Neil Young News: Samples of "FORK IN THE ROAD" & Europe Tour Dates

<-Older Posts Blog Home Newer Posts->

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Samples of "FORK IN THE ROAD" & Europe Tour Dates

From Because Sound Matters some BREAKING NEWS.

Samples of Neil Young's new "FORK IN THE ROAD" CD are streaming now on PLATOMANIA.

Just listening to Johnny Magic it turns out our hunch that the song is about Johnathan Goodwin was correct.

Also, Neil is coming to Europe again!!!

Barcelona, Spain on May 30 is now confirmed.

Nottingham, UK on June 23 is now confirmed.

Mark "spook_the_horse" reports on rust : Message: Aberdeen show that Ticketmaster's UK site lists Neil Young at the Aberdeen Exhibition Centre for Weds 24th June.

Thanks BSM, a rustie from mallorca, Trevor L. & STH!

Pre-order Fork In The Road

(Thanks! You'll also be supporting Thrasher's Wheat).

More on "Fork In the Road" Reaction to wacky new video!

UPDATE: 3/1/09
From rust : Message: Re: ****SPOILER - FITR****, Mark "spook_the_horse" posts:

First impressions...hard to say really!!!! I'm working and keeping footy
pundits at bay....

Segments only 20" or so for each track....

Lot of harmonies...hefty guitars....ragged vocals....

"WWC" - nice, slow & chuggy....! Full harmonies....

"Fuel Line" - anxious, pushing vocals...

"JSASWCTW" - nice sounding lead.....

"Johnny Magic" - quickish, pacey toon....blimey....not too sure on this one.
Doesn't grab me straight away.

Nice chops in C.U.T.$

"Light A Candle" - the voice almost gets there to the right key....

More choppy breaks in "Hit The Road"

"Off The Road"....slow. Raggedy vocals again...

"Get Behind The Wheel" - Guitar right up there...

Thanks STH!

So what do you think of clips?

Links to this post:

<$BlogBacklinkTitle$>: <$BlogBacklinkSnippet$>
posted by <$BlogBacklinkAuthor$> @ <$BlogBacklinkDateTime$>

Create a Link

41 Comments:

At 2/28/2009 10:48:00 AM, Anonymous said...: the album samples sound GREAT!!

What is the release date?
At 2/28/2009 10:57:00 AM, Anonymous said...: release date on Plato mania is april 6th.
I think this album is great. love the biting guitar sound. angry neil, full of life!

peter dees (Holland)
At 2/28/2009 10:59:00 AM, Anonymous said...: "It's all one song" has never been more appropriate.

A dissapointing step down from Chrome Dreams II.
At 2/28/2009 11:16:00 AM, Anonymous said...: I can't believe Neil Young is coming back to Scotland.

I love you Neil. Thanks for everything.

And thank you Thrasher, I never would have known if it wasn't for the community you have created here.

:-)

Davie From Scotland
At 2/28/2009 11:18:00 AM, Frank James said...: Neil's music used to be ambiguous. These new songs spell everything out for you and leave nothing to the imagination. The sample of "Johnny Magic" sounds down right embarrassing. I hope this is not the legacy Neil will leave us with.
Peace,
Frank James
At 2/28/2009 11:20:00 AM, Shittyhorse said...: I couldn't disagree more! I think this really ROCKS! LOVE THE SOUND...it's so different. The Guitar sound is awesome...its angry and serious yet somehow playful.
GREAT WORK NEIL! CANT WAIT TO BUY IT

