On The Beach

I've literally never listened to Neil Young before, and man what a good introduction. This album rocks. I wanted to give this a 4, but on reflection, this album has no skips, no bad points, no downsides, and at no point was I uninterested or felt like this could be better. Honestly, this album is fucking good and I can't wait to listen to more Neil Young in the future if this is what's in store for me. Highlights: Revolution Blues, Vampire Blues, On the Beach, Motion Pictures, Ambulance Blues. Basically the whole album. Light 5.

So I really liked everything about this album. I don’t know if this list gave me some kind of Stockholm about Neil Young or what, but I didn’t mind his voice at all, either. Short and sweet. I don’t have anything to criticize.

Impossible to overstate how golden a period was the early to mid 70s for Young. So good.

Thinking fondly about when Neil Young released the Pono, a $400 FLAC device shaped like a prism to listen to his music at the highest possible fidelity as I rock this album on my iPhone speaker in a loaner beater that’s vibrating so hard that it can travel across dimensions. Five stars.

I love Neil Young. It just works.

Lovely follow up to Harvest. Witty, soulful and well crafted country rock tunes.

**On the Beach** is Neil Young’s fifth studio album, released in July 1974. This album represents a critical point in Young’s career, offering a stark, intimate look into his psyche during a turbulent period marked by personal loss, disillusionment, and reflection. It is often hailed as one of his most uncompromising and powerful works, balancing raw emotion with experimental production techniques. Below is an in-depth analysis of the album, focusing on its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with a balanced overview of its strengths and weaknesses. ### Lyrics The lyrics of **On the Beach** are some of Young’s most personal and introspective. Each song delves into themes of alienation, loss, despair, and the quest for meaning amidst chaos. The album opens with "Walk On," a deceptively upbeat track that addresses critics and the aftermath of Young’s recent turmoil, including the deaths of bandmates Danny Whitten and Bruce Berry. Here, Young blends his characteristic honesty with a sense of defiance, suggesting resilience against the judgment and criticism he faced. In "See the Sky About to Rain," Young's poetic imagery comes to the fore. He uses weather metaphors to convey feelings of impending sadness and melancholy. The line "See the sky about to rain, broken clouds and rain" evokes a sense of foreboding, mirroring Young's inner emotional landscape. "For the Turnstiles" is a more cryptic piece, featuring a stark, almost minimalist folk arrangement with banjo and dobro. The lyrics explore themes of betrayal and survival in the music industry, encapsulated in lines like "All the sailors with their seasick mamas / Hear the sirens on the shore." The song captures Young’s cynicism about fame and the pressures of the entertainment business. The title track, "On the Beach," is one of the album's emotional peaks. Its lyrics are a mix of self-pity, sarcasm, and brutal honesty: "I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day." Young reflects on his loneliness and detachment from society, offering no clear resolution, only a stark acknowledgment of his emotional reality. "Motion Pictures (For Carrie)" serves as a love letter to Young's then-girlfriend Carrie Snodgress, but even here, the tone is tinged with regret and a sense of fleeting happiness. "Ambulance Blues," the album’s final track, is a sprawling, nine-minute reflection on the cultural and political disillusionment of the early 1970s. It's a song that weaves personal narrative with biting social commentary, targeting figures like Richard Nixon while lamenting the fading ideals of the 1960s counterculture. ### Music Musically, **On the Beach** is diverse yet cohesive. The album moves fluidly between different styles, from the raw, bluesy rock of "Walk On" to the country-folk simplicity of "For the Turnstiles" and the languid, melancholic tones of "See the Sky About to Rain." Young's use of unconventional song structures and his willingness to let songs breathe and evolve over extended lengths are crucial to the album’s impact. The use of sparse instrumentation allows the lyrics and mood to take center stage. "Revolution Blues" features a menacing guitar riff, with a rhythmic intensity that mirrors the paranoid undertones of the lyrics. This track, inspired by Charles Manson, has a relentless, almost claustrophobic feel, enhanced by the propulsive bass and tight drum patterns. "On the Beach" and "Ambulance Blues" are characterized by their mellow, hypnotic grooves, created by the interplay of guitars, bass, and drums. Young’s lead guitar work, often drenched in reverb, adds an ethereal quality to these tracks, creating a dreamlike, contemplative atmosphere. The banjo and dobro on "For the Turnstiles" lend a rustic, old-time feel, contrasting sharply with the electric guitar-heavy tracks. The minimalist production approach allows the music’s raw emotional core to come through. Young’s voice, often described as high-pitched and vulnerable, becomes a central instrument in conveying the album’s themes. His delivery ranges from mournful and contemplative in "On the Beach" to almost detached and observational in "Walk On." ### Production The production of **On the Beach** was handled by Neil Young, David Briggs, Mark Harman, and Al Schmidt. The album was recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders in Los Angeles and Young's Broken Arrow Ranch in California. The production is deliberately unpolished, embracing a "lo-fi" aesthetic that emphasizes rawness and immediacy. This approach aligns with the album's themes, providing a stark, intimate listening experience. One of the standout production choices is the use of natural reverb and echo, particularly on Young's vocals and lead guitar. This creates a spacious, almost haunting atmosphere, particularly noticeable on tracks like "On the Beach" and "Ambulance Blues." The mix is sparse but balanced, allowing each instrument room to breathe, and enhancing the album's introspective, melancholic feel. The production also utilizes a range of unconventional recording techniques. For instance, on "Ambulance Blues," Young’s voice was recorded in a single take, capturing a sense of immediacy and emotional rawness that might have been lost with multiple takes or overdubs. The use of vintage microphones and analog equipment gives the album a warm, organic sound that contrasts sharply with the more polished, overproduced records of the time. ### Themes **On the Beach** is rich with themes of disillusionment, isolation, and existential reflection. The album reflects Young's state of mind in the early 1970s, a period marked by personal loss, political turmoil, and the fading ideals of the 1960s. There is a pervasive sense of disillusionment with the counterculture movement, particularly evident in "Ambulance Blues," where Young reflects on the failure of the movement to bring about meaningful change. Alienation is another dominant theme. Throughout the album, Young grapples with his sense of detachment from the world around him. In "On the Beach," he admits, "Though my problems are meaningless, that don't make them go away." This line captures the tension between personal suffering and the larger socio-political disillusionment that characterized the post-60s era. There is also an undercurrent of survival and resilience. Despite the melancholic tone, songs like "Walk On" suggest a determination to move forward, to "walk on" despite the pain and criticism. This theme of endurance in the face of hardship is woven throughout the album, providing a counterbalance to its darker elements. ### Influence **On the Beach** was not a commercial success upon its release, and it received mixed reviews from critics. However, over time, it has been reassessed and is now considered one of Young's greatest works, a masterpiece of 1970s rock. Its raw emotional honesty and unorthodox production have influenced countless artists across genres. The album's influence can be seen in the work of alternative and indie rock musicians who value authenticity and emotional directness over commercial appeal. Artists such as Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, and Kurt Vile have cited **On the Beach** as a significant influence. Its minimalist, lo-fi production style and its blending of folk, rock, and blues elements laid the groundwork for the Americana and alt-country movements of the 1980s and 1990s. ### Pros 1. **Emotional Depth**: The album is one of Neil Young’s most introspective works, offering an unflinching look into his psyche. This emotional honesty has a powerful impact on listeners. 2. **Lyricism**: Young’s lyrics are poetic and evocative, using vivid imagery and metaphors to convey complex emotions and themes. The songs resonate deeply on both a personal and universal level. 3. **Diverse Musical Styles**: The album seamlessly blends rock, folk, country, and blues, showcasing Young’s versatility as a musician and songwriter. This diversity keeps the listener engaged throughout. 4. **Atmospheric Production**: The lo-fi, raw production enhances the album's mood, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The use of natural reverb and echo adds to the haunting quality of the music. 5. **Influence and Legacy**: Despite its initial commercial underperformance, **On the Beach** has become a seminal album, influencing a wide range of artists and contributing significantly to the development of alternative and indie rock. ### Cons 1. **Bleakness**: The album’s pervasive sense of melancholy and disillusionment can be overwhelming for some listeners. Its themes of isolation and despair may not appeal to those looking for more uplifting music. 2. **Unconventional Production Choices**: The raw, unpolished production may come across as too rough or amateurish to listeners accustomed to more polished recordings. The lo-fi aesthetic, while artistically effective, might detract from the listening experience for some. 3. **Inconsistent Pacing**: The album’s pacing can feel uneven, with slower, more contemplative tracks like "See the Sky About to Rain" and "Motion Pictures" potentially dragging for listeners who prefer more dynamic compositions. 4. **Lyrical Obscurity**: Some of the lyrics are cryptic and open to interpretation, which may frustrate listeners looking for clearer narratives or messages. Songs like "For the Turnstiles" and "Ambulance Blues" can be enigmatic and challenging to decode. ### Conclusion **On the Beach** is a complex, emotionally rich album that showcases Neil Young at his most vulnerable and introspective. Its raw production, diverse musical styles, and powerful lyricism make it a standout in his discography. While the album's bleakness and unconventional production choices may not appeal to all listeners, its emotional honesty and influence on subsequent generations of musicians are undeniable. Ultimately, **On the Beach** remains a compelling exploration of personal and societal disillusionment, and a testament to Young's willingness to push artistic boundaries in pursuit of authenticity.

