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| Home Before Dark | 
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| Artist: Neil Diamond
Label: Sony
Category: Music
List Price: $13.97
Buy New: $5.49
You Save: $8.48 (61%)
New (60) Used (26) from $3.98
Avg. Customer Rating:  97 reviews
Sales Rank: 500
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 6, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Factory sealed! Hole punch in corner!
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| Customer Reviews:
Rubin Continues to Serve Diamond Well May 13, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This followup to "12 Songs," also produced by Rick Rubin, is nearly as good as "12 Songs." Rubin is successfully doing for Diamond what he did for Johnny Cash. Diamond's writing is as strong as it has ever been, and Rubin's stripped-down "arrangements" suit the material and the artist perfectly. There is not a bad cut on this CD, and some of it, including the brilliant opening song,"If I Don't See You Again" is quite lovely. These two Rubin-produced CDs are Diamond's best sustained work since "Beautiful Noise." For those who like to trash Diamond, they should give a listen to these two CDs. These CDs are as good as any indy-alt work out there today, and better than most of it. Rubin understands that with many great artists less is more. That is certainly the case here. Listening to these two CDs, I only wish that Rubin would produce new work by Jerry Lee Lewis (who still seems to be in good voice) and the Everly Brothers. Now that would be a great treat for those who love great American music.
 Diamond is Forever! May 14, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
To begin, I'm reminded of a line spoken by the title character in a 1989 film entitled "What about Bob." In the film, Bob (played by Bill Murray) proclaims to his shrink, "There are two kinds of people in this world: those who love Neil Diamond, and those who don't."
Well, I'm happy to report that those who love Neil Diamond will embrace his music even more ardently after listening to this passionate, well-produced recording. And for those who don't yet consider Mr. Diamond a sparkling addition to your musical libraries, I promise you that you may have a change of heart for the man and the method of his music after giving "Home Before Dark" a listen. It truly is an exploration of self-discovery. And while you listen for the second or third time, don't forget to read the liner notes Mr. Diamond has provided. It's a well written account of what inspires this man and keeps him turning out some of the best music in the last forty years.
A Neil Diamond CD even those who don't like him (that's me) can enjoy May 15, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The ultimate commentary on Neil Diamond comes from a film, What About Bob?
"There are two types of people in the world: those who like Neil Diamond and those who don't."
I don't.
Song Sung Blue, Cracklin' Rosie, Sweet Caroline, Shilo, Cherry Cherry, Holly Holy, He Ain't Heavy (He's My Brother) --- these may have been #1 hits, but they make me cringe.
Okay, I did like him --- for a minute or three. It was at a Ralph Lauren fashion show, back in the early `80s. I was profiling Lauren for Vogue, so I was right up front as a model hit the runway wearing a wool sweater with the American flag sewn into the chest. And Neil Diamond's "America" came on:
Far
We've been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star
Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream
On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America
Never looking back again
They're coming to America...
I wept. And I wasn't the only one. Then I recovered. And as Neil Diamond went on to sell 120 million records, I never thought about him.
Except once. I woke from surgery, and his music was playing in the recovery room. "Please," I begged. "Make it stop."
So why do I love Home Before Dark?
Because he's 67. And, finally, his concerns are ones I recognize. Missed opportunities. The knowledge that comes so late. Really knowing what it means to be alone. And then the flip side: Relationships that matter. Second chances. "The power of two." Showing up. Taking responsibility. Being a man.
Corny stuff. As corny, for sure, as the big hits. But Rick Rubin is the producer, who did the Beastie Boys and a lot of rap, and also the very last Johnny Cash CD, which is raw and unadorned. He's done Diamond the same favor --- he surrounded him with A-list musicians, set the dials and stepped back.
And there, in your ears and in your face, is Neil Diamond. He plants his feet wide, slams his guitar and just pours his heart out. Did he live this music? In the oh-so-self-serving liner notes, he says he did. Maybe. But he indisputably wrote these lyrics, and he delivers them --- if he does nothing else, Neil Diamond can sell.
A Neil Diamond CD with an opening song that clocks in at 7+ minutes --- I never expected that. A sizzling 6-minute duet with Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks --- I can't remember when a man and woman sang so passionately about miscommunication. To be sure, this CD isn't all winners; there are clinkers like "Even Einstein reclined/designing his theory." But longtime Neil Diamond fans are divided about this CD, and with good reason. Something happened to their beloved hitmaker, and it looks a lot like...life.
Later, no doubt, I'll cringe. Now? Heavy rotation.
 Boring, tired, old May 16, 2008
3 out of 9 found this review helpful
I've also been a fan all my life, but this one is way too sleepy and repetitive for me. It is hard to tell when one song ends and the next starts since they all sound pretty much the same. Forgettable.
These are the times I am very glad I'm a Yahoo Jukebox Unlimited subscriber. It saves me from wasting my money on sad albums like this one.
All Grown Up May 28, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
For me, Neil was brilliant in the sixties -- Solitary Man, Cherry Cherry, and all those songs he wrote for the Monkees. His move to MOR pop was OK -- Sweet Caroline -- but it marked the beginning of a long descent into overblown, overproduced pompous noise. Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Hot August Night. Yuk!
I don't want Neil to go back to the 60s -- I want to hear modern sounds from a brilliant songwriter, and that is what Rubin has coaxed out of the old lion. Bravo! I really endorse the minimalist production -- only good songwriting can stand up and shine through this way.
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