'Musical novel' is ambitious, sensitive

"Greendale" by Neil Young; Reprise

By Robert Hilburn
Los Angeles Times

This two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has a wild, experimental streak that sometimes leads him into treacherous waters — and the news about this "musical novel" must have made even devoted fans take a deep breath.

In "Greendale" (which arrived in stores yesterday), Young weaves the fictional story of a small-town family (the Greens) into a sort of "state of the union" address that touches on Orwellian inroads on personal freedom, tabloid media and social apathy.

Grandpa Green, the main character in these 10 thematically related songs, frets about the same mistakes being made generation after generation.

In a wry moment early in the album, Grandpa even takes a playful swipe at songwriters — like Young — who keep spinning their idealistic tales: "Seems like that guy singin' this song / Been doing it for a long time / Is there anything he knows / That he ain't said?"

What Young says here is that little does change — most people in Greendale just go through life, often responding to arbitrary twists and turns without leaving much of a mark. But Young clings to a relentless, John Lennon-like belief in the possibility of positive change. Thus, Grandpa's lingering optimism is picked up by his granddaughter, who becomes a warrior for the environment.

The music is as inspiring as the message. Joined by Crazy Horse drummer Ralph Molina and bassist Billy Talbot, Young has rarely made music quite so rich and affecting. The opening tracks have a bluesy, boogie foundation, complete with sing-along choruses, and the finale has all the feel-good bounce of a Broadway musical number.

Young has woven these songs into a triumphant stage production and even turned it into a film due this fall. The album package includes a DVD, drawn from Young's solo acoustic presentation of "Greendale" in Dublin.

In an age when so many musicians aim for nothing more than a place on the charts, Young reaches boldly here for our hearts. It's a naive, even corny goal, of course. But it feels so welcome.