Released 40 years ago
Landing on Water
Neil Young · 1986
40 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
A synth-driven exploration where rock's organic roots meet the experimental tones of the mid-80s.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hippie Dream — This track stands out for its reflective lyrics about disillusionment and the fading ideals of the counterculture movement, encapsulating Young's critique of a lost dream.
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Violent Side — With its driving beat and confrontational lyrics, this song showcases Young's raw energy and commentary on societal issues, making it a highlight of the album.
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Weight of the World Start here — Opening the album, this track sets a tone of introspection and struggle against external pressures, revealing Young's personal turmoil amid shifting musical landscapes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends synths with rock but lacks the depth and cohesion of Young's work.
What we noticed
- The album features a prominent use of synthesizers alongside traditional rock instrumentation, creating a layered sound texture.
- Several tracks incorporate repetitive melodic hooks that emphasize the lyrical themes of personal and societal pressures.
- The pacing varies significantly, with some tracks maintaining a steady mid-tempo while others shift to more upbeat rhythms, particularly in the first half.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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5/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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4/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- introspective storytelling through melodies
- personal themes of societal pressure
- even pacing for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone upbeat tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Showcases a departure from Young's traditional sound, exploring synth-driven styles.
- Themes
- 1980s media culture· counterculture disillusionment· societal pressure· personal struggle
- Career context
- Landing on Water is Neil Young's 21st studio album, released during a phase of experimentation with new sounds. Following his more traditional acoustic work in the early 1980s, this album marks a notable pivot towards synthesizers and production techniques that were popular at the time, reflecting a desire to connect with contemporary trends.
Tracklist
- 1 Weight of the World Start here 3:44
- 2 Violent Side 4:25
- 3 Hippie Dream 4:16
- 4 Bad News Beat 3:20
- 5 Touch the Night 4:32
- 6 People on the Street 4:35
- 7 Hard Luck Stories 4:11
- 8 I Got a Problem 3:21
- 9 Pressure 2:48
- 10 Drifter 5:04
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Tonight
David Bowie
Similar polished production with introspective themes on personal and societal struggles in the 80s.
Fables of the Reconstruction
R.E.M.
Explores disillusionment and complex storytelling against a backdrop of layered rock textures.
True Stories
Talking Heads
Merges rock with synth elements while examining media culture and societal pressures in an offbeat way.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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