After The Gold Rush

It’s kind of amazing how Lynyrd Skynyrd completely missed the point of “Southern Man” (and “Alabama”, from Harvest) when they responded with “Sweet Home Alabama”. In fact, they pretty much proved the point Neil Young was making in those songs: that the south was unapologetic in its past and then-current bigotry. “Sweet Home Alabama” praises segregationist/racist Alabama Governor George Wallace, Richard Nixon’s abuse of presidential power against a political rival and implies that Neil Young should be the one with a guilty conscience…because, uh…he is against those things? That song is pretty much the musical equivalent of saying “Mind your business, Yankee”. Which would be fine, I guess, if “Southern Man” and “Alabama” hadn’t been such well written and damning condemnations of the southern populist attitudes of the day. Like I said, Lynyrd Skynyrd only proved his point. Thats enough about Skynyrd, the confederate flag waiving doofuses, we’re here to talk about After The Gold Rush: Another classic Neil Young album in a string of classic Neil Young albums that were released between 1969 and 1979. Put any 70’s artist up against Neil Young’s catalog in that time. You’ll find very few whose output comes close to matching that of Neil Young’s in terms of consistency, quality and longevity. I’d argue that David Bowie is maybe the only one who comes close. The two are similar in at least one respect: Their steadfast adherence to their artistic visions in the face of massive success resulted in some of the greatest albums of the decade, if not all time. “After the Gold Rush” sits comfortably among the all-time greats.

Somewhere between a solid listen and changed my life

A quintessential lying on the floor and thinking about why he left you while the rain pours outside and the heater’s on the fritz album. Simply superb.

Wasn't on Spotify so just listened to Southern Man for 40 min straight. Great song. Know the album like the back of my hand anyway, incredible.

Nice enough album, having been subjected to Rage Against The Machine prior to this, it felt like I had just been released from Guantanamo Bay and been sent to live with a nice elderly grandmother in sheltered housing. For the most part it was calm and gentle, despite her having a weird voice, I still felt safe.. albeit bored at times (she only really wants to play backgammon and watch a Miss Marple omnibus). The saving grace at points like that though, was knowing that she'd be gone soon.. and I found peace in that, as the album was only about half an hour long. Preferred this to the last Neil Young album on here.. hopefully the inevitable 50 others that come up here will be alright too.

Went in expecting to hate it based on Neil's other work on this list. Didn't hate it. Didn't really like it either. I just don't really like his voice. It's whiny and grating.

I can only hit 5 stars so fast, you know?

Oh my gods, is this whole thing sung in this godawful falsetto? Hey! I know "Only love can break your heart" - unfortunately I know it from the infinitely superior St Etienne version. The best thing I can say about listening to this album is that it is mercifully short. The best thing that I can say about this album is that there's tracks on here that have inspired other people to make better music.

10 out of 10. The idea that an old metalhead like me would be so enthralled by Young's slow and easy guitar solos astonishes me. On one hand you have some Herman Li solo with 10 billion notes, on the other Young hangs out on 4 or 5 notes, but the emotion is bleeds nourishes my soul.

After The Gold Rush is a quintessential Neil Young manoeuvre, parsing a never-to-be-filmed script from his 60s-fried neighbour Dean Stockwell to badge a bunch of songs he had already, inspire a couple of god-puncher new ones, and knock them all together into a perfect undulation of ballad, rocker, folk lament and whimsy, irrefutable evidence that Young is a lot more clear-eyed and calculating in record arrangement than his "we just banged this out in a weekend" demeanour might suggest. He had an absolute armada of treasure galleons over the '70s, and from both what he put out then and what has come out recently, he was wily in how he rationed it. More of a journey than a trip, duke. Very amused to read that he has trouble singing some of these lines as they are now gibberish to him too. Such magnificent gibberish, though!

Seminal early Young. Evocative of a loss of innocence and the instrumental embellishments of horn and piano thru out are very tasteful. Perfect.

