Neil Diamond - Home Before Dark
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Neil DiamondEdition: Music CD
Audio: French (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2008-05-06
Music Label: Sony
Soundtracks:
- If I Don't See You Again
- Pretty Amazing Grace
- Don't Go There
- Another Day (That Time Forgot) with Natalie Maines
- One More Bite Of The Apple
- Forgotten
- Act Like A Man
- Whose Hands Are These
- No Words
- The Power Of Two
- Slow It Down
- Home Before Dark
Free Music Notes for Home Before Dark
Free Music Review: Song Sung Slow
Hit: 3 Stars
What Rick Rubin did for Neil Diamond is obviously a winning formula, as it scored the 60-ish Diamond his first number one album in his multi-generational career. And for the most part, "Home Before Dark" succeeds in the 12 Songs path, in that Rubin got Diamond to get back to songwriting, then stripped down the production and allowed the songs (and Diamond's rough-hewn voice) to be the focus. It makes the great songs, like "Pretty Amazing Grace" and "The Power Of Two," to shine.
However, someone forgot to remind Rubin and Diamond that some of Diamond's most beloved material is upbeat. Songs like "I'm A Believer" or "Sweet Caroline," be they by Neil or performed by others, were snappy pop with killer hooks. There's nothing on "Home Before Dark" with any snap to it, and after awhile, the album cries for a break from the its repetitive nature. Even the emotional range of co-balladeer Natalie Maines(of Rubin produced Dixie Chicks) can't save an album that rarely even hits mid-tempo. As the arrangements start to meld into each other, you also start to long for the 70's/80's Neil to appear with his spangled jacket and huge orchestral swells, which would have turned the title song into a show-stopper.
"Home Before Dawn" is a pretty good album, and a worthy follow-up to "12 Songs." I just hope that, since Neil has regained his songwriting confidence and commercial footing, he puts a little pep in his step for the next record. Or manybe he and Rubin go the Johnny Cash route and pick some choice material to highlight Diamond's classic voice.
Home Before Dark Poster
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
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