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Psychedelic Pill

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Psychedelic Pill
Studio album by
Neil Young and Crazy Horse
ReleasedOctober 30, 2012
RecordedJanuary 6 – March 7, 2012
StudioAudio Casa Blanca, Broken Arrow Ranch, Redwood City, California
Genre
Length87:41
LabelReprise
Producer
Neil Young chronology
Americana
(2012) 		Psychedelic Pill
(2012) 		Live at the Cellar Door
(2013)
Crazy Horse chronology
Americana
(2012) 		Psychedelic Pill
(2012) 		Colorado
(2019)
Singles from Psychedelic Pill
  1. "Hitchhiker"
    Released: June 12, 2012
  2. "Born in Ontario"
    Released: October 15, 2012[1]

Psychedelic Pill is the 34th studio album by Canadian / American musician Neil Young, released on October 30, 2012.[2] It is the second collaboration between Young and Crazy Horse released in 2012 (the first being Americana) and their first original work together since the Greendale album and tour in 2003 and 2004.[3] The album was streamed on Young's website on October 24, 2012,[4] and leaked onto the Internet the same day.[5]

Background

[edit]

At 87 minutes in length, Psychedelic Pill is Neil Young's longest studio album and, until World Record in 2022, was the only one to span two compact discs.[6] Many of the songs on the album came out of extended jam sessions with Crazy Horse while recording Americana, released earlier in 2012. Three of Psychedelic Pill's nine tracks are more than 15 minutes in length. The album was recorded at Young's ranch near Redwood City, California.

Writing

[edit]

The opening track "Driftin' Back", an ode to meditation, makes references to Young's new memoir Waging Heavy Peace and his disdain for MP3s in between segments of extended jamming. Another of the album's extended tracks, "Walk like a Giant", laments the failure of his generation to change the world for the better ("We were ready to save the world / But then the weather changed"). Elsewhere on the album Young recalls listening to Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" and The Grateful Dead on the radio ("Twisted Road"), and his Canadian roots ("Born in Ontario").[7] A review of the album for Rolling Stone noted that the riff and lyrics of the title track share similarities with Young's previous work such as "Cinnamon Girl". The main riff is borrowed from Young's "Sign of Love". That track also features the recording filtered with a phaser effect, giving it a "psychedelic" feel (although the alternate mix removes the effect).

The lyrics to "Ramada Inn" are a portrait of an aging couple who struggle to communicate and resolve their problems. Young discusses the song in a 2019 post to his website: "This song always puts me on I-5 south at the bottom of the Grapevine, heading to LA... It's a Crazy Horse journey, a long road. There's a lot to see... a lot to feel out there on I-5. Don't be scared by this song. It kept me alive. Times were tough. Now times are good. We're rolling again..." Frank "Poncho" Sampedro more directly addresses the song's emotion in Uncut Magazine: "The lyrics are very personal to Neil and Pegi. I told Pegi, 'I don't know if you're gonna like this song or not. It seems like it's revealing a lot of stuff. I don't know if it's good or bad. You should check it out.' She came back two days later and said, 'Poncho, it's just a song about people and relationships. Everybody goes through that stuff.' I saw it more as, 'Wow, the writing on the wall has been announced.' I cried a lot of times in that song, man."[8]

Three of the album's songs, "Born in Ontario", "Twisted Road" and "For the Love of Man" were previously attempted for 2010's Le Noise. "For the Love of Man" dates to the 1980s. Young has released a 1987 recording of the song on his online archival album Summer Songs. "Born in Ontario" was inspired by Young's reunion with his family in Canada for his father's funeral in 2005. He explains in a 2019 post to his website: "I wrote this song after returning to Canada for my Dad’s funeral with my Canadian family. Canada gave me a great start in life and we get back there often to visit the lakes in North Ontario. I am proud to be Canadian."

Recording

[edit]

The album was recorded between January and March 2012, a few months after the completion of Americana. The performance of "Driftin' Back" was the first time the band played the song together. Guitarist Poncho Sampedro explains in a January 2013 interview for Guitar World Magazine:

"For that one, Neil just started playing it and we all joined in. I think right before we began, he said something like, 'You know, when we go to the verse it goes to these changes' and he showed us. Nobody really knew when that was gonna happen, but we just followed along. And there might have been some rough spots. I might have dropped my guitar down a couple times. But other than that, that was it. That's the first take. For years I've been telling people that when we get together and jam, it's just like that."[9]

Some of the songs are edited down from their full performances. Young describes the process in his book, Special Deluxe: "I did a lot of work on these tracks with Johnny Hausmann and Jeff Pinn, my two engineers. Work went on for over a month to make the tracks as great as they could be. Most of the time was spent on editing the long instrumental passages, balancing the numerous vocal parts, and preserving the feeling and vibe of each song. Part of the process called for my co-producer, John Hanlon, to come in and do a final pass of all the mixes with fresh ears. Sometimes this can greatly improve the original passes."[10]

Release

[edit]

A High Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-ray Disc version of the album, with 24-bit/192kHz resolution and two bonus tracks, was released November 19, 2012.[11][12] A vinyl version is also available.