Of fucking course Neil Young comes out again on a day when I'm in the car and can't piss about with YouTube. So after Everybody Knows This is Nowhere, i know there is Neil Young albums out there that i can enjoy. This is probably his most famous one? maybe tied with Harvest. First track wistful and gorgeous. a great opener. The title track also fantastic, Neil doing his silly falsetto whine on this one that in just can't take seriously, but its a great track. Only Love Can Break Your Heart I heard first as the St Etienne cover, but have heard this before and its also great. We're really doing very well here Mr Young. Southern Man is a little bit meh folk rock, but some really nice picking at the end, is that Nils Lofgram? An ad between literally every track so far. cheers Neil. Till the Morning Comes, another great ditty. Lonesome Me doesn't do much for me, Don't Let it Bring You Down sounds like a bout 4 different songs which all came after it. Birds is gorgeous, When You Dance is a lively rocker and good. I stuck Everyone Knows on later on to see which I preferred and I think it's still that for me, but overall v much enjoyed.

Thoroughly enjoyed. Very melancholy album sung through a beautiful voice

Today's pick has me in better spirits. Day 6 of Covid and I hope I'm over the hump. No fever, no chills, no aches, slept decent, lungs still feel like shit. When I saw this album I smiled with sadness in my eyes. Neil always brings a bit of melancholy. I got this album in '93, I was 5 years into a 14 year stretch of drinking as part of my daily routine. Just getting fuckin' hammered every day. A hurt kid who became a hurt adult who hurt the people he was around. Thanks to the internet I've been able to contact most of those people and apologize for the things I did. But anyway, this album brings lots of good memories too, playing Madden '93, Road Rash and Toe Jam & Earl on Sega. I had a roommate that was constantly bringing new music home. Mazzy Star, Dinosaur Jr. and Mother Love Bone were particular faves. I miss those guys. This album is 5 stars without the nostalgia. Thank you generator for another wonderful rabbit hole to go down.

I got Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere fairly early into this adventure and when that blew me away, I took it upon myself to dig into some of Neil’s stuff on my own. That included On the Beach, Harvest, Harvest Moon, and admiring how fucking good his score is for Dead Man. The research also included this album, which knocked my damn socks not only off but down the block. Every song works, the lyrics are substantial, and it’s short enough that repeat listens are accessible enough — undoubtedly a favorite musical discovery for 2025, including Mr. Young’s discography in general. Guy rules.

Neil Young's 1970 album, After the Gold Rush, stands as a monument of singer-songwriter artistry. It's a record that transcends genre, weaving folk, country, and rock into a tapestry rich with emotional depth and lyrical brilliance. This review delves into the album's core elements, analyzing its strengths and weaknesses. Lyrics: Poetry in Motion Young's lyrics on After the Gold Rush are where the album truly shines. They're a blend of personal reflection and social commentary, delivered with a raw honesty that resonates deeply. The title track paints a picture of a world ravaged by environmental destruction, yearning for a simpler time. "Southern Man" confronts racism and injustice with a potent simplicity: "Southern man, don't need him around anyhow." Beyond social commentary, Young explores themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning. "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" is a heartbreaking ballad about the fragility of love, while "Ohio" mourns the Kent State shootings with poignant imagery: "Tin soldiers and Nixon coming / We're finally on our own." Young's lyrics are infused with a sense of longing, a search for something just beyond reach. They're not always easy to decipher, but their ambiguity invites repeated listens and personal interpretation. Music: Sparse Beauty The music on After the Gold Rush is intentionally stripped-down, often featuring just acoustic guitar, piano, and Young's distinctive vocals. This minimalist approach allows the lyrics to take center stage. Neil Young's signature raspy voice adds a layer of vulnerability and raw emotion. The instrumentation, however, isn't without its highlights. Nils Lofgren's piano adds a touch of elegance on songs like the title track, while Danny Whitten's slide guitar on "Southern Man" provides a sense of urgency. The use of harmonica and strings on select tracks adds subtle texture without overpowering the overall intimacy. Production: Capturing the Moment Produced by Young himself with David Briggs, After the Gold Rush has a raw, lo-fi quality that perfectly complements the album's themes. The recording captures the essence of live performance, with minimal studio trickery. This stripped-down approach may not be for everyone, but it creates a sense of authenticity that resonates with the emotional honesty of the songs. Themes: A Tapestry of Discontent After the Gold Rush reflects the disillusionment of a generation. The album was released at the height of the Vietnam War and the counterculture movement. Songs like "Southern Man" and "Ohio" capture the frustration and anger felt by many young Americans. However, the album isn't all about protest. Tracks like "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" delve into the complexities of love and loss, while "After the Gold Rush" and "Don't Let It Bring You Down" offer a glimmer of hope for a better future. Influence: A Legacy of Inspiration After the Gold Rush has been hailed as a landmark album in singer-songwriter history. Its influence can be felt across generations, inspiring countless artists from Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty to Eddie Vedder and Kurt Cobain. Young's raw honesty and poetic lyricism paved the way for a new wave of artists who explored personal and social themes in their music. Pros and Cons: Weighing the Gold Pros: Powerful Lyrics: Young's songwriting shines, capturing a range of emotions and social commentary. Emotional Depth: The rawness of the music and vocals creates a deeply affecting listening experience. Genre-Bending: The album blends elements of folk, country, and rock to create a unique sound. Enduring Influence: After the Gold Rush continues to inspire generations of musicians and listeners. Cons: Lo-Fi Production: The stripped-down production may not appeal to listeners who prefer a more polished sound. Limited Instrumentation: The minimal arrangements can feel repetitive at times. Cryptic Lyrics: Some listeners may find Young's lyrics too ambiguous or open to interpretation. Conclusion: A Timeless Masterpiece Despite its minor shortcomings, After the Gold Rush remains a cornerstone of American music. It's a raw and honest exploration of life, love, and loss, set against a backdrop of social and political upheaval. The album's enduring strength lies in its ability to connect with listeners on an emotional level, offering solace and inspiration even decades after its release. After the Gold Rush is a testament to Neil Young's songwriting prowess and his enduring legacy as a voice of a generation.

