Comment of the Moment: "As Time Explodes" by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts

"As Time Explodes" 

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts

 (Click photo to enlarge)

The  album  "As Time Explodes" by Neil Young w/Chrome Hearts  was released for this year's Record Store Day on April 18. 'As Time Explodes' will be released on CD on May 29.

Our Comment of the Moment on "As Time Explodes" by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts is by JVJ:

Wonderin', for those who picked up a copy of the new live LP already, how folks are enjoying it? 

With so many full shows from the tour on YouTube, it's easy for anyone to have an opinion on what was omitted and what they dug making the cut. I think it's a great live album - especially considering the turnaround from tour to LP didn't provide much room for reflection.

A coupla things I woulda loved weren't included (shame to begin opening nearly every show with such a beautiful rendition of Ambulance Blues for it to not make the cut) but found myself especially surprised by a few choices (Silver Eagle, while very good, felt like a moment to rest between heavy hits during the shows I saw but on the LP it plays as a beautiful coda and a perfect tribute to their time on the road together). 

Also happy that it brought Daddy Went Walkin' back to peoples ears... and it's a treat to have a version of Big Crime on record... if this album ends up being it's only physical home, that alone will make this release a special one in a discography that has a lot of essential live albums already.

Of note, this album will be another Top 10 Bestseller for Neil Young debuting at #6 on the charts, per Forbes:

As Time Explodes — Live, which is credited officially to Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, launches on three U.K. charts, and it performs best on the Official Americana rundown. That tally focuses on the top-selling titles in that one style throughout the country, and purchases on CD, cassette, vinyl, and via download stores such as iTunes are all factored into its methodology. This frame, As Time Explodes — Live kicks off at No. 6.

Young has placed 19 projects onto the Official Americana chart since first landing on the tally just over a decade ago. Almost all of those releases, 16 in total, have spent time inside the top 10. 

More on the album "As Time Explodes" by Neil Young w/ Chrome Hearts  (Tracklist, etc.).  

Also, more on  2025 "Love Earth" tour in Europe and North America (concert reports). 

love earth 2025 WORLD tour neil young and the chrome hearts 

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LAST CALL: Thrasher's Wheat 30th Anniversary Tie Dye Shirts

 

Still separating the wheat from the chaff...

Thrasher's Wheat 30th Anniversary: 1996 - 2026

Design by Silver Moon Art & Design

(Click photo to enlarge)

First, thanks everyone for your pledges of support for Thrasher's Wheat 30th Anniversary Tie Dye Shirts. We continue to be humbled by the love of our community.

Your support is very much appreciated and we're excited about the anniversary celebration.

Our Pledge Drive continues. If you haven't already pledged yet, please do so no later than this Sunday, May 3. If we do not receive sufficient pledges, we'll be unable to complete the project.

We do want to make sure that everyone who wants to support TW is able to do so. We need a minimum number of pledges in order to move to order and production stages. We would like to complete Pledge Drive by end of April, Ordering in May, Production in June, and Shipment in July.

Still separating the wheat from the chaff...

Thrasher's Wheat 30th Anniversary: 1996 - 2026

Design by Silver Moon Art & Design

 (Click photo to enlarge)

Still not sure?  Then check out The Comraderie of A Thrasher's Wheat T-shirt.

Let your freak flag fly & don't be denied!

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Neil Young Announces New Album: 'Second Song'

RECORDING and LISTENINGTimes Contrarian | Neil Young Archives(Click photo to enlarge)

Neil Young has announced another new studio album titled 'Second Song' and recorded with the Chrome Hearts. 

On Times Contrarian | Neil Young Archives, Neil writes that the album, with eight total songs, contains three written in 1963, which have remained unreleased. Neil explains the creative process beginning several months ago when he spent several days composing new lyrics and melodies in the early morning hours. In early March, the recording sessions began under a full moon at Rick Rubin's Shangri-La Studios in Malibu.  

During the two days of recording with the Chrome Hearts, they recorded five new songs.  A search of the archives discovered previously unreleased early material. 

The final mixing and mastering were completed in April under a full moon. In another statement on NYA titled "Moon To Moon,", Neil writes that the new music is a "special gift" that he "really feels".

RECORDING and LISTENING

4-21-26

Recording 'Second Song', my next studio album for Reprise records, was a lifetime experience. First, the music was breathing. Every song of the seven released on this album is straight form the heart.

Second, we tried to do something we have never done: record digital and analog masters at the same time.

We did this so we could show the difference we know and believe in, my friends and I. Analog was the beginning, and it never sounded better. Hi res digital is a clear second best. We are finishing the two versions and will release them both. The Digital hi res master and the Analog Vinyl. You can hear the difference, instantly. They are both beautiful if the song is. One is as deep as life. One is the highest quality counterfeit copy. If you are interested in the sound you can disappear into and lose yourself… over repeated listenings, Analog.

I made records like that in the beginning. I miss the quality people today hardly ever get a chance at hearing. Music is infinitely deep. Museum quality sound is analogue.

