Cruising down the road and the economic recession seem to be on Neil Young‘s mind during his new album, “Fork in the Road.”
Lyrics to each of the 10 songs and four videos from the album are on Young’s site here. On most of the songs I heard, 
Young straps on his trusty Old Black electric guitar and rips some distorted riffs.
Many of the songs deal with his Lincvolt project — an alternative-fuels engine in a classic car — and behind the wheel of it during cross-country jaunts. In the opener “When Worlds Collide,” Young provides a Mother Road reference: “Cruising down route 66 where the guys and gals used to get their kicks in the old days.”
Used?
The current recession seems to be troubling Young, too. In “Cough Up the Bucks,” he sings, “Where did all the money go? Where did the cash flow?” On the title song, Young sings “There’s a bailout coming but it’s not for you” and moans about the bank repossessing his flat-screen television.
I’ve followed Young’s career for about 20 years and have been a frequent admirer of the Rock Hall of Famer. However, I have to concur with Chicago Tribune music writer Greg Kot‘s assessment of the album:
Many of the songs feel half-finished, little more than vamps, rarely venturing beyond a couple of chords and a few repeated phrases. […] this is the musical equivalent of a quickie oil change for one of Young’s vintage cars. Only Young die-hards will want to peer under its hood.
The album can be pre-purchased here. It’s available Tuesday as a CD or a DVD/CD combo on Amazon.com.