Sleeps With Angels

by Neil Young

Albums In Order Review Series by Mike "Expecting 2 Fly" Cordova

In 2004 Rustie, Mike "Expecting 2 Fly" Cordova posted a series of articles on his experience listening to all of Neil Young's albums in chronological order. Here is one in the series. For a complete listing, see Albums in Order reviews.

Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 14:51:36 -0800 (PST)
From: Mike Cordova
To: rust@rustlist.org
Subject: Albums in order: Sleeps With Angels

I was immediately struck, upon first hearing Sleeps With Angels, with the versatility of Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Neil and his songs had managed to produce quite a diversity of sound over the years with the "Poncho" lineup. First was the fiery glory of Zuma. Then the country-rock sound of side 1 of ASnB. Two acoustic tracks on Comes A Time. Then the anthemic HHMM and majestic Powderfinger on RNS. The 80s albums were the straight-forward electric re-ac-tor and some pop-synth sounds on Life. Then the loud electric ragged glory of Ragged Glory. Now SWA, which sounded completely different than previous NY+CH efforts with different instruments (tacky piano and flute!) and interesting guitar-produced sound effects. I had seen Neil Young and Crazy Horse a few times in concert by then and was and am surprised that Neil doesn't change up the sound a bit more live like he does in the studio with the band. By the third time I played SWA, I was in love with the sound and the songs on the album. The tacky piano songs that open and close the album are gentle thoughtful treats. Prime Of Life is a very compelling track. Driveby is heartbreaking, Western Hero sublime. The centerpiece of the album is an epic in the tradition of Cowgirl In The Sand and Down By The River: Change Your Mind. Safeway Cart is amazing for the imagary it portrays and killer harmonica screams. Trans Am has a wacky story with some odd characters and is sung in such a low quiet-voiced way; it's unique and listenable and begs to be played again. Piece Of Crap is kind of an odd addition to the record, it doesn't really seem to go with the rest of the album. I consider it to be funny, though it's bordering or maybe even crosses the line into the sort of novelty song Dr. Demento might have liked. Some say the title track is possibly about Kurt Cobain...it's a spooky song in any case. Neil and the Horse never toured this album; they only played most of these songs in a few benefit concerts around the time the record was released. A pity, really as SWA is a genuine artistic triumph. I very much enjoyed listening to Sleeps With Angels today.

Mike - Expecting To Fly

For more of Expecting To Fly's reviews, see the Albums in Order series.