Try comparing these if you get a chance. For true analog playback, there can be no digital components in the player or amplifier or speakers. I do hope you enjoy the music no matter how you listen. We made it for all of us.

LOVE

Neil

More on Times Contrarian | Neil Young Archives.

And in other Neil Young news of late, the the album "As Time Explodes" by Neil Young w/Chrome Hearts  was released for this year's Record Store Day on April 18. 'As Time Explodes' will be released on CD on May 29.

"As Time Explodes" 

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts

 (Click photo to enlarge)
Lastly, still no word on re-scheduling the cancelled 2026 Europe Tour dates.

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The Comraderie of A Thrasher's Wheat T-shirt

Thrasher's Wheat Radio Supporters Go To Europe

for Neil Young & Crazy Horse Concert Tour - 2013 (Click photo to enlarge)

As you may be aware, 2026 marks the 30th Anniversary of Thrasher’s Wheat and we're celebratin' our rockin' & bloggin' in the free world.

So we bring you The Comraderie of A Thrasher's Wheat T-shirt.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse Concert Tour

Koln, Germany, July 2013

Uwe "Computer Age" - Rockin In The Free World
White House, Washington, DC - 2013

Sandy & Tami
The Arkansas Girls

Berlin - 2013

Hamburg, Germany, June 2013

Uriel and Michal Flying Thrasher's Wheat 20th Anniversary Shirts
Berlin, Germany Concert: Neil Young + Promise of the Real - July 21, 2016

Growl Sporting a Thrasher's Wheat 20th Anniversary Shirt
London Concert of Neil Young + Promise of the Real, June 11, 2016

Tommi, Ville and Simo Sporting Thrasher's Wheat 20th Anniversary Shirts
Helsinki, Finland Concert: Neil Young + Promise of the Real - July 3, 2016

Celebrating Mark's Mom's 92nd Birthday

w/ Road RasCal Lilly

Niecette Kristen On The Beach
Virginia Beach, VA - August 2016

Alan Flying the TW Colors in Boise - 2016

w/ Paul in Telluride 2016 

PARADOX Film Scene Location - Telluride Colorado
w/ Hounds That Howell & Shaka Geoff
Down by the Waterfall

w/ Geoff in Telluride 2016 

Henrik Flying the TW Colors in Berlin
Neil Young + Promise of The Real - Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany - July 3, 2019

FarmAidians Renee & Paul

Flying The Colors -

From The MountainTops to the Fields of Wheat:
Thrasher's Wheat Crew @
MOUNTAINTOP Film Premiere in Washington DC - 2019

w/ "Brother Alan in Seattle" - 2024

The McQ Family in Dewey Beach, Delaware - 9/16

"An Evening With Neil Young" - February 29, 2016
Down by the Corner (Somewhere between The Land of OZ & Greendale)

Flying The Colors: Thrasher's Wheat 20th Anniversary Shirts
Telluride, Colorado, October 1, 2016
Photo by Expecting To Fly 

Liz, Denis, Lee & Mr. W.
Old Princeton Landing - 2016 Bridge Weekend

w/ Usher Karen
Don Henley - Wolf Trap, Vienna, VA, 9/7/16

w/ TW Tour Manager Hounds That Howell
Don Henley - Wolf Trap, Vienna, VA, 9/7/16

Elke A. at Leipzig, 07-20-2016
Neil Young + Promise of the Real
July 20 - Germany, Leipzig, Völkerschlachtdenkmal Open Air
Photo by Ralf @ rusted-moon

Lasse Flying a Thrasher's Wheat 20th Anniversary Shirt
Helsinki, Finland Concert: Neil Young + Promise of the Real - July 3, 2016

Nate & Karen & Geoff Flying Thrasher's Wheat 20th Anniversary Shirts
Maui, Hawaii

Ron "Love and Only Love"
On The Road Again ... Somewhere!

Our little box at the top of the stairs

thrashers @ TW HQ w/ NYA Vol#2

--> O'Neills <-- Pub - Dublin, Ireland (so appropriate named!)

w/ Mary and Dave Fallon

(see Our Dublin Memories of Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts + Van Morrison @ Malahaide Castle, June 26, 2025 )

w/ Finland Friends

(see Our Dublin Memories of Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts + Van Morrison @ Malahaide Castle, June 26, 2025 )

Blossom Music Center @ Cuyahoga Falls - August 15, 2025

w/ TW Tour Manager Hounds That Howell
Farm Aid 2018 - Hartford, CT

Thrasher's Wheat 20th Anniversary: 1996 - 2016

TW HQ - 2016

Photo by TW Tour & Merch Manager  Hounds That Howell

"Love & Only Love" w/ The Sisters
Paris - 2013

thrashers @ TW HQ ... Just Waiting on a Stream ...
LIVESTREAM TODAY: Neil Young + Promise of the Real - Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, Ireland - 14 July 2019
Photo by TW Tour Manager Hounds That Howell

Pledge your support if you can, as 2026 marks the 30th Anniversary of Thrasher’s Wheat and we're celebratin' our rockin' & bloggin' in the free world.

Be The Comraderie (with a Thrasher's Wheat T-shirt)!