neil young fucking rules

Ah, the first of SEVEN Neil Young albums, nine when counting his memberships in other bands. Well, I like this. The whole concept of Neil Young, sort of. But whenever I dug into his oeuvre after say, Old Man, Needle And The Damage Done or this album's title song, I found a lot of country and blues rock with capital Rock that I, at this point of life, probably will never really get into. Some of that present here. Young's is on the good side of that, however. If music can sound honest, it's his. But there's the melancholic, folksy Young: ❤, usually. So this album? A 4 for sure, 2nd side, the honey slides one, is beautiful. Might sit down with the lyrics and give it another listen later.

Блюзовый, спокойный и мелодичный, песни Motion Picture и Ambulance Blues заставили меня задуматься о проблеме и всё об думать, песня Vampire blues шикарная как и Walk On , Альбом прекрасный 9/10

A very good album throughout. 5 stars or A-.

May be my favourite of all Neil young so far.

Ist ein echter Klassiker von Neil Young im Stile von Harvest. Jeder Song eine Perle, erzeugt eine entspannte Stimmung, zum mitsummen und mitsingen.

Another good album by Neil Young. I liked See The Sky About To Rain and On The Beach.

All time.

Rusty’s violin on ambulance blues is a 5 by itself. The rest of this honeyslide-infused depression album only makes it better

My favourite Neil Young record!

Enjoyed my Neil young day

The weather was just right, my feelings were just right, everything was just right - 5/5

Really great album. Not sure how I missed this one before. Listened to it a couple times and it got better as it went along.

This might be his best work, its so warm and beautiful, i dont know how to describe it other than i love it

I'm entering my Dad rock phase for giving this 5 stars. Oh well, off to grill something, I guess.

Neil Young may not be the greatest singer, but he's one of the best songwriters and nobody can play guitar like him. The vulnerability and rawness in his music pulls me in every time.

I liked this better than Harvest? That was very unexpected for me. I think I actually loved every song on here except “For the Turnstiles” and “Vampire Blues.” But everything else? Stunning and moody in the best way. I was expecting to be ambivalent about this album, but it truly blew me away.

Really enjoyed this one 5/5

Cool

Probably my favourite Neil Young album, and many other people's. Sometimes I prefer After The Goldrush. The easiest star rating so far. I choose to believe that car's still there.

Went in blind for this one. I spent the first few songs thinking this might be a 4 star for me because I was digging the sound. As the album went on I just was more and more into it. By the end I just sat in silence for a bit and then went in for the second listen. Definitely 5 star...wow.

Amazing album

i like a lot of neil young's stuff and have always enjoyed this album, but it's not quite to the level of some of his other work, particularly the two or three albums that precede this one. half of this album is songs i love (like the title track, 'revolution blues,' and 'vampire blues') but the other half doesn't quite do it for me. just feel like the crop of songs is not as strong as on some of his other efforts. it's not that i think the album is bad, i just think it could have been workshopped a bit more.

Neil Young records are always perfect. Nothing more to say

New to me; very cool vibe

One of the fun (?) aspects of digging in the ditch is, presumably, finding nuggets of gold. Which wasn't a problem for Neil Young as he would come up with gold constantly during that time but it would become a problem for fans as this particular nugget would prove elusive to seek over the coming decades. Listening to the music on On the Beach ensures that such a thought comes as no surprise. This album is chock full of venom and contemplation, the kind one would have while having seen the desolation atop the mountain. It is little to no wonder why On the Beach has the mythos that it has, for the amount of time spent in the ditch makes someone see and think ferocious things. Alas, all one has to do is move forward and walk on.

I loved this album. It was imperfect in such a charming way. The music was light and fun, super enjoyable, instrumentation was great, totally would listen again.

This might be the definitive Neil Young album. I would give this 7 out of 5.

I guess it was just 'more Neil Young' but this did stand out as a particularly good Neil Young album. I didn't know it before and was really good, it seemed to bridge the line between just hardcore guitar solos and pure folky songs. Really nice bluesy sounds.

Amazing - Neil Young at his best. Perfect mix of slow and folky, and lovely musically guitar etc

The best part was realizing Neil young is back on Spotify

Que pedazo de disco por favor! Tiene todo... blues, folk, rock. Tremendo.

Wow. Pleased to see this deep cut from Neil on the list. This almost makes up for Fiona Apple . A+ album cover. Raw performances of some seriously dark and unsparingly depressing songs. The sound of a hippy waking up and realizing they failed to stop a war or any violence, really, their friends od'd, and the world went to shit. For some reason, these kinds of songs make me feel good. I guess misery really does love company. The second guitar solo on the title track literally took my breath away. Neil is a unique guitar stylist: quasi-competent, cliche-free, crushingly honest, if I can say that, and this album has some of my favorite playing of his.

He really is one of the best. Something so mysterious and unconventional about his voice

A master piece

This is the first one it generated and it’s literally my favourite album

There is something about neil young albums that seems to make them greater than the sum of the parts. Not a great singing voice, slow folksy guitar brought together with great lyrics. I hadn't heard this album but really enjoyed it. 5 stars from me. Highlights were See the sky about to rain, On the Beach.

I already did this one

This is the sound of Neil Young "heading for the ditch" after the huge success of *Harvest*. *On The Beach* is consequently a less immediate, more "understated" affair, but it's heartfelt, moody and endearing all the way through. It has clear highlights, and they are the self-assured rocker "Walk On", elegiac "See The Sky About To Rain", drowsy and floating "On The Beach", and stern-yet-elated closer "Ambulance Blues". Yet as noticeable as those songs are, the whole album flows from one song to the next without a bump--just like a cloudy yet still warm afternoon at the beach draws on, eliciting nostalgic memories about the summer about to end. The "summer" is here a metaphor for youth and optimism, of course. And because all things end, all you have left with you is memories of those things, eventually. Those memories could even be about that already old "summer of love" a few years back, tragically concluding with the senseless murders commited by Charles Manson and his "family", personified and even given a "voice" during that snarling and yet instrumentally lively "Revolution Blues". Different sort of shudders here, in keeping with other spooky overtones heard elsewhere in this album, as in a paranoid "Vampire Blues" inspired by the shady dealings of the oil industry... As dark as those passing moments are, the whole mood of this LP is still rather soothing, and even epicurean. Exploring the "ditch" also means you can savour all the little pleasures music can offer, as in "For The Turnstiles", a banjo-driven deep cut that foretells the minimalistic illuminations of a later song such as "Captain Kennedy". Epicurean, and also stoic at times, as in that non-confrontational break-up song that "Motion Pictures" is... But whatever Neil's philosophy really is, and as blurry as it is ("honey slides" enhancing the drug-induced feeling), that unnamed, ambiguous ethos here exemplified through those tunes informs everything that the Canadian singer and guitar player does on this record, as if he was constantly building an ephemeral castle in the sand. And as for all castles in the sand, it's the little details that make such an endeavor endearing--a shell placed on top of a derelict crenellated tower, a little tunnel slowly crumbling under the weight of the miniature sandy edifice above, a seagull's feather planted in the middle of a small yard... Here, those details are all those discreet yet enchanting instrumental arrangements: the fingerpicking on the acoustic guitar, the delicate and frail suspensions during the electrical guitar solos, or those manifold small flourishes played on hamonica, banjo or violin... Waves of oblivion constantly threaten to engulf those endearing details in your mind. Yet they can resurface again on each listen. *On The Beach* is that sort of record that does not merely "evoke" melancholy and longing for ages past. It actually *reenacts* that movement in time, through compositions sufficiently striking to make you gape at their inner beauty, and yet never forceful enough to leave a clear mark in your memory--therefore becoming new again each time you play them. You feel like those songs have been heard by countless other listeners before, though--only not by *you*. Neil Young's album plays with your memory, thwarts it, jogs it at other times, and then erases its own input as soon as the needle hits the circled groove. Its music seems to be about the act of remembering itself, uncovering feelings, discovering things long buried in the sand. Until the sand covers everything again. "Under the paving stones, the beach" said an old revolutionary slogan during the May 1968 Paris student riots. Far from Paris, in California, a Canadian rock singer-songwriter who had been there long enough to feel disillusioned after everything he had seen unwittingly found a new, personal meaning to this slogan. With this record, Neil Young indeed accomplished his own private and near-mute, unobtrusive revolution as an artist, and paved the way for his long and unpredictable career to come. He would never be bound by any shackle from this point on. He would be a free man, for better or for worse. In front of him, the waves lap up each moment of his past, and also each moment to come. 4.5/5, rounded up to 5. Number of albums left to review: 226 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 334 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 197 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 250

