The band name and song title might be lowercase, but Neil Young has taken a big, UPPER CASE approach with his new band neil young and the chrome hearts, and their debut single “big change.”
The song combines simple, loud riffs, and simple, but direct lyrics to create a statement about the turmoil in today’s world and the need for, well, big change.
Produced by Lou Adler and Young, “big change” sees Young unable to remain quiet (or acoustic) in the face of the state of the modern world. It’s a sound that will satisfy those who relish aggressive Young songs like “Rockin’ in the Free World,” “Fuckin’ Up,” “Cinnamon Girl,” and “Farmer John.”
John Hanlon, Young’s longtime mixing engineer describes “big change” as “in your face, loud, irreverent rock n’ roll paint splatter on the canvas in the vein of a Jackson Pollack painting.”
Recording with his band the chrome hearts — Spooner Oldham (Farfisa organ), Micah Nelson (guitar and vocal), Corey McCormick (bass and vocal), Anthony LoGerfo (drums) — Neil Young (guitar and vocal) turns up the volume to address some big questions. The many options about the future press hard, but Young faces them with openness and wonder. There is no turning back.
