The Monsanto Years [LP]

by Neil Young, Promise of the Real

Overview

Old folkie that he is, Neil Young harbors a soft spot for songs as protest, and The Monsanto Years is full of them. Where he often railed against war, here the purported target is the agricultural company Monsanto, a firm that, among other things, specializes in genetically modified crops, but Young uses that as a pivot to rage against all manner of modern outrages. Apathy among the populace, avarice among corporations, and cultural homogenization provide the throughline on The Monsanto Years, and while the weathered hippie takes some time to lay down his electric guitar and breathe, this isn't a mournful album like Living with War, his W-era missive. This is a raging record and to that end, Young hired the Promise of the Real, a ragtag outfit led by Willie Nelson's guitarist son Lukas, to approximate Crazy Horse's lop-legged lumber. Usually it works: the group roars not with righteousness but with their own glee at making noise. Plus, the Promise of the Real is adept at the softer side, too, so they ably follow Young, laying down the electric and harmonizing in a fashion reminiscent of an unwashed CSN. Young is blessed with a younger, wilier version of his old compadres and that suits his tunes, which feel comfortable yet have a bite. Young uses his sturdy footing to lash out at what he perceives as destructive forces -- to our dinner tables and social fabric -- and if the individual message may wind up fading like yesterday's newspapers, the music will keep The Monsanto Years burning bright. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	08/14/2015
Label:	Reprise
UPC:	0093624926801
Rank:	152142

Tracks

Disc 1

1. A New Day for Love
2. Wolf Moon
3. People Want To Hear About Love
4. Big Box
5. A Rock Star Bucks a Coffee Shop
6. Workin' Man

Disc 2

7. Rules of Change
8. Monsanto Years
9. If I Don't Know

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Neil Young   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Promise of the Real   Primary Artist
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Pedro   Primary Artist
Javie   Primary Artist
Mario Y Sus Rancheritos Del Norte   Primary Artist
Corey McCormick   Bass,Vocals
Micah Nelson   Vocals,Charango,Guitar (Electric)
Tato Melger   Percussion
Lukas Nelson   Guitar,Vocals
Anthony LoGerfo   Drums

Technical Credits

Marcy Gensic   Licensing,Music Clearance,Producer
Eric Johnson   Cover Art,Lettering,Production Support
Jay Blakesberg   Photography
Elliot Rabinowitz   Executive Producer
John Hausmann   Engineer,Stage Engineer,Monitor Engineer
Keith "Moby" Lanoux   Guitar Technician
Micah Nelson   Artwork,Cover Painting
Jim Eckenrode   Photography
Johnnie Burik   Assistant Engineer
Steve Beebee   Editing,Post Producer
Bill Knowlton   Photography
Damien D'Amico   Effects
Daniel Venti   Camera Operator
David Dodson   Camera Operator
Dennis Harold   Editing
Devindra "Vinnie" Sooknanan   Camera Operator
Frank Girondo   Direction,Executive Producer
Howard Chandler Christy   Paintings
Lyvonne Klingler   Post Production Coordinator
Nate Hancock   Production Support,Location Coordinator
Promise of the Real   Cover Design
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Jimmy Sloan   Assistant Engineer,Production Coordination
Neil Young   Composer,Producer,Cover Design
Bruce Botnick   Audio Post-Production
Alfonso Esparza Oteo   Composer
Dave McDonald   Editing Assistant
John Hanlon   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Recording
Chris Kasych   Engineer,Stage Engineer,Monitor Engineer
Gary Burden   Art Direction
Daryl Hannah   Camera Operator
Danny Alonso   Post Production Engineer
Bernard Shakey   Producer
Alberto Hernandez   Assistant Engineer
Jenice Heo   Art Direction
Jeff Pinn   Engineer
Elliot Roberts   Direction
Don Hannah   Camera Operator