Neil Young's tribute to 9/11 victims rings hollow

Associated Press

Unfortunately, the weakest song on Neil Young's "Are You Passionate?" (Reprise) is the one that will get the most attention.

"Let's Roll," about the hijacked plane that crashed into a Pennsylvania field on Sept. 11, was released last fall. With ringing cell phones and lyrics based on what passengers on the doomed flight actually said, the song has its heart in the right place.

But compared with the highly personal tracks that surround it, "Let's Roll" — no matter how well-intentioned — rings hollow.

Young does better with his introspective lyrics, sung alongside the electric beauty of backing musicians Booker T. and the MGs.

On "You're My Girl," Young explores a father's angst in letting go of a grown daughter. In "Mr. Disappointment," he speaks of losing love with lines such as "I miss the feeling/I miss the light/But I got faith in something/I'll never give up the fight."

There's little doubt Young is passionate on this disc.

Bonnie Raitt has been so successful it would be easy for her to stick to a formula and phone one in. Not this one. "Silver Lining" (Capitol), her new disc, is Raitt's finest in years. From the opening "Fool's Game" to the wrenching closer, "Wounded Heart," Raitt is at the top of her game.

Country, blues, rock, Raitt can deliver in any genre. Crossovers, such as the single "I Can't Help You Now," will help fuel the album's commercial success. R&B numbers such as "Gnawin' on It" and "Monkey Business" let Raitt exercise her fine slide guitar playing. She dips again into world music, covering Zimbabwean artist Oliver Mtukudiz's "Hear Me Lord" and collaborating with Mali's Habib Koite on "Back Around."

No need to look for a silver lining in Raitt's 16th recording. It's all gold.