Neil Young - Harvest

Neil Young – Harvest
Reprise, 1972
Acquired: Love Garden, Used, 2007
Price: $7

I like Harvest more than After the Goldrush (ok, they each have their own merits that I am falling in love with) but I'm still not sold on Neil Young. I think he's a great songwriter, and but sometimes I think covers of his songs are better than his. Like St. Etienne's “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” which was my introduction to the song and once I heard Young's version, I was a little let down. Mostly, I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about because I feel like I'm going to get really into Neil Young once I turn 27, but right now I'm still too much into mid-90s indie rock guitar solos. I do love the use of the London Symphony Orchestra on “A Man Needs a Maid” (but I don't like how the Orchestra makes “There's a World” sound like a song from a Disney movie). There's such a grandiosity to that song that really, really works for me. “Heart of Gold” is probably my favorite Neil Young song because it's the one I've heard the most, probably on the jukebox at Harbour Lights. “Out on the Weekend,” “Old Man,” and “The Needle and the Damage Done” also slay. You know, maybe I just want more guitar solos with Neil Young. Like “Like a Hurricaine.” That's probably my favorite Neil Young song, and it's mostly because of how badass and end-of-the-world the guitars sound. I forgot how good “The Needle and the Damage Done” was, and I can't remember why, but I got REALLY into this song a few months ago...or someone's cover of it.