Tonight's The Night

4/5

I'm not always a Neil Young fan but this album rips.

Verdientermaßen in dieser Liste! Neil Young’s nächster Klassiker.

It has this drunken haze feel to the album, it is dark but in more of a let's just get through this day way. This is one of those albums that you listen to a few beers in on your patio outside just pondering life probably during the middle of fall. Then again maybe I am just saying this cause my dad's a big fan of this album. 4.5 rounded to 5

This is my third Neil Young album during this 1,001 thing I’m doing. Tonight’s the Night was recorded after Danny Whitten, a member of Young's backing band Crazy Horse, overdosed and died. Then, Bruce Berry, a roadie for Young and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, also died of a heroin overdose. The deaths gutted Young and the rest of Crazy Horse. This album was Young, the remaining two members of Crazy Horse and Nils Lofgren, of E Street Band fame, gathering up in a studio, smoking weed and drinking tequila all day, only to begin recording around midnight when they’re all tuned up and high AF. And the album sounds like it. It’s sloppy, Young’s voice is struggling, and it sounds like most of the songs were done in one take. With all that being said, I love this album. I realize it may mostly be the backstory. Before reading about the recording of this album, I thought it sounded like a mess. It legit sounds like a bunch of dudes got high and drunk and decided to record some songs. But when you find out they’re all essentially gutted by the deaths of their friends and this album is an expression of their grief, it turns the album into a masterpiece. This album is the third in Young’s Ditch Trilogy. It’s called the Ditch Trilogy, as Young has become so famous and recognized, he decided to stop making music that had made him famous. He started experimenting more and wanted to create anything except what it was that made him popular. He was “driving his career into the ditch.” Much like Dylan going electric and not wanting to write just protest songs. On the Beach was one of the Ditch Trilogy albums, which I listened to about a week or two ago. It didn’t blow me away, but Tonight’s the Night got me. The songs are dark and filled with grief. They’re also about drugs; in fact, one song, Tired Eyes, is about a drug deal gone wrong in which Young’s friend had to kill a couple of guys. Another song, Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown, is a live song sang by Whitten while Young and Crazy Horse were on tour. And yes, the song is about drugs. Young wasn’t trying to write any hits with this album; he wanted to capture a moment and he succeeded. Tonight’s the Night is like a wake. But knowing that turns it from a sloppy-sounding average rock album into something almost sacred. There are a lot of darkness and grief on the album, but there are beautiful moments too. Lookout Joe is one of my new favorite songs and Lofgren plays one of the most amazing solos I’ve ever heard on the song Speakin’ Out. New Mama is more like CSN&Y, with an acoustic guitar, piano and great harmonies. I don’t know if I’m slowly becoming a Neil Young guy, but after listening to Tonight’s the Night about seven times since yesterday, I’m definitely a Tonight’s the Night fan.

A devastating album from Neil. Not his best, but close. 5 stars

One of my favourite Neil Young albums. Off key, melodic (somehow), brutal lyrics...a masterpiece! 5/5

# In-Depth Review of Neil Young's *Tonight's the Night* Neil Young's **Tonight's the Night** (1975) is often regarded as one of the most raw and emotionally charged albums in rock history. Recorded primarily in 1973 but released two years later, it serves as a haunting eulogy to friends lost to drug overdoses and a stark departure from the commercial success of *Harvest*. This review examines the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, followed by an assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. ## 📝 Lyrics and Themes The lyrics of *Tonight's the Night* are deeply personal and melancholic, reflecting Young's grief and guilt following the deaths of Crazy Horse guitarist **Danny Whitten** and roadie **Bruce Berry**, both of whom succumbed to heroin overdoses. The album functions as a narrative of loss, addiction, and mourning, with Young's writing characterized by its stark honesty and lack of romanticism. - **Title Track**: The song "Tonight's the Night" directly references Bruce Berry, painting a vivid picture of his life and tragic end. Lines like *"Bruce Berry was a working man / He used to load that Econoline van"* are delivered with a sense of immediacy and pain. - **"Borrowed Tune"**: Young admits to lifting the melody from the Rolling Stones' "Lady Jane," singing, *"I'm singin' this borrowed tune / I took from the Rolling Stones"*—a metaphor for his creative and emotional exhaustion. - **"Tired Eyes"**: This song narrates a violent cocaine deal gone wrong, emphasizing the bleakness and randomness of death. - **Mourning vs. Celebration**: Despite its dark themes, the album occasionally juxtaposes despair with a sense of cathartic release, almost resembling a "raucous party" among friends. ## 🎸 Music and Sound Musically, *Tonight's the Night* is loose, ragged, and intentionally unpolished. Young and his band, the Santa Monica Flyers (featuring **Nils Lofgren**, **Ben Keith**, and Crazy Horse members **Billy Talbot** and **Ralph Molina**), embrace a spontaneous, live-off-the-floor sound. - **Raw Performances**: The album is characterized by sloppy guitar solos, off-key vocals, and minimalist arrangements. Tracks like "Speakin' Out" and "Mellow My Mind" sound like first takes, capturing the band's intoxicated and emotional state. - **Genre Blending**: The music blends country, blues, and rock, but with a dissonant edge. Songs like "Albuquerque" and "Roll Another Number (For the Road)" incorporate folk and country elements but are undercut by a sense of unease. - **Live Recording**: The inclusion of the 1970 live track "Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown," featuring Danny Whitten on vocals, adds a ghostly layer to the album. ## 🎛 Production Approach The production, overseen by **David Briggs**, is minimalist and anti-commercial. Recorded at **Studio Instrument Rentals (S.I.R.)** in Los Angeles, the sessions were conducted late at night with the band under the influence of tequila and drugs. - **"Audio Verité" Style**: Young aimed for "audio verité"—capturing the moment rather than perfecting it. Mistakes were left intact, microphone placements were erratic, and overdubs were avoided. - **Atmospheric Quality**: The production enhances the album's themes of loss and despair. The sparse instrumentation and haunting harmonies create an intimate yet unsettling listening experience. ## 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Influence and Legacy *Tonight's the Night* is often cited as a foundational work for genres like **alt-country** and **grunge**. Its influence can be heard in artists ranging from **Wilco** to **Sonic Youth**. - **Punk and Grunge**: Young's confrontational and unvarnished approach prefigured punk's DIY ethos. Artists like **Johnny Rotten** cited Young's attitude as an influence. - **Alt-Country**: The album's blend of country aesthetics with raw, emotional storytelling inspired bands like **Uncle Tupelo**. - **Cultural Impact**: The album's legacy endures, with critics and musicians praising its bravery and emotional depth. It remains a touchstone for artists exploring dark themes with authenticity. ## ✔ Pros and ❌ Cons of the Album ### Pros: 1. **Emotional Authenticity**: The album's raw emotion and honesty make it a powerful listening experience. 2. **Innovative Production**: The lo-fi, live-in-the-studio approach was ahead of its time and influenced generations of musicians. 3. **Thematic Cohesion**: The album's focus on loss and mourning gives it a narrative depth rare in rock music. 4. **Cultural Significance**: It remains a benchmark for artists dealing with grief and addiction in their work. ### Cons: 1. **Inaccessibility**: The rough production and melancholic themes may alienate listeners seeking melodic or polished rock. 2. **Repetitive Nature**: Some critics note that the album's minimalist approach can feel monotonous over repeated listens. 3. **Bleakness**: The unrelenting focus on death and despair makes it a challenging listen for some. ## 💡 Conclusion *Tonight's the Night* is not just an album but an emotional journey into the heart of grief. Its lyrical depth, raw musicality, and innovative production make it a landmark work in Neil Young's career and in rock history. While its unpolished sound and dark themes may not appeal to everyone, its honesty and artistic fearlessness have cemented its status as a classic. For those willing to delve into its depths, it offers a profoundly moving experience that remains relevant decades after its release.

