Album Review

Artist: Neil Young

Album: Le Noise

     Neil Young is unlike any other artist. He is thoroughly exciting and most definitely unpredictable. The amount of music that comes out of this single man is terrific, indescribable. Many people could view him as someone who is too far in one direction, much of a brilliant simpleton. Young is the definition of a loner when it comes to music; whatever comes into his head is what he writes down on his sheet music. His most prominent pieces of music are songs written about things that deeply piss Young off. Generally, favorite themes are revisited in album after album, including those of marriage and the plot of family. Young is constantly reinventing himself, never doing anything more than once. With his thirty-fourth studio album, released in the year 2010, “Le Noise” is a piece of art, crafted in probably one of Young's most masterly manners yet.

     Young is known for his radical use of music. He has many different types of projects under his belt, some of which include electronic songs, protest albums, and documentaries. Most recognizable of this prolific artist is his consistent guitar and vocals, no matter the project may be. He is easily recognizable, whether the audience consists of die-hard fans or curious prospectors. To produce his latest album, Young took a new approach and teamed up with record producer Daniel Lanois. At first glance the pun is not detectable; look closer and you will see. Daniel Lanois is most noted for his layering of music in the albums he produces by adding extra sounds, which usually do not consist of musical sounds; just plainly sounds. For this reason, came the name of Young's recent album, “Le Noise.”

     “Le Noise” definitely produces a new sound for Young. It has a dense atmosphere, not commonly heard in music. It is mature, thrilling, core biting. The combination of his sweet and sour guitar chords work for this album in a way they would not work for any other project. The message is deep and dark and compares in a similar manner to the White Stripes album “Get Behind Me Satan”; both are very ambiguous, as shown through the lyrics “some will go to Hell's inferno/for screwing up their life in freedom land” in “Angry World.” The album has a repetitive nature to it and a somewhat preachy theme. This experimental artist reaches his desired relevant music. Although the album is mostly electric, there are a few aoustic songs that add to the overall message; the hazy feeling in “Peaceful Valley Boulevard” and no effects in “Love and War.” This was very much a demo CD put on the shelves; it is just Young and his guitar, raw and open.

     The presentation of Young's newest album is so simple that it appears to be new music types and sounds, but it really is not. As you listen, the music makes you swear to yourself that it is more than one man and one guitar, that is contains many more sounds and effects when simply it is just Young and his guitar, no added justifications. That is what makes this album so interesting and cool stylistically. It is a clarifying dialogue for Young. He does not care about what other people think of him; his only concern is how somethings sounds with his personal fundamental music. His gentle and worn vocals work coherently with the emotional tone of his music. It is a statement made by one man who has so far said much to be put in words.