Best Years of Our Lives

Neil Diamond | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000026RA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #262,882 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This album came when Neil Diamond was firmly entrenched in his adult contemporary niche. A/C can be so pandering it's insulting sometimes, but when it's done with heart and smarts it can be sublime. Diamond apparently gets that and for the most part makes adult contemporary that is actually for adults. It takes a master to croon "Cause I do believe in forever/it's a place that lovers find" without making the sentiment cringe-inducing. And Diamond pulls it off. Despite that, even he can't keep from sounding creepy when he sings, "Ooh, babe, you're a hot little number" on "Everything's Gonna be Fine." Both he and this album are classier than that, and once you're into the song it's undeniable -- it becomes a feel-good anthem, and it works. Diamond was wise enough to co-write a number of these songs with master producer/songwriter David Foster. Foster writes his share of pabulum, but when he's good he's great, and on this album he's in fine form. Diamond was also wise enough to tone down the production so that his rugged voice and the melancholy melodies are able to shine through. The Best Years of Our Lives is an album that is romantic and sentimental without being manipulative, and despite a couple of overproduced ballads that are outweighed by the other tracks, particularly the high-spirited and hopeful title cut and the subtle remorse of "This Time," it is a strong entry in Diamond's oeuvre. -All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stands Out Among his 1980's Efforts, April 30, 2001

By 

C. Kuschel-Toerber "Christian Kuschel" (Frankfurt, Hessen) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best Years of Our Lives (Audio CD)

Hats off to producer David Foster for saving Neil Diamond from an otherwise wasted decade. After releasing a string of ambitious albums between 1969 and 1976, Diamond handed over production credits to Bob Gaudio - who managed to polish any edges and depth the songs may have had to highest elevator standards. Each album that Neil Diamond released between 1977 and 1986 was a major disappointment artistically; pretty sad if you knew just how good the man could be.

My hopes were therefore not very high when I bought this CD upon its original release in 1989 - but what a pleasant surprise! The first album in more than 10 years that finally sounded like a real Diamond recording, with ten self-penned songs and a wonderful cover tune (Tracy Chapman's "Baby Can I Hold You"). Not over-produced like "Headed for the Future", not filled with lacklustre weak stuff like "Heartlight", not as uneven as the "Jazz Singer" soundtrack... not bad at all.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-own!, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Best Years of Our Lives (Audio CD)

This is without a doubt Neil Diamond's best album outside of his soundtrack efforts. It is also the last album in which he penned almost every song alone (1 cover, 1 song w/a co-writer). This album was produced by David Foster who gave Neil a rough edge on the upbeat songs while keeping the "mush" on the ballads fairly subdued. The title song, "Carmalita's Eyes", and "If I Couldn't See You Again" are my favorite tracks, but there really isn't a weak song on this one. If you like Mr. Diamond you'll love this, if you don't care for him you'll still probably like it, and may even convert (my wife is proof of that). I think this album represents Neil's last great effort as a writer and a singer.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Back in form, February 20, 2000

By 

Jim Lawrence (Fredericksburg, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best Years of Our Lives (Audio CD)

Neil Diamond was back in form with this effort. What drew me to this artist from the beginning of his career was his penchant for strong, identifiable melodies over a simple harmonic structure-not unlike, say, "Greensleeves" and a host of other timeless airs. His voice lacks in range, but the resonant baritone radiates warmth. Best efforts are "Hard Time for Lovers", If I Couldn't See You Again", and "Hooked on the Memory of You", the last of which being his best vocal effort as it is for the most part, simply stated. Excellent effort, also, on his homage to Tracy Chapman, for whom he has great respect. Which brings me to my lone negative criticism: sometimes Mr. Diamond emotes as a person acting like he is singing with feeling rather than just singing with feeling. Did he ever do anything differently? Just listen to "Brooklyn Roads." A solid effort from an American Icon.