review of Neil Young album from "Ink" also

Artist- Neil YoungCD- Chrome Dreams IILabel- Reprise-2008
After thirty studio albums, you might think that Young might be running out of ways to surprise and inspire...not so and this disk is ample proof. Chrome Dreams II (Chrome Dreams I was the 1977 concept that was shelved and never released), is full of Young's passion, wit and intelligence...playful, soulful and, at times, mournful. Hardcore aficionados will hear an echo of his deep folk foundation...there's rock here and a taste of the many paths he's gone down from "Decade", "Comes A Time", "Freedom" and more.
Young brought in Niko Bolas to assist with the producing duties and that brightened up the whole project...not quite a “wall of sound”, but full and crisp. Crazy Horse alum' Ralph Molina is here along with Ben Keith and Rick Rosas...all veterans of Young's earlier studio and live recordings. The comfort zone comes through. At times you can feel like you're hearing outtakes from "Four-Way Street". The track list is full of gems that over the last thirty years could only be heard at live shows...cuts like No Hidden Path, Bluebird and the one cut destined to become the Neil Young anthem for a new generation...Ordinary People. It's been the genius of Young to maintain the relevancy of his work over four decades of writing and performing and this disk is one more monument to an artist that shows no sign of going stale.
If you are already a Young fan, you'll want this to round out some gaps...if not, Chrome Dreams II will convert you.