Stream Neil Young's Entire Album Le Noise on NPR
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Release Date: September 28, 2010
National Public Radio (NPR) is now streaming Neil Young's entire album 'Le Noise' at First Listen: Neil Young, 'Le Noise' : NPR.
More on Neil Young's New Album 'Le Noise'. Also, see:
-Neil Young Interview on Le Noise: "It sounded like God"
- Producer Daniel Lanois Discusses Making of "Walk With Me" + UNCUT Review (UPDATED)
- Video of Neil Young's "Angry World" from Le Noise
- Neil Young's Le Noise: "Just a man on a stool"
- "Imagination never sleeps": Neil Young's Le Noise
- NPR Previews Neil Young's Le Noise's "Walk With Me"
- Dead Man Soundtrack: Preview of Le Noise?
- Anticipating Neil Young's album Le Noise
FWIW, pre-orders for Le Noise by Neil Young are already ranked at
by thrasher@PermaLink: 9/21/2010 09:25:00 AM
34 comments
>> Pre-Order on Amazon.com << 
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34 Comments:
Yay! Well, I know what I'm gonna be doin' tonight. I think perhaps I may have to pick up a couple of celebratory beers, even if it does break my general no-weekday-drinking rule. He he
Spent the entire evening yesterday listening to the entire album via NPR. A few recommendations:
1. Listen with good headphones, or a great stereo in a quiet environment. There's SO much detail in there, you don't want to miss anything.
2. Keep an open mind.
3. Opinion: what Lanois has done with Neil's performances of these "solo songs" is nothing short of incredible. The sonics themselves are a work of art.
4. Opinion #2: This is the strongest new material from Neil since... hell, I can't even remember.
Just listen. And remember point #2 above at all times.
This comment has been removed by the author.
As a big fan of Trans, suggestion #2 has become my mantra when listening to Neil Young, particularly his 2000's output, which I think is likely his most artistically challenging in a long time. (Greendale, LWW, FITR & the new one to be precise - though it looks like Le Noise is going to take the cake, so to speak...)
@Matt: Seems like a good reason to break the rules. Looking fwd to hangover report. ;)
@ZAK:
Point #1 - check!
Point #2 - check!
Point #3 - check!
Point #4 - check!
a grand experiment for neil, to be sure. but i'd like to see him work with nigel godrich. now THAT would be innaresting.
Thank you Thrasher, thank you Neil, thank you God!
Right, plan of action - close the curtains, light a candle or two, turn off the phone.......I think the TV will be having a rest tonight.
Jill
I'm a bit underwhelmed. I don'tlike the 'sonics' - distracting artificial noise. Peaceful Valley Blvd could have been one of the best Neil Young recordings ever, and instead it's overtaken by this horrible fuzzy bass.
If ever an album needed to be re-released 'raw' this is it.
WHOA..whoa..whoa...
I've kept an open mind..mind...mind...mind...and .and..and...listened to the entire album..album..album..album..
I think, with some heavy rotation..LE noise ..noise..noise..is gunna be my favourite Neil album for a very long time...time..time...time!
DOC..doc..doc..doc
I can't stress Zak's words enough-Listen to them with GOOD headphones or stereo. If you don't, then all you'll hear is just a big mish mash of fuzz. The beauty is in the detail, and you'll only REALLY pick it up with decent equipment.
Neil's best album in YEAAAARRRRS!
I love it!
You want truth? Well, at least my opinion. These are some of Neil's strongest tunes in a long time. It is extremely unfortunate, however, that they had to be wasted on some ill consumed experiment that sounds like shit. LaLaLa, egg me? W.T.F? Somebodys ego's should have been policed here before this was ever allowed to happen. These songs would have been major classics instantly with the horse. David Briggs I miss you terribly! Daniel Lanois wouldn't dare put this crap on Dylans or U2's records. Everybody is so hungry for anything Neil, including myself, but I wouldn't download this if I knew how for free. This is like an unfinished demo with a bunch of experimental sound effects. I'm certain that my opinion wont be very popular here, but be honest, is this what you really wanted? It really could have been Neil's record of the decade. This opposes the very essence of what a Neil Young record should be - he swore after that mess of his first solo album that he would never overdubb, and for the most part he has stuck to that, and the result was something real. Unlike this crap. Neil, please! run from Lanois, get back to your center! For the first time I can even relate to David Geffen! Neil Young wasn't meant to be Pink Floyd! This is just wrong.
