life ends at 27
Mirrorball is probably one of my favourite albums from the mid 90s and was my gateway drug to the wonder that is Neil Young. I have gone on to embrace almost all the musical aspects of the eclectic Neil Young but it is the distortion merchant proto-grunge rocker Neil that speaks to me loudest.
This is the performance from the 2006 Bridge School Benefit.
The George Bush administration has been a complete joke and disaster, but times like these can galvanise the political musicians like no other.
Neil Young’s Living With War rocks my socks. He has not been this intense since 1994’s Sleeps With Angels, and not this raw and loud since Ragged Glory. There’s of course the hilarious and controversial Impeach The President, “Well, it’s a song that pretty well follows the title just with a bunch of reasons, and it’s a long song…” indeed. The opener After The Garden and The Restless Consumer are the standout tracks for me on first impressions. The entire album is streamed for free.
The other big release is Pearl Jam’s self-titled eighth studio album. I found Binaural and Riot Act not up to their usual high standards, but I can safely say with this one Pearl Jam is back. The Who-ish introduction to Life Wasted kicks things off on a totally rocking note, and the excitement and energy reminiscent of a live performance is palpable throughout the album.
Add new albums from Tool and RHCP to the mix, and this is one of the best years for me musically.