Прог-блюзовая меланхолия скорбной ночи. Идеально.

Wouldn't be my favourite of his but still a great record, very raw, has that live feel.

Neil is a classic, something good on every album.

I'm gonna have the refrain from both title tracks stuck in my head forever and that's no bad thing! 4.5*

Thoughts before listening: One of Neil's darker albums from a tough period on his life. The title track is a classic, but I'm not sure what else is on here. I know this is a classic, but it's one I've never owned before. Review: So this is dark lyrically, but that doesn't necessarily come out in the music. While Neil is singing about close friends who have recently died from drug use as well as his disinterest in his fame, the music for the most part maintains a loose, fun country rock style. This is the Neil I know and love, and quite frankly despite never actually listening to the album, I am extremely familiar with a lot of this. The title track, "Come on Baby Lets Go Downtown", "Albuquerque", etc are some of his more recognizable songs which have been staples of the live show and included on greatest hits style albums. I'm glad to have finally listened to this classic album, and I think its 5-stars.

No Harvest when Tonight’s The Night

Great songs in dark times for Neil Young.

People will debate some of the albums on this list. People will debate this one being on the list. What is art but a representation of ourselves. Neil Young and his compatriots laid it all down their sorrow and a love for these two men who meant a lot to them and were taken by a heinous thing. It’s imperfect and honest and dark and powerful and wonderfully uplifting. I struggle to think of another album that packs the emotional wallop. It is a singular album and a masterpiece from an artist who has been courageous and demanding enough to do it multiple times.

This is where the Godfather of Grunge earned his moniker, and deservedly so. Most Neil Young albums are masterpieces and rightly so, but this one is in the top five because of how naked and real it is.

The backstory to this album was that Young was grieving the OD deaths of his former roadie, Bruce Berry (the “workin’ man, he used to load that Econoline van”), and Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten, who is heard singing and playing on “Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown.” But to me, Tonight’s the Night plays like a long hangover—from stardom, drugs, the rigors of touring and the death of 60s idealism. It sounds like it was recorded in a juke joint where the band was being paid in ice buckets of longnecks. The playing is loose and sometimes ramshackle, and the songs are genuine and stirring.

yet another entry in neil young's repertoire. this one goes for a bit of a trampy, soulful blues vibe. if there's one thing i admire neil for, it's always a different picture whenever i hear one of his albums in this collection; i always wonder what i'll hear next. these songs are VERY nice but a tiny part of me is not sure if young's warbly voice fits the kind of music he's trying to do here. it's better than the one time he tried to make grunge rock though. regardless of genre, his music is engaging, relatable and channels at the emotions if you'd let it. it's a very cool album... it takes a bit for it to hit but when it does, you'll love it.

Great classic album with a good back story

Great album! We love it when it came out. I still listen to it

Loved it

Currently one of the top reviews for this album on this site mentions that this is what a shitty bar in the 70s would sound like and they would not want to go to that bar. I fully agree that these are the sounds of a 70s bar, but we clearly don’t like the same sort of establishments because I would absolutely love to spend time in this bar.

Such an amazing mix of grief, but also somehow life affirming.

Funky, bluesy, groovy

A shambolic masterpiece, with terrific songwriting enhanced by emotionally resonant performances complete with mistakes, tempo problems, and Young missing notes left and right. A truly great album.

Pretty good, he is a wailer of a singer but good ol folk

An easy 5

i had to read up on the story of this album to fully understand why it sounds the way it does, and oh man.. 5/5. it’s quite impossible to not listen to “borrowed tune” and not be hit with an emotional freight train. “new mama” is absolutely incredible, so is “albuquerque” wow. just wow. i love lap steel guitar so much. i love harmonies. what an album!

I've not been very discerning with Neil Young, there's lots of it that we've done and I've liked it all. This is no exception.