My whole family knows who Neil Young is, but yet, has not heard about this album. I thought this album was perfect from the title, and cover because it’s almost Summer. When I listened to it, the first thing I noticed is the voice of Neil Young. He has one of the best voices in the music industry. My favorite songs from the album were Motion Pictures, On The Beach, and See the Sky about to Rain. It was hard to chose favorites on this album meaning I liked every song. That’s why I am rating this album a 5/5.

Look I’m a Neil Young stan. His stretch of early solo records is just great. You have to like proto-grungey guitar that sometimes devolves into ponderous nonsense- which is something I’m here for. On the Beach isn’t among his most well known records and doesn’t necessarily have any hits on it. But it slaps.

Peak Neil Young, plain and simple

Neil does it again, he does it on every album if you ask me

I could listen to this all day everyday without getting bored. Love driving to this album. Neil Young really hits the spot for me.

I don’t know if I’ve ever consciously listened to a Neil Young song before, so this was a total surprise. But man, I loved this album.

Neil Young created the perfect sound for late-thirties Albert. It is this album.

Singer-songwriter folk/country rock. A very powerful album, full of incredible songwriting and performances. Very introspective and melancholic, Neil provides a subdued yet potent vocal performance, really letting his lyrics and guitar playing shine on every song. Great additions of harmonica, Bob Dylan could never. Some songs felt a little long for what they had to offer, but the nearly 9 minute closer was perfectly paced and deserved every second. An amazing album that really stands out among the rest in its genre. Will definitely revisit if I'm feeling mellow. 4.5/5

ideal album

This is my second Neil Young album, and I do do prefer this one a little more for the more low-key and comforting vibe while still keeping some signature instrumentation and harmonica. Lyrically, it was more introspective with some clever lines. Overall. a very pleasant and comforting listen.

Great laid back album from the master. Didn't know it existed

Motion Pictures......

Scores a 5 because it keeps growing on me.

I had never listened to the whole thing in the past. One of the first albums like that on this list where I was more than pleasantly surprised. Really great as background music and also great if you dig in and really listen.

Ambulance Blues is my favorite Neil Young song on this, my favorite Neil Young album. I love many things about this record, not keast of which are the liner notes written by Rusty Kershaw on the original packaging. " I can't read or write very well, so I don't quite understand why anyone would want me to write liner notes. Except for what I saw and heard. The first time I saw Neil his spirit was down the next time I saw Neil I tryed to Boost his sprits with my music and I did and it work. In return Neil played, Sang and wrote, the Best of any music in a While. Not to speak of the fun we had. We laughed so hard we all had Bruzed ribs. On Revolution Blues, I turned inot a Python, than an aligator, I was crawling like one, makeing noise like one, Plus I was eating up the carpet and the mike stands and such. and in the meanwhiile I started to crawl up towards Neil; Which is pretty Spooky. When your trying to Sing: But anyways by that time the necktie people ask my friend Joe what are we gonna do about Rusty, and my friends answer was, 'Hell I don't know I'm just Hangin around to see if Hel'll Swallow Him or not. But what the Hell I give you my word there is good music in this album. Rusty Kershaw R.K. Cause B`en is My Friend"

Depending on the day, this is maybe my favorite Neil record. The run he was on from OTB to Tonight's The Night to Zuma is maybe the best three album run anyone has ever had? Perfect album, 5 stars, no notes

An unexpected 5 stars! I have heard plenty of Young’s music, but not this album. That was hauntingly beautiful

10/10 pretty much every track on this is a total banger this is probably my favorite Neil Young album

Neil Young is the opposite of prog rock. He's so soulful and direct and his instrument usage is subded but sounds perfect. See the Sky about to Rain is beautiful. I liked this album a lot.

Oh. The first second of this album had me thinking this is going to be good. By the third track I got a little teary eyed by how good this is. All of this one is new to me, but every song has me invested on the first listen. The mixing is really well done.

Great album perhaps my favourite from Neil Young and that's saying something. Every song is a winner, marrying country, rock, blues, and folk all in perfect balance. The playing is subtle and beautiful. It's a quiet album but powerful and emotional. 5 stars

Neil Young is one my favorite songwriters and musicians. I’ve had the opportunity to see him multiple times with my favorite being at Red Rock amphitheater after releasing Harvest Moon. This one goes to 11.

07/1001 I gave myself quite a long time to listen to this album and with Neil's return to Spotify I was listening to this album quite a bit. It's good, very good. Some songs are long enough that you think it will be boring (considering the style of music) and repetitive. But when I got to the end of the songs I felt that all the time I was listening was completely worth it, that I achieved something after 6 or 7 minutes of the same song. It's not a perfect album, but that's what I liked. I will totally be listening to it in my daily life (in fact I am already doing it, I have already listened to it 3 complete times). Notable songs: See the Sky About to Rain (my favorite from the album) Vampire Blues, Walk On and Revolution Blues

though my problems are meaningless, that don't make them go away

Not a single song on this I didn't like

Great artist, great music, great lyrics. To understand everything you should be a native speaker.

Neil explores blues, rock, and even some country tones here. He always delivers a complex and motivated story, but this time it becomes something more. It’s as if an entire album was inspired by Old Man, the sadness shines through and the music excellently fills in the details.

I didn't know this album and now I think it's my favorite (of his).

To me this was a lost Neil Young album. I listened a lot to After the Goldrush, Tonight's the Night and Harvest but not this. It is really good. Some great songs and guitar work.

First time I’ve ever listened to this one, thought it was great.

4.6 One of Neil's best, and deserving of top marks

I am not a big fan of folk music, but I have no complaints about this album. It's a pretty relaxing / melancholy album with some great production and guitar playing. I love 30-40 minute albums that have no filler and just get right to the good stuff.

I didn't think I would love this album as much as I did. My first time hearing Neil Young. Side A is really fun with a happy side to it and Side B gets more sadder as it goes on but is great. Lyricism is beautiful, and the album spoke to me on a deep level. Im not rating the technicality but the emotions it gave me. 5

An excellent Neil Young album. The A side really outshines the B side. Walk On, See the Sky about to rain, and for the turnstiles are all fantastic. Even the songs I don’t love this album have nice jams and production.

Awesome record. Topical today

First time I’ve given this a full listen in a long time. Flawless album. First 5 star album for me in this project. Standout tracks: Revolution Blues, Ambulance Blues

Really wish this was on Spotify but I totally get it. I would have saved every single track. Never really listened to Neil Young outside of CSNY and his hits, but goddam this is good album.

Absolutely incredible. Loved this. Always casually enjoyed Neil Young but damn this was great.

One of my all time favorite Shakey albums

Even second their Neil Young is great.

Excellent

Ήταν απλά το τέλειο για Κυριακή βράδυ. Επίσης το artwork είναι πανέμορφο...

I have always considered myself a Neil Young fan but thought the likes of OTB were second tier albums after Harvest and After the Goldrush. Listening more closely to this just makes me appreciate the great man man more. I feel a vague similarity to Kid A here.. an artist attempting to follow a huge commercial smash but taking a massive left field turn. The opener Walk On just shows he could have written another record of radio friendly rock songs had he wanted to, but he instead created something true to himself. It's packed with things to love.. the mini solos on See the Sky are real ear worms which I find myself humming for days. In Vampire Blues he attacks big oil explicitly, bravely and years before this became part of the zeitgeist. The personal nature and melancholy feel of the title track is pure emotion and I love the banjo on For the Turnstiles. Imagine writing and recording an album this good and leaving it on the shelf for 30 years! Easy 5

Only neil could write an Album like 1974 with such melody and lyrics to be honest. See the Sky About to Rain is just beautiful… that outro is so good. On the Beach is even better! Neil's throwaway songs sound good too lmao. I just love the total lonely desert island record vibe! an absolute masterpiece.