Chief..I'm hearing you..you..you..you....
but try give it a few rotations before you "write it off"..i think you might warm to it.but yes I would dearly love to hear these songs in another light... maybe Neil could do to 'Le Noise' what
'dreamin man' did to 'harvest moon'?...just a thought..hey, it's all in the earworm of the beholder!
enjoy your posts chief
ddddddoooocccc
Doc, It was after much agonizing that I finally posted my thoughts on this.Its a good thing I've been having trouble getting my posts on here with this new format cuz some of my earlier attempts were a little less than kind.I've hated the concept since I heard the first songs online. Now that I've heard it in its entirety,several times over, I'm convinced it sucks. Too bad cuz these really are some solid tunes had they been done in a more 'conventional' manner. Love Neil and his songs but hate Lanois's fucking sonics!
BIGCHIEF, interesting views there!
I agree with you that these are brilliant new songs from Neil, and agree with others that Lanois' effects and production are hardly groundbreaking here, in fact they are rather pedestrian.
But I do think they work well with the songs, and I see this album as a logical progression from the avant-noise of earlier works like Trans, Arc, Dead Man, and particularly the recent epic live versions of 'A Day In The Life', which were exceedingly heavy and effects-laden.
Furthermore, just because this is the way these songs have first been heard/released, doesn't necessarily mean they will remain in their current format forever - I am certain they will appear in other versions, perhaps acoustic, perhaps with the Horse - perhaps with a symphony orchestra for all we can predict what Neil will do next!
Consider the Trans version of 'Mr Soul', the harmonium version of 'Like A Hurricane' on Unplugged, and the discarded versions of 'Birds' and 'Wanderin' which turned up on the Archives Vol 1.
Neil frequently reworks his songs, so even if you hate this new album, I'm sure you'll hear these great songs in a version you like before long. Until then, why not enjoy the solo versions from his current tour, they're all on YouTube!
Thos.
PS:
Regarding my previous comment about the production, to be fair Neil Young acknowledges the production isn't particularly modern in this quote I just found:
“All this technology Dan brings is really old,” Young said. “And he’s capturing all these things that are old: The instrument itself is old. I’m old,” he said with a laugh, then added, “Dan is young.”
Full inteview on http://www.popmatters.com/pm/article/131262-neil-young-and-daniel-lanois-click-on-le-noise/
Thos.
I've listened to it a few times in my car. Every tune has something going on, and so for the first time in a while, I find myself wanting to listen to the whole thing. This isn't too much different than how any Neil Album gets made. It's very rushed. It has imperfections. It has NO performance overdubs, just effects and loops. Heck, Neil's sound for the last 40 years has used effets mightily....this one juse uses more delay loops.
I like the way Lanois distilled the songs into short essences. They are short enough not to tire you out. The result is quite listenable. The first and last songs really aren't songs, in my book...they are loosely structured vamps. I just call them all "expressions" now. If Lanois produced "No Hidden Path" it would have been about 3 minutes long and would have fit in here in terms of the song style.....
I've Noticed that Neil's playing is a lot sloppier on this record. I wonder with Ben gone that Neil doesn't feel the pressure to be on his game any more. Lanois tried his darnedest to cover it up. I don't doubt that these were all first takes. Neil's always had great rhythm, but there are several rhythmic train wreks going on here. Maybe it's just the vulnerable state that Neil is in these days. That's probably my biggest gripe with the record.
But I'm liking it....His voice on Peaceful Valley almost sounds like it was pitch shifted....
Just finished full listening; I've learned from past experiences that an album deserves at least a few spins before a true personal judgement can be passed. I must say though that I am impressed. The material is great- some of Neil's best songs in a long time,as we learned from the tour. These songs are full of Neil's moody, stark imagery yet at the same time lyrics just vague enough to still paint your own picture, see your own faces.
Lanois's work is genius. He creates a dreamscape that seems to weave in and out of each song, creating an atmosphere for Neil's tune to swim though at times and at others the atmosphere seems to weave itself right into the song, permeating it- changing it from the versions we've heard live, into something else entirely.
The little nuances are key to this record- the little sounds add to the mood- the weird little parts you weren't sure you heard, or if you did, what it was; a train? Cars driving past? This is an eyes closed and focus on the music, album. Perhaps the closest any of us will get to taking hallucinogens with Neil. As odd or strange some people seem to think this record is, its the album Neil had to make at some point. This seems a natural place for Neil to come to.
