Crosby, Stills & Nash – After the Storm (1994)
After the Storm is the sixth studio album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, released in October 1994. Marking the trio’s return after a decade of solo projects, touring, and CSNY collaborations, the album blends introspective songwriting with polished folk-rock arrangements. It reflects both personal reflection and contemporary issues, while showcasing the enduring vocal harmonies that define CSN.
Album Overview
Title: After the Storm
Release Date: October 11, 1994
Label: Atlantic Records
Producer: Crosby, Stills & Nash, Stanley Johnston
Genre: Folk rock, soft rock, pop rock
Length: 53:40
Format: Vinyl, cassette, CD
Sales: Moderate commercial success
The album emphasizes melodic craftsmanship and lyrical depth, combining reflective ballads, acoustic-driven tracks, and harmony-rich folk-rock. It captures the trio at a mature stage of their career, balancing nostalgia with contemporary musical sensibilities.
Tracklist
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After the Storm – 4:32
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Ain’t It Always – 4:19
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In My Dream – 4:51
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It Won’t Go Away – 4:38
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Turn Your Back on Love – 4:15
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Out of Control – 4:27
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Children of the Sun – 4:45
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Not Going Away – 4:11
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Out of the Darkness – 4:40
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Nothing Like Your Existence – 4:12
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This Time – 4:50
Mini Review
After the Storm blends personal reflection, harmony-driven folk-rock, and a modern production style.
The title track After the Storm sets a contemplative tone, highlighting themes of resilience and renewal. Ain’t It Always and Children of the Sun balance melodic accessibility with the trio’s signature harmonies, while tracks like Out of Control and Out of the Darkness touch on social and emotional tensions. The album’s production is clean and supportive, letting the vocals and acoustic instrumentation shine.
Album Credits
David Crosby: vocals, rhythm guitar
Stephen Stills: vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass
Graham Nash: vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Guest Musicians:
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Craig Doerge – keyboards
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Russ Kunkel – drums
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Leland Sklar – bass
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Danny Kortchmar – guitars
Engineering: Stanley Johnston
Photography: Henry Diltz
Album Design: Gribbitt!
Fun Facts & Trivia
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After the Storm was seen as a reflective “return to form” for CSN, emphasizing their signature vocal harmonies.
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Several tracks, including the title track, were inspired by personal and professional challenges the trio faced in the early 1990s.
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The album marked a rare full-studio collaboration for CSN without Neil Young during this period.
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Children of the Sun includes socially aware lyrics reflecting global issues and environmental awareness.
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The album cover features a stylized storm motif, symbolizing resilience and renewal, tying into the album’s themes.
Did You Know?
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After the Storm was their last studio album of the 1990s.
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While not a massive commercial hit, the album was appreciated by fans for its introspective songwriting and polished harmonies.
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The trio promoted the album with a limited tour, performing both classic hits and selections from After the Storm.
Cultural Impact
After the Storm demonstrated that Crosby, Stills & Nash could still produce meaningful, harmony-driven folk-rock even after decades in the music industry. While not as commercially successful as their earlier works, the album reinforced the trio’s relevance and their ability to blend reflective lyrics with classic melodic sensibilities.
Conclusion
After the Storm captures CSN at a mature and introspective stage of their career. From the contemplative title track to harmony-rich standouts like Ain’t It Always and Children of the Sun, the album balances personal reflection, social awareness, and melodic craftsmanship. It remains an essential listen for fans seeking a thoughtful, late-period entry in the CSN catalog.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Full Discography
