"As Time Explodes"
Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts
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).
I have played the album probably 10 times now, on first listen I was a bit disappointed with the slow start over the first three songs. Also noticeably the mix to my ears features drum and Neil prominently with Spooner buried, however live it was the same, I had hoped he would be turned up a bit more. Cortez is magnificent, a killer take and the best released version IMO. Very disappointed that Ambulance Blues and Cowgirl didn't make the cut. I have grown to love the album, and will be buying the HiRes download when it appears. For all its foibles it stands up as a solid representation of a great tour. Very happy two tracks from Dublin and Hyde Park made the cut - both shows I attended. Hope I am wrong, and I have read Neil's recent NYA letter response saying he'll be playing 'everywhere soon', I doubt we'll see him again in the UK. If thats the case I'm happy with my 26 shows over the years and a tremendous send off at Hyde Park.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew. Good summary.
ReplyDeleteAs for slow starts on songs, you think that's the band just trying to figure out where Neil is going? Trying to find the groove?
I absolutely love it. I feel like Spooner is more prominent than what it was live. Excellent harmonies. Daddy Went Walkin' gets new life. Never really dug that song until hearing it last year. Different vibe to it now.
ReplyDelete@thrasher When I said slow start, I meant low key songs. If the album had started with Ambulance Blues it would have been killer. Whilst I do like Daddy Went Walkin' its a odd song to start the album.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, got it. Thank you for clarifying.
DeleteAs for why AB didn't make the cut? Maybe Archives Volume #9?!
Another reminder of how lucky we are to have the Archives and the letters section... between the time I lamented the omission of Ambulance Blues and now, some intrepid fan sent in asking why it didn't make the cut and Neil explained succinctly: "THEY WERE GOOD BUT NONE WERE RIGHT FOR ME ON THIS ALBUM. MAYBE IN THE FUTRE IT WILL BE USED."
ReplyDeleteI'll echo that the version of Cortez the Killer contained here - as most of you know, the version with the missing verses that have been included since last year's tour with the horse - is absolutely essential. I understand the minor grievances listed in this thread (the slow start of Side 1. Spooner still being lower in the mix in the same way as on tour...) but damn, Side 3 is a towering and killer slab of rock and roll... Vampire Blues (from one of the shows I attended! I get a sensorial memory of my best friend and me losing our shit when they kicked into that one) and Cortez? An absolutely unmissable document of the band at their best right there.
Another letter I read in the most recent batch made the cover art make sense to me. I had no idea it was a picture of the band reflected in rained out pit at the Jones Beach show. I just thought it was an artistic decision that didn't do anything for me compared to a simple shot of the great stage set-up they had on this run. Really made my appreciation to the cover art skyrocket.
Anyways, looking forward to more opinions as the album continues to officially roll out. I really would live to see the truncated Crazy Horse tour make it to record at some point, though that feels unlikely (and maybe a bit greedy given the embarrassment of riches we've already received).