The Visitor (2017)

What’s the word for agreeing with someone’s position, but vehemently disliking the way they expressed it? I could argue that’s the definition of social media these days, but really what I’m talking about is The Visitor, truly one of Neil’s most disappointing albums. I haven’t disliked an album of his this much since Old Ways (conversely an extremely conservative leaning album). There’s something so simultaneously trite and commercial about it, I can’t help but think it was purposely made as a popularity grab. I hate to blame them, but I see it as the singular influence of Promise of the Real. Extremely radio friendly, there’s a polished veneer to their playing that Neil sounds odd amongst. I’m sure I’m biased because they are a good and talented band, but Neil seems to melt into their sound more than anything. I don’t think this is an “their early stuff was better” type criticism, either. Comparing this to something like the previous Peace Trail or 2019’s Colorado with Crazy Horse, you can immediately identify both of those as Neil. I can’t see him making this album with Crazy Horse. The Visitor sounds like Neil guesting on someone else’s music.

“Already Great” starts things off with a great riff and piano accompaniment and the opening verses are wryly funny if pedestrian. I was predisposed to like the content given its clearly a rebuttal to MAGA… but it turns out to just be about how America is great. Nowhere is the level of insight that Living with War contained from 10 years prior. The chorus is too saccharine by far, which is a shame given how good of riff the song is. Following this up with the awful “Fly by Night Deal” doesn’t help matters either as Neil rants in a semi-spoken word manner while POTR plays one of the cheesiest songs outside of Landing on Water I’ve heard on a Neil album.

The reason why “Almost Always” sounds better is how heavily it borrows from Harvest Moon, specifically “From Hank to Hendrix” and “Unknown Legend.” I’d call these straight interpolations of the harmonica and guitar riffs from those songs for sure. The lyrics are a bit all over the place, but I like that he’s being more metaphorical, at least. The good feelings don’t last, though, because “Stand Tall” is unbelievably cheesy. It’s attempting to create another pro-Earth/pro-rights anthem like “Who’s Gonna Stand Up?” or “Be the Rain,” but sanitized and goofy. POTR can’t match the ferocity of Crazy Horse, so it just falls flat. That said: “The boy king don't believe in science / It goes against the big money truth” is true. “Change of Heart” comes next and it fails to make an impression one way or another on me. It has some nice whistling and a gentle little lope, but Neil’s gravely spoken words just feel insincere, reminding me most of the how Old Ways sounded like a parody.

“Carnival” is the single most bizarre thing Neil has ever done. In that way, it makes my Top 3, but I also never want to hear it again. It’s seemingly about visiting a psychedelic circus with some sort of demonic presence…maybe? Neil plays both the carnival barker and a visitor (maybe this is where the album title comes from) as he laughs maniacally delivering a crazy morality tale. POTR chants “Carnival” as if they are referring to a Creole or Caribbean Carnivale instead of the circus-type event Neil’s lyrics evoke. The music, chorus, and lyrics are all at odds with each other, which makes Neil’s insane laughter and delivery sound completely unhinged. What in the world is the intention of this song? And it goes on for over eight minutes!

I don’t love “Diggin a Hole” but I get the intention and respect the desire for this kind of old school call and response blues song. Its oddly juxtaposed coming before “Children of Destiny,” another anthem attempt with huge drums and Storytone style strings, horns, a choir, and Disney-schmaltz. It’s a somewhat successful melding of forms, but utterly cheesy and embarrassing. Then, the “lock him up” chicken scratch vocal of “When Bad Got Good” follows right after? This is just not the side of Neil I can really get behind or even find the humor in. I have nothing good to say about this one except that I like the music on this song. The drums and guitar sound great.

So after all that, the last song “Forever” is thankfully a straightforward Neil song. as it floats along effortlessly over 10 minutes with a pastoral vibe and complex and evocative lyrics. Neil reaches for some notes not in his range, but I’ve seen him sing this way before and I know that he’s sincerely in the moment. The message seems to be that Neil sees his current purpose as being a preacher for the Earth. Its a church for him and he’s dismayed at what he sees, a lovely song and a lovely sentiment. Definitely could have made a cut or two on Peach Trail to fit this song and it would have felt more fitting in tone there. The Visitor is just too cheesy and commercial sounding for anyone to take this song seriously once you get to it at the end here.

Top 3:

1. Forever (a pretty good song!)
2. Almost Always (Harvest Moon nostalgia)
3. Carnival (I never want to hear it again, but it’s entertaining)

Cut songs: Already Great, Fly by Night Deal, Stand Tall, Carnival,* Children of Destiny, When Bad Got Good

*Yep, Top 3 and a cut song. That’s how damn bizarre it is. To be honest, I’d cut the whole album, but in the interest of some semblance of consistency, I’ve contained myself.

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