For some reason, I stopped listening to new Neil Young after Harvest. About a year ago in a sporadic attempt to catch up, I streamed "On the Beach" and enjoyed it. But you can't appreciate a Neil Young song from hearing it just once. So as I clicked on the title track just now, I was expecting something decent--but NO. Powerful emotions flooded back, like catching up with a dear friend after a long absence. The song is as fiery as anything on "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" but all the more intense for its quieter and deeper introspection. (Reminds me a little of Gene Clark's epic slow-burner "Some Misunderstanding.")

Took a long time to get back to the beach. Thanks for the journey.