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Home Before Dark   | 
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Artist: Neil Diamond
Label: Sony
Category: Music
List Price: $13.97
Buy New: $7.75
You Save: $6.22 (45%)
New (38) Used (6) from $7.75
Avg. Customer Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 10
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 5.3 x 4.8 x 0.4
UPC: 886971546521
EAN: 0886971546521
ASIN: B0015D3Z3A
Release Date: May 6, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: SHIPS IMMEDIATELY
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| Tracks:
| • | 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 |
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| Editorial Reviews:
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.
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)
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| Customer Reviews: Read 17 more reviews...
Diamond Not in the Rough with Rubin by His Side for a Second Collaboration May 15, 2008
At an age when most people retire, Neil Diamond managed a truly transcendent return to form with the release of 2005's 12 Songs thanks primarily to the behind-the-scenes work of Rick Rubin, the renegade producer who directed the late Johnny Cash to produce similar stellar results on his acoustic 1994 return to form, "American Recordings. For his latest recording, Diamond has wisely re-teamed with Rubin, and comparisons with the previous stellar effort are inevitable. Although the legendary musician's unique talent as both songwriter and performer are in full evidence, the 2008 result is simply not as revelatory as "12 Songs". The acoustically-oriented arrangements that worked so well before somehow don't seem quite enough this time around because Diamond's newest compositions seem to beg for fuller arrangements. On the upside, the core ensemble of "12 Songs" has thankfully returned and perform strongly - not just Diamond but also Mike Campbell of the Heartbreakers and Smokey Hormel on guitars and another Heartbreaker, Benmont Tech, on keyboards.
While all twelve songs reflect Diamond's sterling craftsmanship, they are somewhat more variable in musical quality than one would hope. The opening track, the declarative "If I Don't See You Again", is a smooth-as-silk transition from "12 Songs" perfectly reflecting Diamond's true pop sensibilities, even if it runs too long at over seven minutes. Moreover, only Diamond could bring such dynamic conviction to his melodramatic ode to love's transcendence, "Pretty Amazing Grace", replete with his aggressively played fretwork at the song's climax. He displays a welcome sense of humor with the clever lyrics on the bluesy "Don't Go There", especially with the emphatic, frog-throated repeat of the chorus. It melds nicely into "Another Day (That Time Forgot)", a haunting duet with the Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines about not getting over a long-lost love that. It's suitably heartbreaking, even though Maines' reedy soprano does not make her Diamond's most ideal partner, at least tonally.
Diamond uses every metaphor imaginable for seeking second chances on "One More Bite of the Apple" building to quite a guitar-strumming crescendo. The mood of the recording becomes slightly mercurial at this point with the undeniably catchy "Forgotten" followed by the slow waltz of "Act Like a Man". Despite his bold guitar strumming, the anthem-like "Whose Hands Are These" comes across as a bit too slight to be genuinely memorable, while the Billy Joel-like "No Words" gallops along without really going anywhere. As a classroom example of straight-ahead pop music, "The Power of Two" is refreshing even if the chorus is inane - "We have the power of two...me and you!". Starting out like a country reel, "Slow It Down" takes its title too literally and becomes a dirge. Fortunately, he rebounds with the nominal closing track, as the title tune is classic Diamond - beautiful, full of yearning and lots of pointed references to the open road. He continues to be a troubadour for the ages despite the variability of his latest offering.
 Diamond is Forever! May 14, 2008
1 out of 1 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.
Natural GEM May 14, 2008
I have followed Neil Diamond since I was a teen. This is the finest album he has ever made. The partnership with Rick Rubin has challenged both and given us back the Solitary Man from his eariest recordings. The arrangements and vocals are flawless, stripped down, and raw, just as Rubin's work with Johnny Cash was. Of all the songs, Home Defore Dark calls to me. All cuts on this album are excellent- even my young adult sons who have mocked my admiration for Diamond acknowledge this is an excellent album. Now that's saying something.
Rubin Continues to Serve Diamond Well May 13, 2008
1 out of 1 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.
We all get better with age May 12, 2008
If you're a true Neil Diamond fan, you will love this album. Yes his age is showing but in a good way. No more shouting or stretching his vocal cords. Just the beautiful tone of his voice shining through along with gorgeous instrumentals and the lyrics? Listen to them - inspiring!!
Neil, don't stop writing and keep going in this direction, beautiful, spiritual, sensual music that puts the listener into another world....a good world. I think this is your best work ever since you reached down into your soul and it shows!!!!!
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