I must admit it took me a few listens to get `Fork In The Road`. Devote Neil Young fans know that to sign-up for his musical journey is more akin to a roller-coaster ride than a cruise in a eco-friendly Lincvolt. But that is why we like him.
If we are to compare `Fork In The Road` to anything, then think ‘Re-ac-tor’ (1981) meets ‘This Note’s For You (1988).
‘When Worlds Collide’, ‘Just Singing A Song’ and ‘Light A Candle’ may be familiar to fans as they have been road-tested for the past year in Young’s live set. ‘Just Singing A Song’ is vintage Neil. It takes me back to the ‘When You Dance I Can Really Love’ days.
The first recorded piece we heard from the album was the title track. It is very “This Note’s For You”. ‘Get Behind The Wheel’ would have fitted perfectly onto that album.
‘Cough Up The Bucks’ is the one that centers me around ‘Re-ac-tor’.
‘Johnny Magic’ to me is the most accessible track on the album. It is a straight ahead Neil Young rock and roll song. By that I mean rocker Neil, not grunge Neil. You really need Crazy Horse to crank a song like ‘Fuel Line’ up to 11.
The album comes in a two disc package. Disc 2 is a DVD version in 5:1 surround but it is audio only. For a great visual, go to the extras on the DVD. There is a clip of Neil performing The Beatles` ‘A Day In The Life` from the current tour. It was his closing number on the tour. If you saw any of the shows, you know already know what a powerful, compelling closer it was.
‘Fork In The Road’ is the first of a lot of activity you will be seeing from Neil this year. There is a DVD video version of the album coming with an extra track. The long-awaited archives will be released in June. The lost album ‘Toast’ has been finished off as well. Except that later in the year.
Tracklisting for ‘For In The Road’:
1. "When Worlds Collide" - 4:14
2. "Fuel Line" - 3:11
3. "Just Singing a Song" - 3:31
4. "Johnny Magic" - 4:18
5. "Cough Up the Bucks" - 4:38
6. "Get Behind the Wheel" - 3:08
7. "Off the Road" - 3:22
8. "Hit the Road" - 3:36
9. "Light a Candle" - 3:01
10. "Fork in the Road" - 5:47
Credits:
Produced by "The Volume Dealers" (Neil Young and Nico Bolas)?Recorded and Mixed by Nico Bolas??
Neil Youngà: electric and acoustic guitar, vocals?Ben Keithà: lap steel guitar, electric guitar, Hammond B-3 organ, vocals?Anthony Crawfordà: electric and acoustic guitar, piano, Hammond B-3 organ, vocals?Pegi Youngà: vibes, acoustic guitar, vocals?Rick Rosasà: bass?Chad Cromwellà: drums
