Neil Young

Chrome Dreams II - 2007

The 1977 "Chrome Dreams" contained some of Neil Young's most enduring electric blowouts and most somber, stirring folk-rock songs. 30 years later "Chrome Dreams II" comes out not as a sequel but as a mirror image of the original "Chrome Dreams." The songs from that album - scheduled to come out in the fall of 1976, but never released - made their way onto "American Stars 'n Bars" "Rust Never Sleeps," and "Hawks & Doves." The second "Chrome Dreams" reverses that plotline, bringing together a wildly varied set of tunes both new and old, including the 19 year old, 18-minute long "Ordinary People." Like that song, a classically lumbering Neil Young epic, only accessorized with a horn section echoing the melody from "Cortez The Killer," a Springsteen-esque sax solo and keyboard flourishes, "Chrome Dreams II" is a vehicle built from parts that shouldn't work together, but do.

Joined by guitarist Ben Keith, bassist Rick Rosas and Crazy Horse drummer Ralph Molina, Young ranges his way from the rickety folk of "Boxcar," street corner balladry of "Shining Light," the grimy rock of "Dirty Old Man" and idiosyncratic gospel of "The Way." But on every song Young yearns for a return to a physical or spiritual home, which gives the album a satisfying thematic consistency that marks "Chrome Dreams II" as first-rate Neil Young.

Neil Young Chrome Dreams II Tracklist

Beautiful Bluebird

Boxcar

Ordinary People

Shining Light

Believer

Spirit Road

Dirty Old Man

Ever After

No Hidden Path

Way