I’ve never really been into Neil Young, it was okay but probably won’t listen again

Not on Spotify except one song. It was a shit song. Probably not a 1/5 in truth but I just hate him so much.

This is a fucking masterpiece.

Thanks for pulling all your music from Spotify, Neil. I get it. I support it. But, also, I miss having it on hand. "After the Gold Rush" isn't my favorite Neil Young record but it's among them and is worthy of 5 stars.

This album has some of my favorites on it. Listening to it as a whole really brings everything into focus though. The album is extremely melancholic, yet Neil Young is such a gifted lyricist, that there is no over reliance on metaphor and I don't get a sense that he's wallowing in his emotions; they just are what they are. After listening to quite a few Neil Young albums as a whole, I think that this might be my favorite.

(3/5) Neil's paper thin voice just isn't my jam. I appreciate the musicianship, the songwriting, and the arrangements. It's perfectly fine, mid-70s soft(-er) rock, but like the others from CSN&Y, I think they're all much better together than apart. We had "Deja Vu" just a few days ago and that was far more my speed and I enjoyed it much more. Keep the band together, man! (I add a few decades TOO late, lol..)

I do not understand why this person has so many fucking albums in this massive list. His entire discography is boring and sounds the same.

I think it’s safe to say at this point that I am not a fan of Neil young. I like a song or two of his but I hated listening to this album. His voice annoys me to no end. Like I said I can tolerate a song or two, I even like some. A whole album is way too much though, and this album especially. The songs were boring and bad, I didn’t connect with this at all.

After the Gold Rush is one of those rare albums that feels both fragile and timeless. Neil Young strips everything down to the essentials here, letting his wavering, vulnerable voice carry songs that range from intimate ballads to apocalyptic visions. The title track is pure melancholy, “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” feels like quiet resilience set to music, and “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” remains one of his most poignant and universal songs. Even in its simplicity, every track feels deliberate and deeply affecting. What makes the album so powerful is the balance between its homespun warmth and its sense of unease. The arrangements are modest, with piano, acoustic guitar, the occasional horn or harmony, yet they open up whole worlds of emotion. Young sounds simultaneously weary and searching, as if trying to make sense of a crumbling landscape without losing hope. It is not flashy, but it does not need to be. After the Gold Rush proves that honesty and restraint can be just as powerful as grand statements, and it stands as one of the most enduring achievements in singer-songwriter history.