The 3-LP vinyl version contains the same tracks as the 2-CD set, though in a slightly different order, and with "Driftin' Back" split into two parts over sides A and B. The Blu-ray version contains two bonus tracks: the 37-minute "Horse Back", and a second alternate mix of the song "Psychedelic Pill".

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic79/100[13]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[14]
The A.V. ClubA-[15]
Chicago Sun-Times[16]
NME8/10[17]
Paste9.0/10[18]
Pitchfork7.0/10[19]
PopMatters[20]
Rolling Stone[21]
Spin7/10[22]
Sputnikmusic4.5/5[23]

Overall, Psychedelic Pill received positive reviews. Rolling Stone gave the album four stars and said "it has the roiling honesty and brutal exuberance of their best records." Douglas Heselgrave, writing for Paste Magazine, said: "Psychedelic Pill may be the best album Neil Young has ever done with Crazy Horse. It'll take years to figure out." Dan Stubbs, giving the album 8 out of 10 stars for NME, writes: "two tracks here – 'Ramada Inn' and 'Walk like a Giant' – could sit among Young's best." Other reviewers were less generous, such as the Chicago Sun-Times, which stated that the album "boasts a few brilliant moments amid numerous typically thundering and meandering dull diversions." Robert Christgau suggested in 2018 that he appreciated the album and may have underrated it at the time of its release, writing it "showed up in my Neither file, which these days is kind of an honor, because I seldom add to it now that I don't feel obliged to nail down every possible Honorable Mention."[24]

The album was listed at number 10 on Rolling Stone's list of the top 50 albums of 2012, saying, "This is as inspiringly strange as anything he's done."[25] They also named the song "Ramada Inn" the fifth best song of 2012.[26]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks composed by Neil Young.

CD

[edit]
Disc one
No.TitleLength
1."Driftin' Back"27:36
2."Psychedelic Pill"3:26
3."Ramada Inn"16:49
4."Born in Ontario"3:49
Total length:51:40
Disc two
No.TitleLength
1."Twisted Road"3:28
2."She's Always Dancing"8:33
3."For the Love of Man"4:13
4."Walk Like a Giant"16:27
5."Psychedelic Pill" (alternate mix)3:12
Total length:35:53 87:41

Vinyl

[edit]
Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Driftin' Back" (Part 1)18:14
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."Driftin' Back" (Part 2)9:58
2."Psychedelic Pill" (alternate mix)3:12
Side three
No.TitleLength
1."Psychedelic Pill"3:26
2."Ramada Inn"16:52
Side four
No.TitleLength
1."Born in Ontario"3:49
2."Twisted Road"3:28
3."She's Always Dancing"8:34
4."For the Love of Man"4:13
Side five
No.TitleLength
1."Walk Like a Giant"16:31

Notes:

  • The version of "Psychedelic Pill" appearing on side three is mislabeled as the "alternate mix".
  • The blank sixth side of the vinyl release features etched art.

Blu-ray

[edit]
No.TitleLength
1."Driftin' Back"27:42
2."Psychedelic Pill"3:28
3."Ramada Inn"16:50
4."Born in Ontario"3:50
5."Twisted Road"3:28
6."She's Always Dancing"8:33
7."For the Love of Man"4:13
8."Walk Like a Giant"16:28
9."Horse Back"37:05
10."Psychedelic Pill" (alternate mix 1)3:12
11."Psychedelic Pill" (alternate mix 2)3:11

Personnel

[edit]
  • Neil Young – vocals, guitar, pump organ, stringman, whistling, production, mixing

Crazy Horse

Additional roles

  • John Hanlon – production, recording, engineering, mixing
  • Mark Humphreys – production
  • John Hausmann – engineering
  • John Nowland – recording ("Driftin' Back" acoustic intro), analog to digital transferring
  • Charles Brotman – recording ("Driftin' Back" acoustic intro)
  • Tim Mulligan – mastering

