Greendale (Bonus DVD)

Neil Young

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 19, 2003)
• Original Release Date: August 19, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B0000AI44Q
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (250 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,822 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Neil Young has long been one of rock's great romantics, mourning the utopian ideals of the "hippie" '60s and his vision of what America was…or at least should have been. In some ways, Greendale--which could be described as a "rock novel"--adds a mourning for humanity itself to the mix, as Young presents his vision of America 2003 via the story of a fictional family in a small California town. There's drama galore--a cop is killed by a drug dealer; Grandpa has a fatal heart attack while pointing a gun at a TV reporter--but most of these songs also work individually as terrific rock tunes. It's a more subdued Crazy Horse this time out, with only Neil on lead guitar and little of the distorted rage found on albums like Ragged Glory. But "Grandpa's Interview" has a gorgeous riff that recalls Zuma's "Don't Cry No Tears"; "Be the Rain" is a genuine Neil Young anthem about love, peace, saving the planet, and doing the right thing. A few pieces sound a tad meandering at first, which could lead one to conclude that Greendale is only a good Neil Young album. Repeated listening, however, should confirm that Greendale is a great Neil Young album. --Bill Holdship

IFC website

an epic drama in this unusual musical film written and directed by the legendary singer/songwriter.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

109 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Neil at his very best., November 9, 2003

By	Thomas E. Klein (Laurel Springs, NC United States) - See all my reviews

As 57 year old "child of the 60's" and former 70's and early 80's FM Radio Rock DJ, and guitarist, I've been a fan and close follower of Neil's music, and politics (the two are often inseperable) from the beginning, and own a fairly complete library of his works. I haven't always liked everything Neil has done and I can be critical of his music (and politics). I've also never felt compelled to write a review before, so believe me when I say that Greendale really grabbed me. This is Neil Young from the very bottom of his soul and at his very best! Neil has gone back to the classic Concept (album) format to tell an ingeniously entertaining tale and deliver his message of peace, love and respect for planet Earth. Characters that captivate the imagination, tongue in cheek humor, some directed at Neil himself, tragedy, death and serious message intertwine throughout. The electric music on the CD is simply great basic from the gut blues based Rock-n-Roll, including great guitar chops, Neil, not trying to be dazzling or fancy, just delivering solid riffs and solos that have me listening time and again. To top it all off the Bonus DVD solo acoustic performance recorded in a small club in Ireland is more than worth the price alone. Thousands of words will be written about Greendale but in my estimation one word says it all, BRILLIANT! Unfortunately, in today's sad narrow minded rock and roll radio market the general public isn't likely to hear much, if any, of Greendale. As previously mentioned I've never felt compelled to write an online review before but listen to Greendale and you too will likely be driven to spread the word. Collectively, we owe that to Neil for coming up with such a great work absoultely worthy of multi-Platinum sales status. Thanks, Neil Young, for more great music I will enjoy for the rest of my life.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greendale grows on ya, September 28, 2005

By	T. Brown (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The more I listen, the more I've come to believe "Greendale" is one of Neil's true masterpieces. At first, it seems like just another Crazy Horse album with the volume, distortion and anger turned way down. But, like a Steinbeck novel, its brilliance grows on you. For a Crazy Horse collaboration, there is an intimacy to these songs that I find thrilling. Without question their best work since "Ragged Glory". The feeling is one of sitting on a beat-up couch in a garage some lazy summer evening while Neil and the boys jam and tell you the story of small town dreams, both dashed and realized. "Carmichael" and "Grandpa's Interview" are nearly perfect both musically and lyrically; the beauty lies in a masterful balance of Ralph and Billy's propulsive rhythms and Neil's barely-restrained fuzzed guitar and seemingly stream-of-consciousness singing. The rest of the album is just as satisfying, especially the way-too-cool-for-words rockabilly anthem "Double EE" and the opening track "Falling from Above," which so wonderfully sets the stage for the hour+ journey. A definite candidate as a desert island disc.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Something old, something new, something blue..., September 6, 2003

By	Louis Irwin (Richmond, California United States) - See all my reviews

A very cohesive solid album, but rather than extol it, I'd rather address the reviewer who asks "If this is the Worst Neil album ever?" Obviously, he/she feels differently.

1. Complaint: the lyrics are banal.
Answer: Neil is speaking through plain spoken small town folks. His voice is true to his characters.

There is nothing new under the sun. Therefore, we look for inspired delivery. I absolutely love the delivery when Neil's Granpa says, "It ain't an honor to be on TV. And it ain't a duty either."

Since I work in electric policy, I do love when Sun Green takes on the semi-fictitious "Power-Corp." I'm not sure it is my speakers, but my one production complaint is that the megaphone lyrics should ring out more clearly.

Compaint 2. That the music never goes anywhere.
Answer 2: Except for Sun Green, these lives generally don't go anywhere! From the start, the best Neil (ALL NEIL!) matches the music to the content. Do you want "Grandpa's Interview" to sound like Southern Man? I don't think so. If you need that, play that. Furthermore, Neil is giving detached omniscient narrative. There is enough melodramatic impassioned first person in the arts. This is not that. He already wrote "Down by the River." Neil is not going to write the exact same song twice. Even professional reviewers seem to make this type of mistake. Neil knows just how far or little the travels or "goes!" It is exactly how he wants it, or it is not released. With a novice artist, you can ask this question. If it is Neil, you can't ask that question -- you must ask WHY the music doesn't seem to go anywhere.

This reviewer reminds me of two fans that I saw commenting on "Going Home" of "Are You Passionate." They had no idea why a song that opens with an image of Custer's Last Stand would end abruptly and unexpectedly! And there's another reason to study history! And generally not one of the reason's that you're fed.

I find the music to be a different flavor of smoldering and the melodies quite sweet. I'm headed for another play.