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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Freedom was Young's return to form after almost a decade of electronic experiments and mediocre novelty music. "Rockin' in the Free World", a howling anthem about homelessness, depression and drug dealing, bookends the album--and, in 1989, proved the singer/songwriter hadn't completely dropped into obscurity. The romantic ballads ("The Ways of Love"), grunge-predicting guitar-rockers (a siren-screaming version of "On Broadway"), and one amazing, punk-like story-song ("Crime in the City [Sixty to Zero, Part I]") constitute Young's strongest writing in years. --Steve Knopper
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CD
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A. Willard
Format:Audio CD
By the mid-Eighties Neil Young was about as unhip as you could possibly be. He was said to have gone to the right politically and his music was frankly not good (has anyone ever made it to the end of Re-Ac-Tor?). `Trans', `Landing on Water', `Life' - yes they were all a bit rubbish.
1988's `This Note's for You' was a blessed return to form and the following year's `Freedom' showed the old boy could still make it matter. If he ever had been a Reaganite he certainly wasn't now - the album casts a harsh light on the American mantra of `at least we're free'. This is an album about the breakdown of family life for the forgotten - the underclass whose only way out was drugs or crime.
The cover of `On Broadway' takes it to a rather silly level to make his point but the rest of the album is superb. Great crunching guitars on `Don't Cry', `Eldorado' and the electric version of `Rockin' in the Free World' but also some wonderful ballads, `Hangin' on a Limb', `Someday', `Too Far Gone' and of course there's `Crime in the City' which, with its short-story format and saxophone breaks, sounds like virtually nothing else he's ever recorded.
From here on he was back up and running and heading for his `Godfather of Grunge' period - `Ragged Glory', `Weld' etc. Good on him.
1988's `This Note's for You' was a blessed return to form and the following year's `Freedom' showed the old boy could still make it matter. If he ever had been a Reaganite he certainly wasn't now - the album casts a harsh light on the American mantra of `at least we're free'. This is an album about the breakdown of family life for the forgotten - the underclass whose only way out was drugs or crime.
The cover of `On Broadway' takes it to a rather silly level to make his point but the rest of the album is superb. Great crunching guitars on `Don't Cry', `Eldorado' and the electric version of `Rockin' in the Free World' but also some wonderful ballads, `Hangin' on a Limb', `Someday', `Too Far Gone' and of course there's `Crime in the City' which, with its short-story format and saxophone breaks, sounds like virtually nothing else he's ever recorded.
From here on he was back up and running and heading for his `Godfather of Grunge' period - `Ragged Glory', `Weld' etc. Good on him.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By J. Thompson
Format:Audio CD
Freedom was released in 1989 and as far as I am concerned Neil is on top form.
It starts and finishes with Rockin' In The Free World and does'nt let up in between.
There's plenty of energy and commitment from Neil, my favourite track is his version of On Broadway.
It starts and finishes with Rockin' In The Free World and does'nt let up in between.
There's plenty of energy and commitment from Neil, my favourite track is his version of On Broadway.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Little Cat Voom
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
When I first listened to this back in the day, I don`t think I really appreciated it. I was always more intrigued by Neil`s work that came from the ditch, and this was a little polished; maybe I was missing the sloppy support of the redoubtable Crazy Horse, who always seemed to be playing on my favourite Young albums (such as Weld, or Zuma).
Well, time has been kind. Bookended by contrasting versions of probably Neil Young`s most radio-friendly song, "Rockin` In The Free World", it is easy to miss the great songs inbetween. "Crime In The City" is an epic, with brilliant lyrics describing aspects of society in meltdown and has always been an absolute joy to me, despite its nine minutes plus length. "Don`t Cry" is one song that I have really learnt to love now though, and showcases probably the first time Young employs the thunderous, crushing distorted power that grabbed my interest on "Weld". This power pops up on "Eldorado" too, contrasting with the light Spanish guitar that plays throughout. "No More" and "Too Far Gone" are great songs too, hammering home the album theme that too much Freedom seems to have negative consequences for many; drugs, homelessness and violence seem to lurk menacingly behind many songs. "Hangin` On A Limb" emphasises the fragile nature of happiness and success.
If I had to pick some weak points, then "The Ways of Love" would be one, for sure, but even "Someday" and "On Broadway" can work on the right day, which is one of the great strengths of the album - "Freedom" contains so many different styles of song. Overall, the many high points are plenty good enough to warrant a solid five stars.
Well, time has been kind. Bookended by contrasting versions of probably Neil Young`s most radio-friendly song, "Rockin` In The Free World", it is easy to miss the great songs inbetween. "Crime In The City" is an epic, with brilliant lyrics describing aspects of society in meltdown and has always been an absolute joy to me, despite its nine minutes plus length. "Don`t Cry" is one song that I have really learnt to love now though, and showcases probably the first time Young employs the thunderous, crushing distorted power that grabbed my interest on "Weld". This power pops up on "Eldorado" too, contrasting with the light Spanish guitar that plays throughout. "No More" and "Too Far Gone" are great songs too, hammering home the album theme that too much Freedom seems to have negative consequences for many; drugs, homelessness and violence seem to lurk menacingly behind many songs. "Hangin` On A Limb" emphasises the fragile nature of happiness and success.
If I had to pick some weak points, then "The Ways of Love" would be one, for sure, but even "Someday" and "On Broadway" can work on the right day, which is one of the great strengths of the album - "Freedom" contains so many different styles of song. Overall, the many high points are plenty good enough to warrant a solid five stars.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant album - listen with fresh ears
Hearing this album, when it was released, is what first got me listening to Neil Young - I thought it was brilliant then, and I still do. Read more
Published 21 days ago by jonestwin
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's good
I bought this on CD having bought it originally on cassette (remember them?); it's Neil Young's best CD after his very early ones. Standout track: "No More".
Published 3 months ago by R. Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars
Never a better time to listen
Yes, I have carped some on Neil's failings, but this album is up there with his classics + Harvest Moon. And Crazy Horse don't ruin it! Read more
Published 10 months ago by Earnest Mann
4.0 out of 5 stars
thank God!
yep, thank God Young found his mojo again after some truly aweful albums in the 1980s, Crime In The City is the pick of the bunch on this one, its an epic track complete with sax... Read more
Published 23 months ago by lloyd boon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best thing NY had done, in years
Full of good music, apparently collected from several unfinished ny projects, but amazingly, after some of the tepid records bhebhad beeen churning out, really enjoyable and... Read more
Published on 20 April 2009 by BORU
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of his best after the 70s
Neil always had a very inconstant talent, alternating pearls like Zuma or On the Beach (his masterpiece) to average stuff like Long May you Run and Re Ac Tor to ugly recordings... Read more
Published on 6 Dec 2007 by Claudio
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not the return to form you are led to believe I'm afraid
To summarise, this record is for two kinds of Young appreciators. 1 - Completists, for those who just want all of his records/listenable records. Read more
Published on 4 April 2005 by RD
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rocking in the Free World
Saw Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 yesterday, this song played over the end credits. Nobody moved from their seats at first. Read more
Published on 12 July 2004 by Caroline Ferreira
4.0 out of 5 stars
Money well spent...
While there are more than enough individual tracks dotted around his huge number of recordings to justify Neil Young’s major reputation there are only a few albums that, on... Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2004 by nicjaytee
3.0 out of 5 stars
An unheralded disappointment
"Freedom," critical opinion would have us believe, marked Neil Young's return from his 1980s wilderness, back into the land of quality musicianship. Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2001 by "thomasbirch2"
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