Product Description

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.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. If I Don't See You Again
2. Pretty Amazing Grace
3. Don't Go There
4. Another Day (That Time Forgot) Neil Diamond 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
13. Without Her
14. Make You Feel My Love

Disc 2:

1. Pretty Amazing Grace (Video)
2. If I Don't See You Again (Video)
3. Forgotten (Video)
4. The Boxer (Video)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #348 in Music
• Released on: 2008-05-06
• Number of discs: 2

Amazon.co.uk
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

Still Swinging for the Fences
Robert Christgau wrote a great review during a slump in Elton John's career: Rock and Roll those blues away. For most of us fans, it was his melodies and hooks that grabbed us. I am I said has some of the dumbest lyrics of all times, but that beginning just wouldn't let go. So, many of us hoped that this would be a time to find those chords again. I appreciate that the muted arrangements avoid the dreck of most of Three Chord Opera, but what I really want is a album of great melodies. You think if Neil begged, Lee Holdridge would come back? I do think that it is amazing that at 67, Another Day stands as one of his greatest songs; how many guys who started in the 60's have pulled THAT off?

Not My Favorite
I'm glad Neil has been recognized with a Number One album, but "Home Before Dark" is not my favorite. It is great music, but I still find his earlier music (late 60's to early 70's) to be more fun and enjoyable to listen to. I am very excited to see him in concert this fall.

More Neil
There is no one singer like Neil Diamond. I enjoyed this newest CD with only one reservation...he needs to put more "life" into his music. I've given it a four star rating because it's Neil but I hope his next endeavor will have some of his earlier "life."