ALBUM REVIEWS: Talkin' To The Trees by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts

Talkin' To The Trees by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts

The album "Talkin' to the Trees," recorded with Chrome Hearts, will be released today, June 13 on CD, vinyl, and digital.

In May, Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts released a new Official Music Video for the song "Lets Roll Again".

 "Lets Roll Again"  Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts (Video Frame via Official Video) (Click photo to enlarge)

In January,  Neil Young dropped a track from his latest album titled "big change is coming". In addition, an Official Music Video was released featuring the band  The Chrome Hearts.

 "big change is coming" 

by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts

(Video Frame via Official Video) 

Talkin' To The Trees by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts  

Tracklist:

01. Family Life 

02. Dark Mirage 

03. First Fire Of Winter 

04. Silver Eagle 

05. Let's Roll Again 

06. Big Change

07. Talkin' To The Trees

08. Movin' Ahead

09. Bottle Of Love

10. Thankful

Talkin To The Trees 

Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts

 

Criticisms & Reviews (as of June 13, 2025, via Rusted Moon) 

Paul Whitelaw, Louder : " This isn't an unexpected masterpiece from Neil Young's later career, but that's okay. He's made many masterpieces before, so it's unrealistic to expect another one. What it is, however, is the strangely comforting sound of an eccentric genius speaking words of hope as the world burns around us. " 3.5 out of 5

Helen Brown, Independent : " As a longtime Young fan, I felt as torn as his worn stage jeans. On the one hand, I was bored by tracks like "First Fire of Winter," which borrows heavily from the recycled three-chord riff of his 1970 classic "Helpless," and also "Silver Eagle," which meows to the sing-along melody of Woody Guthrie's 1940 anthem "This Land Is Your Land." On the other hand, I found it undeniably heartwarming to hear Ole Shakey muddle through the same old chord progressions he's been using since the 1970s, while singing about being stuck in line at his local farmers' market (...) This isn't Young's best work. It is, however, a record that should bring a smile to the faces of the faithful

Max Gösche, Rolling Stone : " Young picks up the last fragments of his work here. The massive "Big Change" sounds like a relic from the "Ragged Glory" days, "Bottle of Love" recalls the ballads of "Sleeps With Angels." And "First Fire of Winter" easily passes as a "Helpless" rip-off. The band around guitarist Micah Nelson rumbles along bravely in Crazy Horse style. Spooner Oldham once again plays the organ blissfully. And at some point, perhaps in the title track, a sense of melancholy takes hold. "Thankful" closes the record with a gesture of humility that must touch even the greatest cynic. Neil Young has long since finished singing the song that life wrote for him. Now he continually gives thanks to the beauty of nature, peace, and love

Guy Oddy, The Arts Desk : " When Neil Young releases a new album, you can be pretty sure you're getting either melancholic singer-songwriter classics or hard-hitting rock 'n' roll. His debut album with the Chrome Hearts, however, offers both – and shows Young at his best throughout. (...) So Neil Young is obviously still going strong, playing with a new backing band and working towards a better society. Let's be honest: which of the other original hippie-rockers can say the same? " 4 out of 5

Janne Oinonen, The Line Of Best Fit:  "Talkin' To The Trees isn't a grand return to form: there's too much letting go of the unfinished here for that. However, in its commitment to simplicity and a search inward for inspiration, it resembles 2000's underrated Silver & Gold, which, along with Toast (recorded in 2001 but not released until 2022), contained the final evidence of Young's creative comeback in the 1990s: not a bad result for a Neil Young album of the 2025 model year." 7 out of 10

Jon Young, No Depression : " This fascinating album, which (with a few exceptions) emphasizes the man's folk side, immediately reveals Neil at his best, combining his sweet, high voice with delicate melodies. Historical echoes can be heard throughout. "

Sam Richards, Riff Magazine : " The music on "Talkin To The Trees" sounds like Neil Young and covers most of his music. While there's nothing here as loud and gleefully chaotic as "Cinnamon Girl" or "Like a Hurricane," as strong as "After the Gold Rush," or as simply beautiful as "Harvest Moon," this collection of ten new songs still covers a wide stylistic spectrum. " 7 out of 10

Douglas Collette, Glide Magazine : " On the surface, at least, "Talkin' To The Trees" exudes a self-deprecating honesty. It's thought-provoking and allows for at least one theory that Neil Young's source of inspiration is the presence of the Chrome Hearts: there's undoubtedly a good reason why he took the ensemble's name from a line in "Long May You Run."

Thomas Treo, Extra Bladet , " Neil Young's music has always had an innocent, almost childlike tone, for better or for worse. At 79, however, he has rarely been more immature. The songwriter's songwriting is so sloppy that it barely holds together, and if "Talkin' to the Trees" were a vinyl shelf, it would collapse. (...)  Rarely has a person transformed so uninhibitedly from eternal to indifferent."  3 of 6

Michael Gallucci, Ultimate Classic Rock , " Talkin' to the Trees may remind fans of some of Young's directionless work from the '80s, but as with many of Young's untested projects, there's more to it than the many detours it takes in its 39 minutes. "

Douglas Heselgrave, Restless and Real : " Perhaps most impressive is that Young has never settled into being an oldies act. There's always new music. "Talking to the Trees" contains ten fresh songs that cover all his styles. There's no point asking whether "Moving Ahead" or "First Fires of Winter" are as good as "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" or "Like a Hurricane." As I said, Neil Young's music traces a continuum, and his persistent drive to find new ways of creating and expressing himself should leave us breathless and bewildered. "

Michael Bonner, UNCUT : "How are we supposed to understand Talkin' To The Trees at this point in Young's career? Is it a means for him to communicate with those closest to him—and perhaps find a deeper understanding of his personal situation along the way? Is this Young, who turns 80 later this year, giving us his last hurrah? Or is this simply Young doing what he wants right now, with something else just around the corner?"  3.5  out of 5

Ewan Gleadow, Cult Following: "Where "Big Change" was a deafening hit in the face of political unrest worldwide, "Talkin' to the Trees" depicts a carefree life and shows how those quiet days spent alongside beloved pets and in untouched nature can be just as dangerous. Isolation is desired in times of crisis, but Young challenges those who shy away from the real world to look more closely and passionately. "Talkin' to the Trees" is his best song in years." 4 out of 5

Stephen Thomas Erlewine, MOJO : "Despite the noise of Chrome Hearts, Talkin' To The Trees is rooted in down-home folk. Its key song is "Family Life," a piece in which he celebrates his offspring by name before extolling the virtues of his "best wife ever." Its schmaltzy enthusiasm is tempered by "First Fire Of Winter" and "Bottle Of Love," two songs that recall the fireside intimacy of "Will To Love." 4 stars

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