Love it

One of my favorite Neil albums. Just veered off into the ditch

somewhat like bowie, i feel like i havent given neil young's music enough time and have approached his career to the extent that i have in a kind of unideal way: casual one-off listens to his most acclaimed albums that i never bothered to follow up on. a random number generator of acclaimed albums obviously isnt gonna solve this problem HJKFHSJKFHFSJKHFSJKFSHKFSJHK but i will pay more attention to our encounters. i think they will be fruitful, because i think his voice especially has clicked harder for me than it ever has before, both in vocals and songwriting,,,a good mixture of instant recognizibility and eclecticism across both. was v interesting to find out this was recorded in the aftermath of harvest, one of the ones ive actually heard...to bust out one of my signature tortured beach boys metaphor, this feels a bit like a wild honey/friends to that record's pet sounds/smile. incredibly whisky soaked in that way that makes me question whether people get drunk to escape or to wallow, a productive emotional tension that informs a rly incredible set of melodies and performances. borrowed tune in particular really cut to my center....how can i, number one Ballad Fan, continue to put off neil young???

Super

There just are not a lot of artists in the history of music who could make an album like this. Soulful, rocking, beautiful, ugly, and unique. Neil wears his heart on his sleeve and I love him for it.

Perfect album!

Neil can sing the blues with the best of em, and his knack for story telling is quintessential to the quality of his music. This album is not as rocking as others, it’s a hybrid of the folk side and the heavy distortion side, but it does not lack in tenacity. It even ventures into the country western realm. Beautiful melodies, soulful power.

Classic.

The sound of Neil Young being drunk and depressed. Excellent album.

4.7 I had to give this a few listens because I didn't realize how good it was, there is nothing really negative to pick at. The studio musicians really elevate the songs, probably more so than other Neil Young albums. The remaining crazyhorse members playing is great too.

One of the best album by Neil Young and the trademark sound he has.

Never heard before. Good, Loose, Bluesy Rock 'n Roll. Really great.

Ahhh, tequila Neil. It's a sad one. 2nd favourite of the ditch trilogy. Never completely clicked with me the way On the Beach and (almost ditch trilogy album) Zuma did. Guess I prefer weed and cocaine Neils. Still 10 off 10, I love most Neils.

In a life and career of astronishing creativity and artistic left turns reaching to the very human soul, this is the most astronishing, and, to paraphrase Kirk's Spock Eulogy, the most human. Epically human.

Tja fucking goed wat valt er nog meer te zeggen?

IMO not that great. Beginning is bleak but in a Big Star way. It’s just not so beautiful. Then the rest of the album is more classic Neil Young, but not at his best. Great album cover.

Tonight's the night - a delicate 5/5 Speaking ou - 3/5 World on a string - 5/5 what you expect from Neil Borrowed Tune - nice. 5/5 Come on baby... - love it. 5/5 Mellow - 3/5 Mother Number - 3/5 Albuquerque - 4/5 New Mama - 5/5 Lookout Joe - 4/5 Tired Eyes - 2/5

Neil Young's retreat to the raw and loose, after the success of Harvest and the addiction and the death around him. This one was a slow burner with me originally, not as easy a listen, but god it rewards returning to it.

Great album and a bit on the more bluesy end of his style.

Classic.

Raw and angsty Neil is a good Neil

Fantastic music

bleak never sounded so good. "Bruce Barry was a working man he used to drive that Econoline van"

very very cool

Very snazzy classic rock mixed with a bit of country and the occasional blues note. Gotta love having not only Tonights the Night on the album Tonights the Night but also Tonights the Night Part 2 on the album Tonights the Night. Best overall Neil Young album I've heard.

I like how natural it comes off. Relaxed. Almost feels like it could be a musical. Crisp and smooth at the Same time. Nice flow to the album overall. Not all the tracks pop, but for this as a whole to sound so good and not feel plastic I'm leaning 5. The mix sounds so good in headphones.

Wow - powerful stuff. Shame I had to resort to Youtube but it was worth it. Raw and emotional- a contrast to his other stuff which I love but is tame compared to this. The musicianship is really superior- boy Nils Lofgren is really good.

Neil Young’s albums from the early/mid 70’s all have a organic feel. Or whatever is the opposite of overproduced. “Tonight’s the Night” takes it to another level, feeling almost unproduced. It is somewhere between a wake and a celebration of friends/band mates Bruce Berry and Danny Whitten, who had both died of Heroin overdoses. The feel here is a bunch of guys hanging around the studio, laying down a few tracks in between a few drinks (or whatever), honoring their friends in the best way they knew (musically). In concept, it could’ve been a hot mess, but it all works. It’s “real”, it has emotion. This has been one of my favorite NY albums for years, and “Tired Eyes” is one of my favorite songs. An easy 5 star rating.

Neil Young is so damn good! Very emotional songs! Personal top3 in no order: Speakin Out World On A String Lookout Joe

Possibly my favorite Neil album, and that's saying something. This album is part of his absolute peak in my opinion. Loaded with character and just great from start to finish.

Nice music.

Love Neil Youngs vocals.

Grande mestre do blues, curto das antigas já, esse álbum em especial é só fado um atrás do outro

Stark. Raw. Unflinching. You can hear the pain in Neil's voice as he pays tribute to Danny Whitten and Bruce Berry. It's very rough on the edges and it can be a difficult journey. But it's so worthwhile once you get to the destination. Fantastic!

Love Neil Young. Great album

It’s in the title of one of his later albums; Neil Young’s music is Ragged Glory, and Tonight’s The Night is an epitome of sorts. Harder and more ragged than any of his other 70’s output, this is an album full of moments of sheer beauty interwoven within it’s bleakness. And it’s not even his best album, that’s how fucking good Neil Young is!

Loved hearing some of the less often played songs.

Really enjoyed this. Heard a few things from Neil Young and saw him live a few years back (incredible), but I’ve never been properly into him. Always put him in the legendary category without knowing too much about his back catalogue. This is my favourite album I’ve heard from him. Sounds almost at times like a predecessor to the whole slacker movement. His voice is as unique as they come, and his lyrics are up there with the best. The band work incredibly well with his style, sometimes it sounds chucked together but in a considered way, which doesnt make sense but I know what I mean. He just manages to make it all work together so well. Quite a few highlights for me, particularly Tired Eyes, Lookout Joe, Come on Baby, World on a String. And he looks cool as fuck on that album cover. 4.5

Just full of amazing Neil

Fantastic. I really loved this one.