Absolutely brilliant album about grief and loss. Love the sonics too.

The album is a traveling experience of Neil after the success of the album Harvest. Sad with glimpses of beauty and hope.

Typical Neil Young - songs with lyric heavy meanings. Not his best but certainly not bad. It give a feeling of the times it was written and “his” concerns.

Great

Excellent album A+++

Great Album. Really enjoyed it.

Outstanding album. Not sure if I ever listened to it before.

I always loved the opening track “Walk On” - turns out the rest of this album is a melancholy classic.

This was so damn good his voice tickled my frontal cortex

Suspeito para analisar pois já curso das antigas

Incredible album. Ambulance Blues is one of the best songs of all time in my opinion, the part when the harmonica comes in for the first time is full of so much soul. On The Beach (the song) is unlike anything else I have heard, and is full of so much feel and passion. All the other songs are great as well but those two stand out.

Great album

6, 5, 3

One of my favorite albums ever, One of the best album covers ever, one of the best closing stretches ever.

Maybe my favorite Neil album

Best song - See The Sky About To Rain

unexpectedly, I like it very much that's the type of music my father would listen to when I was a kid really like the chord progressions and the overall mood and blues -- here it sounds appealing to me, and that's rare still difficult to listen to lyrics and hear actual words, I mostly focus on the feeling

I never thought I'd see the day I would actually like a Neil Young album. And I've sat through quite a few over the years and again during these generated albums. But this one grabbed me, dragged me with it, made me listen.

I guess I have to go listen to everything Neil Young ever did. It's odd to me how little he's in the current zeitgeist because he makes timeless music.

Probably his best album - second half of the record especially is incred

My fave NY

I'd never listened to a niel young album before, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

What a perfect album cover and beautiful album. Another Neil Young album that I had never listened to and the fifth I've gotten here already. At times I think there must be more artists deserving of being here instead of numerous Neil Young albums, but he's just SO GOOD. Loved every second.

Such an underrated album. Though thankfully such an under played album too. It’s ramshackle blues. Straight from “walk On” you have an integrity and authenticity But don’t expect anything as rhythmic and catchy to follow. It’s no coincidence three songs have the word “blues” in their title. Yet “Revolution blues” could be hard hitting Dylan (apparently about Charles Manson) whilst “Vampire Blues” is deceptively complex and more akin to “down by the river” from earlier in Young’s career. Its only fault is fading out too soon. Ambulance Blues closes the album with mellow beauty and the closest this record gets to uplifting. The title track is sombre and timeless. It creates the bridge to a brace of downbeat acoustic numbers to take you home without any danger of excitement or exhilaration. No hits, no icons but - along with Zumba - the best Neil Young records before accountants and PRS executives started trying to make him fashionable. Great cover too. I bought this when it first came out in 2003. There was some furore that Young hated the medium so much he refused to release his work on it until the sound could do him justice. It’s certainly a sonically bleak record and I think its title is irony. It’s not one for the beach.

first time hearing this album i knew the first song (Walk Away) and heard a live version of From the Turnstiles but otherwise all the others were new to me. i think this album is a great example of why it is best to listen to a whole album as originally formatted- no extras, no alternate versions. the whole album really flows beautifully.

One of my favorite Neil Young Albums. It grows on you

Angry, moody, therapeutic. Love the sound and feel, and I'm a sucker for the lap steel. This album's so good you might slide around like a lizard on the floor with the lights out like Rusty Kershaw. I'm glad this was on the ol' trusty iPod.

alkaa saari rokki tyyppisellänen biitti neil youngilaisella folk twistillä... hohhoijjaa neil poko pelastaa siinä incredible osongwriter ,singwriter.. pistää kuuntelemaan pakosti! pakottaa kuuntelemaan kun tuoliin kiinni köydellä konsanaan... ei pääse pois... pääpenetraatio...häh.. jatkuu pidemmällä bluesimaisella blujituksella, joka on muuten vitun hyvää settiä, vaikka välillä neilin folkki,kantri,hurmurilauluääni ei ehkä sovi tilanteeseen... itse asiassa aika uskomaton albumi. en olisi uskonut että nuoriherra saa kaksi albumia täydestä läpi wau. wau sanon minä. rikollista että en voi heittää spotify listaan biisejä tästä. then he got political and showed everybody he is just an angry old man .(neil young never was political, old good days...) on the beach

Exceptional

inclined to give this 5 stars so im just gonna do that

I can't pin exactly why, nothing on this album appears particularly ground-breaking or special, his voice is even slightly whiny, but I really enjoyed this. Every song has its place, and they reel you in with such ease. There is just something magnetic about Neil Young on this. Fav Track: On the Beach 4.5

Good chance this is my favourite Neil Young album. Seamless flow between catchy toe tappers to crushing ballads. In equal parts makes me want to dance around and drive into a river. I have no controversial takes on this one - I think it's a wonder of a record. Glad to listen to it again. Four and a half. Fave track: Ambulance Blues

Oh shit do I love Neil Young? That was amazing.

One of King Neil's best. There's an ocean of different feelings in this. Could listen over and over and find more every time.

This was a lovely album. I definitely preferred it to ‘Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere’ which was the first Neil Young album I heard as part of this list.

10/10

Neil Young's greatness during the late sixties and seventies doesn't get discussed enough. He is part of a very small group that released a voluminous amount of incredible material for a long time. Without quibbling about which Neil Young releases belong on this list, this is certainly one that would be in the conversation. This may not get as much airplay as other Neil releases from the time, but it is tremendous. Ambulance Blues is a highlight for me.

Fantastic. All of the wit and soul of every Neal Young album, but that mid 70s production makes for silky renderings of Young’s great melodies. “Vampire Blues” is one of the most compelling environmentalist songs I’ve ever heard.

another great neil young album, this one melancholic and political. i only wish this was on spotify so i could listen to it more often.

A masterpiece.

Very good album

My favorite Neil Young album, I love its mellow, bittersweet melancholy vibe.

I think I'm in love with Neil Young.

Amongst the best melancholic, sad and depressive albums ever made. It blows me away every time I listen to it.

This is Neil’s best album in my opinion. Ambulance Blues is one of the best songs ever done. Pretty somber beach album overall… 5 stars!

What a fantastic, bitter, angry album. This one’s got it all.

Wow, what a crazy step up from "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere", and I know that's unfair, as there are albums between the two projects, but the generator gave me this next, and it wanted me to listen to it, goddammit! Anyway, I actually adore this. It has that melancholic vibe a lot of America albums have, but with this grit that make them feel really weighted and like it all means something, and the intimate style of the album, feeling very personal between Young and the listener, all culminates into an album that is extremely enjoyable and that I like a lot. My only nit-pick is the amount of songs labelled "blues" that are hardly such, but that isn't an actual complaint, and would not drag this down to a four alone. This is a lighter five-star, as I'm not head over heels or anything, but I still enjoy this enough for me to finally "get" Neil Young.

not been a huge neil young fan before now but fuck that was awesome, the two "blues" songs especially were absolutely fucking minted. Only downside is having to listen on youtube and forgetting autoplay was on and getting blasted by black midi when I hadn't realised the album had finished

Dark. Depressing. Moody. Also, fucking brilliant! One of Neil's best works! Ambulance Blues is one of the all time best album closers. Revolution Blues is a flat out banger. Neil can stay in the ditch all he wants if it means he produces gems like this.

When you're sure you're not going to like an assigned album, it's always such a joy to discover something you actually love, despite the anger at yourself for getting it so wrong. I love this album.

Mellow and lovely. Very very nice.

uskomaton neil young albuni huhhuh ei vituta yhtään mitä ihmettä häh

Surprisingly great album!

Neil young is one of my staple favourite singer-songwriters! And on the beach always hits home, there’s just so much beauty on this record. The guitar melodies, the vocals, harmonica. At first this record may seem somewhat simplistic, but multiple listenings will reveal it’s true beauty! 9 out of 10

One of my favorite albums of all time. Like Tonight's the Night, On the Beach showcases Neil's disillusioned with the hippie movement he was part of, and expresses a more cynical outlook, while also becoming more introspective on tracks like Motion Pictures and Ambulance Blues. It's an all-time classic in my eyes.

On the Beach was largely unavailable (through legal means) for over 20 years, and that’s a damn shame-it just may be the best entry of the Ditch Trilogy. Though Young still grapples with feelings of alienation and depression, tracks like Walk On indicate that he knows better times are just over the horizon.

