Arc (Live)

This is feedback, that's all. It was the third disc in the "Arc/Weld" set when it was released and if you don't have "Weld" you don't need this. Come to think of it, you don't need this with "Weld". I love Neil Young and I think I get this but I've only listened to "Arc" twice and that's enough.

What folks need to remember or learn is that ARC was part of the 3 disc set ARC WELD. To draw a comparison (well as best as I can)...If Chicago Transit Authority had put a single of Freeform Guitar and its wasn't heard as a part of the CTA album in around 1968 it may have seemed senseless. Similarly, ARC on it's own may seem odd. As a part of the 3 cd set ARC WELD it was genius. My 2 cents worth. Have fun with it.

Were his taxes do? Was he angry at his fans? I never understand how many artist (Radiohead prime example) can start off so beautiful, majestic, and down right amazing, and then release some of the most bizarre unlistenable "noise", and pass it off as music. Evolution is one thing, (I change with the artists that I enjoy), Arc is another. Neil Young gets a pass though, because he's Neil Young. Strange piece of music, not bad, just "noise". Enjoy it, hate it, erase it from your hard drive. I don't get it???

This album is essential to understanding the ENTIRE Neil Young (and friends + co-conspirators) catalogue en bloc - to get the biggest picture of his art. To many, it is unlistenable, to some it is, and to a very small group of people who don't raise their hands, it is quite enjoyable. I vacillate between the latter two groups. I completely understand that there are times when this isn't appropriate background music (which you will inevitably use it for - you need a special love of Neil to actively close-listen to this E.P.) for, say, your newborn infant's first day at home. This is not borne from personal experience, but you get the idea. I would also posit that this was a lot more radical in 1991, when it was released. I remember purchasing it (physical disc @ a physical store !!!!) and the guy looking at me with a mix of admiration and fear since I was buying this but not WELD, the listenable companion piece it was released with. Everyone else bought WELD, and a few zealots bought ARC or ARC/WELD, the cool box set. Me - just ARC. A mistake? I'll never know. It's far too loud to hear myself think when it's on to answer the question. Buy it, put it on a shelf (or a hard drive) and know that you now understand Neil.

Keep in mind this is about 35 minutes of feedback/noise from either concerts or soundchecks. Then again,it's only $1.29......