Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Americana (Reprise)

"Americana" is everywhere, of course.

But here's what the word means to Neil Young: it means songs of social heave-ho from the American folk tradition, some dating back to the 17th century ("Gallows Pole"), some more recent (The Coasters' "Get a Job"). The requirement is that all should submit to the rough-house treatment meted out by the latest bunch of Crazy Horses equipped with overloading guitars and dustbin-lid drums. It is cursory, lumpen and dull.