An excellent album. One of Neil's best work.

Jedan od najboljih starih neilova

I am following consensus here and this is one of my top 5 NY albums, together with Harvest, After the Gold Rush, Tonight's the Night and Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. Some notes: - I might like the straightforwarded but up-tempo cover of On The Beach by the Walkabouts a bit more. - Ambulance Blues is one of the best songs Neil Young has ever written.

I like the raw and subdued style of this album. The songs really grabbed me, and the first 5* for Neil Young is inevitable.

It hits too real

eu não aguento mais receber albums do neil young, ele é bom mas eu tenho que usar youtube toda vez. eu gosto muito do estilo de guitarra dele e das letras. a voz dele por um tempo me irritou por ser muito suave, mas nesse album ela parece mais amadurecida. em musicas como revolution blues da pra ver o lado rock mesmo dele, porque o resto de folk cansa as vezes, por mais que lindo. on the beach tem um solo de guitarra muito incrivel. eu sou mais fã das musicas longas nesse album, elas tem letras mais profundas e um instrumental que progredi e volta durante a musica. ate agora é meu favorito do neil young.

Fav Tracks: “Walk On,” “Revolution Blues,” “On the Beach,” “Motion Pictures,” “Ambulance Blues.” Least Fav Track: "Vampire Blues." 4.5/5

Fabulous album! Start to finish.

When this lp came out I realized there was more to Neil than Harvest. An album of reality, harsh at times, and musically beautiful

Great Album, I liked all the songs! I was a teenager when Neil Young started playing, I learned most of the songs on Harvest on my guitar, this is great music, that I had never heard!

Classic Neil!

Hadn't listened to this before. Started off thinking I wouldn't give it 5/5 but the last track really brought it all together.

Love a bit of Neil

Own on Vinyl

Stoner heaven.

“[Harvest] put me in the middle of the road. Traveling there soon became a bore, so I headed for the ditch. A rougher ride but I saw more interesting people there." Admittedly, this is not Young’s best album, but it might just be my favorite. Certainly, it is my most-played. Fully eschewing the commercialism achieved on Harvest, this album might as well be by a different artist than that. But, while bleak, On the Beach is still a far cry from the utter heartbreak and desolation in low fidelity that Young and co. put to record for their follow up to this Tonight’s the Night too. That album (arguably his best) was actually laid down before On the Beach, which means OTB finds Young after having gotten such vivid grief, pessimism, and anger out of his system. It finds Young amongst the rubble and decay—the vast fallout of Harvest’s overwhelming spotlight and the loss of multiple loved ones to overdoses—sorting through the sand as the waves lap. Having grown up near a beach, these themes strike a resonant chord with me. Too often the beach is the subject of tourism, sun-shiny days, sports, beer, sex, and the like. Less often is the beach illustrated on those cloudier days, with rougher waves, silent and empty sands; those days that remind you very much of the surface of this planet, and your no-where place on it. Full of anger and isolation, Young hurtles pessimistic musings at oil companies, fame, 60s “revolutions,” and lost loved ones. However, the album starts on a high note with “Walk On,” and an expressed desire to keep on living. I said yesterday in my note on Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks that I almost fear to play that record on vinyl for fear of degrading the audio fidelity. I feel oppositely about On the Beach. Where Blood on the Tracks’, poetry and intimacy seems to belong to someone else—Dylan—On the Beach’s feels personal to me. Each scratch in the record holding a time, on a rainy day, when I sat and took the record to heart. It has scars for me. Reminders and advice as I go forward. Pretty cool that Levon Helm (The Band) played drums on two songs here. I never knew that. Plus Rick Danko (also The Band) plays bass on one. Of course Crosby (RIP) crops up and Nash too. I had also never heard of these "Honey Slides" Young and his colleagues were consuming throughout the recording—a homemade goop of sautéed marijuana and honey. Pretty groovy. The liner notes for this album are pretty f***ing cryptic. Rusty Kershaw, the “de facto producer” of the album, writes, “On Revolution Blues I turned into a python, then an alligator, I was crawling like one, making noises like one. Plus I was eating up the carpit [sic] and mike stands and such. And in the meanwhile I started to crawl up towards Neil; which is pretty spooky when you’re trying to sing…” He closes, “But what the hell I give you my word there is good music in this album.” Yes, Rusty. What the hell, indeed. A 5-star record to me. And my favorite by my favorite.

This is probably my favourite album ever. The vibes, musicianship, lyrics, themes all just immaculate. Basking in the darkness of the anti hippie dream and the failed utopia. What an album

Oh so, this is one of the excellent Neil Young records. Upbeat, clean, perfectly produced, and most of the tracks here are bangers. Definitely one of my fave Neil Young albums. I realised with a career as diverse as Neil Young's, I will find records I really dislike and some I really love. This is one of the latter.

Both blues songs and motion pictures is such a vibe

Neil Young took his records off of Spotify (for a perfectly good reason) and even though I think I have a copy of this squirrelled away somewhere (Yay, physical media!) I needed to check this out while at the gym and since I don't have a Disc Man these days I had to listen on YouTube with a Progressive Insurance commercial every couple of songs, just like God or Old Neil intended. Despite the commercials, this album is amazing. It doesn't contain any of Young's big radio hits, instead it's an album full of deep tracks that are all the real heads' faves. Neil Young at the top of his game, his best along with it's sister album Tonight's The Night.

I don't listen to this one as much as some of his other music, but it's freaking great, that's for sure. Definitely worthy of being on the list, I'll probably go back for another listen real soon. 😊

Actually great folk music. Fantastic story telling. Definitely saved.

"On the Beach" is the fifth studio album by Neil Young and right in the midst of an incredible string of albums from the late 60's to late 70's. It was the second album in his ditch trilogy (also including "Times Fades Away" and "Tonight's the Night") and inspired by feelings of retreat and melancholy from the success of his "Harvest" album. I'd say; there might be one positive song. It was recorded looser and more haphazardly than previous albums using a variety of sessions musicians including The Band's Rich Danko and Levon Helm, Stephen Stills and David Crosby....a more raw sound he wanted. Initially, Young wanted sides one and two swapped but stayed with current format. Also, of note, the album was available only on cassette and 8-Track from the early 80's up until 2003. The album begins with maybe the only happy sounding song in "Walk On," more in the standard rock sound category. An interesting guitar solo which sounds like it's in a minor key. Young sees the damage done to the earth, wars and being criticized but you need to keep moving on. I know this is the only song from this album that I've actually heard on the radio. Young sets the tone of "Revolution Blues" with an aggressive guitar. Danko and Helm in the rhythm section. Supposedly inspired by Charles Manson and perhaps told from his perspective. He goes after the Laurel Canyon Rich and Famous, Hollywood stars and his critics. I like angry Neil at times and this is my favorite song on the album. Side two which was supposed to be side one is the strength of this album. Young goes "Cowgirl in the Sand" in "On the Beach." Slow, grinding pace. Stark. Two guitar solos. The theme being the downside of fame; he's reached his pinnacle but it doesn't feel good. "Though my problems are meaningless, that doesn't make them go away." The last and longest song "Ambulace Blues" was unkowingly inspired by Bert Jansch's acoustic guitar playing in "Needle of Death." This song starts kind of in a country -way with the acoustic guitar. Add the harmonica and slide guitar. Young's very low voice tone. Far and away, the the most lyrical verses telling stories of things, events and people where things did not go too well including his criticism, Richard Nixon and CSNY. But, hey all things come to pass. This album is stark but I can't even say it's the most stark album Young has??? Every Neil Young album in this 70's time frame is worth a listen including this one. A high recommendation.

I love this album. The honesty and sadness in the bluesy title track is a particular stand out.

I felt a little bit annoyed this morning when I saw this as my album. I thought to myself "they already have Harvest on the list and that's the best Neil gets, why do we need more?" But then I started listening and I think I actually like On The Beach better than Harvest! It might be that I'm listening with a more mature ear, or the songs on Harvest have become a bit overplayed for me, but this has been a pleasant surprise. That Neil Young, he's a sly one. A talented songwriter, never to be underestimated or discredited for his impressive artistry. I was unfairly annoyed and I take it all back. This album deserves to be on the list, it's such a treasure. And I love this album artwork! It's fun, but weirdly maudlin too. It pairs perfectly with the songs you get on this one. Great Monday vibes, really enjoyable listening through and through, a perfect work of art. I will say that Neil is probably still a bit too overrepresented on this list where Canada is concerned, we do have so many other great artists that deserve to be showcased too. But, that's UK ears for you, not as open as I'd like them to be...

