Peace Trail
by Neil Young
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Dec 9, 2016
User Score
4.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 9 out of 19
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. akajazzman
    Dec 10, 2016
    8
    Everyone is being much too hard on this album. I'm a big fan, but I'm also not a Neil apologist, as his last few albums of original music have been below average to horrible. Neil hadn't put out a consistent album since Fork In the Road (2009). Unlike many songs on Storytone or Monsanto Years, which are pure drek, Peace Trail is his first album where every song is good or excellent.Everyone is being much too hard on this album. I'm a big fan, but I'm also not a Neil apologist, as his last few albums of original music have been below average to horrible. Neil hadn't put out a consistent album since Fork In the Road (2009). Unlike many songs on Storytone or Monsanto Years, which are pure drek, Peace Trail is his first album where every song is good or excellent. He’s once again found his ability to write a good song. These are essentially well written songs that most Neil Young fans should enjoy. Moreover, he doesn't drag any of them out for 15, 20 or 30 minutes; like he did on Psychedelic Pill, ruining a good tune. Some are criticizing the production. Are they familiar with Neil's catalog at all? That the production isn't Harvest Moon level or that he shatters some of the songs with some sort of distorted electronic blasts hardly hurts this music, and only enhances it. Again, all the songs are good to excellent, but the real standouts for me are "Peace Trail," "Show Me", "My Pledge", "Glass Accident," and "Can't Stop Working". Some of his best songs in 10 or 15 years. For those Neil Young fans who have been waiting years now, hungry for some good Neil music, and a solid album, I think you'll dig Peace Trail.… Expand
  2. JBBu
    Jan 2, 2020
    8
    A solid, mostly acoustic Neil Young album on the bluesy country/folk end of his spectrum (with a 60's -70's songwriter feel). I just heard this 2016 album for the first time in 2020, and in my opinion, it is not so bad. It's not his best but there are no excuses for the plethora of generally lazy mediocre to bad reviews. With a few misses, this last decade has been a strong one for NeilA solid, mostly acoustic Neil Young album on the bluesy country/folk end of his spectrum (with a 60's -70's songwriter feel). I just heard this 2016 album for the first time in 2020, and in my opinion, it is not so bad. It's not his best but there are no excuses for the plethora of generally lazy mediocre to bad reviews. With a few misses, this last decade has been a strong one for Neil Young overall (for releases at least - if including "Hitchhiker") .… Expand

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Most Discussed Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. PopMatters
    Jan 19, 2017
    50
    Young’s heart reaches out, but his music isn’t keeping up with it, no matter how quickly he records it.
    Read full review
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Dec 21, 2016
    65
    All too often, though, Peace Trail sounds like another case of Young chucking half-formed ideas at the wall to see if anything might stick before moving on to yet another project. That said, there are genuinely powerful moments here that promise of better things to come.
    Read full review
  3. Clash Music
    Dec 19, 2016
    60
    While there’s nothing really here to ignite a flame of revolution, or indeed get fists in the air to be honest, Peace Trail sees Young doing what comes naturally, soundtracking tumultuous times with some confident and easy songwriting.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »