Neil Young Archives Migration from Amazon to DigitalOcean Platform Completed

Neil Young @ Farm Aid 40

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota - Sept. 20, 2025

photo by thrasher

(Click photo to enlarge)

Neil Young has announced that his Archives (NYA) have completed platform migration from Amazon to DigitalOcean per a statement.

In 2025, Neil Young announced that he would withdraw his music from Amazon due to big corporations "selling out America", as well as, Jeff Bezos' support of the Trump administration.  In January, a statement on Neil Young Archives, called for a boycott of Amazon.  

The now-completed migration was considered technically demanding and costly internally. The migration team was led by archivist Phil Baker, together with DigitalOcean's engineers, who developed a new infrastructure for cloud storage, databases, and servers. As part of the move, the entire streaming workflow was also modernized to improve performance and scalability. A key component of the new architecture is a "hot storage" layer. This temporarily caches frequently requested audio content. Frequently streamed tracks can thus be delivered more quickly without constantly accessing long-term storage. For platform members, this translates to shorter loading times, more stable streams, and fewer interruptions during peak usage.

By making the migration away from Amazon to DigitalOcean's platform, Neil Young believes that the switch is part of a larger movement away from the dominance of a few technology companies and toward independent digital services and stronger local structures.

Full statement on Neil Young Archives (NYA).

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Comment of the Moment #2: "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.

Last week's Comment of the Moment on "As Time Explodes" by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts was by JVJ and sparked a few interesting comments.

Our latest Comment of the Moment #2: "As Time Explodes" by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts is also by JVJ:

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."

I'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).

Thanks  for the comments JVJ! A 2fer.

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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"Ohio" Revisited: Is Song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young An Anthem For Our Times?

Crosby Stills Nash & Young
 (Click photo to enlarge)

Earlier this year in January -- after the tragic events in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we ran a post titled "Ohio" Revisited: Is Song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young An Anthem For Our Times? from Rock 'n' Roll with Me  by Ellen from Endwell.

So is the song "Ohio" "an anthem for our times?". While the jury may still be out, our readers here were somewhat divided on the answer. Regardless, the CSN&Y song "Ohio" is a powerful song still resonating 56 years later.

Thrasher's Wheat has been observing the anniversary of this event for decades now, sadly.

We can only continue to ask the pertinent question: "How many more?"

Also, see:

Why Neil Young’s “OHIO” has earned it’s place on the National Recording Registry 

"Ohio" Revisited: Is Song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young An Anthem For Our Times?

The Truth About The Kent State Massacre

The Girl in the Photo: Kent State, Ohio - May 4, 1970

40 Years Since 4 Dead in Ohio: Kent State Massacre Remembered

4 Dead In Ohio: May 4, 1970

53 Years Later: "Ohio", Kent State & Tin Soldiers Still Marching | #MayTheFOURBeWithYou

50 Years Ago: “Four Dead In Ohio” | Decaturish

51 Years Later: "Ohio", Kent State & Tin Soldiers Still Marching | #MayThe4thBeWithYou

Ohio: Kent State 45 Years Later

Kent State, Ohio 47 Years Later: The Tin Soldiers March On & On...

Kent State University on May 4, 1970 Library of Congress Exhibit photo by Howell PosnerOriginal photo by photojournalism student John Filo 

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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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