Lovely, really good, I’m Neil Youngpilled baby

I love Neil Young. This album is just stunning.

lovely

great weekend listen!

This doesn't look like a Neil Young album, and there are places where it doesn't sound like one. In a good way! Very enjoyable. YT music link here: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n1S9ljyNSBHJ-FKC5l44V500jlmEBtt-0&feature=share

One lyric about being on a radio interview alone took me out of the experience a little, as it was just too specific to be relatable. Still, such a beautiful, sad and lonely album. Loved See the Sky, Motion Pictures and Ambulance Blues. You're all just pissing in the wind you don't know it, but you are and there ain't nothing like a friend who can tell you you're just pissin' in the wind

It's good

Great album! Especially ambulance blues, on the beach and see the skies about to rain are terrific songs. Not my absolute favourite Neil Young album, but still a masterpiece in my eyes.

I'm so glad to see this album! This is one of the best Neil Young albums and almost no one knows it well. The best part of this album for me is that I discovered it myself later in life (in my 40's), so it isn't intertwined with complex teenage memories. I know every inch of it and love it so much. That Wurlitzer on See the Sky About to Rain combined with the slide is just... too perfect. The banjo on For the Turnstyles is just classic and portends banjo on later songs like Old King. Good thing I have this album in my collection since Neil Young is *still* way to good for Spotify!!!

Loved it.

Wow!

Depending on what mood you catch me, this is either Neil Young’s very best or one of his best. Bleakly beautiful? Beautifully bleak? Either way, it’s absolutely brilliant.

This is a frequent listen when things are gloomy. With recent news of another (!) mass school shooting here in the US, which followed a mass shooting in a supermarket, people have been on edge and I've been thinking about music that I'm drawn to when it's dark. This was one of them and I'm so glad it popped up for me. This album wraps up Young's Doom Trilogy when his world was collapsing around him and it strikes real. It's a must listen for when you're sad, or quiet, or completative or … whatever. 4.5/5

Kolejny z Youngowych klasycznych albumow, drugi z ditchowej trylogii On The Beach z 74, ditchowanie odnosi sie do okresu mainstreamowego sukcesu Harvesta, ktorego nastepstwem stala sie slawa pieniadze i popularnosc, a kazdy medal ma swoje dwie strony, wiec w tym przypadku motywami przewodnimi beda wyalienowanie z starego srodowiska, niepewnosc relacji miedzyludzkich, popadanie w nihilizm czy gniew, a to wszystko spisane na 8 trakach i 40 minutach, tym razem w spokojniejszym akompaniamencie, bo gatunkowo jest to folkowe rokowanie w ktorym mozna wylapac smaczki bluesowe, czy moementy ktore bardziej przypominaja instrumentalnie muzyke country, gdzie lwia czesc instrumentali gra sam Young, bo nie tylko gitara czy harmonijka jest uzywana, ale mozna tez uslyszec go na banjo, elektrycznym tamburyno, czy klawiszach takze elektrykowych, kolejna postacia sporo wnoszaca instrumentalnie jest Ben Keith, ktory gral z Youngiem od czasu Harvesta, tutaj operuje na rowniez szeroki wachlarzu instrumentalnym w zaleznosci od trakow, bo kazdy utwor ma praktycznie inny sklad, bo jeszcze dodatkowych 8 sesyjnych muzykow bralo udzial w nagraniach, ale nie zmienia to faktu, ze calosc jest spojna kompozycja utrzymujaca melancholijny, plazowy, jak w tytule, klimat, no i jest to kolejna z tych plyt ktore jestem w stanie sluchac od poczatku do konca, jesli akurat jestem w odpowiednim nastroju na melancholijne klimaty, bo takie arcydziela muzyczne nawet dla sluchacza bywaja obosieczny mieczem, bo niewielu jest artystow ktorzy potrafia tak wplywac swym glosem czy liryka na czlowieka jak wlasnie Neil Young, nie musze sie rowniez zastanawiac nad tym co dodac na spotifajowa plejke, bo po dramie z tym podkasterem reganowym pan Young zabral swoje materialy z serwisu, bo jest on za maly dla nich dwoch, to nie tylko on zabral zwinal swoje dyskografie po tym incydencie, ale jakos glebiej nie wnikalem, ale co do hajlajtowych trakow to beda nimi dla mnie see the sky about the rain i tytulowy on the beach, a dodatkowo jeszcze openingowy walk on, ktory jest najbardziej instrumentalnie rokowym trakiem calej plyty, trzymajacej rowna linie basowa czy drumowa przez caly kawalek, z dodatkowymi wokalami i dwiema gitarami, wiec idealny opener z bangerem

This album is just full of little gems. Such a beautifully meloncholic album that I'm going to have to put more time into. Faves: so many, but let's go with Vampire Blues, Revolution Blues, and Ambulance Blues

This album reminds me of one of those Stones albums from around the same time that had one or maybe two radio hits and then the band filled the rest of the LP with country or blues. Here, "Walk On" was the hit, sounding very 1974 (meaning the characters were recovering from a post-sixties hangover), and the rest of the album has a nice bluesy feel. I especially like "For the Turnstiles" and the title track. Also the fiddle and harmonica interplay on "Ambulance Blues" is great and makes its length more palatable. Great cover.

A champion even outside the main stage. 5 stars all over.

Neil Young a cette incroyable capacité de transmettre la vérité dans chacun de ses mots, chacun de ses accords de guitare. Ce type possède une sensibilité hors norme. J'ai dû écouter l'album trois fois dans la journée, notamment pour apprendre à en jouer les chansons.

Love me some Neil, but not on Spotify anymore! Good album, Neil's in his Rock mode here and not as folksy, revolution blues has a nice growl in his voice that I feel he doesn't use enough. Good album, liked the attitude he was giving off throughout and lots of new songs that I hadn't heard and would have added to the playlist if I could have.

Another excellent one from Neil Young. Great mood, even better lyrics.

I've had a beach visit that felt like this album. Apt name, incredible record.

Such an overlooked album by Neil, I might not have liked as much the first time I heard but over the years I've discovered I absolutely love this album. However I'm still surprised to see it on the list, must be a lot of Neil on this list.

I've only heard this one once or twice before, and didn't know any of the tracks well enough to sing along, but it's solid. 4.5, rounded up

Neils best

Neil does a fantastic job conveying the moods he feels on the songs on this record. This record feels sad, drained, and worn down, all while being a wonderfully cohesive set of songs. Favorite tracks: "On the Beach", "Vampire Blues", "Revolution Blues"

Great album. Beautiful blues-rock sound with some clever lyrics.

Like the Beatles, I don't think I can pick an absolute favorite Neil Young record. It would be between this one, "Harvest," and "Zuma" probably. This record is paced in a really interesting way. The first side is more-or-less the Neil Young we had come to love to-date. The second half is just pure studio stonery. And I like it all. Apparently Young and his band were ingesting the early 70s equivalent of weed gummies (called honey sliders) when they made this record. That may have contributed to the laid back and loose feel of the B-side. All good. It was a proud parenting moment for me when I heard Walden once a couple years ago in his room singing to himself "I'm a vampire, baby. Sucking blood from the earth."

I had never heard any of these tracks and I loved the album. Reminds me of when I discovered 'Tonights the Night' and was blown away by Neil. One of my favorite all time artists and lyricists.

so great

Neil said 😤

I get that Neil Young is an acquired taste, but I acquired that taste quite a while ago, and this is one of the albums that was involved. His cracked forlorn voice perfectly suits the melancholy atmosphere of this album... Fave track - "For The Turnstiles" has historically been my favourite, but "Walk On", "Revolution Blues", "On the Beach" and "Ambulance Blues" are all stand outs too...

Solid songwriting

Great one by Neil

one of the most relaxing albums i’ve ever listened

Elite album. A late-night affair. It gradually descends into darkness. But darkness by Neil standards is not hopelessness because Neil is always defiant even in his bleakest moments. Even as the guitars grow quieter throughout the song and the mood turns more somber, Neil never waivers and ultimately tells of his critics and tells the rest of us that he won’t be denied.

Beautiful and haunting. The music is up there with anything he's done, but lyrics really hit me. So sad and bitter. The man really needed a hug.

