In theory,
The Bridge: A Tribute to Neil Young was a perfect concept, since most alternative bands of the late '80s owed the singer/songwriter a heavy debt. In practice, it wasn't entirely satisfying. Some groups, like
Bongwater's collage of "Mr. Soul," made their interpretations self-consciously distinctive, while others, like
Soul Asylum and
Loop, played it close to the original. But the best moments came when a band played the song like it was their own. Listen to
Sonic Youth's rampaging "Computer Age,"
Dinosaur Jr.'s faithful "Lotta Love," or
The Pixies' gorgeous take on "Winterlong" for proof.
–
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi