Amazon.co.uk Review
The sequel to a late seventies album that never actually appeared (supposedly after Young played it to Carole King, who described it as "demos"),
Chrome Dreams II is the latest entry in the late flowering of the increasingly mortal looking Young, very nearly seen off by illness in 2005. The following year’s blunt
Living with War, fuelled by disgust at American foreign policy, eschewed platitudes and vague sentiments in favour of attacking specifics, and
Chrome Dreams II, though less single-minded, also takes sides. Musically it is terrific too, ranging from the offhanded country-rock prettiness of eighties outtake "Beautiful Bluebird" and the elegant, faintly churchy closer "The Way" to the all out aggression of the wonderfully sleazy rocker "Dirty Old Man" ("I like to get hammered on Friday night, sometimes I can’t wait, so Monday’s alright"). The oft-bootlegged "Ordinary People", originally deemed too long for 1988’s
This Note’s for You, finally gets an official release, an eighteen minute horn powered epic defending the victims of Reaganomics which still carries a contemporary resonance. But it’s not the only marathon number here. The grungy, hook-laden "Spirit Road" and "No Hidden Path" are just as fine, perfect examples of the turgid but irresistible riffing Young has been purveying for some forty years. With his romantic side emerging on "Shining Light" and the soulful "The Believer" it makes for a perfectly balanced set, and one which genuinely bears comparison with anything in his long back catalogue.
--Steve Jelbert
CD Description
This sequel to 1977's unreleased 'Chrome Dreams' sees Neil Young benefiting from expanding album concepts. While his trademark idiosyncratic guitar lines and gruff vocals remain, 'Chrome Dreams II' showcases an expanded sense of scope and depth. This is exemplified by the re-recording of the 1988 track 'Ordinary People' which clocks in at a mammoth eighteenminutes, complete with horn section and saxophone solo. Produced by Young himself and long-time collaborator Niko Bolas, the album features many of Young's colleagues from Crazy Horse and musicians from his vintage previous recordings.
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