Received another country like album on here, damn.... Neil Young though, he is gold! His song writing is brilliant and catchy. Instrumentals are kept simple although they prove effective to getting the tone across perfectly. Mostly a few guitars, bass and drums. "On The Beach" throws you into a fantasy onto a peaceful shore. As Young calmly sings you a story. Defiently reccomend

Always been a big fan of Neil Young. This has a lot of great works on it. "For The Turnstiles" is always a good piece for me. Not a real clunker for me, although Vampire Blues" does drag on a bit. Still, great album from him, top-notch.

This has been one of my favorite Neil Young albums for a while now. Every time I listen to it I can't believe that it was out of print for nearly 2 decades. Walk On sets the tone for the rest of the album. Even though it's really the only upbeat sounding track here, the song is a criticism of the southerners that still refused to embrace or even acknowledge the civil rights era. See the Sky About to Rain seems to explore fate and the possibility of difficult times ahead. Revolution Blues is a song about the Manson family and the militant beat of the track kind of drives that point home. For the turnstiles uses the metaphor of baseball to convey the message that fame has a high price. I always felt this was in response to the overwhelming success of Neil's last couple of albums as well as the success of Deja Vu. Vampire Blues sounds like it's about the oil industry, with the line "I'm a vampire babe, suckin' blood from the Earth". Side two has a very introspective vibe on all of the tracks. On the Beach is another track about fame. This time it's from a much more personal perspective than For the Turnstiles. Motion Pictures has that line in it: "Well, all those headlines, they just bore me now I'm deep inside myself, but I'll get out somehow". Both tracks seem to indicate that fame doesn't make a person happy, but it can have the opposite effect. The last track, Ambulance Blues, seems to be a trip down memory lane for Neil. Perhaps this is taking him to simpler times before he started to get famous and living there is how he coped with it. All in all, the personal nature of this album is what makes it one of my favorites by him.

Great great album. 2nd best after After The Goldrush and man it's close. 5 🌟

Loved it! Nice and short and classically Neil Young. I've only really ever listened to Harvest and Mirrorball so it was great to have another little piece of Neil Young history to add to the rotation.

4.5

I’ve got say, I really love this album. It’s fast becoming one of my favorite works by Young and one that I can see myself coming back to frequently. It’s really quite an eye opening view into Young’s own sense of alienation and his discomfort with fame. Musically, it’s prime Neil Young, but he’s also obviously struggling with being boxed into our idea of “Neil Young” and considering how he can break free from it. It’s no coincidence that he slips in “Revolution Blues,” a song about Charles Manson, after the Harvest-era “See the Sky About to Rain.” There’s real anger lurking on the edges of Young’s ennui and he’s still deciding what to do about it. Favorite songs: "Motion Pictures" and "On the Beach."

I actually really quite liked this. Laid back but interesting guitar rock. 4

It’s all the Neil you’ll ever need to know.

groovy! 'vampire blues' iconic 'on the beach' is v pretty pretty on the whole actually, i am really enjoying! second track sounds like 'sexy sadie' / karma police lol

7/8 songs saved. One of Neil's best

A really great mix of styles and just top-notch songwriting

(Listened to before) A beautiful album with some of my favorites from growing up. A testament to masterful songwriting. Favorite Tracks: See the Sky About to Rain, On the Beach Least Favorite Tracks: None (Maybe For the Turnstiles; depends on my mood)

Sotto il sole la pelle brucc

Este me ha gustado mucho - a NY sí lo conocía pero no creo que hubiera escuchado un álbum entero

A fine album. One of my favourites by NY.

Great album, up there competing to be his best for me.

yes yes yes love this

Masterpiece

Love this album

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

4.5 | Por muchos años para mí Neil Young no era más que Keep on Rocking in the Free World. Alguien que podía intercambiar con Lynyrd Skynyrd o los Eagles; es básicamente lo mismo no? Hace unos 4 años mas menos descubrí que estaba muy equivocado. Su rango musical es super amplio y su ingenio para escribir letras es espectacular. Nunca había escuchado este disco, había escuchado Tonight's the Night que me había encantado y se me había hecho uno de los discos más lúgubres y pesimistas que conozco; leí que este hace una trilogía con ese disco y con otro llamado Time Fades Away (que terminé escuchando también ayer y hoy). ESTE es el disco más pesimista y oscuro. Me fascinó. Todas las canciones son un hoyo de miseria explorando todas las desgracias y desilusiones que tenía en ese momento, nadie se escapa Nixon (''Ambulance Blues''), las corporaciones ("Vampire Blues''), Manson y toda el desencanto con la contracultura de los 60s en la Costa Oeste (''Revolution Blues''), su esposa (''Motion Pictures''). Podría incluso llegar a ser un disco pesado para algunos, demasiado depresivo, pero para mí el sonido crudo, la banda que casi se puede sentir tensa y cansada, todo refleja de manera perfecta la manera de abordar temas que no se pueden tratar de manera amable. En cada canción expresa emoción y empatía tanto ante las victimas como los victimarios. La última canción que va de lo acústico a lo eléctrico ofreciendo una letra tan llana como “All my pictures are falling from the wall where I placed them yesterday / The world is turning / I hope it don’t turn away” es simplemente genial. Gran gran descubrimiento y me recordó de nuevo lo que pensé hace unos años... Tengo que escuchar más Neil Young.

Thoroughly enjoyed

I recognised the first track from the days of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant on XFM. I know Harvest and After the Gold Rush well, but no other Neil Young albums so this was a treat to listen to. It feels more Country and more spiky, less lush or gentle than those albums.

On the Beach is one of the finest Neil Young albums. It feels exactly like the album cover. It has some of his most improvisational lyrics but you just can't help but relate if you're feeling even the slightest bit spiteful or alone.

Really good record. Not Young's best but solid nonetheless.

Neil the patron saint of doing what you feel, but always feel it. Not technically the best; the voice or musician. But he can write songs that work ( for many) that are emotive, that you feel and connect with. The learning to cope album. 4 Star

I'm a Neil fan but didn't know this album. Solid album. Favorite tracks: Revolution Blues, Walk On, On The Beach

Ich weiß nicht, ob ich mich einfach langsam an Neil Youngs Stil (und vor allem Stimme) gewöhne, oder ob dieses Album den Vorgängeralben wirklich überlegen ist, aber jedenfalls gefiel es mir nochmal deutlich besser als die "guten" Alben Harvest und After the Gold Rush. Irgendwas an diesen entspannten tiefgründigen Songs hat mich ein bisschen süchtig gemacht, und ich habe das Album ziemlich oft gehört in den letzten Tagen. Nicht alles klickt gleichermaßen, aber es sind einige Hochs dabei (der Opener und der Titeltrack vor allem), und keine Ausfälle. 3.5/5 - sehr gut

Great stuff

rough, underpolished but that's makes it very enjoyeable

Can someone check on this guy? Mellow yet never dull, On the Beach contains many slow, peaceful ballads. Tracks like “Walk On,” “See the Sky About to Rain,” and “Revolution Blues” are well composed and work the melancholy into the song without being totally depressing. “For the Turnstiles” seems to be the only poor song, unfortunately featuring a banjo and a style of singing that does not fit with Neil. Still, this album fills its time with a balance of lyrics and instrumental breaks that adds to the delicate sound.

Feels lonely like a day on the beach at the end of the season.

Fløj igennem det. Jeg blev ikke så fanget af ham som jeg havde forventet.

*79 Havde ikke hørt denne før. Det har ikke helt samme appell som Harvest for mig, men det var en rigtig god soul searcher.

Der er få kunstnere, der mestrer melankoli. Neil Young er en af dem 4.6

Hypnotic and harrowing. On of my favourite Neil Youngs

A pretty good album. What makes Neil Young's music good is his 'authentic' feeling, and this album is no exception. He just sounds like Neil Young.

Neil Young cannot hit a high note…but somehow that doesn’t stop this album from being enjoyable Likes: Walk On; Revolution Blues; On The Beach; Motion Pictures

Quite enjoyed the first half and the rest is disappointing.

Great album of Neil songs I’ve never heard before. Easy to see why it’s on the list.

Neil Young always delivers.

Приятная светлая музыка

Can someone vivisect me and tell me what it is that makes Neil Young go so hard? 4/5

Do I... like... Neil Young?

Solid album, I like the smooth rock, summer feel it has. Favorites: Walk on and See the Sky About to Rain

now this is how you add country influence into your music. such a peaceful and calm album, definitely a surprise in how enjoyable it was, given my usual music preferences. the main pull for me has to be the solos, especially in the title track.