This album was surprisingly more on the softer rock side than I expected. My main introduction to Neil Young was first as the guy Lynyrd Skynyrd was singing about and later as the 70s rocker that Pearl Jam kept hanging out with who sang “Keep On Rockin in the Free World.” Even on this project, we just had CSN&Y’s “Deja Vu” a few days ago now and that had more rocking on it. I guess I’m saying I expected more “Southern Man” type tracks than “Til the Morning Comes” type tracks. So color me also surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. We’re in the middle of a family funeral for a great grandparent the day this generated and it fit the mood. Not tragic, for they lived a long life, but respectfully somber. I’ll return to Neil Young another time and in different headspace and see how he takes then. For now, 4/5.

I really wasn't a fan of the vocals... they started to come across as just annoying. If I had listened to this months ago, I would probably have thought this was quite bad, but after listening to a huge amount of albums now, I have come to realise that there actually could be a lot worse than this. This doesn't change my feelings towards my slight dislike towards it, it just makes me realise that it could have been a lot worse. The songwriting isn't terrible, and I actually quite enjoy the instrumentation in its simplicity, but again, I think the vocals really ruin it for me. There were some that I enjoyed, but again, the vast majority, to me, were just a bit bland. Favourite lyric: 'Everybody's goin' out and havin' fun. I'm a fool for stayin' home and having none.' ('Oh, Lonesome Me') Favourites: Oh, Lonesome Me Birds I Believe in You

it's a good album, I just don't like his voice

Neil Young #6? This did not feel different than all other Young albums. 6/10, but it examplifies the problem with this list - too much of the same things without getting really interesting.

Quintessential folk rock protest music. Profound lyrics unfortunately sung by Neil Young. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s least favorite album.

The title track is one of the worst songs ever written, wallowing in insipid melodies and whiny intonations. Several other songs re-tread the heavily trodden (and never interesting) ground of basic-chord country/folk. Lowest common denominator music.

“After The Gold Rush” was the first Neil Young album I ever listened to. This was my introduction to Neil. It's kind of the perfect introduction too. You get a proper sample of all sides of Neil on this album. You get the CSN&Y vocal harmonies, Neil's own fragile high-pitched voice, his iconic folky Americana-esque acoustic guitar, and his blazing, hardcore and raw electric guitar. Let's start with the electric side of Neil. As a teenager who was very into grunge, “Southern Man” was the first song that really got my attention. I love the way that the song begins like it's already in full swing. It feels like you arrived late, tip-toeing in so as to not be noticed. That riff is so class. As are those aggressively confrontational lyrics. Take that Skynyrd. And then, the tempo of the song speeds up and we get that guitar solo. Rough as hell, going in whatever direction feels right, and taking as long as it needs to until it comes to a conclusion. It dips out, only to come back even more ferocious than before. And if that wasn’t enough, you get a second solo at the end of the song too. A twofer. As a guitarist, I was sold. Let's move on to the lighter side of Neil. “Till The Morning Comes” is such a gorgeous antidote to the snarling distortion and anger of Southern Man. It’s light and delicate, with that fantastic flugelhorn solo. These two songs side by side are the perfect example of the duality of Neil Young. The album opener is one of my all-time favourite songs, “Tell Me Why”. Those guitar fills. Those harmonies. It's simple and just perfect in every way. I think I saw Thom Yorke perform “After the Gold Rush” live before I heard Neil's original. As an obsessive Radiohead fan, I'm sure it was another of many reasons that drove me to listen to this album in the first place. Neil's voice is particularly fragile and delicate here and it's a gorgeous song from start to finish. The piano is simple, but it’s one of those songs that makes you want to remember all of the piano lessons you had as a kid. The flugelhorn, again, is the cherry on top. There’s one song on the album that can't be categorised so easily. Or as Neil used to introduce it at concerts: "Here is a new song. It's guaranteed to bring you right down. It's called 'Don't Let It Bring You Down.' It sort of starts off real slow and then it fizzles out all together." Regardless of how Neil described it, this song is an absolute masterpiece. That chord structure, that bass line, Neil's fragile vocals. Seriously. Even though this is young Neil, this somehow feels like a more mature, mellow side of Neil. Old Neil Young, if you will. I was already sold on Neil, but this song had me putting my watch and shoes in the middle of the table with all of my poker chips. Going all in. “After The Gold Rush” was the perfect gateway drug to Neil Young. It was enough for me to want to stick with him for forty+ other albums, with who-knows-how-many different bands and groups over the years before and after this. I've seen him live three times now (which was like seeing three completely different Neil Youngs), and his songs continue to be some of my favorite things to play on electric, and especially acoustic guitar. And it all started with this absolute masterpiece of an album.