Neil Young she/her

My bad didn’t listen

I knew Tonight's The Night, the main song on this album, very well indeed, but I hadn't heard any of the others much. Will definitely be giving this a repeat listening. Not my favourite Neil Young material, but it's still an easy 5 stars.

Pretty bad when you're dealing with a man and the light shines in your eye yeah!

Boozy glory that classic replacements esque were drunk as fuck playing songs we wrote on the spot but still the best music you’ll ever here

Uncle Neil sounds great !! Love it

Such a raw, emotional, dark album, sometimes a bit heavy but if your in the right mood it's amazing. It's also a album that get's better the more you listen to it, it seems soak into your soul. I am surprised we have 2 of the 3 "Ditch Trilogy" albums so far. Bring on Time Fades Away!

This might be my favorite Neil Young album I've heard. I like the raw and emotional sound and the blues licks. Really great stuff.

Yeah - if you dig Neil Young, as I do, you'd struggle to find fault here. Young was at the height of his considerable powers here. Another artist might sound trapped by the rather ramshackle arrangements here - not Young. If anything, they only serve to embellish his artistry. Superb.

Had heard songs from this album but not the album itself. A few new-to-me songs but all good.

Never heard it before and loved it!

I love every song. This is the greatest country/folk rock album of all time. This album shouldn’t be liked by me but idc.

That’s an easy one, and lucky I have a copy on vinyl

Why hadn't I given Neil Young much of a go before. Really enjoyed this. Melancholic songs imbued with a sense acceptance and uplifting defiance. Enjoyed the folky elements more than the country elements, purely personal taste tho. Borrowed Tune fav track. Removed the corniness of 'Lady Jane' and elevated the beautiful melody. 4.5

I knew about the tragic backstory to this album but had never heard it before. Wasn't sure how I'd respond to this but through the last half of the album in particular I really enjoyed it. A number of lines and verses really rocked me - simple but moving lyricism. Four and a half. Fave track - Tired Eyes

need to get this one on vinyl

The older I get, the more I like Neil. I thought this was a 3 or 4 on the first spin but the second time around I absolutely loved it.

Neil Young released 45 studio albums (plus lots of other work with others of course). Albums 2-5 (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - After The Gold Rush - Harvest - On The Beach) are all 5 star super classics, just like Album 6: this one. Not much else to add.

Excellent album, excellent recording. It feels like you are in the room with them performing the music.

His masterpiece. A man haunted by the death of close friends and his culpability in those deaths. Meanwhile, he struggles with his fame and stardom and desire to be left alone. Imperfect and emotionally raw.

Excellent

I enjoyed this wasn't available on Spotify so i had to youtube it. But still a good one. I didn't know i like him but i do.. shhh dont tell anyone.

No surprise I really liked it. It's bluesy, it's scratchy, it sounds... desperate and quietly resigned to sadness? Honestly at this point, the only album I haven't super liked has been my first one, the Bob Dylan one. I would listen to it again, but I wouldn't seek it out, I don't think. This one I will come back to for sure.

Couldn't listen

Some positively insane guitar tone. Classic Neil Young songwriting. As always, the Canadian songwriter makes me relish in Americana.

I enjoyed this very much, I will definitely listen to it again

A tour de force.

I knew I had to listen to him eventually, but after hearing this I wish I did sooner

Took a while for this album to click for me, but now it’s one of my favorite Neil Young records. The beginning of Neil doing whatever the fuck he wants at all times.

Country skotin snilld, næstum 5*

Be even better if he could sing!

I don’t know why, but this is such a good album.

Remek djelo

Classic, great grooving

Sempre essencial

Great...

cassic neil young

New favourite album so far 🥰 (Dec 5th 21)

I'd heard of Neil Young, but my only real knowledge of him was that he's referenced in Sweet Home Alabama. With that being said, I adored this album! I was actually disappointed with how short it was! Enough that I'd happily buy this on vinyl. The last album that did that for me on this generator was the Bongo Band, that was a 5/5 so... A 5/5 for me.

Very reminiscent of the album Prairie Wind which came out in 2005.

An amazing album, one of Neil Young's best. Its sad and poignant and powerful, The title track is the highlight of course but there are other great songs too. 5 stars

Tonight's The Night is a classic Neil Young rock album. It was created while grieving over the loss of Danny Whitten (guitarist) Bruce Berry (friend & roadie) who both died of drug overdoses. "The whole thing is about life, dope and death" and you will notice it. That is one of the reasons I don't listen to it that often. The sheer quality of this album cannot be denied though.

Roll another one

Vraiemnt un bon album d’un bon artiste. 4.95

Most excellent!

tonight's A night

Ist groß bleibt groß auch wenn es nicht zu einem schönen Sommertag passt. Ist das Problem des Sommertages und nicht des albums

Excellent album!

Dark as fuck. Love it. Best Tracks: Tonight's The Night, Albuquerque, Tired Eyes

great. listened 2x during the day. strong opener. will listen again.

Always good

Loved every minute. Neil is the absolute man.

Some classic Neil to start the week

Really great album

What's not to love?

Solid, but not his best

Another Neil Young album, another four stars. Its an earlier Neil Young album, so it was bound to be good. He looks like Walter Becker on the album cover.

Interesting album from Neil Young. Some real rockers, some real depressing, and overall very good.

it's nice id listen while i work c:

This was pretty good, although it felt a little repetitive by the end. That said, I did listen to it twice, so I must've liked it alright. Four stars.

Growing up I hated everything Neil Young did, and in middle age I realize it's because you have to be an old man to look past his f'd up singing and just enjoy him for what he is... he's a god damn hippie (most hippies are hypocritical). I still think he's miles better than whatever Bob Dylan is

I love Neil Young but this album demonstrates why he's a bit marmite. The vocal can be a bit grating!

