Peace Trail
by Neil Young
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Dec 9, 2016
User Score
4.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 9 out of 19
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  1. JBBu
    Jan 2, 2020
    8
    A solid, mostly acoustic Neil Young album on the bluesy country/folk end of his spectrum (with a 60's -70's songwriter feel). I just heard this 2016 album for the first time in 2020, and in my opinion, it is not so bad. It's not his best but there are no excuses for the plethora of generally lazy mediocre to bad reviews. With a few misses, this last decade has been a strong one for NeilA solid, mostly acoustic Neil Young album on the bluesy country/folk end of his spectrum (with a 60's -70's songwriter feel). I just heard this 2016 album for the first time in 2020, and in my opinion, it is not so bad. It's not his best but there are no excuses for the plethora of generally lazy mediocre to bad reviews. With a few misses, this last decade has been a strong one for Neil Young overall (for releases at least - if including "Hitchhiker") .… Expand
  2. antmolly1995
    Jan 9, 2017
    2
    Peace Trail must come close to {if not be} a career nadir for Young. As others have said it's an album best forgotten. Hopefully he can stop the rot before it risks ruining his legacy.
  3. hayceelynt_2
    Dec 14, 2016
    3
    Neil Young may be a prolific songwriter but quantity and quality rarely go together as this album demonstrates. Easily one of the worst records in his discography.
  4. Suttree
    Dec 14, 2016
    2
    There is a big difference between taking risks and simply releasing work that is mediocre at best, rubbish at worst. There is clearly no one around to say, "No, Neil. No." From 1967-1979 the man could do no wrong. After a decade of mediocre work there was a bit of resurgence from 89-95. For over 20 years now Young has released a lot of bad records. Even the better sounding ones sport poorThere is a big difference between taking risks and simply releasing work that is mediocre at best, rubbish at worst. There is clearly no one around to say, "No, Neil. No." From 1967-1979 the man could do no wrong. After a decade of mediocre work there was a bit of resurgence from 89-95. For over 20 years now Young has released a lot of bad records. Even the better sounding ones sport poor songwriting. And that, sadly, is the bottom line: the man no longer writes good songs.… Expand
  5. ydnar4
    Dec 14, 2016
    6
    I can understand why some Neil Young fans really don't care for this album. The song writing isn't anywhere near the quality that we can expect from Neil and the music doesn't really provide anything revolutionary. I still think its a worthy use of 38 minutes. The only think that really holds back this album is there are some songs that sound a little too much like demos and the lyrics areI can understand why some Neil Young fans really don't care for this album. The song writing isn't anywhere near the quality that we can expect from Neil and the music doesn't really provide anything revolutionary. I still think its a worthy use of 38 minutes. The only think that really holds back this album is there are some songs that sound a little too much like demos and the lyrics are so obvious and uninventive. More than half the album is protest songs and when you jam so many of them on the same album they don't really pack the same punch.

    I enjoyed this album enough once but I'm probably never going to give it a second listen in its entirety. I think its time for Neil Young to take a couple years off and maybe get back with Crazy Horse for his next record. Two records a year is starting to be too much for him.

    Highlights: Can't Stop Workin', John Oaks, Terrorist Suicide Hang Gliders.    … Expand
  6. listener
    Dec 13, 2016
    2
    One half baked record after another after another after another after another after another after another after another...and just like that 20 years have passed.What's the point?
  7. akajazzman
    Dec 10, 2016
    8
    Everyone is being much too hard on this album. I'm a big fan, but I'm also not a Neil apologist, as his last few albums of original music have been below average to horrible. Neil hadn't put out a consistent album since Fork In the Road (2009). Unlike many songs on Storytone or Monsanto Years, which are pure drek, Peace Trail is his first album where every song is good or excellent.Everyone is being much too hard on this album. I'm a big fan, but I'm also not a Neil apologist, as his last few albums of original music have been below average to horrible. Neil hadn't put out a consistent album since Fork In the Road (2009). Unlike many songs on Storytone or Monsanto Years, which are pure drek, Peace Trail is his first album where every song is good or excellent. He’s once again found his ability to write a good song. These are essentially well written songs that most Neil Young fans should enjoy. Moreover, he doesn't drag any of them out for 15, 20 or 30 minutes; like he did on Psychedelic Pill, ruining a good tune. Some are criticizing the production. Are they familiar with Neil's catalog at all? That the production isn't Harvest Moon level or that he shatters some of the songs with some sort of distorted electronic blasts hardly hurts this music, and only enhances it. Again, all the songs are good to excellent, but the real standouts for me are "Peace Trail," "Show Me", "My Pledge", "Glass Accident," and "Can't Stop Working". Some of his best songs in 10 or 15 years. For those Neil Young fans who have been waiting years now, hungry for some good Neil music, and a solid album, I think you'll dig Peace Trail.… Expand
  8. lenny68
    Dec 9, 2016
    2
    I have to agree with molecular. Young has given us some incredible music over the course of his career and more than a little dross. Unfortunately Peace Trail falls into the latter category.
  9. molecular
    Dec 9, 2016
    1
    Did Neil Young receive an unreported head injury that halved his IQ? He has been putting out largely crappy albums like this for more than fifteen years. For an artist of his stature and accomplishment to be releasing garbage like this is totally unacceptable.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Most Discussed Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. PopMatters
    Jan 19, 2017
    50
    Young’s heart reaches out, but his music isn’t keeping up with it, no matter how quickly he records it.
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  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Dec 21, 2016
    65
    All too often, though, Peace Trail sounds like another case of Young chucking half-formed ideas at the wall to see if anything might stick before moving on to yet another project. That said, there are genuinely powerful moments here that promise of better things to come.
    Read full review
  3. Clash Music
    Dec 19, 2016
    60
    While there’s nothing really here to ignite a flame of revolution, or indeed get fists in the air to be honest, Peace Trail sees Young doing what comes naturally, soundtracking tumultuous times with some confident and easy songwriting.
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