LAist: CD Review: Neil Diamond - "Home Before Dark"

Elise Thompson

Tue, 06 May 2008 20:47:52 -0800

That's amazing inductive reasoning - being able to tell what Neil Diamond albums I have listened to by the single song I have referenced - "Cherry, Cherry". Or do you assume I don't know Neil Diamond's music because I'm SURPRISED at how disapponting this album is? And really, what Roy Orbison songs are sad drunken sing-along breakup songs? Could it be I have never listened to Roy Orbison either? Do I have any idea what I'm even talking about? It's Over In Dreams Crying Only the Lonely I'm Hurtin' Blue Bayou In the Real World A Love so Beautiful All I Can Do is Dream Careless Heart Leah

Sotto Voce Nyx

Sat, 03 May 2008 07:20:26 -0800

it doesn't take knowing an entire catalog to recognize C-R-A-P. Of course, one man's crap is another's treasure. It takes balls to not be blinded by legend and simply say: this ain't great and this is why. WE might love performers but we still have to call a spade a spade. Of course ultimately, the listener and/or the fan will be the judge. Yah didn't have to own every Cash album to recognize that the "pentet" was amazingly raw, honest, true and fine music when yah heard it. Same should be said for this recording. I haven't heard it, so will reserve judgement. Yet....I have a suspicion that the critic isn't far off and I commend her for not committing hari kari in front of Mr. Rubin, regardless of how sorely tempted. I suspect the reference to Orbison was more about one's drunken uncle at the bar playing his songs over and over again and crying about his divorce, more so than Orbison's content or maybe "Crying" isn't a sad enough song?

gonzoworm

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:30:35 -0800

That's a lot of words considering that you don't seem to be aquainted with any of Diamond's songs other than his "Top 5" or what you saw/heard in that crappy Jason Biggs movie, nor apparently Rubin's previous album with Diamond (or the Johnny Cash Pentet), but you can be forgiven for that oversight, considering they didn't play those ones on the radio or MTV. But praytell, which Roy Orbison song is a drunken sing along? Are you sure you meant Roy Orbison? But credit where cedit is due: nice Ruttles reference!!!

HeathBiter

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:10:49 -0800

Hilarious review. Have you seen Will Ferrell doing Neil Diamond on Storytellers? http://www.jibjab.com/view/99261 "I wrote this song after I killed a drifter to get an erection."