"Re·ac·tor" is the twelfth studio album by Canadian-American folk rock musician Neil Young, released on November 2, 1981. This album marked his fourth collaboration with the band Crazy Horse and was significant as Young's final release under Reprise Records before he transitioned to Geffen Records for the next five albums. Reactor reunites Young with Crazy Horse after their previous work together on Rust Never Sleeps in 1979 and their last full studio album, Zuma, in 1975. The album is characterized by driving rhythms and extended jams with repetitive lyrics, a reflection of Young's experiences during an intensive therapy program for his son, who has cerebral palsy. Biographer Jimmy McDonough notes that this therapy likely influenced the album's song structures.
The album features a mix of satirical and reflective tracks. "Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze," for instance, tells a humorous story inspired by Reprise executives, showcasing the band’s struggle to maintain a steady tempo during recording. Another notable track, "T-Bone," received mixed reviews for its simplistic lyrics, though Young fondly recalled the spontaneous nature of its recording. "Southern Pacific" addresses themes of transportation and nostalgia, reflecting Young's personal experiences, while "Motor City" critiques the struggles of the American automobile industry in light of foreign competition. The album concludes with "Shots," a powerful anti-war song that incorporates machine gun sound effects and marks Young's first use of the Synclavier.
The album's cover presents its title split into syllables, a choice Young explained as aesthetically driven without deeper significance. The back cover features a Latin version of the Serenity Prayer, reflecting Young's personal journey during the album's creation. He later described how his family's intensive therapy program deeply impacted both Reactor and its follow-up, Trans.
Upon release, Reactor faced lackluster sales, leading Young to feel that Reprise Records did not adequately promote the album. This contributed to his decision to sign with Geffen Records, a move he would later come to regret. The album was not available on CD until a remastered version was released in 2003 as part of the Neil Young Archives Digital Masterpiece Series. In summary, Reactor stands as a unique entry in Neil Young's discography, shaped by personal challenges and characterized by its experimental sound and themes.