Homegrown's all right with me.
Homegrown is the way it should be.
Homegrown is a good thing.Plant that bell
and let it ring.
At 2/28/2009 11:50:00 AM, Mr. Ambiguous said...: Wait...I have to ask...what is all the OH NEIL's Writing USED TO BE AMBIGUOUS.. talk? When? on is first few records?
Lyrics like..."Country Girl I think your Pretty?" I had to think about that one FOR A LONG TIME!
or
Southern man better keep your head
Dont forget what your good book said
Southern change gonna come at last
Now your crosses are burning fast....I wonder what Neil is saying there?
or
"Hey, hey
Cripple Creek ferry
Butting through
the overhanging trees
Make way
for the Cripple Creek ferry
The waters going down
it's a mighty tight squeeze"
or even
"I'm thankful for my country home..it gives me piece of mind?"
BIG MYSTERY there!
Look we all know some of Neil's Lyrics are deeper then others but he always wrote songs that were completely obvious... maybe if he gets a bad fever again he will write something like
'Pa send me money now...I'm gonna make it some how I need another chance'
At 2/28/2009 12:07:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Just to inform some of you - Neil's put MUSIC to his lyrics... So to those of you who just analyses the lyrics, and seems to think the new record is ten poems -try to discover the melodies, too...
The new record rocks!
At 2/28/2009 12:13:00 PM, Anonymous said...: With all of this touring one could be lead to believe that Neil's finances are hurting... like the rest of us. That plus the quickly dashed off tunes he seems to be writing these days. WE are Neil's bailout!
At 2/28/2009 12:15:00 PM, Anonymous said...: total SHIT!!!
At 2/28/2009 12:22:00 PM, Frank James said...: Neil Even Said it Sounds like shit. It took a lot of analysis to figure that ambiguity since I am mentally challenged.
- Frank James
At 2/28/2009 01:03:00 PM, Anonymous said...: This is my first post here but I have been visiting Thrasher´Wheat regularly for a long time. Until recently I have always found this site a great and very informative place to hang out, but that has now started to change.I just cannot believe some of the posts here recently. What happened to buying the actual album and listening to it a few times first before passing your judgement?? It really is ridiculous the way people are reviewing albums these days way before they have even been released. This obviously has been going on for years now on loads of other fan sites dedicated to other artists, but now this is getting to be more and more of a trend here as well.And in my opinion this is slowly ruining the experience and joy of having your favourite artists release new music.It seems some people have decided in advance that Fork In The Road album is either gonna be a piece of crap (if you pardon the pun) or the opposite. What is it that we have all been able to listen to so far? Shitty sounding live clips on You Tube and 30 sec samples over on PLATOMANIA. And obviously the title track in its entirity (but still not with proper sound!). What I´m saying is do yourself a favour and WAIT until the album is released or at least until you are able to listen to the songs in their entirety. A lot of you people don´t really seem like you enjoy listening to music anymore. It seems all you are interested in is moaning. For the record I do not think that every single thing Neil Young has released over the years is a masterpiece. But it really is just plain silly to decide if you like something or not long before you have even had the opportunity to experience it. Surely I can´t be the only one who feels this way??
At 2/28/2009 01:52:00 PM, dr dip said...: Just maybe U tube, Video screening,
limewire etc could be detrimental to an artist's success of new songs/material. Now before you shoot me down in flames, lets just go back to the days when they're was no previews pre viewing or pre judging..You had to wait until the album was actually released.. you know the days...lining up at your local record sore for your favourite artists new release.. the thrill of the surprise...sometimes pleasurable sometimes disappointment but non the less.. Surprise
Video killed the radio star!
At 2/28/2009 01:58:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Nottingham tickets have been on pre sale today.
At 2/28/2009 02:00:00 PM, Anonymous said...: These comments with the off the cuff remarks about Neil Youngs' new musical releases are hindered by their inability to understand what art is and what an artist is all about. It's all very personal output and not made available to satisfy anyone in particular. An artist would not make such comments. So, for the inartistic few who will never,ever get it, I say...."Shine on you crazy diamonds!"
At 2/28/2009 02:15:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Ok....still waiting for the makeup L.A. show.....
At 2/28/2009 02:20:00 PM, Anonymous said...: You know when I first heard Fork In The Road, I thought it sounded like crap. Now I'm loving it more and more every time I hear it.

I like the style I'm hearing on this record, very gritty and a definite change from Chrome Dreams 2. Perhaps it's because I'm relatively young that I'm more open to this change of sound, but it stuns me to think that some Neil fans would judge music from youtube audio and streaming sample clips. With the exception of Ragged Glory, there are very few Neil Young albums that impressed me upon first listen. I'm looking forward to the release.

