Looking Forward
The CSNY name carries disproportionate weight considering the quartet has produced a grand total of three studio albums and onelive setover the course of three decades. Of course, the first studio LP, 1969'sDeja Vu, is one of the touchstones of Woodstock-era rock. Nearly two decades passed before the foursome cut the forgettableAmerican Dream. Unfortunately,Looking Forwardowes more to the unfocused latter (not to mentionCSN's unremarkable recent output) than the vitalDeja Vu. It's telling that three of the fourNeil Youngtracks (as well asStephen Stills's above par "Faith in Me") were produced by longtime Young confederate Ben Keith while the rest of the album is credited to CSNY. The controlling hand Young maintains on his own material pays off with two of the best numbers here--theHarvest Moon-like title track and "Slowpoke."Graham Nashfares well with characteristically melodic efforts, but Stills andDavid Crosbystumble on the awkwardly bellicose "Seen Enough" and "Stand and Be Counted," missteps that throw the entire set off course. ----Steven Stolder