Barn
by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Dec 10, 2021
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. The Guardian
    Dec 10, 2021
    60
    Barn highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of this set-up: They Might Be Lost barely feels like a song, just the same chords Young has been strumming all his adult life, yet it manages to be eternal and deeply moving. Equally – and this is a little like complaining fire is too hot – one can’t help but feel some of these songs sound as though they were being written as they were recorded.
  2. The Independent (UK)
    Dec 9, 2021
    60
    This isn’t so much a barnstormer of an album as a reassuringly earthy rock-out among the hay bales.
  3. musicOMH.com
    Dec 7, 2021
    60
    These are earthy songs to be played on the road, to be enjoyed around a roaring fire. These are new songs that sound well-worn and well-loved – much like Crazy Horse themselves. If not that surprising a listen, it’s nearly always an enjoyable one.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. StevenX
    Dec 11, 2021
    4
    At the beginning of the 1997 soundtrack to the Jim Jarmusch-directed doc of Neil Young and Crazy Horse's tour in the previous year, YoungAt the beginning of the 1997 soundtrack to the Jim Jarmusch-directed doc of Neil Young and Crazy Horse's tour in the previous year, Young shouts, "It's the same song!" For the most part, BARN proves that. Young's voice is trembly as ever, his guitar playing is more verve than technique, the Horse is ragged as ever. What's missing is the energy, the power that usually accompanied the Young/Horse pairing. They are the same songs, slightly rearranged (in some cases, barely), and despite the much-ballyhooed arrival of Nils Lofgren in the rhythm-guitar slot, underwhelming. The only real surprise here is "Welcome Back", which sounds like a nice CSNY song with backing vocals stripped. Elsewhere, the occasional line, like when Neil refers to "the TV man", reminds you just how old the guy is, and reminds me of my great-grandfather talking back to "Sanford and Son" in the Seventies like he thought they could actually hear him. I know he wrote the famous line "it's better to burn out than to fade away", but everything since Young's "Le Noise" album has been a little of both. And for God's sake, learn a new harmonica line every few years, buddy. I know the faithful will give it a 10 every time the man passes gas, but this is one barn door that should have been kept closed.… Full Review »
  2. asudoforga
    Dec 13, 2021
    10
    It seems that finally, Neil Young is back on his creative feet once more. You kinda got to hand it to him that this is his FOURTY-FIRST studioIt seems that finally, Neil Young is back on his creative feet once more. You kinda got to hand it to him that this is his FOURTY-FIRST studio album. The fact that he's still this good this late in the game is impressive as it is. The addition of Crazy Horse is also a very, very nice touch. Do not underestimate this man's music.… Full Review »
  3. Florenzo
    Dec 12, 2021
    8
    Very enjoyable new music from the great chief of garage rock. Yes some of the lyrics could have done with some polishing, but NY doesn't doVery enjoyable new music from the great chief of garage rock. Yes some of the lyrics could have done with some polishing, but NY doesn't do things like that, feeling is the name of the game. 'Canerican' and 'Welcome Back' are standout tracks so far. And do yourself a favour get it on vinyl, listen to those Barn acoustics. Overall a worthy addition to an already peerless career.… Full Review »
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