Neil Young: Greatest Hits

Far from a broad retrospective, Neil Young’s Greatest Hits is just what it purports to be. Young himself notes that the 16 tracks were chosen based on “original record sales, airplay, and known download history,” a method certain to leave large chronological and stylistic gaps. Still, the collection manages to offer a glimpse at some of his musical personas — edgy and searching hard-rocker, socially aware folkie, country troubadour, surreal balladeer — and how they often bleed into one another. “Down by the River” and “Cowgirl in the Sand,” from 1969, have the sturdy, rumbling support of Crazy Horse and feature long, jittery guitar explorations built on basic two-chord vamps. Two Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cuts, the wistful, gorgeous “Helpless” and the angry, confrontational “Ohio,” are true rock landmarks. With Young at the piano, 1970’s tender “After the Gold Rush” is full of bizarre imagery that feels both optimistic and ominous. Three tracks from 1972’s Harvest, including “Heart of Gold,” his biggest hit, have a laid-back, pastoral feel. Only two songs here were recorded after 1978: “Rockin’ in the Free World,” a fiery screed from 1989, and “Harvest Moon,” a touching love song from 1991. It’s pointless to mention how narrow a view of Young’s restless career this set provides (oops, too late now) but these brilliantly remastered FM-radio staples are certainly beyond reproach.