Greendale
by Neil Young
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 3 out of 17
  1. The Guardian
    60
    Instances of clarity and grace alternate with wodges of unfathomable nonsense that a good editor would have blue-pencilled from the first draft.
  2. Dot Music
    50
    We should laud Young for taking such risks at this stage of his career but 'Greendale' sounds like the sort of small town you spend your whole life running from. Or the place you go to retire.
  3. ShakingThrough.net
    48
    Young's nomadic narrative requires its own Cliffs Notes, and the lack of cohesion or focus (which Young pretty much cops to in the liner notes) give the record less heft than the irate rambling of your neighborhood curmudgeon.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    42
    About the time an FBI agent shoots the heroine's cat, prior to a Hair-style love-in finale, you'll know you and Young have weathered his career low point together. [19 Sep 2003, p.86]
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Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Most Discussed Album of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 57 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 57
  3. Negative: 4 out of 57
  1. mrtew
    Jan 2, 2012
    10
    I love this album! The combination of the story and the music does it for me every time. No clue why it's not higher rated by theI love this album! The combination of the story and the music does it for me every time. No clue why it's not higher rated by the critics; it's one of his best modern albums by far in my opinion.… Full Review »
  2. StephenS
    Apr 26, 2006
    10
    A gut-wrenching emotional disc that grows on one as they listen to the story. The music is typical Neil garage rock (which is not a bad A gut-wrenching emotional disc that grows on one as they listen to the story. The music is typical Neil garage rock (which is not a bad thing), but combined with the simple, dramatic narrative - the whole is much greater than the sum of it's parts. Outstanding!… Full Review »
  3. SeamusS
    Dec 24, 2005
    10
    So I'm a sucker for rock-operas....whatever. And this may not have been the best Neil Young album for me to start out So I'm a sucker for rock-operas....whatever. And this may not have been the best Neil Young album for me to start out on....again...whatever This album kicked my ass Brillaint… Full Review »
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