Is Peace Trail a good place to start with Neil Young?

Yes, Peace Trail is recommended as a starting point for new Neil Young listeners. A stripped-back collection of reflective songs, merging folk and rock with a sense of urgency and social commentary. Released in late 2016, Peace Trail is Neil Young's thirty-ninth studio album, following the politically charged Earth. At this point in his career, Young continued to explore themes of social justice and environmental concerns, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to activism through music.

Who is Peace Trail for?

Peace Trail works well if you're into reflective storytelling for introspection, wave-like pacing encourages contemplation and short tracks for focused listening.

How many songs are on Peace Trail?

Peace Trail has 10 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Peace Trail

Neil Young · 2016

38 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock

A stripped-back collection of reflective songs, merging folk and rock with a sense of urgency and social commentary.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Peace Trail Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of peace and activism, showcasing Young's ability to blend personal reflection with broader societal issues.
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Terrorist Suicide Hang Gliders — This track stands out for its provocative title and lyrics that challenge perceptions of violence and terrorism, highlighting Young's fearless approach to songwriting.
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Indian Givers — In this song, Young addresses historical injustices faced by Native Americans, weaving personal narratives with cultural critique, making it a poignant commentary on identity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and a reflective tone, though it lacks some cohesion in pacing.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of acoustic instrumentation, with most tracks driven by guitar and subtle percussion.
Several songs employ a conversational vocal style, where Young's delivery feels intimate and direct, enhancing the storytelling aspect.
The track 'Terrorist Suicide Hang Gliders' stands out with its unconventional structure, featuring abrupt shifts in dynamics and tempo.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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

reflective storytelling for introspection
wave-like pacing encourages contemplation
short tracks for focused listening
emotional resonance in each song

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced, high-energy music
dislike narrative-driven lyrical content

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — The album showcases continued vitality and relevance in Young's later career.
Themes: Native American rights· labor and purpose· global conflict commentary
Career context: Released in late 2016, Peace Trail is Neil Young's thirty-ninth studio album, following the politically charged Earth. At this point in his career, Young continued to explore themes of social justice and environmental concerns, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to activism through music.
Stylistic neighbors: Bob Dylan· Tom Petty· The Band