I never thought I would give a Neil Young album 5 stars but man, this one was amazing. I think this is his best album - I should know, this is my 6th in less than 170 albums. Harvest was also good, but this has to be peak Neil Young.

I remember struggling with Neil's voice as a kid. Shouldn't good singers sound good? One day I realized almost none of the singers I loved had what you would call a good voice. Twenty or so albums later Neil still rules.

After the Gold Rush A real gold rush of memories with this - the brown carpet in Hawthorn Terrace, Virgin Records in Newcastle, minidiscs, head tennis and the vhs recorded off the telly of Live at the BBC. I don’t listen to this as often as I should, probably as I listened to it so frequently back in those (old folky) days, so it’s been great revisiting for this, both for nostalgia and as a reminder of what a fantastic album it is. It’s only 34 minutes and then instrumentation is often relatively pared back, but it feels dense and rich, with not a weak moment or song. It moves from from excellent forlorn country-folk love songs (Tell Me Why, the classic Only Love Can Break Your Heart, the cover of Oh, Lonesome Me, the fantastic I Believe in You) to the two Crazy Horse workouts to those lovely side ending ‘throwaway’ tracks. But 3 songs really stand out - the enviro-prescience of the title track, with its absolutely beautiful flugelhorn part, the delicate balladry of Birds and one of my absolute favourite NY songs, Don’t Let it Bring You Down, driven by fantastic bass and an arrestingly image laden lyric. A straightforward 5. 💰💰💰💰💰 Playlist submission: Don’t Let it Bring You Down

the man can't sing for shit but god damn he made some incredible albums

One of my all time favs - so many childhood memories of this album (mount st Helen’s roadtrip)

When You Dance is so fucking good.

This is lit

#279 Heard Before? I think all Canadians are now born knowing this whole album back to front. Notes: - there's a lot of strummy, whiny folk-rock balladeering in the world. what makes this the best example? - if there's a real distinctive to this album (besides over-familiarity) it is balance. production is raw but clear. instrumentation changes from song to song, but not too much. lyrical content is broad but with no real outliers. every song has its place and no element overstays its welcome. even the tension of a highly collaborative solo album is resolved beautifully. Verdict: To me this is, in its own little way, a perfect album. Listen Again? Perfect or not, I have little reason to hear it any time soon.

p204. 1970. 4 stars. Gorgeous collection of songs from possibly the finest early 70s male singer-songwriter. This set the bar for all the wannabees that followed. Point deducted for his voice, which is what you imagine a straggling weed in a dahlia patch would sound like, but otherwise this is fine.

my first listen was on shuffle accidentally FUCK. fuck you spotify when i click on an album to play it i NEVER want it shuffled

Always liked the quiet, folksy stuff more than the "grungy" things he did later...

Better than Coldplay

Top ! Neil Young quoi J’ai préféré cet album au premier qu’on a écouté il y a quelques semaines

Very very Neil Young. Mournful and poetic. I don't really get where Neil got his reputation as a rocker since all of these songs seem carefully mellow. Maybe his live shows are real gnarly.

