Nostalgia at play for Young

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Neil Young is in a nostalgic mood on “Psychedelic Pill,” a triumphant if somewhat meandering release with his band, Crazy Horse.

The opening track, the 27-minute “Driftin’ Back,” sets the tone, as a reflective Young sings about turning back the clock and revisiting his past. Sure, at nearly half an hour, it takes its time getting there. Cut the guy some slack. At 66, it takes him some time to get where he needs to be.

Some of the riffs on “Psychedelic Pill” have more than a passing resemblance to some of Young’s best-known songs. And maybe some of the longer ones could have used some judicious editing.

Three of the eight tracks on the double-disc release are 16 minutes or longer.

It’s not like these extended play songs represent unprecedented territory for the craggy Young. As anyone who’s played Young’s 1969 song “Down by the River” on a bar jukebox knows, you definitely get your money’s worth.

“Psychedelic Pill” comes 43 years after that recording and Crazy Horse sounds as good as ever, setting the mood with their signature harmonies, driving guitars and pulsating back beat.