Review: Neil Diamond, “Home Before Dark”
If Neil Diamond had not resuscitated his career in 2005 with the brilliant 12 Songs, we probably wouldn’t be talking about him right now. As he did with Johnny Cash, producer Rick Rubin scrubbed away all of the gloss and glitter that had accumulated on Diamond’s songs over the years and helped create a stripped-down masterpiece. Home Before Dark is the sequel to that album, and once again Diamond’s songs have a nearly naked intensity in this setting. Minimal instrumentation from the backing group (including Mudcrutch members Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench) focuses the attention squarely on Diamond’s melody, lyrics and his incredible voice. The songs are the ruminations of a mature man reflecting on desire (“No Words”), regret (“If I Don’t See You Again”) and second chances (“One More Bite Of The Apple”). “Pretty Amazing Grace,” the single Neil debuted on “American Idol,” is actually pretty good and so is “Don’t Go There,” a cautionary tale with nice wordplay. Sure, there are stumbles – “Another Day (That Time Forgot)” would probably be better without Natalie Maines’ caterwauling and a few too many songs dispense advice a little too freely. Nonetheless, Neil Diamond writes simple, very melodic songs and they are given their best showcase on this album. Makes you wonder what Rubin could do with Paul McCartney or Bruce Springsteen.