Blu-ray production

  • Bernard Shakey (Neil Young) – direction
  • Will Mitchell – production, editing, film research
  • Elliot Rabinowitz – executive production
  • Toshi Onuki – art direction
  • Mark Faulkner – editing, film research
  • Benjamin Johnson – editing
  • Kris Kunz – graphics
  • Cameron Kunz, Sarah Yee – film research
  • Marcy Gensic – licensing and clearances

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2012) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[27] 28
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[28] 11
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[29] 6
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[30] 20
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[31] 7
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[32] 11
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[33] 11
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[34] 18
French Albums (SNEP)[35] 19
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[36] 4
Irish Albums (IRMA)[37] 9
Italian Albums (FIMI)[38] 19
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[39] 20
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[40] 6
Scottish Albums (OCC)[41] 10
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[42] 25
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[43] 7
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[44] 12
UK Albums (OCC)[45] 14
US Billboard 200[46] 8
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[47] 2
US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[48] 1

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Neil Young singles & EP discography". Discogs. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  2. ^ Andy Greene (24 August 2012). "Neil Young and Crazy Horse Double-Disc 'Psychedelic Pill' Due in October". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  3. ^ Tomas Franta (23 January 2012). "Neil Young se na novém albu znovu spojí s Crazy Horse". Rockandpop.cz. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  4. ^ Alex Young (24 October 2012). "Stream: Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  5. ^ "Neil Young & Crazy Horse : Psychedelic Pill". hasitleaked.com. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Neil Young Discography". Neilyoung.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  7. ^ "Looking at Neil Young's new album, 'Psychedelic Pill,' his memoir, 'Waging Heavy Peace,' and his late career". Grantland. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  8. ^ Pinnock, Tom. Neil Young's 40 Greatest Songs. Uncut. December 8, 2020. https://www.uncut.co.uk/publications/magazines/uncut-february-2021-128839/.
  9. ^ Richard Bienstock. 2013. Excerpt: Five Questions with Crazy Horse Guitarist Frank 'Poncho' Sampedro. Guitar World. January 11, 2013. https://www.guitarworld.com/news/excerpt-five-questions-crazy-horse-guitarist-frank-poncho-sampedro.
  10. ^ Young, Neil. 2015. Special Deluxe. New York, New York: Plume, An Imprint Of Penguin Random House Llc.
  11. ^ "Psychedelic Pill [Blu-Ray Audio]: Neil Young & Crazy Horse". Amazon. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  12. ^ "Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Psychedelic Pill Blu-ray". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  13. ^ "Psychedelic Pill Review". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
  14. ^ "Neil and Crazy Horse: Review". AllMusic. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  15. ^ Helier, Jason (2012-10-30). "Neil and Crazy Horse: Review". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  16. ^ "Neil Young's 'Psychedelic Pill' tough to swallow - Chicago Sun-Times". Suntimes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  17. ^ "Neil Young - 'Psychedelic Pill' A gnarly whopper of a treat". NME. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  18. ^ Heselgrave, Douglas (2012-10-30). "Neil Young and Crazy Horse". Paste. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  19. ^ "Neil Young / Crazy Horse: Psychedelic Pill Album Review - Pitchfork". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  20. ^ Mistich, Dan. "Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Psychedelic Pill | PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  21. ^ Fricke, David (30 October 2012). "Psychedelic Pill". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  22. ^ Jarnow, Jesse (29 October 2012). "Neil Young & Crazy Horse, 'Psychedelic Pill' (Reprise)". Spin. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  23. ^ Viney, Joseph (Nov 4, 2012). "Album Review - Neil Young: Psychedelic Pill". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  24. ^ "Robert Christgau: Xgau Sez".
  25. ^ "50 Best Albums of 2012: Neil Young and Crazy Horse, 'Psychedelic Pill'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  26. ^ "50 Best Songs of 2012: Neil Young and Crazy Horse, 'Ramada Inn'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  27. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  28. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  29. ^ "Ultratop.be – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  30. ^ "Ultratop.be – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  31. ^ "Neil Young Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  32. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  33. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  34. ^ "Neil Young / Crazy Horse: Psychedelic Pill" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  35. ^ "Lescharts.com – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  36. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  37. ^ "Top 75 Artist Album, Week Ending 8 November 2012". GfK Chart-Track. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  38. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  39. ^ "Charts.nz – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  40. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  41. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  42. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  43. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  44. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Neil Young / Crazy Horse – Psychedelic Pill". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  45. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  46. ^ "Neil Young Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  47. ^ "Neil Young Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  48. ^ "Neil Young Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
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