Le Noise
by Neil Young
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Sep 28, 2010
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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  1. AllMusic
    60
    Its eight songs containing no masterpieces and Lanois' moody noir production reining in Young's messy signature. So, Le Noise winds up as something elusive and intriguing, a minor mood piece that seems to promise more than it actually delivers.
  2. The A.V. Club
    58
    The man responsible for enduring political anthems like "Ohio" and "Rockin' In The Free World" gets a pass for similarly mawkish songs like "Love And War" and "Angry World" that don't go any deeper than their titles. But Le Noise doesn't deserve the same concession.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    40
    Young ends up smothered by unconvincing soundscapes on all but two acoustic tunes that stand out by virtue of actually not sounding like a hurricane.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. sarajane
    Dec 2, 2010
    10
    I hate to admit that I've listened to Neil Young for 40 years, but I have; I fell in love with the young hippie with the Heart of Gold - II hate to admit that I've listened to Neil Young for 40 years, but I have; I fell in love with the young hippie with the Heart of Gold - I still have my floppy leather hat. I've always preferred the Acoustic Neil to the Tron Neil, but I find myself listening to this over and over and annoying my Facebook friends by recommending it ad nauseum. Neil can make more sound come out of a single guitar than you would think possible, and Lanois sweeps this sound up and over and around and through that familiar high voice, and puts you right in the middle of it. I'm old enough I can relate directly to a lot of those lyrics too, and they're accessible enough that they appeal to my folkier side. This album brings me back to the days of concerts where you'd get up and dance in front of the speakers and sing along through the whole thing, and leave the venue with a contact high. I wake up hearing the chord progressions of "Love and War" in my head, and that's pretty close to love, if not at least a serious crush.… Full Review »
  2. bicyclejoe
    Sep 28, 2010
    10
    Birth is chaotic but beautiful. So is rebirth. On Le Noise, there is a holy spirit at work in the tornado and crunch of guitar effects mixedBirth is chaotic but beautiful. So is rebirth. On Le Noise, there is a holy spirit at work in the tornado and crunch of guitar effects mixed with the reflection and vulnerability of the lyrics. Neil Young is born again. "Somewhere in a ray sunshine you find the dark ... Someone's going to rescue you and bring you back." Among the harrowing and insistent classics: "Love and War," "Walk with Me."… Full Review »
  3. hampusforev
    Oct 10, 2010
    8
    Really intriguing from one of my all time favorite songwriters. The guitar howls like an old sawmill more than a Les Paul, which is a goodReally intriguing from one of my all time favorite songwriters. The guitar howls like an old sawmill more than a Les Paul, which is a good thing when put in the hands of Lenois. Young's voice hovers above the noise in his trade-mark brittle timbre and gives the album an interesting juxtaposition. The Hitchhiker and Peaceful Valley Boulevard are my favorite tracks.… Full Review »
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