Seems to me that there's a mood Neil's expressing here on the record and ya know its a dark place he's been in ... the songs are fabulous but its doesn't change the fact that the backdrop is one of anguish, sadness, sorrow, and reflection ... its not a sunny record but its heartfelt, sincere, deeply felt ...'love and war' with its acoustic backdrop sandwiched among the sonics is especially moving, soothing, heartfelt, but then its back to the confusing, echoing, noisy riffs each one emoting and telling a tale of woe ... within the context of this tour and album, alone, grieving through this solo electric style, expressing life and loss and continuing on in the only way he knows - by performing and expressing the deep angst, the choice of a Springfield reunion is such an interesting one - where can he turn now - Briggs is gone, LA is gone, Ben is gone, Danny long gone, CSN substantively gone, the Horse forsaken ... who knows how many more chances he'd get to reunite with BS ... but substantively, now, with Ben gone, Neil's out lasted them all, and here he is a man and his instrument and so alone, so alone, so alone, so alone
Neil's site showing new tour dates in Nov -- Hong Kong, Japan and then Australia
No it isn't Dan!
Can you remember where and when it said he would be playing? I'm in NZ, would definitely skip over to Oz to see Neil - might even meet up with Doc!
I like the sounds I hear from the stream. But I was fár more surprised hearing Neil playing the Guild live on YouTube.
I really appreciate this album and I love Neil for using all modern 'technologies' like the iPhone app. It just shows he's very much alive. There's no one next to him, not even close. And of course the songs are great.
However…
There's no other album of Neil that I will listen to, continuously hoping one day I'll get the change of hearing the songs live.
So from this day on I really, really hope to live long enough for Archives X to come out, with a blue ray of one of the Twisted Road shows, shot with multiple camera's or whatever.
(of course Neil would be welcome to follow the Tiwsted Road to Europe too)
LIVE MUSIC IS BETTER BUMPER STICKERS SHOULD BE ISSUED!!!
Thos..that would be a buzz!..got a spare room for ya and all!!
Neil down under with this tour, would make my year! Whatever year that would be!! lol
Surely, if he came down under, he'd have to call it the "Twisted Noise" tour hey! lol
doc
Dan said- Briggs is gone, LA is gone, Ben is gone, Danny long gone, CSN substantively gone, the Horse forsaken
But his wife is still with us. Which means Neil will keep moving forward.
@Peter...I'm with you...Bumper Stickers all around! Maybe (probably) because I attended the show, and have a real nice copy of it to listen back onto, Neil's solo performance was just that...Solo. Listening to what Lanois has done with it is interesting but I think it takes away from the solo feel of the music. Neil has lost some dear friends and maybe he was a point where he just felt like he was in a very lonely or solo kind of place. I think that was demonstrated on this tour. I'm not so sure Crazy Horse or a symphony would be the right thing either. It does sound like Neils voice was slowed on "Peacefull Valley", not liking it so much. With all the looping, Neils voice, Neils voice comming back around, and the voices in my head...It gets to be a bit crowded for a solo record...That being said, I will still buy it to add to my collection.
I've listened to it in my new car about 5x and it is FAR OUT! It's such a smooth album, starting with love, moving on to war & hate, hitting you with a pinch of drugs and hardship in life, and then ending it with mother earth. I didn't think much of Rumbling when I heard it live but when I hear it in context (coming after Peacful Valley) it FLOORS me. I was hesitant about it only being 8 tracks, but with Lanois's productions in between songs it makes for the perfect length. I'm a big Greendale fan and it may be a little early saying this, but this is my favorite release of his since Ragged Glory.
Hi Big Chief, interesting comments and I can see what you`re saying about Lanois` sonics, but I guess for Neil in his current situation the idea of working through some of these huge issues with someone completely different, in a new setting, and with an entirely original sound (for Neil) has had to have been therapeutic and inspiring. I`m sure you`re not alone in your opinion here but whether we like the finished product or not, Neil`s done this for himself, it`s what he needed, and who knows which way he`ll go next? I don`t think you need to worry too much about Lanois` influence - Neil is and always has been his own man. And maybe the reason why Bob or U2 wouldn`t go in for Lanois` sonics is that they are not as explorative and open to experimentation as Neil? But apart from that, he`s also being true to the muse and maybe this is a continuation of the road he`a been traveling for a few years now anyway. There is no standard Neil album anymore. (Has there ever been?) That`s the way I see it anyway.
