CD REVIEW

Neil Young

The Monsanto Years

AS soon as I heard the familiar strain of the harmonica, I knew I was in safe Neil Young territory.

But there's more to this album, we get to hear the eco warrior side of Young, as he sings about 'beautiful fish in the deep blue sea dying'.

The rousing Big Box, mourning the loss of 'mom and pop stores' in favour of chain out of town stores, has limitless energy coursing through it and a superb guitar solo.

Some of the lyrics are pretty clever stuff, especially 'a rock star bucks a coffee shop' but I'm afraid I found the title track oppressively repetitive and some of the melodies lacking in originality.

I admire the heat of the political fire in this album though, which should attract a new legion of Young fans.

The album comes with a free DVD of in-studio performances and behind the scenes footage.

JOANNA DAVIS