The Monsanto Years
Neil Young + Promise of the Real,
Warner Bros
Two stars
While Neil Young’s voice, playing and passion are undimmed, his once undeniable lyrical talent have diminished in much of this new album. The Monsanto Years finds the 69-year-old Canadian livid with what he perceives as the despoiling of America at the hands of corrupt corporations and complacent politicians.
The complaints about Walmart and "big box" stores that are killing small shops too quickly devolve into sloganeering. It's a pity the words aren't more nuanced because much of the music, recorded with the Los Angeles band Promise of the Real, is haunting.
Wolf Moon — yes, he's still singing about the moon — is evocative and powerful to begin with, but weakens as it becomes overtly political. Workin' Man uses vignettes deftly to build context, and Rules of Change is driven by a simple, effective percussion evoking Native American rhythms and the beauty of the plains. It's easy to admire Young for taking a stand, for not taking the easy "greatest hits" route, but these songs would benefit from a subtler lyric approach.
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Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
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BABYLON
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