Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 11-15 of 21
 One of Diamond's best! June 15, 2008
Mr. R. C. Auty (England)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
I have to say I am pleasantly surprised. This is brilliant, Neil back on form. On 12 Songs, he did well, although his voice sounded a bit tired and he was overly influenced by the producer. Here we have a proper Neil Diamond album, the style and type we haven't had for many a year. Arguably, 'Stones', 'Beautiful Noise', and 'Longfellow Serenade' are better, but in my humble opinion it's up there with them. Recommended.
Pretty Amazing . . . Grace June 15, 2008
Randy F. (Wragford)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Not since Diamond's 1976 Beautiful Noise have I so loved an album. This is truly his best effort. The top tracks are "Pretty Amazing Grace" and "Another Day," though in my opinon there's not a bad one in the bunch on this even-keeled recording.
The album has a nice flow and nothing too jarring. The overall feelgoodness of the music, accompanied by some of the most excellent guitar playing around, guarantee this to be a winner. Usually with most albums, there's one or two songs you buy it for. Not so with this one. Like "Aja" by Steely Dan, this is great from first song to last.
Even if you're not a Neil Diamond fan, you'll love this album. Why it isn't played more on the radio is beyond me.
He's back! June 6, 2008
Romari (Glasgow)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Bought the album. Been buying ND albums since 1974! Saw him live for the first time in Glasgow last night at Hampden Stadium. The weather was terrible , the music, well words won't describe it...pure Diamond. Just like his new album. Can't get pretty amazing grace out of my head. This is not really a sing a long but a more serious work that I feel that many years ago just would not have made it. It just goes to show that Diamond can write some cracking pieces of music, and long may he continue to do so. Hot August Night is still my favourite!!
Thanks Neil June 3, 2008
M. J. Kennewell (UK)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
At the end of the day, I can do without music thats all wham bam window dressing, but leaves me just as strung out as before I put it on.
'Home Before Dark' doesn't fall into that category.
This is a good album. Perhaps not as stark as the accomplished '12 songs', but don't get me wrong, This album is pretty minimal in places also.
But I Think this is possibly more soothing.
The songwriting and lyrics, I'm very impressed with also.
Neil Certainly hasn't compromised in quality since releasing the acclaimed '12 songs', as I say, I think this is even better.
Theres some sensitive, warm songs on here.
Pretty amazing, really May 29, 2008
one-eyed Jack (England)
10 out of 14 found this review helpful
I remember buying THE JAZZ SINGER (on vinyl) half a lifetime ago but doing my best not to tell any of my friends that I had. Like them, I was into the likes of Floyd, Zeppelin, Genesis and what have you, and I would have been bullied to death if anyone knew I liked something as schmaltzy as Neil Diamond. But I can 'come out of the closet' here and confess: Yes, I have always liked his voice and his music.
Today he does sometimes sound all of his 67 years but with Home Before Dark, he has replaced Bob Dylan as the oldest chart-topper in US album history, grabbing his first ever UK No 1 as well. To put things into at least one perspective, Neil Diamond released a 'greatest hits' compilation thirty-four years ago, which included "I'm a Believer", better known as a hit for the Monkees in 1966. Yep - that's a long time ago.
At well over an hour long, the 12 tracks of Home Before Dark sees Diamond return (if he ever left) to his most familiar best but without the schmaltz, instilling a sense of deja vu for many a listener old enough to remember him from his heyday of a generation or more back; one or two opening riffs had me instantly recalling classics of old such as Song Sung Blue, I don't know if it was intentional or not but either way it didn't spoil the enjoyment. His duet with Natalie Maines for 'Another Day' is great, definitely enhanced by the male/female combo than would have been the case had either sung it solo. Like many great collections of songs, sometimes you need to listen several times before you really get to like it, but already this CD is becoming the one I pick off my shelf while others collect dust. Meanwhile there will be many of a younger generation who have hardly heard of Neil Diamond at all, just a name their parents mentioned once or twice. Looking at it from all points of view this collection of songs, all penned by the man himself, will surely satisfy on every level and in some ways take them back to that era - the 1970s - when the common perception is that Diamond was at his peak. Well, it's twin peaks time, because this is as good as anything he has done. And the man can sing.
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