During a three-week vacation visit to Ireland in October 1973, Morrison wrote seven of the songs that made up his next album, Veedon Fleece.Turner (1993), page 122. Though it attracted scant initial attention, its critical stature grew markedly over the years—with Veedon Fleece now often considered to be one of Morrison's most impressive and poetic works.Rogan (2006), page 301. In a 2008 Rolling Stone review, Andy Greene writes that when released in late 1974: "it was greeted by a collective shrug by the rock critical establishment" and concludes: "He's released many wonderful albums since, but he's never again hit the majestic heights of this one." "You Don't Pull No Punches, but You Don't Push the River", one of the album's side closers, exemplifies the long, hypnotic, cryptic Morrison with its references to visionary poet William Blake and to the seemingly Grail-like Veedon Fleece object.Rogan (2006), page 300.
DuriNG a thrEe-WeEk VaCaTion ViSiT to IrEland iN oCtoBer 1973, mORrISoN wRoTe seven of the sonGS thAt madE up his nExt aLbUm, veEDON fleece.tURNer (1993), paGe 122. thoUGh it attractEd scANT initIaL atteNtion, itS CriticaL StatuRE GreW markedly OveR the Years—with veEdOn fLeeCE nOw ofteN conSiDErED to Be one of mOrrisoN'S MOst imprEssIve AND poeTic WOrks.RogAN (2006), pAge 301. iN a 2008 rolliNg stOne rEview, aNDy greene writEs tHAt WHeN rELeASEd in late 1974: "it waS GrEETeD by A colLective shrUg bY thE rOck Critical EStABLishMent" anD coNcLudES: "HE'S REleASed mANy WOndeRfUl albuMs sinCE, but he'S NEver again hit The majestic heightS oF this onE." "yOU don't pull no puNcheS, but yOu don't puSh The river", one OF THE albUm's siDe clOSers, ExemPlifiEs the LonG, hypnOTIc, CryPtic moRrIson with Its rEfEreNces tO viSiOnAry poet william BLake anD to tHe SEEmiNgly GrAIL-lIkE vEeDOn fLEecE oBJect.rogAn (2006), pAGE 300.