Editorial Review:

Home Before Dark is the long awaited new album from legendary artist Neil Diamond. Home Before Dark was produced by legendary producer Rick Rubin who also produced Neil's critically acclaimed 12 Songs.
Bonus DVD includes Neil in the studio performing songs.
The songs are:
1. Pretty Amazing Grace
2. If I Don't See You Again
3. Forgotten
4. The Boxer (bonus track...this song is not on the album)

Remarkably Home Before Dark is the first US chart topping album of Neil Diamond's forty year career. It appears to repeat the formula behind 2006's acclaimed 12 Songs--relatively understated arrangements and a subtle Rick Rubin production. But Diamond, though sixty-seven years old and the oldest recipient of a Number One so far, is no Johnny Cash, turning his unique voice to some well chosen contemporary material. Instead Home Before Dark is a collection of new Diamond songs, and though they might not match the boomers in his back catalogue they are hardly stripped back. These are songs designed to fill large venues alongside the showstoppers in Diamond's still energetic live show. "Pretty Amazing Grace" is in the great tradition of Diamond songs that defy their corniness with sheer catchiness, as is "One More Bite of the Apple" while "Don't Go There" features bracing backing vocals and a delightfully dated wobbly guitar hook. The duet with Natalie Maines, "Another Day (That Time Forgot)", would fit comfortably on American country radio while "The Power of Two" sounds like another hit in waiting. In fact this is more a conventional Diamond collection than a Rick Rubin production, dominated by lightly understated country rock arrangements played by a crack team including Smokey Hormel, Heartbreakers Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell and the usually experimental Matt Sweeney. This is a charming and consistently solid set, though Home Before Dark does lack the unexpected intensity that made 12 Songs stand out so. ---Steve Jelbert

Customer Reviews:

Average Customer Review: 4.0 / 5.0

• "Diamond Strikes Gold with his first #1 Album!"
• "A more mature Diamond"
• "Strong colection of playful and introspective acoustic rock"
• "Thorougly Enjoyable!"

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

Diamond Strikes Gold with his first #1 Album!:

Neil Diamond has been around for 40 years and I've been a fan of his for about as long as that. This CD is a quiet introspective collection of songs that won't disappoint his legion of fans.
I don't normally review CD's, as I just don't have the gift to explain how songs move me; it's all so personal and the words just escape me most of the time. I'm glad I waited to review this new CD though, as I honestly didn't like it much when I first heard it. It's the kind of CD that has to grow on you and you... more info

A more mature Diamond:

I'd thought I'd "outgrown" listening to Neil Diamond, having gone to several concerts in the 1980's. A friend purchased the album for me, as I didn't even realize he was still composing and recording. I don't think I would have enjoyed this album near as much back then as I do now. It's definitely a more mature Diamond, with more mature lyrics. Many of the songs are appealing to me as someone who's now in my 40's.

Strong colection of playful and introspective acoustic rock:

While the great '12 Songs' was all Neil Diamond the serious and introspective songwriter,Home Before Dark has some lighter moments too that are plain fun to listen to.Such as "Who's Hands Are These","Forgotten","The Power of Two" and "Don't Go There".The serious songs are also very good-especially "If I Dont See You Again" and the moving duet with Natalie Maines.
Neil Diamond really is on top of his singer-songwriter game with the two Rick Rubin produced gems.Both albums are a must if you like acoustic... more info

Thorougly Enjoyable!:

I never understood until recently that as our bodies age, our hearts remain an age that was our happiest in our youth yet with all the benefits of the experiences of our journey. This has been proven now by an aging, yet timeless musical artist. Thank you Neil for sharing your heart once again. You obviously still have much to share.

Tracks:

1. If I Don't See You Again
2. Pretty Amazing Grace
3. Don't Go There
4. Another Day (That Time Forgot) with Natalie Maines
5. One More Bite Of The Apple
6. Forgotten
7. Act Like A Man
8. Whose Hands Are These
9. No Words
10. The Power Of Two
11. Slow It Down
12. Home Before Dark

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