Fork In The Road
by Neil Young
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Apr 7, 2009
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Rolling Stone
    60
    It's messy, funny and pretty crazy at points.
  2. Mojo
    60
    Nine of its 10 songs are around the three-minute mark and as solid and straightahead as the tank behind whose wheel they might've been written. [May 2009, p.98]
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    Given that Fork in the Road was inspired by Young's alternative- energy-fueled car, the most appropriate description is probably ''pedestrian.''
  5. Austin Chronicle
    50
    When today transcends tomorrow, as on 1979's Rust Never Sleeps and Freedom a decade later, there's no stopping this "Old Man" whose '59 Lincoln Continental drives these latest headlines.
  6. No Ripcord
    50
    The music saves this album from certain disaster--an idea that, at its root is perplexing at best, is executed in an even more clumsy and confusing way.
  7. Boston Globe
    50
    Road is a similarly one-dimensional variation on the singer's Grumpy Uncle Neil mode. A semi-concept album revolving around eco-cars and the failing economy, it. . . You've already walked away, haven't you?
  8. Hot Press
    50
    Craggy eco-concept record not the car-crash it could have been.
  9. The Guardian
    40
    The resulting album is a ragbag of environmentalist/credit-crunch rants and rusty old chuggers.
  10. PopMatters
    40
    The rough, grinding quality of the instrumentation fits with the intended immediacy of the project, but the songs themselves sound half-finished and half-considered.
  11. NOW Magazine
    40
    While the concept is inspired and resoundingly current, the jangly blues-bar rock seems an afterthought.
  12. Q Magazine
    40
    Neil Young sounds like he's up on bricks with his exhaust pipe hanging off. [May 2009, p.106]
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User Reviews

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User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 4 out of 17
  1. OldFogey
    Jan 21, 2010
    9
    Messy, funny, crazy? Yup. I was surprised at how good it is. Mr. Young can be hit or miss. But it is also very good and very listenable. Good Messy, funny, crazy? Yup. I was surprised at how good it is. Mr. Young can be hit or miss. But it is also very good and very listenable. Good one to play while driving down the road.… Full Review »
  2. VaughnA
    May 27, 2009
    2
    Another disposable Neil Young record. I have an idea, let's cancel Neil's Newsweek subscription and see if he's capable of Another disposable Neil Young record. I have an idea, let's cancel Neil's Newsweek subscription and see if he's capable of writing an album worthy of himself. Turn inward again Neil 'cause all you're doing is preachin' to the choir and putting them to sleep.… Full Review »
  3. AdamG
    Apr 10, 2009
    9
    "Just Singing a Song" and "Light a Candle" are timeless Neil tracks. (Yes, the chorus for "Just Singing a Song" borrows a bit from "Love and "Just Singing a Song" and "Light a Candle" are timeless Neil tracks. (Yes, the chorus for "Just Singing a Song" borrows a bit from "Love and Only Love," but it still has a lot of charm.) I agree with Rolling Stones' comments ("funny, messy, crazy"), but not their rating. It's a loveable mish-mash that mgiht take a while to grow on you, but give it some time and it will.… Full Review »
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