I love Neil. He’s probably one of my top ten music artists of all time, certainly top twenty. One of the coolest music listening moments I’ve had in a while came while listening to this album. The title track was playing, and it occurred to me that in the last verse he’s singing about the future moment when HUMANS LEAVE PLANET EARTH TO GO TO A NEW HOME PLANET. The title track is easily one of my favorite songs of his or anyone else’s, but I had never put that together before (I had eaten an gummy that probably helped…) and I think it’s just a brilliant lyric. With the work that Space X and others are doing now on laying the groundwork for making humans a multi-planetary species it’s an even more ominous and prescient song than when written - I think it’s one of the best songs of all time. All that said, while I love this album I actually don’t rank it as high as many do among Neil’s vast catalog. It actually loses me in the back half far more than EKTIN, Harvest, On the Beach, Tonight’s the Night, and Rust Never Sleeps at the very least. The first 4 songs are strong, but to me the title track is by far the highlight. There’s one other track that makes me think deeply on this one. As someone born and raised and actually still living in the American south, I have mixed feelings about Southern Man. Not that the America Southern Man doesn’t need critiquing, far from it. I’m not a fan of generalizing, and while many in the south were definitely super racist and loud about it in the 70’s, I wish Neil had acknowledged somewhere in the song that (A) not everyone in the south is a racist, far from it and (B) racism is certainly not isolated in the American south, far from it. My grandparents were in their 40’s when this song was written, and they were all exceptionally against Jim Crowe, taught both of my parents that we're all equal, and those lessons passed to me. Were there, hell, are there systemic problems of inequality in the south and a disproportionate amount of southern men that were outwardly racist, absolutely. I am far from proud of the entirety of the history of the American south. I also think that addressing concerns about in a song called Southern Man is a bit divisive, and doesn’t credit where progress has been made. I think this is why Lynyrd Skynyrd (a far more progressive band than most people realize) had issue with this song as well. One of my favorite musical fun facts is that Neil and Ronnie Van Sant became really great friends after Sweet Home Alabama, and Neil was a pallbearer at Ronnie’s funeral. Unfortunately I can’t be too hard on Neil and it’s easy to see why a song like this is necessary: there’s a fucking confederate flag flying just 30 miles or so from Greenville, SC (where Lynyrd Skynyd’s fateful plane took off from) today in 2024. For a more nuanced critique on the Southern Man, listen to the Southern Rock Opera album by Drive-By Truckers (one of the greatest American rock bands ever); the “duality of the southern thing” describes the American south as succinctly and accurately as is possible I think. I digress…. TLDR: I love Neil, the title track is an all time great song and worth stars for by itself, Southern Man is complicated to me, and the back half is a bit boring to me.

last one!

The first song is 3 minutes but feels so much longer. The instrumentation is nice, but I really dislike this guy's nasally whine. It's not as obnoxious as Bob Dylan, but not as tolerable as Liam Gallagher. Only Love Can Break Your Heart was a decent track. He sang with less of that nasal whine. The rest left very little of an impression on me. I didn't like any of it, I disliked some of it, but overall I don't feel very strongly one way or the other. I wasn't able to relate to any of the lyrics (though I wasn't breaking them down for secret wordplay with deeper meanings beyond the surface). It teeters on 2/5, but it doesn't feel right going into the negatives when my strongest feeling is indifference.

Whilst Neil Young is undoubtedly a great song writer, i struggle to fall in love with his work due to the thinness of his voice. There are beautifully crafted songs here with some evocative lyrics and stand out piano and guitar lines that show its quality. He is also a foundation to a lot of modern indie that i love so his legacy is strong. This may be sacrilege, but much like Joni Mitchell, the voice just kills it for me. It is too shrill and thin and lacking an appealing timbre.

every time I get a Neil Young album, I dread it...and every time he wins me over. Let's see if that trend continues.

This was pleasant and listenable. I like the more folky/bluegrass forms of country. I could re-listen

I feel like this album tries too hard and because of that ends up being very generally mediocre. Its definitely not bad but isn't anything special either

at some point while listening to this, I started feeling the chilly breeze hitting my face as I watched over my farm at sunset from my humble porch, rocking back and forth in a chair with a glass of whisky in hand, my dog (a golden retriever named Buddy, obviously) lying at my feet, a single tear rolling down my cheek, thinking about the good old days and about my darling who'd left me for the big city life i ain’t american, but this album and the imagery it gives me feel like peak southern culture

Pretty good 3.5/5

I have always wondered how Neil Young was able to do "Harvest", a marvellous album full with great songs, when all other albums are so different. They are ok, the songs are partly nice, ok, but never great. And this is also valid for this album. It is ok, there are some nice songs, some not so nice, but nothing is great.

