Neil Young has always done whatever he wants, and with Fork in the Road, he’s created an album entirely about electric cars. In the time since Neil’s last concept album, he’s faced a life-threatening brain hemorrhage, reunited and disbanded CSNY, called out Bush and returned to his ‘70s roots on Chrome Dreams II. However, he threw all of those experiences out the window to craft a record without nuance.
From the moment “When Worlds Collide” begins, you feel like Neil is punching you in the face with his desire for everyone to drive green cars. His heavy, muddy guitar lines, usually one of his strengths, sound as forced and out of place as the amazingly dull lyrics found in tracks like “Fuel Line” and “Cough Up The Bucks.” Living With War and Chrome Dreams II were supposed to sound simple in order to get their message across. But if this record is any indication, Neil hasn’t got much left in the tank.
