Mirror Ball
Neil Young · 1995
54 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A meditative blend of folk rock and Southern rock, infused with introspective lyrics and layered instrumental textures.
Top tracks — play these first
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Song X Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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I'm the Ocean — This track stands out with its expansive instrumentation and introspective lyrics that explore themes of disconnection and longing, embodying the album’s reflective nature.
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Peace and Love — The song's anthemic chorus and lush arrangements create a powerful statement on unity and healing, making it emblematic of Young's enduring message.
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Throw Your Hatred Down — With its poignant lyrics addressing conflict and reconciliation, this track encapsulates the album’s thematic focus on personal and societal struggles.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends Neil Young's rock roots with grunge elements, creating a distinct sound while maintaining solid songwriting.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a gritty tone, followed by several songs that maintain a similar energy level before the pacing shifts in the latter half.
- Tracks often feature layered guitar work, with prominent use of distortion and feedback, characteristic of grunge influences.
- Several songs incorporate extended instrumental sections, allowing for improvisation and exploration within the established themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- nostalgic reflections on past
- introspective moments of clarity
- cathartic release through urgency
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone single tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — First collaboration with Pearl Jam, marking a shift in Young's sound and wider recognition.
- Themes
- grunge-era introspection· Pacific Northwest spirit· emotional resilience
- Career context
- Released in 1995, Mirror Ball marked Neil Young's first collaboration with Pearl Jam, signaling a shift in his sound during the mid-90s grunge era. This album arrived after Young's commercial resurgence with Harvest Moon in 1992, as he sought to reconnect with a younger audience while still honoring his roots.
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Song X Start here 4:39
- 2 Act of Love 4:53
- 3 I'm the Ocean 7:03
- 4 Big Green Country 5:07
- 5 Truth Be Known 4:35
Disc 2
- 1 Downtown 5:08
- 2 What Happened Yesterday 0:45
- 3 Peace and Love 7:02
- 4 Throw Your Hatred Down 5:43
- 5 Scenery 8:48
- 6 Fallen Angel 1:16
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Vitalogy
Pearl Jam
Shares the same grunge ethos with raw energy and introspective lyrics, capturing a similar Pacific Northwest vibe.
Euphoria Morning
Chris Cornell
Combines reflective songwriting with a gritty sound, echoing emotional depth and resilience found in 'Mirror Ball'.
Superunknown
Soundgarden
Delivers a blend of heavy rock and introspective themes, paralleling the raw emotional landscape of Young's work.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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