After the Gold Rush

Neil Young - After the Gold Rush
Critic Score
Based on 5 reviews
1970 Ratings: #27 / 161
User Score
Based on 985 ratings
1970 Rank: #5All Time: #286
Liked by 186 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
Pitchfork

With his newfound confidence, Young was poised to stretch, and After the Gold Rush sounds a bit like an overview of the Great American Songbook but with one guy writing almost all the songs.

100
AllMusic
Its dark yet hopeful tone matched the tenor of the times in 1970, making it one of the definitive singer/songwriter albums, and it has remained among Young's major achievements.
100
Rolling Stone

Despite the fact that the album contains some potentially first rate material, none of the songs here rise above the uniformly dull surface.

80
Under the Radar

There isn't another album quite so quintessentially Neil Young as After the Gold Rush, where he felt so comfortable and confident in his own skin.

Jallen2035
100

I mean its a classic for a reason

depechemode4lif
87

Yeah I get it. From what I have heard this is so much more emotive, somber, and well constructed than some country greats of it's time. I will say that the folk rock sound of this album is something I like a lot. Overall, this is a great first ik impression for me.

MickyT
80

On it's own 'After the Gold Rush' is an incredibly dense, melancholic, thoughtful and well written piece of folk rock that I gravitate heavily towards, but in the grander scheme of Neil Youngs catalogue this is possibly one of if not his best work. Whether you believe this falls into the country sphere is irrelevant to me, as it doesn't take away from the fact that this is an outstanding record with intimate and varied production, recognisable vocals and brilliant writing. Listening to Neil ... read more

95

All Time Fav
cut: After the Gold Rush, Southern Man, Don't Let It Bring You Down, Birds

Codak_002
100

If Rust Never Sleeps is the peak of heavier Neil, After the Gold Rush is the peak of lighter Neil, and I gotta say this is my favorite of his discography. Every song feels so emotionally potent and mournful in a way that's so delicate yet raw. The folk sound here is just truly so delightful to listen to on every song. Easily my favorite country-leaning album ever and one of best, period. Only Love Can Break Your Heart is one of the saddest songs ever written. Utterly beautiful

oliismlg
84

just some good ol' folk. neil young is a god.

Best Track: Southern Man
Worst Track: Don't Let It Bring You Down
Great

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Added on: March 16, 2013