Are You Passionate? [Import]

This album is a case of being "worth more than the sum of its parts." Taken individually, each song seems a bit lost after hearing the entire album. I usually listen to the whole cd from start to finish, and I'm always left satisfied. Young was definitely inspired when he created this album -- and it will leave you inspired as well.

Let's hope that wasn't Neil's intent, even subliminally, because it just doesn't cut it. This album is funky, but undistinguished, and funky isn't what Neil does best anyway. Funky is done well by Booker T. Jones and Donald 'Duck' Dunn, who accompany Young here, but the wrong partner is leading the dance. Neil's guitar has a big, resonant sound throughout much of the disc, with little of the trademark distortion and feedback that often makes for a good, biting Young tune. You might call some of these numbers slick. There are even backing vocals here that are reminisient of Motown art.

The album pretty much breaks down to two sets of four songs each that open and close the album, and that sound pretty much the same. The best of the bunch are the opener, 'You're My Girl', offering standard pop fare, and the closer, 'She's a Healer' a love poem to Neil's wife that is beautiful lyrically and possessing an infectious beat and bold guitar lines.

Between these 4-song bookends are two numbers that are much heavier in their sound and character. 'Let's Roll' is a dark anthem, 'Ohio' in 9-11 time. It's surprising Young chose to immortalize Flight 93's rebellion against becoming a tool of destruction since Young felt some guilt over profiting from the Kent State Four's tragic deaths. Even the rush job of recording and releasing 'Let's Roll' on the heals of the event that spawned it is errily reminiscient of the production of 'Ohio'.

The other song of note is easily the best song in the set, 'Goin' Home', another Young ode to Native Americans ala 'Pocahontas' or 'Cortez the Killer' (this time we villanize General Custer rather than the wicked conquistador, however). This song is right up there with all the best Neil has produced, and at over 8 1/2 minutes nearly makes the CD a desirable purchase. It features great lyrics and a simply unrelenting war dance beat. Each set of verses is followed by excellent extended guitar solos by Young. It is worthy of many repeat listens, and soon becomes a sing-a-long. For a while Young offered a live performance version of the song on a 'Are You Passionate' web site that was just as stirring as this studio take.

There are many Neil Young CD's worth owning before picking this one off the shelf. Even for the completist, the only real gain is in owning a copy of 'Goin' Home'. Young better not release that video, or he'll render this CD obsolete.