I'm hoping to get tickets for Nottingham!
At 2/28/2009 02:25:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Bring Back Crazy Horse!!!!!!!!!
At 2/28/2009 02:57:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I agree.Seen enough of this tour.
Would like to see a crazy horse tour or a small theater solo tour.
At 2/28/2009 03:07:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Ok, Everybodys Rockin,Old Ways,Landing on Water, and now Fork in the Road.Another of the occasional shitty Neil records.I'd rank this one in the bottom 4 all time shitty Neil records.
Lets get it released and out of the way already so I can finaly have my fuckin archives !!!!
At 2/28/2009 03:15:00 PM, Elle said...: I've been thinking about how Neil has been worshipping Shiva--the god of destruction--throughout his career. There are not many healthy ways to do that these days--tear down the old and bring in the new. Like a Hurricane and lots of other guitar solos do this--help us get so blown away...Mother Nature has been doing her part to break it down before the Aquarian Age, in the northeast and other places around the world.
Elle
At 2/28/2009 05:01:00 PM, Thrasher said...: You're welcome Davie!

Enjoy the show and let us know how it goes.
At 2/28/2009 05:07:00 PM, horsewifnoname said...: Not gonna listen to the samples... gonna wait until I can get the cd in my hands and give it a proper listen... In my car, at work while makin' deliveries. If it sucks, oh well, if not, happy day!
Either way, FUCK THE ARCHIVES!
Who gives a shit? Give me new music any time, and as much as possible. I already have dozens of versions of the old stuff to listen to when I want to.
peace, y'sll
At 2/28/2009 05:23:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Someone said it... Neil is playful on this record!

Certainly way above the sluggish AYP, and less forced than LWW. CDII ? Come on, it had 5-6 boring tracks. This one is simple but fun, in the Neilway, and Springsteen can pludder along in the supermarket with all those girls, thats yawninducing.
At 2/28/2009 06:03:00 PM, tim said...: Those short clips are the first time that I've gotten to listen to the songs on FITR and I'm impressed. Not often do I like Neil's songs on a first listen(albeit only short clips) especially in this decade. I was expecting the worse with all you doom sayers out there saying how terrible the songs were. It's worth waiting a few more months for the Archives.
At 2/28/2009 09:48:00 PM, Steve said...: fuck the archives? yessir!
i guess the guys with their heads stuck in the past can wait just a little longer...

gotta say i like that new shit, just listened to those samples... hell yeah, kinda southern rock done garage-style... very cool!!!
only that candle song reminds me a lot of the chorus of like an inca ;)
as far as the lyrics are concerned, being an engineer myself, i can pretty much relate to what neil's trying to say with those songs...

and btw mr. anonymous xyz, old ways is one of my favorites, got ol' waylon and willie on it...now if that ain't cool?!
liked that rockabilly record too!

