Neil Young - Mirror Ball

 

Another random pull from our CD library that I noticed hadn't been included on this blog. For this one, though, I assume that it's because it is not one of Young's strongest efforts. For this one, Neil is backed by Pearl Jam, of all bands, after he performed with them at an abortion-rights benefit. Just days later he took them (minus singer Vedder) into the studio with some songs written ahead of time and some written in the studio to record live for this release.

Unfortunately, PJ is nothing special as a backing band - frankly, they could be almost anyone here, as no one stands out - and Young doesn't even really let loose with his patented wild'n'wooley lead guitar for the most part. Even the songs are fairly pedestrian for Neil - as much as I love him, this was his 21st (!!) studio album (back in 1995! Damn, how many has he done by now?!) and even he can't write that many classic songs! That said, "Downtown" is a fun mid-tempo rocker, even if not iconic, and "Peace and Love" has a neat pump organ intro and a bit more of Neil's guitar, as does "Throw Your Hatred Down" while "Scenery" is a D-tuned bit of swampy grunge before it concludes with "Fallen Angel", a sweet, short piece with Neil simply accompanied by the pump organ.

Of course, it's Neil so it's not bad, but it is also not Neil at anywhere near his best. Lots of others that you should buy before this one!