7/10 A bit too whiny, the songs are not as strong, but it is still Neil Young and it still feels important

Love Neil, but this one's not his easiest to listen to.

As loose and sloppy as grief and its aftermath can be.

Really liked this. Emotional, impactful. Maybe my favorite of the Neil Young albums I've heard so far.

Bit of a wildcard Neil Young pick (I love him, but he could certainly do to have less albums in the list). Just classic guitar-focused Neil, not much more to say. It’s great, but not his best.

Decent Neil here but not absolute peak Neil.

I enjoy Neil Young's style, and while I wasn't familiar with this album, it felt like talking with an old friend.

I have found with this list that I always appreciate an NY album. This was fun to listen to! I feel like his voice sounds a little more mature/deeper than in other albums I've listened to before, which was interesting to hear.

Solid throughout, but not my favourite of his work.

I love Neil Young and I loved this record.

I liked it. Very raw and emotional. First time listening to Niel Young. Apparently not his most appreciated album so I'm excited to hear more of his. Idk if its his style but the cracking in his voice makes me feel how shaken up and depressed he was making this. Review: 7.4/10 Fave songs: Speakin' Out, Borrowed Tune, Roll another number

There are better Neil young albums. Albuquerque is an all timer though

I like him and this album was good. Not something I need to listen to on the regular.

I do love Neil Young, but this isn't him at his best. It's still Neil Young, and it's still better than most, but this is an album best listened to in the background of a dark and dingy dive bar.

Sieste avec Clara Wink wink

Classic! Some great tunes and some hit or miss sketchy performances.

Tonight's the Night - 5/5 Speakin' Out - 4/5 World on a String - 4/5 Borrowed Tune - 4/5 Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown - 5/5 Mellow My Mind - 5/5 Roll Another Number (For the Road) - 4/5 Albuquerque - 5/5 New Mama - 3/5 Lookout Joe - 3/5 Tired Eyes - 5/5 Tonight's the Night - Part II - 4/5 Average score: 4.3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ bleak and emotional but beautiful. not my fav of his albums i've heard thus far but it's still great

Every Neil Young album I go thinking it's for old people and every Neil Young album I end up liking. It's time to accept my age.

meu gosto recém adquirido por country de guitarrinha me colocou numa posição meio estranha, porque eu achei esse aqui do caralho

eh, tem umas guitarrada boa esse, hein. dá pra ver que esse mano inspirou uma galerinha BOA dessa leva de country alternativo barulheira atual bacana demais, mto pica.

Neil toimii aina. 4/5.

Álbum excelente. Neil Young possui uma carreira com muitas nuances e o que ele produziu nos anos 1970 é fenomenal. QoA Adonis New.

A true legend. Not a good singer, yet charming. Good storytelling.

If you asked me if I liked Neil Young, I'd probably say something like "...eh? Maybe?" But I caught myself really loving this album. I think maybe I need to listen to more of his catalog. I might be a fan and not know it yet.

neil how i love u highlights: mellow my mind, new mama 4/5

Roughly on par with his earlier 70s albums, if not quite as good. Still plenty to love here.

So many albums on this list attempt to use the idea of “rawness” as part of their artistic expression, and so many of them just end up sounding like high schoolers plonking away in their first band. This album uses rawness in an extremely effective way that doesn’t detrimentally affect the musicality of the album. It’s raw in emotion, but not in performance. You can feel it without necessarily hearing it, and that is a very difficult rope to walk.

Why are there so many Neil Young albums in this list? Not saying that he's not been influential or even that the music is bad, I just think enough is enough and I'm quite capable of hearing 2-3 albums and thinking, 'yeah, I'll go and dig deeper into this guy' all by myself. All that said, when it's bluesy, it's great stuff and he does a lovely number on the old mouth organ. When it's very country, I can take or leave it but it's certainly never less than good.

used have this album on repeat - still worthy

I think this is some of Neil’s better works. More upbeat and just feels like it has more energy. 3.5 maybe always a 4.

Mencanto

Neil Young's album "Tonight's The Night" I liked 2 songs: Albuquerque "A slow, hypnotic country ballad. One of the most beautiful and melancholic songs on the album." I really enjoyed it and added it to my playlist. Tired Eyes "A key track on the album. The story of a guy who was shot in Los Angeles. The climax of the album, where the pain and cynicism reach their peak." The album's conclusion: the weather is gloomy, and it fits in with the mood.

Tonight's the night for Neil Young to fight.

Really good album as always from Neil Young, not as good as some of the others , and difficult to listen BC it’s only on Spotify, but I’m never gonna say anything bad about Neil Young album

I really liked this: the first time I can say that about a Neil Young album I’ve heard. A really interesting (and sad) backstory too. Downloaded to listen again.

Great Album by a great composer, but Neil young isn't a great singer, at all

Honestly, I was expecting to dislike this. And after the opener I thought I had predicted correctly. But from 'Speakin' Out' onwards comes a run of tracks that subverted my expectations. The soft piano melodies are fantastic, and Neil's voice sounds really great on this, full of passion. And of course there are the wonderful harmonica instrumentals that can't be missed. Consider me surprised, I'll be returning to this one. Favourites: Borrowed Tune Mellow My Mind Tired Eyes

3.5 - I get his voice isn't for everyone, but enjoy his music quite a bit. His connection to Pearl Jam certainly doesn't hurt.

fun, neil young always consistent and a good time

Album 1086 of 1089 Tonight's The Night - Neil Young (1975) Rating : 4 / 5 This was another really solid showing from Neil Young. One thing that stood out right away is the atmosphere of the album. It doesn’t feel overly polished or cleaned up—it feels lived-in, almost like you’re sitting in the room while it’s being played. There’s a rawness to it that works in its favor. The performances feel real and unfiltered, and that gives the whole album a certain weight. It’s not about perfection—it’s about capturing a feeling, and it does that very well. Neil Young seems completely locked in here. Everything feels intentional without being forced, and the overall tone of the album carries through from beginning to end. It’s one of those records where the mood is just as important as the music itself.

