Vocals From a Soapbox

The title notwithstanding, the conversation at this reunion--only the third for the celebrated foursome in 9 + 20 years--mostly looks back, or is filtered through a perspective of decades gone by.

They’re still trying mightily to teach their boomer children, but with the predictable exception of Neil Young’s still valid artistry, the results (due in stores Tuesday) demonstrate anew that old hippies don’t burn out or fade away, they just turn insufferably preachy.

Stephen Stills journeys through his past with the “Love the One You’re With”-like opening track, “Faith in Me,” in which he pontificates, “We really do know better.” Then he attempts to update Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues” with “Seen Enough,” which comes off more pompous than inspired, or inspiring.

As ever, Graham Nash plays the nurturing soul, but his sugary songs smother rather than comfort.

David Crosby still struggles to do the right thing (who doesn’t?) and has moments of painful self-revelation in a couple of tunes. Still, the worries he voices about the kind of world being left to the younger generation often sound as if the big problem is how it affects him.

The album’s redeeming grace is Young, whose artfully questing songs make you wonder why he showed up at this party instead of throwing one of his own--preferably with company who could bring more to the table.

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