keep on waitin' for the archives (some of y'all)...
while i'll pack it in, get in my pickup and crank up the new shit...
peace out!
At 2/28/2009 10:25:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Personally, the new songs are just not very inspired. :/ I might still buy it, but idk yet. I'd like to hear Toast for sure, though. :)
At 2/28/2009 11:20:00 PM, Shittyhorse said...: Yes, I have to say...YET AGAIN...this album is not out yet...you may have heard those little clips or maybe a couple songs live...once or twice.. or on some crumby bootleg...but to anyone who says, "yeah I listened to those sound bites and I think this record sucks!” Really has no idea about music and REALLY has no idea about Neil fucking Young! Really.... YOU MUST listen to something a few times before you can really judge it! I had written before that, on my first listen, I BLOODY LOVED Rust Never Sleeps...it got me into Neil...then I bought Harvest and After The Gold Rush and at first listen I hated them both over all! But it was intriguing either way, as is the case with almost all of Young’s records; no matter how you feel about the album the first time around...we all MUST admit his records are usually very intriguing and very interesting and thus forces us to listen again and then again and before we know it we're saying 'Oh love that song" then "yeah, the first half is good" and we end up nodding yes in agreement with ourselves and every other sycophant (thats what you call us right?) fan saying..."NOW THAT IS A GREAT FUCKING ALBUM!" I felt this way about Harvest, After The Gold Rush, Time Fades Away, Tonight's The Night, Hawks and Doves, Reactor, Freedom, Sleeps with Angels, Mirrorball, Greendale, and Chrome Dreams II. (On the Beach I loved right away...)
Now I love ALL those records.
Listen; if you just dismiss these records after the first listen then your either not a real Neil Young fan and/or (dare I say) a music fan. Either that or your IQ is really low but you think you know everything...in which case you end up missing out on some great music and I feel sorry for you.
I have not heard all of Fork in the road so I can make an honest judgment...but from what I've heard live on this tour and from bootlegs I was lucky enough to find and from those sound bites I will say I DO like what I hear SO FAR. I love the SWAMPY, BLUESY, and yes I said PLAYFUL sound of these tunes and man, are they are catchy. I am looking forward to this album's release.

To the guy who posted at 1:03...I agree with you...you cant judge a book until you've read it...same goes with a record. I think people don't like music anymore really...or they expect too much or something? I think people think that when they buy a record it is supposed to take them back to the 70's when they were young, still getting high, had more freedom and their chicks were still hot and they were happier...this is a recording by a 63 year old legend who has put out more music than most others and is STILL in a category all his own...I think that in itself warrants an honest few listens before passing judgment and then posting it. I am still a young guy too and maybe that does make me more into or accepting the stylistic changes Neil Young's music goes through...( I WILL REMIND YOU THOUGH THAT THIS IS A NEIL YOUNG NEWS SITE! NOT A NEIL YOUNG HISTORY SITE!) I don't know but I will recommend to those bashing Neil's last few albums....(Greendale and CHROME DREAMS II especially) throw out the CDs...buy the vinyl versions, smoke a number (or just relax...meditation, yoga, masturbation, whatever) plug in a good pair of head phones, turn it up LOUD and really listen with an open mind and I think you maybe surprised how good these songs are! Listen to all of Greendale this way, Ordinary People, No Hidden Path, all of Prairie Wind, the Restless Consumer hell listen to EVERYTHING! OH.. and Fork in the Road (but wait till it comes out!)

I found myself singin'
Like a long-lost friend
The same thing that makes you live
Can kill you in the end.

Can we get it together
Can we still stand side by side
Can we make it last
Like a musical ride?
At 3/01/2009 01:38:00 AM, dr dip said...: 'Shitty"..you always put it so succinctly!
Luv dip
At 3/01/2009 04:38:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Great words Shittyhorse! I do like the new sound with the raw edge a lot. Can't wait to have the vinyl version of Fork in the Road and I really hope there will be a 18 minutes Cough up the Bucks version for vinyl lovers only. That would be great. It's so good NY is changing direction again after the wonderful CD2. That's why I do like him so much. Don't miss Sea Change in the tracklist. For me there was too much Keef in that song. Still trying to figure out how to describe the new NY sound. It's raw, edgy and direct and on first listening sounds a bit cheap, but that defenitely isn't the case after listening a couple of times to this small digital sound clips. Maybe it sounds a bit like Sleeps with Angels played with the Electric band. I don't know, just can't wait to hear FITR in full glory. B.S.M.
At 3/01/2009 04:44:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Just got2 tickets for the Aberdeen show from LiveNation pre-sale.

Thanks to all for letting me know!!

Full public sale starts tomorrow.

Innes
At 3/01/2009 09:39:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Just got my tickets for Aberdeen to go with the ones for Nottingham.

Who cares about Neil's new album or the archives when he's still playing!

I too don't expect every release to be a masterpiece but i'll give it a fair listen when it comes out.

It'll be great when the archives does come out but in the meantime if he comes to my country and plays again I can't ask for any more.

Where else will he play?

