Neil Young: On the Beach

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Part three of the doom trilogy was actually the second to be released, as Young began to dig himself out of the depression of the previous year, noting that "Sooner or later, it all gets real" but also fearing that he's "just pissing in the wind."
-- William Ruhlmann, All-Music Guide

Young chose to include an old song, "See the Sky About to Rain." Some reviewers have suggested that it is an attempt at irony on Young's part to include a prime example of his "downer" songs here, after the sentiments expressed in "Walk On," but it's just a great song with a magical chord progression change at the last verse and superb drumming from Levon Helm. It is followed by "Revolution Blues," a song inspired by Young's meetings with Manson. One can almost hear the 10,000,000 dune buggies coming down the mountain as the song rolls along with the Band's Levon Helm and Rick Danko in the engine room, and David Crosby supplying manic rhythm guitar.
-- Sam Tennent

On the Beach was finally released on CD in June 2003 by Reprise Records, digitally remastered but without any bonus tracks.

Tracks

1. Walk On
2. See The Sky About To Rain (5.8MB)
3. Revolution Blues (4.7MB)
4. For The Turnstiles
5. Vampire Blues
6. On The Beach
7. Motion Pictures (For Carrie)
8. Ambulance Blues

Sidemen

• Rick Danko, bass
• Levon Helm, drums

Neil Young - On the Beach - 1974 - Reprise R 2180
Compact Disc - Reprise (2003)

AMG Rating: 8 (out of 9)