Oh Neil..

I really enjoyed this album. Did I enjoy it more because I know it’s one my good friends’ favorites? Probably. It feels vaguely of childhood and, unlike a lot of albums I get here, didn’t outstay its welcome.

Hadn't heard this one before but thought it was great. Read the story behind it too which added some emotional weight behind the songs. The slower songs are my favourite but really liked the whole thing and will definitely revisit. 4.5

Neil Young is a bit of a blind spot for me so happy to liste to one of his classic albums

I have to start and say, I don't like Tonight's the Night. Not the album, the title track, which appears twice, opens and closes the record. It's unfortunate, because other than that it's a remarkable album. The song are on the associative side of Neil's writing, and the compositions are so lovely and comforting. Some here do hit harder, but it's mainly a country bluesy mellow stuff. The thing that makes it special is the preformences. It's more of a live album than a studio album. I can even call it a jam record. It sounds like a group of friends playing together for their own pleasure. Neil and the band are so comfortable and nonchalant, without anything sounding sloppy (except the title tracks) I think it's one of the most special collections of songs in Neil's career. I guess I'm going to listen to this one a lot this week. It's a high 4

Great album. Another prove that the 70's was one of the best times in music history

Wasn't too long till we got another album 🤭! From spoiling myself with the reviews, he sounds "sad" here. Or maybe I was primed to think that, cause the 5 star reviews make it sound profoundly gloomy/unsettling. Whatever the case, despite hearing what I heard were mostly upbeat tracks, I definitely heard some sadness in the slower songs like "Tired Eyes". It's like he's pleading with the listener to not do things that could end their lives prematurely (3.5-4).

Some good songs. Interesting harmonies. Would listen again.

me encanto. tiene temones, que no sabia que eran de el. disco para gozar

Heart-rending and raw

Actual Rating: 3.5/5

very good actually

lovely - some bits too twangy and slow for me, but walk on, oh honey! loooove! plus it's neil.

He’s a hurricane. The cloud bands slowly move in and warn those below of the imminent storm heading their way. In the thick of it all, you feel the true unrelenting power and can only succumb to its wrath. At the height, the clouds suddenly break and the sun pops out as if nothing ever happened. Until it all begins again.

Songwriting? Top notch. Musicianship? Top notch. Singing? Eerrreeeccchhh! (How I imagine the sound of a record scratch is spelled.) Neil Young is one of the greats but he’s not great at everything.

Neil Young is a favorite of mine always !!

Solid.

This was really good, definitely need to go back. My favorites were both parts of “Tonight’s The Night”

Overall: 8/10 Another rocking album full of bangers from the canadian king. I've found after receiving a certain amount of albums from one artist, it becomes difficult to say anything new, and there's a LOT of Neil Young on this list. It's great, it rocks, and I love it. Fav Song: Mellow My Mind

Not my favorite Neil Young record but very enjoyable to listen to. I have been very generous with my rating recently and will continue. 4 stars.

A great blues album

yeah it was good (I didn’t listen the whole way thru im so sorry)

Enjoyable listen. Not sure I’ll return. Felt like a good long drive album

This had me Speakin’ Out!

As a Neil Young album I’m tempted to give this closer to a 3, as there are better albums (Harvest, Goldrush, Harvest Moon), but still a solid 4 amongst the generator albums.

Starts slow, Come on Baby is the highlight of Side A, Side B is the star here. Lots of good country influenced rock- Roll Another One and Albuquerque are the standouts. New Mama is classic Neil Young.

There is something to be said about real human beings playing real instruments and recording music about real people and their real experiences.

If you like ragged electric Neil, you like this. If you don't, you don't.

Good

Neil Young sounds exactly as I imagined — raw and bluesy, with a loose atmosphere that feels like Neil Young simply being Neil Young. I really love his guitar sound here: it’s effortless and bluesy, and it feels carefully played rather than showy.

chill

Day739 - a top tier neil young album. it keeps getting better throughout the album. it also has the second best song named albuquerque after the weird al one.

Enjoyed this Neil Young album, had not heard it before. A little bit of rock, a little bit of country, great Neil. Highlights: "World on A String" and "Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown"

It is annoying that I have been randomly assigned four Neil Young albums over one month and I would like to hear something else besides 70s folk rock in general (whose dad made this list anyway?) but still, this one is pretty good.

As a documentation of Neil Youngs grief this is rather effective. The apparent intentional messiness and sloppy playing matched with the emotionally heavy lyrics really portrays a man struggling in real time. This all makes the album feel deeply human and honest. For this I really appreciated it, however I do not so myself returning to this much.

Pretty much the quintessential folk rock artist in my opinion. Loved this album.

Never heard of this (but what do I know) but now I get what those No Depression/alt-country dudes were going for. No arguments, and I don't care that he can't sing. It's actually kind of charming.

The best of the Neil Young Albums that have shown up on this list. Was less country and twang, a bit more electric and some great layered vocals. I can hear the strength of his songwriting here without the typical detractions that get between me and liking it. Would listen to more of this.

I wish I could just write a review without a rating today, because I honestly do not know how I feel about this album. I listened to it twice trying to figure it out. It feels raw, there is some grief being processed, and I am intrigued, though I am unsure if I actually like it.

Super album j'adore !

I appreciate the context and the rawness.

Personal enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5

Perfect for what it sets out to do. Not overly produced - almost sounds like a live record.

der Anfang war lowk nicht so strong aber es wird schon immer besser?? nur diese dumme Mundharmonika bringt mich um

Not bad

Not Neil at his best :( but it’s good!!! Idk what else I can say about Neil that I haven’t already. The electric songs so good. Acoustic so comfy. Love it but this definitely isn’t up to the standard.

I like Neal. I like Neal for multiple reasons - I disliked a couple tracks on here, but mostly it's the good Neal.

