#550 Neil Young - On the Beach

Another rocking, soulful, nuanced album from Neil Young, languidly paced, but not overly tortured, flecked with equal parts resignation and hope. The guitar is once again the star, powerful when electric, bristling with personality when acoustic, full of character at all times. The other key is Young's voice: I know some who can't abide his reedy near-dylanism, and if that's you, you'll get no reprieve. Otherwise, enjoy the groove 4.5/5