On the beach. Aca no se juzgan portadas, pero esta es genial. ""See the sky about to rain" tiene algo muy beach boys, esa guitarra polinesia o hawaina muy divertida pero a la vez melanclñica. On the beach, la cancion es dura. Sera que estoy metiendo mi vida en un par de cajas en este momento justo, pero que tristeza que me da

Väldigt mysigt och behagligt!

Tänkte vara bry, men det går inte. Genomgående nice, men inget som egentligen sticker ut. Ändå för bra

Belo disco. Atmosfera típica dos 70's, sem soar datado, formando perfeita trilha para um pôr-do-sol na beira da praia.

Vamos hoy jueves con el capo de Neil Young y otro de sus discos que aparecen en éste reto. Me encantó el mood de éste álbum, más melancólico y nostálgico, y me recuerda a otros trabajos como los de Nick Drake, salvando las distancias. Gracias y hasta mañana.

Bom álbum. Talvez melhor para momentos mais contemplativos, já que ouvi no trabalho. A música título é muito boa. 4.2/5

It seems I found a good Neil Young Album after all. This is it.

I know this won't be a popular review, I like Neil Young. This is better than some of the other albums we have had.

Not my fav Neil Young but I dig, especially Walk On and See The Sky About to Rain. Neil Young does have a shit voice though.

This is maybe my least favourite of the Neil Young albums we’ve had so far. I still really enjoyed it, just not as much as the others. It’s the only one so far where I didn’t already know at least one of the songs, so that might be it. Or it might be the more mellow vibe of this album, that I enjoyed but I think meant it didn’t stand out as much. Honestly I still loved it though. I think I’ve listened to it 4 times since we were given it (it was an over the weekend album) Fav song: On the Beach Least fav: Ambulance Blues

Nice pleasant album with a great cover. Not much else to say really. Specific rating - 4.2 Fav song - revolution blues Least fav - motion pictures (for Carrie)

An album that sounds and feels like a warm, lazy summers day were nothing really happens but in that moment everything is right. Not one of Young’s most acclaimed records, but one that feels like he’s truly himself. In the aftermath of After The Gold Rush and Harvest, you can almost sense the pressure is off and he can just let it hang and do what he wants here, and it works so well.

Yep. Another Neil Young album. There are too many on this list. Still a great album.

Hey EJR: I liked this world weary loose and rangy Neil, even though (or maybe because) there are no big hits. Except maybe 'Walk On'. Sounded good as you destroyed your son at corn hole.

4.5/5

4/5

i really liked it but i know how good neil young can be so i was still a little disappointed. my fav was ambulance blues and vampire blues

Really pleasant listen

Not bad!

I’m a Neil fan but the general public should like this “ditch” album. I like it much better than Tonight’s the Night, which gets all the accolades from this era.

I am a big fan of neil young, I think this album is my favourite of his, especially love ambulance blues a lot. The more rocking side of the album doesn't appeal as much to me but it's still nice, nothing bad here.

Lovely stuff, last two tracks are especially good.

Had never listened to a Neil Young album before now, it really was rather good. Decent tunes and the singing was fine. It had variety in sound between songs so was kept interesting. I'll listen to it again sometime, although I see I'll get plenty of opportunity to hear further Neil Young before the end of the 1001, hope it doesn't cause me to get fed up with his work

It's hard not to like Neil Young if you love rock music, but it's almost impossible to keep track of his vast catalogue. As of July 2026, he has released 45 studio albums, along with 22 live albums, soundtracks, EPs, box sets and much more. I know perhaps a dozen of his records, mostly from the 1970s and 1990s, but even when it comes to the classic Neil Young albums, there are still plenty of gaps in my listening. Today I learned that his fifth album "On the Beach" forms part of the so-called Ditch Trilogy, recorded after the huge mainstream success of "Harvest", at a time when Young was going through a profound personal and artistic crisis. It's rougher, simpler and more downbeat than "Harvest", and it takes a few listens to reveal itself. Once it does, though, it says a great deal about the essence of Young's music, which has always been political in the broadest sense and deeply sympathetic towards outsiders and those left behind. It's as authentic, principled, uncompromising and unconventional as Neil Young himself. It's not his best album—because with Neil Young, such a thing probably doesn't exist—but it is certainly one of his finest. And the album is worth hearing for the tender, haunting intensity of "Ambulance Blues" alone.

"Neil Young not quite at his peak" - easy 4 stars. Next.

Nice slow and almost introspective songs. Favorite Songs: Revolution Blues ; Ambulance Blues

A fine album but even after reading a bit about it I’m not sure what is especially noteworthy about this out of his whole discography to merit inclusion on this list. This is one of those slots that should have been given to an artist that the list completely skips over like Chuck Berry or Woody Guthrie.

Boy was he pissed! Good record.

pretty good

Easily among the best Neil Young albums. While he was always a wonderful lyricist, some of the writing on this album is simply next level. It's not just about the way the lyrics are written, it's about how perfectly they are paired with the music. See the Sky About to Rain is such a beautiful track in this regard, incredibly poignant and touching. The great thing is, this album isn't afraid to absolutely rock out as well. Revolution Blues is among my favourite Neil Young tracks on the heavier side. Fantastic grooves throughout. Thankfully, the sequencing is great and the entire album flows like magic as a result. Favourite track: On the Beach

Neil Young never struck me as the beach going type and the album cover and lyrics to the title song aren’t convincing me otherwise. Neil is one of the best in my opinion and I really like this album, but I’m not convinced this one needs to be on the list. Between solo and band albums (including Buffalo Springfield) there are 8 albums from him. This list is too bloated with repeats. That said, I do enjoy this one. It’s a lot more subdued and foggy sounding than his other albums, but you still hear his song writing skill and his unique voice telling his unique point of view.

In case you didn’t make it to the last lyric on the album: “I never knew a man could tell so many lies He had a different story for every set of eyes How can he remember who he's talking to? 'Cause I know it ain't me, and hope it isn't you.” Potent if he wrote it yesterday, not 50 years ago. That is why he’s a great songwriter. This album is solid Young, kind of what you’d expect, different from what you want but still edgy and insightful enough in places to be great.

Good album, front half of the album was ok but the last half really closed it out well. On the beach, Motion Pictures and Ambulance blues were all great.

Interesting for sure, some nice songs, nothing too memorable. Different styles in one, which is something I can appreciate, but it does decrease the coherence a bit. Very USA somehow. 7.2.

nice

I didn't ever listen to Neil Young until this project. I will say some of these songs are quite captivating in a very subdued way. I'm focusing on the lyrics, and that seems to be the most enjoyable way to really get the most out of all this. It sounds like something an alt-country group would put out circa 2002, so I guess it's ahead of it's time in that aspect and something I can love. Very nice indeed.

An essential if not the essential Neil album. Maybe the essential? I don’t know, stop asking me

We all experience difficult times. Neil Young certainly did during the making of The Ditch Trilogy. It is a wonderful talent to address struggles through art and yet for the results to be able to offer the observer relief from their own tough times. ‘On the Beach’ is prime example of this. There are plenty of woes in the grooves, but I come away with a feeling of contentment. Were I wishing simply to wallow, I would turn to ‘Tonight’s the Night’ for a different experience. I feel bad for those who miss out on these benefits. I wonder what someone actually gets from music, if they can listen to this album and decide to react to it by calling Young a whiny bitch.

Might be a 5

I really liked this one! Some of my favorite Neil Young I've heard so far. Pretty good balance between the louder and softer Neil Young vibes. I also liked his voice on this one a lot more than on After the Gold Rush... I'm not completely sure why. Some really beautiful songs in here. Favorites: Walk On, On the Beach, Motion Pictures (For Carrie)

So far my favorite Neil outside of side 2 of Rust Never Sleeps! Am I coming around? Maybe! Even the downtempo numbers worked for me here, I think cause he works within the confine of his voice instead of trying to do things it wasn't meant to do.

good album the vocals really nice really liked the riffs hard carry

impressed with album, better than recent live performances

This is immediately the best Neil Young album I've heard. He doesn't veer into the super folksy stuff here. I'm gonna listen to this one again.

This might be my favoite Neil Young album so far. I really enjoyed the vibes on this one and listened to it twice on the same day and started diving into more Young albums afterwards too.

I’m less familiar with this album than his earlier melodic folk of After the Gold Rush and Harvest, or his later proto-grunge Rust Never Sleeps. Whilst there’s no crunching guitars to be found here, you can hear elements of each phase in his career, and it feels like an important foundational album for the coming alternative rock scene of the 80s and 90s. Besides Walk On, the album lacks obvious singles, but I also enjoyed Motion Pictures (for Carrie) and Ambulance Blues