The CSNY name carries disproportionate weight considering the quartet produced a grand total of three studio albums and one live set over the course of three decades. Of course, the first studio LP, 1969's Deja Vu, is one of the touchstones of Woodstock-era rock. Nearly two decades passed before the foursome cut the forgettable American Dream. Unfortunately, Looking Forward owes more to the unfocused latter (not to mention CSN's unremarkable recent output) than the vital Deja Vu. It's telling that three of the four Neil Young tracks (as well as Stephen Stills's above par "Faith in Me") were produced by long-time Young confederate Ben Keith while the rest of the album is credited to CSNY. The controlling hand Young maintains on his own material pays off with two of the best numbers here--the Harvest Moon-like title track and "Slowpoke". Graham Nash fares well with characteristically melodic efforts, but Stills and David Crosby stumble on the awkwardly bellicose "Seen Enough" and "Stand and Be Counted", missteps that throw the entire set off course. --Steven Stolder