 |  | Mother Goose Is On The Skids |  |
I just recently bought this on CD. I really never got into this one back when it came out as an LP. I had always been into Neil, but after a while I guess I just burnt out on him and it was about when this one appeared. Bottom line is I have re-visited Neil on many occasions and have periods where I want to hear him all the time and then I get out of the mood for a while but I always return. On The Beach is one that I never heard and as I read other reviews I became intrigued. I have not been disappointed! This CD is full of everything that is Neil Young. The guitarwork is typical Neil in that it is simple and yet hauntingly effective as a framework for what I feel have got to be some of his best lyrics and singing. A lot of the reviews refer to this as a "dark" Neil Young album and there is no denying the truth of that analysis. It doesnt get any more serious, or relevant to todays society than "Revolution Blues" where as an outcast living on the edge of society talks of murdering Hollywood stars in their cars. However, the unique dark Neil Young humor, wit and sarcasam abounds in cuts like my personal favorite "Ambulance Blues" where he spouts that "Mother Goose is on the skids and the shoe aint happy and neither are the kids". Only Neil could come up with this kind of stuff and use it in a serious manner. Walk On, For the Turnstiles, and On The Beach are also standout cuts that are as good as anything he has ever written. In my opinion it is one of the most consistant of all the Neil Young offerings. In short, I love this one and recommend it to anyone who likes Neil.
September 19, 2008| | | Haunting and Moody, Neil's Best | |
In my opinion, this is Neil Young's finest album. The album is sparse, with personal, enigmatic, and sometimes bleak lyrics. I first heard this when I was lucky enough to find a used LP in a head shop when I was in college back in the late 90s. Needless to say, the album blew my doors off. I'd already gotten in to Neil, courtesy of a classmate, but this album proved to be a real find. I was elated when it was finally released on CD.
On the Beach is probably my favorite Neil song of all time. The lyrics are interesting and the emotion conveyed is incredible. In addition, I don't think Neil's guitar ever seemed as plaintive as it does here. Simply beautiful despair. Crack a bottle of wine and put this one on with the lights low.
January 11, 2008After the success of HARVEST, Neil went through a murky period where he released some albums leaving fans begging for another HARVEST. Personally, I really like ON THE BEACH and had to wait a long time for it to be released on Disc. It contains some of my favorite Neil Young lines. In his recent 2007 tour he performed "Ambulance Blues" from this CD and I was about one of five people screaming. Some of the songs off this CD appeared on DECADE.
January 7, 2008| | | One of Neil's Best Works... | |
I have always thought that this was one of his strongest albums. The songwriting is thoughtful, interesting, and clever. The music is equally solid. Even his take on familiar genres--blues, ballads--are fresh and strong. His singing is as good as it ever gets, which may be an acquired taste for some, but he is at his peak here. Along with "After the Gold Rush", "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere", and "Harvest", I think this work completes the Holy Quadrangle of early Neil Young.
March 20, 2007| | | Never Looses its Unique and Darkly Profound Feel | |
The last album in Neil's "ditch trilogy" provides a remarkable insight into Neil's music and his personal life and it is one of Neil's best albums.
"Walk On" is that real catchy country/rock pop tune with riffs and hooks, a style Young seldom showcased. "See The Sky About to Rain" had been around for a number of years and is a tender ballad with some nice steel pedal guitar and organ work. "Revolution Blues" is Neil at the top of his game. The banjo comes out on "For the Turnstiles" along with Neil singing in a real high pitched voice, it has a real rough charm to it, as does most of Neil's stuff. "Vampire Blues" is a little bluesy rock number. The title track is a moving and atmospheric delight, close your eyes and immerse yourself for 7 minutes. Some great lines in that song. "Motion Pictures" is a raw acoustic ballad with some nice guitar fills, some honest lyrics and a nice melody. The closing track would be one of his finest compositions, a near 9 minute acoustic narrative song, more organic, earthy and moving than any of Bob Dylan's tunes of similar length.
This album is best listened to at night.
March 5, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