 

Still separating the wheat from the chaff...

Thrasher's Wheat 30th Anniversary: 1996 - 2026

Design by Silver Moon Art & Design
(Click photo to enlarge)

So let your freak flag fly & don't be denied! 

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Thrasher's Wheat Celebrates 30th Anniversary: 1996 - 2026

Thrasher's Wheat 30th Anniversary: 1996 - 2026

Design by Silver Moon Art & Design

 (Click photo to enlarge)

2026 marks the 30th Anniversary of Thrasher’s Wheat and we want *you* to help us celebrate rockin' & bloggin' in the free world.

5 years ago in 2021, Neil Young Archives helped us celebrate by publishing a "HAPPY 25th Anniversary Thrasher’s Wheat!" article on the front top of Times-Contrarian. 

 "HAPPY 25th Anniversary Thrasher’s Wheat!" | Neil Young Archives

Per  "HAPPY 25th Anniversary Thrasher’s Wheat!" | Neil Young Archives:

"Thanks for being there.

We at NYA greatly appreciate your members and their enthusiasm over the years. it will be a great period for us all over the next years as well. Lots more music coming. Our biggest concern is that NYA Volume 3 is so big!

Lots of love and thanks to TW and the people who love it and support it."

To say the thrashers were humbled and honored would be a vast under statement.

And we had tons of fun with our 20th anniversary back in 1996, as well.

And just like Willie Nelson's old guitar Trigger -- while we may be worn and battered -- we will survive and thrive no matter what forces we encounter.

Willie Nelson's guitar "Trigger"

As we asked in the beginning of 2026, what shall we do for our 30th Anniversary here at Thrasher’s Wheat?

It has been a long, long road since 1996 and we would like to make 2026 a year of celebration. A celebration maybe not so much of our little blog website or even of Neil Young. No, a celebration of this wonderful little community we joined back in 1993 that eventually became known as "The force of Rust".

So here's what we're thinking. Thanks to our dear friend Geoff Moore, we've come up with a Thrasher's Wheat 30th Anniversary t-shirt.

Still separating the wheat from the chaff...

Thrasher's Wheat 30th Anniversary: 1996 - 2026

Design by Silver Moon Art & Design
(Click photo to enlarge)

And we want all of our readers to have one.

So the next step is to find out how many folks are interested. Once we have some handle on that, we'll figure out the print run and pricing. Then we'll make available to everyone in the TW/Rust/Neil community. How's that sound?

So let us know your interest and we'll go from there. We welcome suggestions and questions below.

We will soon be diligently producing our commemorative T-shirts -- 100% quality cotton. Each shirt will be uniquely hand tie-dyed in a 7 stage process under the Maui, Hawai'i sun (by tie dyers who were trained within the Grateful Dead family tree). Our intention is to connect the dots...to encourage greater connection through sincerity, fun, and focus. 

The shirt won't make the difference but you can bet all those that wear it will be trying.

Hand-dyed by artist Zach Wright of InnerLightTieDye, based in Maui, Hawaiʻi. Zach creates one-of-a-kind tie-dye pieces using traditional techniques, with a focus on precision, flow, and depth of color. His work spans wearable art and large-scale backdrops, and has found its way into the hands of notable musicians within the music community over the years. His style is recognized for its balance of structure and organic movement, with layered symmetry and rich color palettes.

This Thrasher's Wheat 30th Anniversary prototype was custom-dyed as a unique collaboration piece, bringing a bold, high-contrast energy to the design.  Zach created this extra crunchy Thrasher's Wheat 30th Anniversary shirt with Neil Young and Rusties in head!

Explore more of Zach's work at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/innerlighttiedye

The Details  

What: Thrasher's Wheat 30th Anniversary commemorative tie-dyed 100% quality cotton T-shirts in sizes Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large (XL), Extra Extra Large (XXL), or Extra Extra Large (XXL)*

Cost: Approximately $38.00 + Shipping**

Timeline: Shipping Target - approximately July 2026

Next Steps:  Pledge your support to  thrasher@thrasherswheat.org.  Send us email pledging to commit to a shirt purchase. Include:

• Subject Line: TW Shirt Pledge.
• Include number of shirts, size preferences, & country. 

* NOTE: Shirts are pre-washed/pre-shrunk.  We'll try and provide some guidance on sizing at order time. An extra charge for Extra Large (XL), Extra Extra Large (XXL). Extra Extra Extra Large (XXXL) sizes will require an additional extra charge, as well.

** Shipping is a challenge, particularly International (non-USA).  This will be addressed with each specific country by order.  Please be aware that mailing packages Internationally now is tremendously labor intensive with postal forms, rules, plus increasingly expensive.

Feel free to get in touch with us on any questions at thrasher@thrasherswheat.org .

This is really all about you cowboys & cowgirls out there -- our loyal and faithful readers here on Thrasher's Wheat, our social media followers and the entire Neil Young fan community.

TW HQ - 2016

Photo by TW Tour & Merch Manager  Hounds That Howell

So let your freak flag fly & don't be denied! 

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