Stephen Mejias

It's an Angry World

Stephen Mejias  |  Sep 14, 2010

Stereogum premiered the video for Neil Young’s “Angry World” from his upcoming solo album, Le Noise.

Interesting.

The song begins and ends with looping guitar and voice, creating a nice circular structure; the song is endless, perhaps. The thick, crunchy guitar tone, balanced as it is with fine high end light, is extremely cool and expertly handled by Young, and the video—especially the hot girl parts—is intriguing. But I’m less impressed by Young’s vocal delivery and the lyrical content, which strike me as being a bit weak and lazy. It’s an angry world for the businessman and the fisherman? I want more thoughtful, more melodic content from Neil Young.

Perhaps it’s important to remember that this is just one track from an album of eight. I like the fact that there are only eight songs on Le Noise. It suggests a time when albums were made to be listened to from beginning to end, songs sequenced in a way that communicates a certain message and mood.

“Walk With Me”
“Sign Of Love”
“Someone’s Gonna Rescue You”
“Love And War”
“Angry World”
“Hitchhiker”
“Peaceful Valley Boulevard”
“Rumblin”

Vinyl, CD, and iTunes digital editions of Le Noise, produced by Daniel Lanois, will hit stores on September 28th, while a Blu-ray edition and iPhone/iPad app will be available one month later.

COMMENTS
Nick's picture
Submitted by Nick (not verified) on September 14, 2010 - 10:39am

If Daniel Lanois produced it then it will be good. No debate.

HalSF's picture
Submitted by HalSF (not verified) on September 14, 2010 - 12:16pm

Hmm, $11 Red Book CD or.... $36 vinyl? Audiophilia is killing me.

Jim Tavegia's picture
Submitted by Jim Tavegia (not verified) on September 14, 2010 - 2:57pm

Get rid of the artsy-fartsy jittery video. I don't like jitter in my video or audio. I do really like Neil Young, so thanks for the heads-up.

Trey's picture
Submitted by Trey (not verified) on September 15, 2010 - 10:08am

I am holding out for the blu-ray. Neil is the man, and if I don't like his stuff, I figure it is my problem. Not many people I do that with.

Bonmot's picture
Submitted by Bonmot (not verified) on September 15, 2010 - 6:09pm

Definitely one of Canada's greatest exports, along with Leonard Cohen, Holy Cole, The Guess Who, KD Lang, Joni Mitchell, Oscar Petersen, Dan Akroyd, John Candy, Jim Carey, Mike Myers...oops those last few are actors, got carried away...

RankStranger's picture
Submitted by RankStranger (not verified) on September 16, 2010 - 8:03am

Meh.

Justin's picture
Submitted by Justin (not verified) on September 17, 2010 - 1:41pm

I'm with Stephen. Young has a tendency to flirt with the weak and the lazy in his writing, depending on when he needs to get new product into the marketplace. That said, the man is a lyrical genius and you just never know when that genius may come along and smack you upside the head with a brilliant new record.

smittyman's picture
Submitted by smittyman (not verified) on September 18, 2010 - 7:32am

HalSF; Yes it is like the mid-80's in reverse. Then vinyl was about 8 or 9 bucks and CDs were 20+.

RankStranger's picture
Submitted by RankStranger (not verified) on September 19, 2010 - 6:52am

Jeez, don't complain. In Australia we'll be lucky to get this or any other new-release CD for less than 25 bucks. The Vinyl is more likely to be $40 - $50. You don't know how good you have it in your super-dense market. :)

CoonDawg of Austin Tejas's picture
Submitted by CoonDawg of Aus... (not verified) on September 28, 2010 - 4:50pm

ah .... uh .... I love Neil Young .. but ...well ... May be I just need to listen to the new stuff some more. Neil Young high water mark was (for me) was pre 1995.. to say the least .. Rust never sleeps and LIVE .aka. Crazy Horse those shows were incredible .... unbelievable.. sonic booms of great tunes one right after the other .. I don't know how he did it.. were just all getting older.. .. uh.. Neil too..

hogan01's picture
Submitted by hogan01 on December 10, 2011 - 9:30am

A question was asked during the Salon and Son video for suggestions on keeping the talking down during demo's. Maybe a Cone of Silence would work! It never worked for Max and the Chief but with all the high end dealers someone should be able to come up with a working version!DLKG ged software

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