Home Before Dark (Deluxe Edition with DVD)

Neil Diamond

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 6, 2008)
• Original Release Date: April 29, 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0015D3Z3U
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,104 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The winning streak continues, May 6, 2008

By	G. Vernon "gv" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wow. Since when does an artist who has been toiling away in the industry for 5 decades challenge his entire catalog by releasing what may be the two strongest albums in his illustrious career? As good as 12 Songs is, it's possible that Home Before Dark may even surpass its achievements. Whether it does so will depend on whether 12 Songs was too stark, too stripped-down, for the listener. Without moving remotely close to the bombast of the 80s, Diamond and Rubin have filled out the sound Home Before Dark with more instrumentation, which may please those for whom 12 Songs was too intimate.

Not for this listener. 12 Songs and Home Before Dark both showcase Diamond's greatest asset: his ability as a songwriter, and in both cases we are presented with the most solid, accomplished cycle of songs since the period that gave us "Moods" and "Stones."

Home Before Dark is a towering achievement, possibly even moreso than 12 Songs, as it shows without a doubt that 12 Songs was no fluke. Neil Diamond may be no spring chicken but he's at the height of his power as an artist. I guarantee you that if you ever loved Neil in the past, this album will remind you of everything you loved him for. It's truly stunning.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really like this new album from Neil Diamond, May 8, 2008

By	Robert G Yokoyama (Mililani, Hawaii) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Neil Diamond sounds good on "Home Before Dark". There is so much wisdom and warmth in his voice. These two qualities have always been part of his appeal for me. My favorite track is "The Day Time Forgot". It is a pretty duet that Neil sings with Natalie Maines from the Dixie Chicks. The keyboard playing by Benmont Tench is beautiful on this track. My other favorite track is "Pretty Amazing Grace". This is a spiritual song about forgiveness. Neil sounds great vocally. He also plays the acoustic guitar superbly on this track. "The Power Of Two" is a good song. I like the violin playing by Chuck Findley on this track. "If I Don't See You Again" is a beautiful tune about friendship. There is a trio of guitar players on this track. They sound so good playing together. Julia Sweeney is creditted with playing the guitar here. "One More Bite Of The Apple" is a very personal song about Neil's longing to make music. "Forgotten" is another song that Neil performs with his guitar. This is a very engaging song and video. I love the musical arrangements and the lyrics of the songs very much.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What "12 Songs" Started , "Home Before Dark" Continues, May 7, 2008

By	Jim Z "music aficionado" - See all my reviews

Neil Diamond's last album "12 Songs" was the best he had done in years. The expanded edition of that album featured mostly the songs with just Neil and his guitar. It was a breathe of fresh air. The songs were well written , and to paraphrase a Diamond song , just "A Singer And His Song".....it was great to hear Neil without all the orchestrations and over-production that marred many of his other albums.And this trend , thanfully continues on in "Home Before Dark". Most songs feature just the barest of musical embellishments. And the 4th track , "Another Day (That Time Forgot)" , a duet with Natalie Maines , is in my opinion the absolute most beautiful melody that Neil has EVER produced. It's nice to have the singer-songwriter back. Thanks Neil , for another disc that will spin monthly in my player!