• Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Jun 5, 2012
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 31
  2. Negative: 0 out of 31
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  1. 100
    There's plenty to like about Neil Young and Crazy Horse's first work together for nine years, a collection of cover versions of essential American tunes.
  2. 100
    In vivid contrast to the sanctimonious musicianly overkill of Springsteen's Pete Seeger tribute, Young's overkill leads with its middle finger by ignoring the catchiest tune of the 19th century, the traditional melody of "Oh Susannah."
  3. Jun 6, 2012
    90
    Americana is, finally, Neil Young's best and most complete record since 1994's Sleeps With Angels.
  4. Jun 5, 2012
    70
    There's an undeniable WTF factor in hearing these Cub Scout singalong ditties drowned in guitar feedback and off-key yelling. But that's the goofball charm.
  5. 91
    Even on the 66-year-old's 34th album, Young still has fire in his belly and fun in his fingers.
  6. Jun 4, 2012
    88
    Americana reveals the hard truth inside songs that have been taken for granted.
  7. Jun 5, 2012
    40
    It all winds up as an ungodly mess: Crazy Horse do, as Young asserted they would, make these songs their own, but by doing so, they've made them so nobody else would ever want them.
  8. Jun 6, 2012
    60
    While the sound of this is pretty uniform the quality is all over the place and very dependent on the song being covered.
  9. Jun 6, 2012
    88
    Given Ben Keith's death last year, it's the perfect merge: Young's rough-hewn organics and the raucous Crazy Horse.
  10. Jun 1, 2012
    40
    It's the dampest campfire hoedown you ever did hear.
  11. 80
    Neil Young and Crazy Horse, when they're at the top of their game like they are here, can make music of any origin rock.
  12. Jun 7, 2012
    40
    Going for immediate and real, Young ends up with a disc that resembles a tentative early demo for what could have been a decent (albeit strange) Crazy Horse album.
  13. Jun 7, 2012
    80
    In a world where many acts of a similar age rely on their past, eschewing their original passion and fire for heritage, tradition and tribute, it's comforting to know that Young can both usurp these elements and carry on ploughing his own furrow.
  14. While it's briefly thrilling to hear Young's bolshy take on Woody Guthrie's 'This Land Is Your Land', it's nowhere near Johnny Cash/Rick Rubin standards, or even a Bob Dylan Christmas album.
  15. Jun 6, 2012
    60
    Neil Young and Crazy Horse just never disappoint.
  16. Jun 5, 2012
    80
    Young reignites melodies and lyrics sadly frozen through years of rote recitation.
  17. Jun 4, 2012
    40
    In attempting to honor the sounds of the past, Young ends up turning them into toxic sludge.
  18. 60
    Though drab and overlong, it has a certain rugged, whiskery charm, which doesn't extend to the concluding "God Save the Queen", a stodge too far.
  19. Jun 4, 2012
    60
    It gives us songs more memorable for their grizzly narrations or the occasional doo-wop harmony than the steady performances of mostly standard-format jams.
  20. Jun 1, 2012
    60
    Americana in a nutshell: beloved songs from America's past, be they folk, blues or pop songs, such as the Silhouette's 1958 No 1 Get a Job, put through the mangle of Young's overdriven guitar and stretched to unnecessary lengths.
  21. Jun 1, 2012
    61
    Americana doesn't so much amount to a caustic commentary on the modern-day American condition as capture a bunch of old pals trying to rediscover their chemistry by sloppily jamming on some standards.
  22. Q Magazine
    Oct 12, 2012
    60
    The fun doesn't always translate to the listener. [Jul 2012, p.113]
  23. The Wire
    Jul 24, 2012
    70
    The album comes over as a political parable as much as an investigation into the spirit of place. [Jun 2012, p.56]
  24. Mojo
    Jun 26, 2012
    40
    While the power-soak guitar solos ard gung-ho buck of Crazy Horse are present and correct, it's curious that Americana packs songs that don't fit its brief. [Jul 2012, p.88]
  25. Jun 20, 2012
    70
    Americana brings these songs back to life, and reclaims America's musical history with them.
  26. Jun 14, 2012
    60
    The rest is solid if rarely spectacular, with the Crazy Horse rumble making a welcome return to Young's modern day repertoire.
  27. Jun 14, 2012
    70
    You have never heard these songs like they are presented here, and there's a chance you have never heard them better, either.
  28. Magnet
    Jun 13, 2012
    70
    Young makes these old, old songs vital. [No.88 p. 51]
  29. Uncut
    Jun 1, 2012
    70
    It seems pretty much like business as usual. [Jul 2012, p.63]
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Jun 24, 2012
    8
    Neil and his Band in great shape. Truly American way of making music. I recommend it to everyone who's tired of crap streamed by mainstreamNeil and his Band in great shape. Truly American way of making music. I recommend it to everyone who's tired of crap streamed by mainstream radio stations. Full Review »
  2. Nov 5, 2012
    10
    The more I listen to Americana, the more I realize how vital these traditional songs sound when Neil and the Horse start to groove off of each other.
  3. Jul 12, 2012
    8
    Neil playing loose and groovy, the way he likes it. Some of these songs seem like first takes, which is fine because Neil probably couldn'tNeil playing loose and groovy, the way he likes it. Some of these songs seem like first takes, which is fine because Neil probably couldn't hit a wrong note if he wanted to. The production is open and clear too. Full Review »