Neil Young

Thirty years after Chrome Dreams was shelved for American Stars 'N Bars, Chrome Dreams II is unveiled. The songs were written in the '70s, '80s and in the 21st century, but Neil Young makes it all sound both timeless and relevant. He likens the album to After The Goldrush and Freedom because the songs sound diverse, but share a deep thread of human compassion. The first official single "Ordinary People" (an epic tribute to the heart of the working man) is 18 minutes and 13 seconds. "The Way" boasts accompaniment by the Young People's Chorus of New York City.

The great lost Chrome Dreams was the original home of "Powderfinger" and "Like a
Hurricane." Nothing nearly that major uplifts this slyly titled collection, including its selling
point, the Wacky Lost "Ordinary People," an eighteen-minute ramble through various
meanings of the word "people" steeped in Young's lifelong confusion about popularity and
democracy. But "Ordinary People" sure would have perked up 1988's horn-fed T... More >

The Great Lost Chrome Dreams was the original home of "Powderfinger" and "Like a Hurricane." Nothing nearly that major uplifts this slyly entitled collection, including its selling point, the Wacky Lost "Ordinary People," an eighteen-minute ramble through various meanings of the word "people" steeped in Young's lifelong confusion about popularity and democracy. But "Ordinary People" sure would have perked up 1988's horn-fed This Note's for You back when it was cut, and compared to the Icky Lost "Beautiful Bluebird," revamped to open these proceedings, it's "I Hear America Singing." Young was right to close with "The Way," a gloriously simplistic salvation song backed by a children's chorus that deserves to become his "Give Peace a Chance." But beyond that it's miss-or-hit. Even "Dirty Old Man" never quite captures the wicked glee that made "Welfare Mothers" worth a rehash. And the fourteen-minute "No Hidden Path" slogs even during its rather contained guitar solos. (Grade - ***)