Even more Neil Young, he really does feature a lot on this challenge. I went into Tonight’s the Night expecting something similar to the other Neil Young albums I’ve heard, but this turned out to be very different. This album feels raw, bruised, and emotionally exposed in a way that Harvest or After the Gold Rush never quite are. There’s an unpolished, almost uncomfortable honesty running through it, and that’s what makes it so compelling. It sounds like an album made out of grief and exhaustion rather than craft. Borrowed Tune, Lookout Joe, and Tonight’s the Night really stood out for me. There are genuinely great tracks here, but more importantly, the album works as a complete statement. Every song feels necessary, adding to the atmosphere and emotional weight rather than padding out the runtime. This might actually be my favourite Neil Young album so far, its messy, imperfect, and deeply human. Favourite track: Borrowed Tune Least favourite track: None, everything earns its place Album artwork: Effortlessly cool and perfectly matches the mood of the record

****An ok, easy listening album

Very good indeed.

I've never considered Neil Young among my faves, but with every listen of one of his albums in this project, I'm struck by the immediacy of his work. While more than a little rough, this is a great series of songs and performances and while his vocal delivery can be difficult sometimes, his voice stands triumphant and unyielding. I guess I'm really a fan after all.

Live-ish record in the middle of Neil’s impressive 70s run. If you like Neil Young you’ll like this - if you don’t like him might I suggest trying harder.

I feel like Neil Young keeps surprising me over the last few years. This was a pretty enjoyable record.

I enjoy all Neil Young. I love that he is consistently reinventing himself, but never straying from his sound or roots. This one really feels like a good mix of everything that he was doing in the 70s. Psych, rock, folk, country. Its all got that NY edge to it that keeps things interesting.

Not the best Neil Young album from this time IMO. It has a few good songs like Albuquerque but a lot of the other songs don't interest me all that much. Still, I like Neil young so a Neil Young album is never gonna be something I don't want to listen to. Just think a lot of his other work outshines this.

This Neil Young guy knows how to sing. Some nice bunches of tracks that sound good, Neil is adamant that Tonight is the night, and that kinda hype is motivating in a way. Its fun. 7/10

neil young never gets old

Not my favorite by Neil but still a strong LP

Tolles Gover Bild, Neil Young kenne ich von Namen her. Noch nie bweusst gehört. Gute Musik was mich berührt.

Quite good Neil Young.

Lovely.

One of my favorite NY records. Love the Crazy Horse cut. Fuck heroin!

This is a very ragged record. Neil on drugs and depressed at the deaths of friends makes for a sad record with some good songs. Title tune is great as is C'mon Baby Let's Go Downtown.

Good album by one of the goats! 7.6/10

Enjoyed this one quite a bit, nice chill folk stuff with good lyrics. 4 stars

Neil Young does it again! Another album proving his songwriting prowess through incredibly depressing and burnt-out songs, this time lamenting his drug abuse but also the then-recent death of one of his bandmates. Achingly raw and full of emotion, this album can't help but entice me.

Gorgeous. Melancholy. Neil Young is at his best when he's reminiscing about days gone by. The line about bullets in the mirror floored me. This definitely demands your full attention but you will be rewarded. The best tracks are the ones that give an impression of him composing by himself, in a room somewhere.

Fair

Not bad, I don't know a lot about Neil Young outside of his most known stuff. I kinda like that his signing is quite raw and imperfect, most songs were quite enjoyable, and a good variety

Not my favorite Neil Young album, but very good.

First Neil Young album in the list, probably not the last. You can hate it or love it, but I love it. Keep them coming!

Not my least favorite Neil Young album of the '70s, but considering the strength of the albums he was putting out throughout that decade that's not a put down (8.6)★★★★

4.5

This year is the year… I finally accept that Neil Young is great. Very ramshackle but also hyper intimate and mint 1am bar sound. Add this and After The Gold Rush to the good solo Neil Young albums in this 1001 list.

Very nice album.

Neil Young for president

Being Neil Young in the mid-seventies was tough. Not tough enough to write another twelve beautiful tracks though.

Very sad. Banger Country Rock. 9/10

Pretty decent. Some songs sounded a bit country but overall enjoyed the vibe.

Always good to hear Neil Young.

не станах мигновено фен, ама оценявам

Neil Young speaks my language. The shaky Canadian croon puts me at peace knowing I’m in good musical hands. This album sounds live. A one take of the band jamming off each other. I can smell the cigarettes and feel the stickiness of a dark roadhouse club listening to this.

It gave me the mental ambiance of a killer performance at a bar.

Love Young so much, but this one isn't my favorite. Enjoyed it a lot though.

Songs: Tonight's the Night, Come on Baby, Mellow My Mind,

Tonight's the Night: great bass line & funky beat. like how they contrast heavy and light touch. Great instrumentation. Probably didn't need the second version at the end but nothing like coming full circle. Other favorites: Speakin Out, World on a String, Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown (sounds a little like Grateful Dead), Mellow My Mind (nice harmonica), Roll Another Number (sounds like an old timey country western song & soulful), Lookout Joe (like how heavy those riffs hit). Overall pretty great guitar playing and songwriting.

Loved the piano and harmonica and all the other instrumentation in this album. It had a lot of depth and richness of sound. Enjoyed the vibes and Neil’s singing too. Overall very well done!

A haunting album dealing with themes of death, grief, and loss. One of the more cohesive albums overall thus far in this project. One I plan to revisit.

4.5

Beautiful. The hurt is sometimes difficult to listen to. Weekend morning album.

Liked it

Speakin’ Out was absolutely sick. Albuquerque was maaaad. Tired eyes omggggg Beautiful texture of most songs

4/5

Good stuff baby! The king! Best album

Внезапно любимый музыкант, и мое главное (пере)открытие благодаря этому списку. Лучшая песня - Albuquerque.

Neil Young at his best.

My ear requires a little Neil Young tuning for this one, but damn, once it's in it hits. Love hearing these guys play off each other. Lyrics are engaging, the style is fun, stripped down sound with nowhere to hide.

