Hitchhiker

by 
AlbumSep 08 / 201710 songs, 33m 43s96%
Singer-Songwriter Contemporary Folk
Popular Highly Rated

Recorded under a full moon in late 1976, *Hitchhiker* captures an unaccompanied Young at his most penetrating and stripped down. Though several of these songs later became staples (“Pocahontas,” “Ride My Llama,” the haunting “Powderfinger”), they never sounded quite as pure as they do here—never quite captured that elusive balance of ethereal and elemental that makes Young such a legend. First written off by record labels at the time as little more than a set of demos (in Young’s telling, at least), *Hitchhiker* stands now as a beautiful, singular document—and it\'s lightning in a bottle.

8.4 / 10

Recorded over one night in 1976, Hitchhiker is an acoustic snapshot of Neil Young’s creative process, captured at a time when he was crafting music strong enough to last his whole career.

8.4 / 10

Recorded over one night in 1976, Hitchhiker is an acoustic snapshot of Neil Young’s creative process, captured at a time when he was crafting music strong enough to last his whole career.

B

Dead Cross, Dead CrossGrade: B+

B

Dead Cross, Dead CrossGrade: B+

8 / 10

It’s an ability to take the familiar and present it in dramatically different forms, with the potential for rediscovery that this allows, which makes Hitchhiker – faults and all – a must-hear for Neil Young fans.

8 / 10

It’s an ability to take the familiar and present it in dramatically different forms, with the potential for rediscovery that this allows, which makes Hitchhiker – faults and all – a must-hear for Neil Young fans.

9.1 / 10

Stripped of the subsequent mythology or knowledge of what these songs would eventually become, each performance remains…

Ever prolific, Neil Young released a live album and a new studio album last year, both to mixed reviews.

9.1 / 10

Stripped of the subsequent mythology or knowledge of what these songs would eventually become, each performance remains…

Ever prolific, Neil Young released a live album and a new studio album last year, both to mixed reviews.

Our take on the music retrieved from the singer-songwriter's vault.

Our take on the music retrieved from the singer-songwriter's vault.

A glorious and inventive return from the Mael brothers

A glorious and inventive return from the Mael brothers

8 / 10

Although Hitchhiker isn't Neil Young's first abandoned album to be unearthed later, it's certainly his most realized — impressive, given the...

8 / 10

Although Hitchhiker isn't Neil Young's first abandoned album to be unearthed later, it's certainly his most realized — impressive, given the...

8.0 / 10

Hitchhiker is the rare archival release that can appeal to both rabid superfans and casual listeners.

8.0 / 10

Hitchhiker is the rare archival release that can appeal to both rabid superfans and casual listeners.

(Reprise)

(Reprise)

85 %

Something of a mythological creature has finally seen release.

85 %

Something of a mythological creature has finally seen release.

NEIL YOUNGHitchhiker ****Reprise

NEIL YOUNGHitchhiker ****Reprise

9 / 10

9 / 10