For the last few months, having already gone through a couple of discography review series; I thought that I might do a series for my favorite folk artist, Mr. Neil Young, but the more and more I looked over how much work it would take to produce a comprehensive and well-researched discography review, the more I realized that maybe a full time worker/college student, didn't have the time to review almost 40 albums in a reasonable amount of time... plus, I try and review new stuff as much as possible! So, I have instead decided to compare and contrast two LP's from Young's discography that are essentially sister albums. His big commercial breakthrough, Harvest, and its 1993 'sequel' Harvest Moon.
Harvest, released in 1972, was a really big moment for Neil Young; having already released three prior solo albums, the third of which is regarded by many Young fans as his best work, even trumping Harvest itself, and Young had been a big part of the creative output of the folk group Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, who, even without Young, are an essential part of 60's/ 70's folk music. In my opinion, while Harvest isn't my favorite early Neil Young album (On The Beach takes that honor), it is hard to deny just how excellent the majority of this album is.
And yes, I mean majority, because not every moment on this album is fantastic; and this fact is made evident my what are perhaps the only two weak tracks on the entire LP, "A Man Needs A Maid" and "There's A World". These two tracks add a lot of additional instrumentation, but instead of enhancing the tracks, this new instrumentation simply drowns what could have been two solid, if slightly less stellar tracks. These two songs sound incredibly dated, and present a roadblock in what is otherwise a amazingly rootsy and ofttimes beautiful record about coming to terms with mortality, loosing friends to drugs, and even confronting racism. Tracks like the opener, title track and ever endearing "Heart Of Gold" are the kind of music that Neil is best known for, and the kind of music that people who want to sound like him, imitate, but never replicate.
Released 20 years after Harvest, and after a less than stellar run of albums in the 80's, Harvest Moon saw Neil trying to regain a little bit of the magic that he had on Harvest, going back to the stripped-down and soulful sound of that album, but making sure to not repeat himself. I'll admit, if I had gone through with the discography series, it would be right about now that I'd tell you that I can finally breathe easy, because I personally feel that Harvest Moon is not only a fine follow-up to its 1972 counterpart, but in some key ways, it even surpasses it.
For example, this album has far less moments where the instrumentation clouds things up, save for regrettably boring "Such A Woman". And Neil sounds better than ever on cuts such as "From Hank To Hendricks" and the effervescent title track which upon first hearing a few years ago when I was first getting into Young's music, made tears swell up in my eyes from just how nostalgic the track feels. This is Neil Young at his finest, and it is no wonder that he named the album Harvest Moon, because a lot of the themes and even some of the chord progressions, such as the one towards the end of "You And Me" are direct callbacks to Harvest. This album surpasses Harvest because it features all the things that made that album shine, but it adds to it making for an even more holistic listening experience.
The only other complaint I can muster about this album is the somewhat overlong closing track; though I really have to dig deep inside to complain about it, because it is still a very beautiful track and its length really only becomes apparent if you aren't devoting your full attention to the music and lyrics. Speaking of which, this album also features some of Young's most poignant statements on the environment (the aforementioned closer, "Natural Beauty") and on other living creatures on the earth ("War Of Man"); Young manages to express his opinion on these issues (something he does a bit more blatantly these days) in a poetic and effective way; through the power of great music.
So, in the end, you really can't go wrong with either of these albums; they both have their flaws, but are great nonetheless and are essential listening if you're looking to get into Neil Young. I'd also recommend, On The Beach, After The Gold Rush, Rust Never Sleeps, and Zuma, for some more great Young albums.
Harvest: 9.3/10
Harvest Moon: 9.6/10
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