Yes, his blood runs Canadian. But has anybody better embodied the spirit of classic American rock & roll than Neil Young? Americana is a flashback in more ways than one: Not only does it reconvene Young's proto-grunge backing band Crazy Horse for the first time since 1996, but it also consists of reworkings of Dust Bowl-era folk tunes. Young clearly loves jamming with his favorite fuzzmongers again — there's an unbridled glee that oozes between the blistering solos on sneering, sideways renditions of campfire sing-alongs like ''Oh Susanna'' and ''This Land Is Your Land.'' Even on the 66-year-old's 34th album, Young still has fire in his belly and fun in his fingers. A–
Best Tracks:
Snarling Gallows Pole
Jaunty Travel On