I love Neil Young. I don’t think this is one of his best albums but it’s still very good.

Yes

This is not my favourite Neil Young album, but reading the history behind it I can definitely feel the emotion in it. With that in mind I think it’s a really stunning album, but one I’ll probably only revisit when I need to wallow in some bad feelings. Fav song: Albuquerque Least fav: World on a String

Very good vibes and very good album. Love a bit of Neil young Specific rating - 4.4 Fav song- tonight’s the night Least fav - borrowed tune

Doesn't have any of my favourite Neil Young songs on but still has all the beauty of Neil Young-ness. Has a very raw almost live music feeling to it that occasionally slips a little too into the unrefined/unpolished demo vibe for me. It's good but there's much better out there, including much better Neil Young music. Favourite song: New Mama Least: Borrowed Tune (or Mellow My Mind- not his best singing)

This was a really good album, true singer/songwriter stuff

Getting two Neil Young albums back-to-back seems like a cruel joke, but...surprisingly, I actually quite liked this one. Maybe it was just the fact we've averaging <4min a song after the bloated excess of Ragged Glory, or the fact that his voice is (very marginally) better, or at least suits the fragility and emotion of the material better, I don't know. But somehow this is the first Neil Young album that worked for me. Rounding up from 3.5 in sheer amazement.

Some more solid Neil. Does he need all these albums on the list? Idk. I kind of got lost in this one after a while. Roll Another Number was my fave.

Muddy and raw with great musicianship, especially Nils Lofgren's guitar parts. Harder that Harvest, but not as hard as some later albums like Mirror Ball or some Crazy Horse stuff. I like his using the same song to open and close the record.

Een van de betere Neil Young-platen die ik heb gehoord. De vocalen zijn soms wel echt te vals, maar deze blues/americana-stijl past hem goed.

A voice made for storytelling

This bloke has made over 40 solo albums and though I won’t claim to have heard even a fraction of them when I do listen I’m always pleasantly surprised how good they are!

Definitely a grower of an album The vocals veer from grating, to melodic

Never heard this one. Enjoyed a lot

Very solid stuff.

Raw 70s music. No production. It’s an acquired taste. Not for everyone. I like it. Good writing and musicians.

This is the Neil Youngiest of all Neil Young: ragged at points, nasal to the point of scheduling an ENT appointment, incandescent, too personal. He and the band are playing in the practice room in your dried up old heart and it's up to you whether you let it rock like a human or call the cops like a narc.

Crap. I fell behind. Gotta do a speed round of reviews. Young: Any Young is good. Even bad Young is good. And he's prolific, so ya gotta take the bad with the good. But it's Neil.

I went on a mad Neil Young listening spree there about 2 months ago. I would put this album in the upper-middle category of Young's music, but not quite at the level of Everybody Knows, Harvest, Gold Rush, Zuma. Still, it's Neil Young, great stuff. Borrowed Tune, Roll Another Number, Albuquerque as my favourite.

Probably one of my least familiar Neil Young albums. And it’s so Neil.

This one hits hard, very rawly emotional, and very sparse which adds to the effect. Favorites are Speakin' Out and Borrowed Tune

One of Neil’s albums that I don’t own on vinyl and never really listened to as an album before. Gotta say, as much as I like Neil, this is a trainwreck of an album - it’s all over the place, even one barrelhouse piano track (?!). Another testament to the power of greatest hits albums (though I guess they call those playlists now…)

This album is a perfect example of how Neil Young can sit on the cusp of both rock and folk / bluegrass music and somehow produce something cooler than either. His sound is so authentic and so his. Although I'm a big fan, I know know the depth of his catalog and I will certainly be adding this one into the rotation.

One of my all time favourite artists. This album features a couple of well-known and more, surprisingly unknown songs, display raw emotion, with sweet balads sprinkled in, and uncompromising autonomy of this reluctant superstar

7.25/10. More of a 'vibes' album. Not sure how many times I'll come back to this one but I loved Albuquerque and Mellow My Mind which really brings the rating up for me.

I bet this album would hit up at the lake house if I had one. Neil Young is such a character and pretty much always has been. He has the grace of a back alley cat and the timbre of a creaky ass door. I mean that with respect mostly, but this album is kinda bottom heavy with the riffs and leads. He's definitely got some weird kinda swag on this one and plays the shit out of the harmonica. It's got some rockin bluesey tracks, like Speakin' Out, World on a String, Lookout Joe and Come on Baby. The rest of these tracks are quite rambly as per usual for Neil's fashion, and I think theres obviously more blues and rock on this record you can shake a stick at. The harmonica really carried it for me, give that thing a raise. Tired Eyes makes good use of the steel guitar and I almost wish I heard more of it throughout the album. Neil's stories are entertaining enough and Tired Eyes just happens to me my fav for this one, the blues is pretty alright.

This list really loves Neil Young....and rightly so.

It’s a real injustice that I always mix up Neil Young with Lou Reed in my head for some reason. Each time I’m generated a Neil Young album, I have low expectations because of this (don’t get me wrong Lou Reed has a handful of good songs, but a lot of bad). I guess that does always mean I’m pleasantly surprised by Neil Young though. This was a really pleasant country rock album. It’s quite sedate, but in a nice way.

Heavy dose of Neil Young lately, as I got Buffalo Springfield before this. I understand that Young lost a few friends/colleagues to drugs, and this album acts as sort of a tribute in that regard. No shortage of raw emotion here, and I'd like to highlight "Mellow My Mind" and "Albuquerque" as standout examples in that regard. There's a charm to the ruggedness and melancholy here, driven home even further by the pedal steel guitar and piano provided throughout by Ben Keith and Nils Lofgren, respectively. I think I enjoyed this album a tad more than the few Neil Young albums I've received in the past year or so. This one just had more heart and feels more authentic.

I have several Neil Young albums in this library but not this one. I will now. I like the early Neil Young quite a lot.

Not my favourite Neil album but it is solid.