Storytone
Neil Young · 2014
41 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
A lush orchestral landscape intertwines with Young's signature acoustic sound, creating an intimate yet expansive listening experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Plastic Flowers Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Who’s Gonna Stand Up? — This track serves as a rallying cry for environmental awareness, pairing poignant lyrics with a powerful orchestral backdrop that elevates its urgency.
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I Want to Drive My Car — With its catchy melody and upbeat rhythm, this song contrasts the album's more serious themes, providing a moment of levity and personal reflection.
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When I Watch You Sleeping — This tender ballad showcases Young's ability to convey intimacy through simple yet evocative lyrics, capturing vulnerability and warmth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The orchestral backing and introspective lyrics create a unique yet familiar sound for Young, balancing depth and accessibility.
What we noticed
- The album features lush orchestral arrangements that accompany Neil Young's vocals, creating a rich sonic landscape.
- Several tracks utilize a slow tempo and extended instrumental sections, allowing for reflective moments within the lyrics.
- The lyrics often address themes of love and environmental concerns, with a conversational tone that invites listener engagement.
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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 journey
- lush orchestrations for introspective moments
- poignant themes of love and
- ideal for quiet evening listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefer instant gratification songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — The orchestral elements mark a departure from Young's established acoustic sound.
- Themes
- climate change activism· orchestral reflections· transient beauty
- Career context
- Released in 2014, Storytone marked a period of artistic exploration for Neil Young, following his 2012 album Psychedelic Pill. At this stage in his career, Young sought to blend orchestral arrangements with his folk and rock roots, reflecting a desire to innovate while staying true to his musical identity.
Tracklist
- 1 Plastic Flowers Start here 4:06
- 2 Who’s Gonna Stand Up? 4:23
- 3 I Want to Drive My Car 3:10
- 4 Glimmer 5:01
- 5 Say Hello to Chicago 4:57
- 6 Tumbleweed 3:38
- 7 Like You Used to Do 2:40
- 8 I'm Glad I Found You 3:42
- 9 When I Watch You Sleeping 5:30
- 10 All Those Dreams 4:25
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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