Generally speaking though I have to say I`m enjoyng the sound so far, and find it fascinating and exciting. The songs of course are brilliant, I love the b and w videos, and think Neil sounds good and looks good. I also like the look of Daniel Lanois` mansion……
Jill
Big Chief I'm with you, The only reason I like the album is because I can vision what the songs would sound like with the horse or whomever. The only way I can sit at home with good headphones and listen to this is if I blow a big gagger of BC Bud. And if I was ever to do that it would be to pink floyd. What a waste of songs. I'm sure it was good theropy for neil though so good for him. I'll patiently wait for the next album.
I respect everyones opinion here and with Neil's vast range of styles throughout the years, this one record isn't going to define with any certainty that this is the path he has settled on for future recordings. I mean just when you get over the shock when he said that from now on he was gonna be exclusively country (Old Ways),out comes Ragged Glory! Through out his entire career as you all know so well, he has fluttered from genra to genra like a moth in a lampshade. That being said,I'm certain that this record will have a strong appeal to some but not for others. There is no way this record can compare to Trans for that was a concept album heavy in experimentation with the vocorders and the Digital/computer age theme. This record began life as a conventional solo accoustic/electric trip with familiar songs from the current tour. Traditionally, Neil's records are defined by whatever mode he's in at the moment ( mode, not mood!). This could have been produced with a country flavor just as easy as it could have been done with his current 'electric band' not to mention an opportunity to make a call to Crazy Horse. So many options were available, yet with whatever process Neil normally selects when decision time is at hand, it appears to me that with this one, he relinquished the entire project to one Daniel Lanois. Never in the history of his career has he allowed an outside influence to the degree that he has here. From the peculiar recording techniques to the video process as well as the choice in instruments,Lanois somehow succeeded to win Neil's confidence, thereby becoming a member of a very short list of people to break into that circle. What an honor that must be to join the ranks of the few whom Neil would even consider your input let alone allow you to participate at that level in the creative process. Just as I always had the impression that Neil saw Danny Whitten in Curt Cobain, I can't help but wonder if working with Lanois reminds him of the early days with Jack Nitzsche who would top that short list of the few whom Neil would accept direction and even criticism when the intentions were meant to encourage and force Neil to a higher level of confidence. In Neils world,there is no shortage of 'yes men'. The highest value is placed on the few 'no men' that he had in the likes of Briggs, Nitzsche, L.A.,Ben,and his Dad who respectably would tell Neil the truth and not just what they thought he wanted to hear for their own selfish gain. Well, those guys are gone now along with their honest 'constructive criticism' that Neil needed, as we all do, to keep us centered. I hope for Neil's sake that he has found the same quality in Daniel Lanois. The issue of my not agreeing on 'sonics' pales in comparison to Neil's need to establish new quality relationships to continue creating art, and in that we all benefit.... I'll just have to wait for 'Le Noise Raw'!
OH MY GOD!!! Peaceful Valley Boulevard is one of the greatest songs EVER WRITTEN.
This is going to be a classic. It already is. It's right up there with Pocahontas.
I keep listening to it over and over and over. What a BEAUTIFUL SONG. OH GOD.
Neil's best 21st century song EASY.
Give me the solo in the middle of 'Danger Bird' any day!, just sayin!
By the way, Doc, you crack me up...up...up...up...up...
Talking of `Le Noise Raw` Big Chief, has anyone else read Nick Hornby`s novel `Juliet, Naked`? Quite amusing. Hornby`s obviously an admirer of Neil, by the way, and makes some nice references to him growing old creatively and productively, unlike Tucker Crowe, the fictitious musical recluse of the book. Sorry, gone `off topic` here!
Jill
Hi Jill,
Isn't that a reference to the Beatles 'Let It Be: Naked'?
Thos.
Hi Thos, I`m sure that must have been the inspiration for the title but I saw no comparison to the `Let it Be: Naked` story. I don`t know and can`t remember much about the Beatles` motivation there, but as I understand it McCartney wanted to get back to a basic, honest sound, whereas in the novel Tucker Crowe releases `Juliet, Naked` as a cynical money making venture, although the fans on the fictitious `appreciation` site rave about it`s honesty and authenticity. Come to think of it maybe there is a comparison there.....ha ha! What do you think, Thos, have you read the book?
Jill
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