Another Neil Young, huh? This one started slow but really picked up at “Southern Man.” The anger he feels about the state of the south then (and honestly, probably still now) is so apparent. That alone makes it worth listening to. He slows it down after that, but still keeps the emotional honestly coming. That’s how I’d describe this album - vulnerable and honest. I’d liked what I’d heard from Neil Young to this point. “On the Beach” is a great album, and “Rust Never Sleeps” was alright. This falls somewhere in the middle of those two for me. It has its moments, but it isn’t what I assume to be his masterpiece. I know he has a number of albums that made the list, so I’ll wait until I get his best. Three stars. Southern Man, Oh, Lonesome Me, Don’t Let it Bring You Down, Birds

Not a bad album, just a bit more Neil Young than I care for in one sitting. Some good song here though. Southern Man and Only Love Can Break Your Heart

As expected 3*

I know that I’m supposed to like Neal Young and all, but oh my god his voice is so aaawwwwwful. Barney Stinson was right, he does sound like an old lady with vocal paralysis.

35 minutes that felt like 35 hours. Fuck Neil Young's 91 albums on this list.

Nothing interesting unfortunately

Two star. Great morning album to wake up to but did not fit my car washing. Sorry I like hard rock more pensive emoji

I continue to struggle with Young's music. This is no different.

I didn't know Neil Yung's work, I like the way he writes and the intensity of his writing. The tracks "After the Gold Rush", "Southern Man" and "When You Dance I Can Really Love" deserve a special listen.

#301/1001. Nah, I'm not getting it. He might be an important figure in american music history, but who likes anything american these days?

Not my cup of tea. His voice is awful.

Fantastic album

Not even 100 albums in and we already have 3 Neil Young albums. This is a great one. Harvest Moon is considered his best, but this is a close second. An album that contains Southern Man has to get 5 stars. Great songwriting with several recognizable tunes from yesterday. I know some don’t like his voice, but it’s unique and I enjoy listening to his work.

With this I am now half way through the Neil Young albums. This is the first one that feels truly essential. Every track on here is solid. Looking forward to Harvest.

Legendary

Now, we are talking - one of my fav albums of all time

Kinda essential, kinda beautiful.

It's hard for me to decide between a 4 and 5 for this album, because upon first listen, I do hear the same thing critics did when they first heard this album, which is something that seems subtle, somewhat predictable, and just passes by. However, digging deeper and thinking of the influence this album has had since it was released in 1970, I feel good about bumping it up to a 5. This is an album that was monumental in helping form grunge, mixing the distorted guitars with melody and simpler rock music that wasn't in the prog rock or glam rock or heavy metal previous to this album, in the same way.

Great album!

This one is an automatic 5 stars, since I already like all of the songs on this one - so it's a perfect album. Neil Young is one of my favorite artists. I have 78 songs liked by him on Spotify - which puts him in my top 6 based on song count. I saw him once in concert in the 90s in a solo acoustic show and then last year (2025) with the Chrome Hearts. Great shows each time. I've already reviewed 3 of his albums on here: 1 5 star: On the Beach 2 4 stars: Rust Never Sleeps, Ragged Glory Funny - was just looking at this - I have the song "After the Gold Rush" liked 4 times - the original on this album, and then 3 covers: one by Thom Yorke (of Radiohead), one by The Flaming Lips and also one by Dolly Parton/Linda Ronstadt/Emmylou Harris. It's such a great song. That and the song "Southern Man" are the ones that I originally knew from the radio - that led me to discover this album and I ended up liking all of it. I've had the CD since sometime in the late 80s but I'm pretty sure I taped it from someone's LP before that. So, I've known this for a really long time. Love that Nils Lofgren is on a lot of these songs. He's played extensively with 2 of my favorite artists - Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen. Relistening to this in full today was like revisiting an old friend you haven't seen in a while, but pick up right where you left off. I was just grooving with it and singing along. It's mostly his folky style, but also a bit of his jammy side - particularly on "Southern Man". Good stuff Neil! I went and looked at some of the other reviews and see some (not all) people complaining about his voice. I don't get it, I think his voice is great. Maybe I've just been so used to it since I was a little kid. I have a problem with a lot of the voices I've heard through this project - but definitely not Neil. Liked songs on Spotify: 11/11 (perfect album) Rating: 5/5

