FOT Forum

FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Matthew_S on October 23, 2009, 11:41:19 AM

Title: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: Matthew_S on October 23, 2009, 11:41:19 AM: So, following up on this thread:

http://www.friendsoftom.com/forum/index.php/topic,5989.0.html

and inspired by this thread:

http://www.friendsoftom.com/forum/index.php/topic,3026.0.html

we now address Neil Young's On The Beach.

I like this choice because it is another case where every song may get at least a vote or two and it is difficult for me to predict a winner.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: masterofsparks on October 23, 2009, 12:27:11 PM: This is a really tough choice since I think the album as a whole works exceptionally well, but I've gotta go with the title track.

The line "I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day" works for me in a way that I don't really understand.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: whaleplane on October 23, 2009, 01:02:43 PM: mercury rev does a solid "vampire blues"
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: Gilly on October 23, 2009, 02:27:30 PM: I don't like this album very much but I'm not a huge Neil Young fan to begin with. Walk On is my choice.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: masterofsparks on October 23, 2009, 05:08:27 PM: Quote from: whaleplane on October 23, 2009, 01:02:43 PM
mercury rev does a solid "vampire blues"

I haven't heard their version, but my favorite part of Neil's is that guitar solo where it sounds there are rodents walking on the strings.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: Ike on October 23, 2009, 10:48:34 PM: Probably my favorite NY record, and therefore probably my favorite album. Maybe.

"Revolution Blues" is an anomaly in his career, and it never fails to creep me out a little.
Time Fades Away is a close, close CLOSE second here.

"On The Beach" is a beautiful song, too. I listened to disc one of the Archives today. That's some confounding shit, right there.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: crumbum on October 24, 2009, 10:59:19 AM: Quote from: Ike on October 23, 2009, 10:48:34 PM
Probably my favorite NY record, and therefore probably my favorite album. Maybe.

I'm awfully close to agreeing with both these statements. On The Beach is probably the NY album I put on most often, but I can never quite place it above 'Tonight's The Night.'
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: yesno on October 24, 2009, 11:12:05 AM: I just got the DVD for On the Beach from Netflix, & voted "For the Turnstiles." I hate "Vampire Blues." It sounds like something Imus would play as bumper music.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: masterofsparks on October 24, 2009, 11:45:49 AM: Quote from: yesno on October 24, 2009, 11:12:05 AM
I just got the DVD for On the Beach from Netflix, & voted "For the Turnstiles." I hate "Vampire Blues." It sounds like something Imus would play as bumper music.

What is this On the Beach DVD that you speak of?
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: yesno on October 24, 2009, 11:58:54 AM: It's a nuclear war movie starring Gregory Peck.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: masterofsparks on October 24, 2009, 12:13:36 PM: Quote from: yesno on October 24, 2009, 11:58:54 AM
It's a nuclear war movie starring Gregory Peck.

Oh, OK. I knew about that. I thought it was something related to the NY album.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: fletcher munson on October 24, 2009, 12:28:28 PM: I'm with MoS, I pretty much love everything on there, but Ambulance Blues holds a special place.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: dave from knoxville on October 24, 2009, 01:08:05 PM: Quote from: yesno on October 24, 2009, 11:12:05 AM
I just got the DVD for On the Beach from Netflix, & voted "For the Turnstiles." I hate "Vampire Blues." It sounds like something Imus would play as bumper music.

It's you and me, babe
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: Matthew_S on October 26, 2009, 11:38:05 AM: Quote from: yesno on October 24, 2009, 11:58:54 AM
It's a nuclear war movie starring Gregory Peck.

I have no idea about the movie but the novel, by Nevil Shute, is a classic of its genre.

Broad strokes summary -- nuclear war has decimated the northern hemisphere and the novel's characters are based in Australia and are awaiting their eventual death via nuclear contamination.

More uplifting than the album?
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: pete on October 26, 2009, 07:27:35 PM: Thanks, dudes. I'd never listened to this one, and it rules.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: Matt on November 06, 2009, 09:29:08 PM: "Revolution Blues," if only for the guitar solo. That it terrified Crosby, Stills and Nash is a nice bonus.

Still, the second side makes this record. The first half is really just a fun grab-bag of stuff. The second half is the real deal.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: Pat K on December 21, 2009, 04:27:22 PM: I just found this via the white stripes poll.

I'm shocked and disgusted that I'm the first person to vote for 'Motion Pictures'.

You people should all be ashamed of yourselves.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: Andy on December 21, 2009, 06:00:48 PM: You should
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: Ike on December 22, 2009, 09:34:02 AM: Quote from: Pat K on December 21, 2009, 04:27:22 PM
I just found this via the white stripes poll.

I'm shocked and disgusted that I'm the first person to vote for 'Motion Pictures'.

You people should all be ashamed of yourselves.

I found this poll insane. It's like picking a favorite kid, if you have more than one kid. If you only have one kid, then that's shit's easy.

"Motion Pictures" is a NEARLY perfect song in every way. Gives me chills, literally, every single time I hear it.

"Rev. Blues" is just the meanest thing of all time. It's just pure bitterness, right there.

Again, for the billionth time, tied for my favorite record of all time.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: Andy on December 22, 2009, 03:11:37 PM: tied with what?
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: fonpr on December 22, 2009, 06:11:07 PM: Quote from: Andy on December 22, 2009, 03:11:37 PM
tied with what?
Xmas ribbon of course!
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: Ike on December 23, 2009, 06:45:46 AM: Quote from: Andy on December 22, 2009, 03:11:37 PM
tied with what?

Firewater by Silkworm. The single greatest record ever made.
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: Matthew_S on December 23, 2009, 11:36:30 AM: I'm happy to see that every song now has at least a vote

Quote from: Andy on December 21, 2009, 06:00:48 PM
You should

I can't believe I'm posting this but...

Did you mean:

You should

or

You should
Title: Re: Favorite Song on Neil Young's On The Beach
Post by: nec13 on January 22, 2010, 09:16:48 PM: All the songs on this album are great, but if forced to choose a favorite, I would go with "See The Sky About To Rain." It's just an absolutely gorgeous song, one of the best tunes Neil has ever written.