isn’t it for everybody, and sometimes it gets old to me but I enjoyed this album.

this has some absolute bops and some absolute opposute of bops, sorry neil

This record gives me peace

LOL. Just finished reviewing yesterday's album, Neil's *Tonight's the Night* which I compared against this. In those notes, I had it in my head that Harvest is the cozy good-feeling record, while Tonight's the Night is the messy damaged record. That's mostly true. From "Out on the Weekend" through "There's a World" there's a lot of warm sounds, the loping rhythms, that thumping throbbing rhythm section that's so locked in that the bass guitar and kickdrum sound like one instrument, the wistful nostalgia of one's twenties and thinking about oneself as one who will become old, sweet piano instrumentation, backing vocals by the soothingest singers in the day, and the London Symphony Orchestra for fuck's sake. "Heart of Gold"! But then it concludes with the blunt anger of "Alabama." Then "The Needle and the Damage Done," the most loveliest song about the devastation of addiction ever, concluding with a jarring stab of applause from a live audience that's cut off abruptly by the menacing paranoia of "Words" and its wild guitar freakout. Those last three songs really elevate this from great album to an astounding classic. I'd forgotten how great this is.

24/09/2026 It was a slow burn this album, it did slowly pick up, but not enough to save it. Spotify listeners: 12.2 million

Iconic, very quirky instrumentation

It’s not Neil’s best but it might be his most accessible. A great entry point.

Wow this was gorgeous, Cheers Neil. Standouts are A Man Needs A Maid, Heart Of Gold and Words.

Perfectly produced. Songs are both compelling and carry emotional weight. Musicianship is on point. Love how the songs are never boring and never feel samey. All-in-all, an excellent collection of Folk Rock tunes and impeccably produced.

My third Neil Young from this list, perhaps the first album of his I became familiar with. I guess his vocal quirks had not started to grate enough. This one I’ll grant as being influential.

Yeahhhh it’s okay!

Man needs a maid may be the most melodramatic song I've encountered thus far. Then it jumps to clean guitar. Then honky tonk piano. The music is all over the place, the only constant is the whiney nasal depressing Kermit the frog vocals. He sings about Country a lot so I'm sure the hicks and yehaws love him

Not the worst Neil Young album I've heard, but I wouldn't choose to listen to this.

Some Neil Young albums have good lyrics and bad singing. This one has some pretty bad lyrics and still has bad singing. The band is great though. That is usually the only saving grace on most of his albums.

Old man en heart of gold zijn wel de enige knallers

Wanne zeikmuziek!!

Prima voor het genre maar ouwe lullen muziek tot de max! Niks voor mij, maar vast voor iemand anders. Geen bangers

I really thought I was making progress with Neil Young, adjusting to his whiny yowl and starting to appreciate his ability to rock out now and then, but then I get handed this one. Pretty certain I have heard this before, or more specifically, I think this is one of the ones that I tried desperately to ignore as I heard it too much while I was growing up. I just found most of this too slow- to mid-tempo; impressive songwriting but just not gripping enough to get me past my issues with the vocals.

Awesome before-sleeping-yellow-light night album w kate and muffin