Mystically Melancholic, a masterclass in solo singer songwriting, every song is crafted and delivered with heart and authenticity. Southern man being timeless stand out track. Heartwarming southern comfort folk rock at its finest.

man i love neil young

It’s not often that’s I will listen to an album I know as well as this one when the list gives it to me. But for this album, I’ll look for any excuse to listen to it. Beyond prefect. One of many Neil Young masterpieces.

Classic Neil Young at the height of his songwriting.

Relisten. I remember enjoying this album on previous listens, but I REALLY enjoyed it this time. Maybe it has to do with learning that some of these songs were inspired by an unproduced screenplay. It adds a mistique to every song. Even the unrelated ones. Fav Tracks: "Tell Me Why", "Till the Morning Comes" and "Don't Let It Bring You Down".

Could listen to this every day

4.5 technically because I find Neil’s voice quite whiny on occasion but it’s still a masterpiece.

I kept having to restart this album because I was losing my place but I'm not mad because its a banger???

Neil’s best. Pure folk rock gold. Not a bad track on the album.

He only flips the "whoopass" switch on his amp once (Southern Man solo) but it's a doozy. First harmonica on a Neil record! Baby Nils Lofgren! Finally, while Sweet Home Alabama may be a catchier song, it sure is a lame response to Neil's statement, "Slavery/racism is bad."

Quiet album that sounds timeless. I will find a vinyl copy to play on Sunday afternoons.

Endnu en kæmpe banger fra the man himself, største problem med listen er klart at der ikke er nok Neil Young plader på

Hearing “Mr. Soul” by Buffalo Springfield was my official introduction to Neil Young, and I've been a die-hard fan ever since. I’ve lined up for every new release through the years. Confused by some of them? Absolutely. Disappointed? Never. After the Gold Rush is still one of my absolute favorite comfort albums; it's the perfect record to put on, tune out the world, and just let my cares melt away.

My only complaint is that it’s only 35 minutes.

What an amazing journey this is! Set in a futuristic world that was created for a film never released Neil Young deals with all aspects of the universe and the futility of it all. He delves in the nuances of Racism. He speaks on love and the way of seeing the world and all the hatred how are you supposed to go. How are you supposed to love yourself and this internal battle you have us one that matters to only yourself and you live the life you choose. Songs like birds and I believe in you are these reminders that you have to go forward and do the things you love and belief in others only happens with belief in yourself. So when Cripple Creek Ferey comes it’s both an escape and to get out of it all you have to get on. Neil young is a genius I need this CD asap.

I listen to this classic again and again. Brilliant from start to finish.

One of Neil Young’s greatest albums, showcasing the full flourishing of his abilities as both a songwriter and performer, across several different styles. Predominantly a folk/folk-rock album, we have great songs in that vein (‘Tell Me Why’, ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’, ‘Oh, Lonesome Me’, ‘Don’t Let It Bring You Down’, ‘I Believe In You’), but also beautiful piano-based ballads (‘After the Gold Rush’, ‘Birds’), and brilliant heavy rockers (‘Southern Man’, ‘When You Dance I Can Really Love’). For me, every track is brilliant, even the two little ditties that end each side. A classic 5 star album.

Fab

My favorite early Neil record. Everything he does well is on display at some point here. The album is an all-time great songwriter finding his lane.

One of my favorites

I love this album. It was the first record I bought.

One of my favorite albums of all time. Fine writing skills on this one as one song seamlessly flows into the next. The songs are anchored by the classic Southern Man.

this made me sad i miss my man

Hey hey cripple creek ferry do do doooo do do dooo. I like this one better than Harvest tbh. Perfect.