gafa42
4
A force of nature.
Everything great about Neil in one succinct album. Gentle acoustic songs combined with full out rockers. Thrasher is a personal favorite, one of those great long form Neil songs that you can just get lost in lyrically and musically. "It's better to burn out than to fade away". The older I get the more I disagree with this particular sentiment. Better for who? Certainly not for those that burned out. I don't mean that to come across as crass or insensitive, what I mean is that its better to remain 'forever young' from a marketing perspective but thats about it. As I've said in other places one of the things I love about Neil is catching up with his later albums when my life hits the marker his was at when he made it and it speaks to you that much more. To remain viable as an artist - or keep the rust from forming since 'Rust Never Sleeps' - takes a lot more work and makes for a much more interesting and satisfying journey.
Oh, did Neil Young write "It's better to burn out than fade away"? I guess I didn't know this was Neil Young. Has anyone ever said, "HEY MAN, NICE MOUTH ORGAN SOLO, DO ANOTHER ONE!"? He's very much like Dylan for me, I'm not quite sure whether I hate his voice or not. Songs are good though. The rest of the band just showed up. I think I like his voice. Is Into The Black or Out of the Blue better? I like the guitars in Into better. Some real fucking passion in that song. Good songs, I'm leaning towards liking his voice. 3 / 5 stars.
I liked this. I definitely preferred the acoustic songs to the more rock-oriented ones. 4/5 would definitely listen to more.
I don't think it was really my first exposure to Neil, but this was the first album I owned. Neil being Neil. Introducing some of his best songs through the live setting. Showing off his acoustic chops and being influenced by the punk movement of the day. Great song writing, great playing, great singing, great heart.
Rust Never Sleeps was my introduction to Neil Young after my dad decided to pick up the record one day when we were out browsing. His voice took some getting used to, but yeah, I really dig this album now! favs: “My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)”, “Thrasher”, “Welfare Mothers”, “Ride My Llama” least fav: “Sedan Delivery”