“Return to Greendale”

So far in 2020, Neil Young has put out at least three archival releases. They include an “After the Goldrush” 50th anniversary box set; “Homegrown,” a 1975 album that had never been released until this year; and “Return to Greendale,” which was recorded and filmed during his 2003 “Greendale” tour with his longtime on-again/off-again band, Crazy Horse. Coming in March is “Archives: Volume II (1972-1976),” a 10-CD release that focuses on Young’s work during a period when — even by his own highly productive standards — he was unusually prolific.

The “Return to Greendale” set offers two CDS, two vinyl albums, one DVD and one Blu-ray disc. They were recorded and filmed 17 years ago at a Toronto concert, with a troupe of actors portraying the characters in the songs. A concept-album-cum-rock-opera that decried such recurring Young targets as corporate greed, diminishing morality and environmental decay, the original “Greendale” release was heartfelt and uneven — a one-off that made little impact artistically or commercially.

Nearly two decades later, its themes seem especially prescient. Young and Crazy Horse inject a welcome kick into these 10 songs, although there is a surfeit of moderate tempos and not enough of the fiery spontaneity that has long been their trademark. More than a curio, if less than essential, “Greendale” is an intriguing experiment by an artist who has long taken the road less traveled.

Reprise/warner Music Group/ The Other Shoe Productions; two CDS, two vinyl albums and one Blu-ray disc; $86.55