The Visitor
by Neil Young
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Dec 1, 2017
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. The Observer (UK)
    Dec 4, 2017
    60
    It shouldn’t work, but pleasingly, most of it does, thanks to the conviction of Young’s delivery.
  2. The Guardian
    Nov 30, 2017
    60
    The scattergun approach can lack focus, but Young sounds energised by the need to confront hatred and division with humanity and hope.
  3. AllMusic
    Dec 4, 2017
    50
    Neil is making music for the moment and he doesn't much care if it lasts beyond that day or not, and while living in the moment is a good way to get through life, it doesn't do much for albums.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Dec 1, 2017
    42
    Young and the youngsters he’s playing with here sound like they wrote and jammed these songs out in a few days, relying on the strength of his sentiment to carry them through. But a jam session with some cranky speak-singing on it doesn’t make for a great album, and it’s not going to make any new converts, unfortunately--either to Neil Young’s politics or his music.
  6. The Independent (UK)
    Nov 29, 2017
    40
    As the album proceeds, it frays apart as Neil’s gaze shifts to bombs and babies in the plodding anthem “Children Of Destiny”, and to Mexican fairground fantasy in the ludicrous cod-Santana-style “Carnival”. Despite similarly sluggish, slouchy manner, young backing band Promise Of The Real fall some way short of the full Crazy Horse, trudging rather than imposing a sense of implacable destiny.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 2 out of 7
  1. Suttree
    Dec 2, 2017
    3
    What a shame. Yet another release marked by sloppy, shoddy goods. While Young has the talent to make mediocre songs listenable, he once setWhat a shame. Yet another release marked by sloppy, shoddy goods. While Young has the talent to make mediocre songs listenable, he once set the bar so much higher. Weak work is again rushed to the marketplace. As expectations are repeatedly lowered it becomes increasingly difficult to recall the glory days of ’67-’79.… Full Review »
  2. Music_Observer
    Dec 21, 2017
    6
    These musical foundations, techniques, and deliveries here have been engrained in the ears of rock music listeners for at least 40 years, andThese musical foundations, techniques, and deliveries here have been engrained in the ears of rock music listeners for at least 40 years, and Neil Young does nothing to change that which bodes well for those who just want sincerity and nothing to sound odd, but leaves lots of potential emotional attachment and bravery on the table. My Score: 113/180 (Okay) = 6.3/10… Full Review »
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