Rumours state Liverpool but someone states the arena there is booked out the same time. Hyde Park on the Sat sounds on as well. I can see him doing Sun night at Glasto.

My money's on Newcastle if he only does one more but there it would be good to get Birmingham and Glasgow as well.

Cheers Thrasher for the heads up - I got wind of the Nottingham gig thanks to the RSS feeds on the left of the web page on Friday afternoon.

At least I don't have to ring up tomorrow morning - mind you it doesn't really matter when its fairly big places he's playing with GA rather than all seated.

Roll on June!

Des
Leeds
At 3/01/2009 09:56:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Why would I buy an album I already know is complete and utter shit?
At 3/01/2009 02:32:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Did anyone notice on Plato Mania that each title is followed bij '(album version)'

Could it be there will be a accompanying DVD about the recording of just like greendale?

Peter Dees (Holland)
At 3/01/2009 03:03:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Why would I buy an album I already know is complete and utter shit?

Do not buy it then I will , I am a real Neil fan and like what i have heard.

I have most of Neil albums, including time fades away on CD( if you look hard enough you can find it).

Looking forward to seeing Neil in Nottingham, 4th time in 2 years and what ever he sings it will be a great experiance.
At 3/01/2009 05:16:00 PM, Anonymous said...: By the way...
Just Singing a Song.... and Light a Candle are just GREAT songs, and they will rank in the Top 10 of Neil 2000's best songs!
At 3/02/2009 07:06:00 AM, astrololee said...: Poor Neil, I dont know he handles the strain of all those baggers out there. What most knockers have failed to realise is, that artists are forever evolving and its only when they become complacement, stagnant and cemented in the old ways that they begin to lose their true fans.
I mean Neil does not have to keep rehashing old stuff just to have us stay in love with him. These new songs reflect whats important in his life at the moment, next year it will be something else to save the planet or whatever and I for one will enjoy waiting around to see what comes next.
In the meantime I will wait for the CD/DVD/Blueray??? to be released and I will sing along with the new tunes just as hard as I have previously to LAH, TTN, SAH, BC or even Eldorado, hell any one of the 400 or more songs etc I will love them all cause they are produced and sung by someone with enough intelligence to get the people thinking for themselves instead of being told by beuracrats how we should act & behave in todays society.
You Reign Neil..Goodonyah and thanks for sharing your life with us.
PS come back to Australia again soon. Also tell Uli we want him back here oneday, so we can get some smarter cars up and going in the land of Oz too.
astrololee - Australia
At 3/02/2009 07:32:00 AM, TheLoner said...: NY at Nottingham. Brilliant!
Just booked my ticket. Two NY gigs in two years, can't believe it!
The date, 23rd June, also looks sneakily like a pre-Glastonbury warm up gig...
At 3/02/2009 06:30:00 PM, Philip said...: travelled to New York Dec 2007 for 2 shows, just in case that was the last tour!!!! Manchester x 2, London and Hop Farm in 2008. We emigrate to Sacramento in Sept 08 and drive over the Sierra's in the Rain for the Reno Show Nov 1st 2008.
Now NY plays Nottingham!!!! 50 bleeding years I have lived in Nottingham 50 years! I move to within 200 miles of NY's residence and guess what - He goes and plays at the Ice Stadium!
I am struckdumb.
Also, Luke Doucet is playing Nottingham and Sheffield in May with Melissa McClelland.
So now I am saying..... why does no-one come to Sac? It is that bloody Arco Arena..... Plus Gong are touring UK this year.
Oh why did I leave? (Cos it is shite1) Oh yes, I remember.
There was a Fork in the Road.
Philip
At 3/03/2009 06:41:00 AM, Kristian Henriksen said...: Have no idea where to post this. But this seems a nice place.
Neil Young is coming to Norway, Norwegian wood festival in Oslo, 11 june.
At 3/03/2009 06:02:00 PM, Daniel said...: It is now confirmed that Neil will play the Stockholm festival "Where the Action is" 12 or 13 June.

http://www.wheretheactionis.se/