IRT Magazine

Neil Young
Living With War (Reprise)

Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam (J)

The greatest performance I’ve ever seen on the MTV Video Music Awards came about in September of 1993, when Pearl Jam and Neil Young got together to blow the collective minds of Viacom’s mainstream demographic with a righteously savage version of “Rockin’ in the Free World.” Young was fresh off his groundbreaking summer tour with Booker T. and the MG’s as his back-up group plus opening acts Soundgarden and Blind Melon. Meanwhile, Pearl Jam were riding high on the success of what is widely considered to be their most successful album since Vs. (p/k/a Five Against One). Fans knew the two parties shared a mutual appreciation for one another, but to see them on stage together pounding out what could’ve arguably been the most definitive rendition of Neil’s immortal Bush Sr.-era anthem ever performed was something to behold to say the least. The album from which the song arrived, 1989’s Freedom, marked Young’s valiant return to Reprise after a string of misunderstood albums on Geffen, and saw the California Canadian with a message to the Republican party in stark contrast to the hopeful Reganite who appeared on 1980’s classic Hawks and Doves. Now, with a new Bush in office creating a new heap of trouble on the public, he comes back with his most opportune album since Freedom. Just like that record stands today as an audio snapshot, timely as a Walter Cronkite newsreel, Living With War will equally serve as the most vivid portrayal of the current American struggle to be depicted on a rock album to date. Even more so than 2003’s Greendale, this classic Neil Young rocker he’s termed “metal folk” calls out names, both in support (the Powell and Obama-endorsing “Lookin’ For A Leader”) and revolt (the obvious bull’s-eye “Let’s Impeach the President”). And when he conducts a 100-voice gospel choir through a powerful, tearful rendition of “America the Beautiful”, it makes you proud to be a child of the purple mountain majesties and fruited plains in spite of the yellowing tint soiling our Red, White and Blue. Although it probably would’ve sounded a hell of a lot more ragged had he recorded it with Crazy Horse, it’s great to hear to hear him plug in “Old Black” and crank out the sleepless rust all over again. Needless to say, Living with War stands as Young’s toughest album since 1995’s Mirror Ball, which he recorded with Pearl Jam, who’ve got a lot to live up to on their eponymous label debut for J Records. I’m sorry, but both Binaural and Riot Act were average at best, and Yield would have made an outstanding EP. And upon first listen, you might be led to believe, “Oh jeez, there they go again. The same boring shit.” But repeated spins of the black circle reveal it might’ve been worth buying after all. The second half of the album absolutely kills, especially the Brill Building-flavored “Come Back” and the 7-odd minute lite psyche roller “Inside Job”, which vaguely recalls shades of Mother Love Bone. And you can’t deny the power and glory of “World Wide Suicide”, the best rock song commercial radio has heard in years. And while it doesn’t come close to breaking their trifecta of Vs., 1994’s Vitalogy and 1996’s unappreciated No Code, Pearl Jam the album does in fact witness a most fiery return to the Jam we once knew and loved. Let’s just hope they get back together with ol’ Neil again soon for some more of that Mirror Ball magick. –Ed.

Last Modified : November 20th, 2006
Filed under : reviews, rock
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