Sublime harmonies, deep lyrics, what more could you ask for? Well, Neil Young singing lead is a plus (a point on which my friend Liz and I have agreed to disagree, though I have at times come 'round to her point of view).
I got introduced to CSNY at the tender age of nine (when most of my early musical development happened). The first song of theirs that I memorized was Teach Your Children which is still up there on my favorites list. Close seconds are Southern Cross and well, anything off 4 Way Street (particularly King Midas In Reverse) or Deja Vu. I also love Cathedral, but I consider it to be in a class by itself.
I started actively listening again, when I bought Looking Forward used. I love a lot of the songs on this album, especially the title track, which starts:
Morning has come,
With the first rays of sun,
Breakin' through our window pane.
Songs fill the air,
But there's no singer there,
Just an old wooden guitar playin'.
There are some other gems on this album, including Faith in Me, which leads off, and Stand and Be Counted, which are both thoughtfully introspective glimpses into the way we live our lives, and what we choose to involve ourselves in. I also really like Heartland.
I've been surprised to see negative reviews of this album. It's certainly up to snuff. I haven't taken it out of rotation in the first year that I've owned it. Maybe people are spoiled by the way CSNY turned out so many good things early on.