Buffalo Springfield
by Buffalo Springfield

I think the first record by Buffalo Springfield is their finest. It's a fiery, collaborative effort by a true supergroup. As a Neil Young fan, I'm pleased with his originals here. They are bittersweet, catchy and cryptic. Stills' songs are complimentary. They are sweet, straightforward and fun. I prefer the mono version that can be found on the What's That Sound reissue, which includes the song "Baby Don't Scold Me," the original pressing track that was scrapped to include the new single "For What It's Worth," which became their most well known song.

Track Pick: For What It's Worth
Gems: Out of My Mind, Flying on the Ground, Clancey Can't Even Sing (Edited)

For What It's Worth is so associated with this album it's hard to think there was an original version of the album without it.

Neil Young's songs saves the album. His songs are all standouts on this Buffalo Springfield debut album, where Steve Stills' "For What It's Worth" is the only other track of any real substance. But it's a great exception; one of the great 1960's West Coast Classics - like Jefferson Airplanes' "White Rabbit" or "Somebody to Love"
After this great opener follow 2 more Stills songs; "Go and Say Goodbye" is country-styled pop-song and "Sit Down I Think I Love You" which is Stills' best contribution, besides "For What It's Worth"

Excitement rises again with Neil Young's "Nowadays Can't Even Sing" with lead vocals by Ritchie Furay. 2 more Stills songs "Hot Dusty Roads" and another of his better efforts "Everybody's Wrong" Next track is one of the highlights for me, Neil Young's beautiful "Flying on the Ground is Wrong", again sung by Ritchie Furay'.

Young takes over the lead vocals on his own "Burned", one of the most rocking tracks on the album. This song features some odd off-key instrumentations ( piano and the guitar-solo) . It's a good song, but the vocals sound a little strained. "Do I Have to Come Right out and Say it" is another strong Young composition.

Steve Stills contributes 2 more songs, none of them particularly memorable.

Again it's a Neil Young song that keep interest going with "Out of my Mind" this time sung by himself.

From mdbaxter TOP 100 COMMENTER 11/20/2019 17:22 | #245027 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

This album contains some great guitar work and good vocals. The songwriting could use some work throughout the album. I don't find it to be particularly good anywhere but on "Burned" even though it sounds bad and "For What It's Worth" even though it's not on the original release. I think the songs are little too chorus driven and similar sounding. I didn't listen to "Baby, Don't Scold Me" because the second release is what's on Spotify.

From meccalecca TOP 100 COMMENTER 03/12/2013 18:05 | #68028 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

"For What It's Worth" may be the song that stands out for most but I'd argue that it's Neil Young's contributions "Flying On The Ground Is Wrong" and "Out Of My Mind" that make this album great.