The story of a fictional family living in a fictional town, “Greendale” touches on shady cops, drugs, murder, media intrusion and corporate corruption. It is classic Neil Young. And it’s certainly more enjoyable and easier to follow for those who caught Young’s summer tour, during which a group of actors performed the entire tale onstage as Young and Crazy Horse played. If you have seen the show, then you know these songs and these characters. Those unfamiliar with the tale can still find much to savor here, especially the lone acoustic cut, the Bob Dylan-referencing “Bandit” (which features the repeated line “Some day, you’ll find what you’re looking for”), and the sweetly nostalgic “Double E” (“Back in the day/Living in the summer of love”). Driven by often hypnotic, restrained grooves, the set finds Young in fine form, defiant in the face of trends and conventional music-biz thinking and completely obedient to his muse. Fans should rejoice.—WO
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