Oakland's Vinyl Vault - Deja Vu

Another week, another album. I'm now getting a sense for the randomizer's taste in music. It is decidedly in favor of folk rock. I've mentioned its preference for Simon and Garfunkel before, but I overlooked the other signs. The Band, Buffalo Springfield, CSN(Y), and Mumford and Sons have all had their turns despite their relative scarcity in the Vault. So it should be no surprise today, then, that the randomizer has gone into the Vault and returned with some familiar faces. Four, to be precise: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. It's Deja Vu, in more ways than one.

Release date: March 11, 1970
Singles: Woodstock, Teach Your Children, Our House, Carry On

Now, I know what you're thinking. Haven't we heard these songs before? But don't worry, it's not deja vu. It's just that literally half of the songs on this album went on to appear on the most ridiculous of "greatest hits" albums of all time, So Far, which we covered earlier here on Pat Is Crazy.

So, thanks to the randomizer's lack of randomness, we should all be familiar with the sound of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and sometimes Young. This album is the pinnacle of that sound. A true masterpiece. The thing that I love about this album is that you get to hear the distinct voices of all four men in succession, as each of them got two songs: one on the front side and one on the back. The two remaining songs, "Woodstock" and "Everybody I Love You," were written by the then-girlfriend of Nash, Joni Mitchell (who we probably will hear from soon... damn randomizer), and old Buffalo Springfield band-mates, Stills and Young, respectively.

Rating: Ten thumbs up - This album is a perfect storm. All four band members were at the height of their powers - as evidenced by the fact that each of them released a hit solo album (which, again, all coming soon, I'm sure) not long after this album dropped. Do yourself a favor, and give this album a spin.

Now here's my favorite track, "Almost Cut My Hair." In case you can't tell which one of them wrote it, I'll give you a hint: he plays a pirate in the movie Hook.