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| Artist: Neil Diamond
Label: Columbia
Category: Music
List Price: £13.99
Buy New: £7.98
You Save: £6.01 (43%)
New (60) Used (10) from £5.36
Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 244
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 5.3 x 4.8 x 0.4
MPN: 715465
UPC: 886971546521
EAN: 0886971546521
ASIN: B0015D3Z3A
Release Date: May 12, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Diamond Stories June 23, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I was going to start with the cliche "a return to form", but frankly this offering is so far beyond Neil Diamond's previous achievements for a studio album that the phrase doesn't fit. A collection of lyrical, thoughtful, poignant songs musing on life, lost love, faith, hope and fear, it well deserves its number 1 slots. None of the real anthems of the past, in favour of solid vocals and sharp backings, with a few melodic gems including "Pretty Amazing Grace" and "Don't Go There", these songs have stories to tell and do so beautifully. Far from being too long, the six minute opener "If I Don't See You Again" is worth every second. "Act Like a Man", "The Power of Two" are other highlights and the superb title track, "Home Before Dark" is one to make you want to start all over again. Have a glass or two of Mr Diamond's red wine and let these beautiful songs wash over you...
 Not as tight as 12 songs, but still very good June 18, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
A coulpe of years ago I was seeing a friend who works in the music business. I asked him what the album of the year was. He looked slightly shame faced and said "12 Songs, by Neil Diamond" NEIL DIAMOND? I cried. Surely you're having me on, that guy's rubbish. "Well, Rick Rubin has stripped away everything that makes him rubbish, leaving everything that makes him great".
And, sure enough, 12 Songs is one of the best records of recent times. Without the bombast and the, well, rubbish, that obscures everything, it was a revelation. Simple, raw and honest. Genius. Seriously.
And so when I heard he'd made a follow up, with Rubin again, I bought it. Only this one's not as good. For one thing, all the songs seem to be five - six minutes long (one is more than seven). Too many are flabby, compared to the tightness on 12 Songs. It's a good record, but not as good. It doesn't feel as personal. 12 Songs sounded like a man who was forcing himself to rediscover himself as a song writer. In comparison, this sounds knocked out - the songs lack the honesty.
Which is not to say it's bad - just not as good. Although judging by the other reviews, this one seems to be more popular with his long standing fans, so if you're one of those, perhaps you'll actually like it more.
But 4/5 from me
 Cup of tea June 16, 2008
3 out of 8 found this review helpful
Do I need to play this more than 3 times to give it 5 stars?..Maybe
for me, its an ok album, some nice tunes here and there. I think I got caught up in the hype.
In the end, its all down to personal taste. and I'm afraid it wasn't my "cup of tea" sorry.
Hey! no big deal..I hope you enjoy it..which I see everybody did.
I'll play it again, ok.
Must go, got to be home before dark! :>)
One of Diamond's best! June 15, 2008
4 out of 5 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
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.
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