American Stars 'N Bars

An often-overlooked release, *American Stars ‘n Bars* is a ragged summation of Neil Young’s most tumultuous and artistically rewarding decade. An off-kilter blend of self-destructive joy and soul-seeking sorrow and regret, the album features the lascivious “Saddle Up the Old Palomino” and “Bite the Bullet,” as well as the meditative “Will to Love” and fan favorite “Like a Hurricane,” which provide a welcome dose of morning-after reflection. Though hardly Young’s most cohesive album, *Stars ‘n Bars* gains strength from its patchwork, off-the-cuff qualities. Young’s guitar work shines in fits and starts, stumbling towards transcendence.

Neil Young made a point of listing the recording dates of the songs on American Stars 'n Bars; the dates even appeared on the LP labels.