Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
12 Songs - Neil Diamond
12 Songs Image
Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: Producer Rick Rubin attempts to do for Neil Diamond what he did for Johnny Cash, resulting in a rare stripped-down, intimate set for the veteran performer. (Don't expect any Nine Inch Nails covers, though; these are all Diamond originals.)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. The Guardian
    100
    Spiritual, lovelorn and vulnerable, this is the album Diamond has deserved for decades.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    [The] tension between Rubin's desire to pare it down and Diamond's tendency to amp it up makes for the best musical checks and balances; nothing gets too unplugged or too bombastic. [11 Nov 2005, p.67]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Billboard
    60
    While the all-original material is not strong enough to qualify this as the instant classic some have suggested, heartfelt tracks like the jubilant "Delirious Love," the rousing "Hell Yeah" and the string-tinged love song "Evermore" are outstanding. [12 Nov 2005]

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 37
  3. Negative: 5 out of 37
  1. EricN
    10
    a year has passed since I purchased this album,and the music still haunts and moves me.Neil Diamond has tapped into a well of lyrical and musical truths that is rare in these times.All sung with a voice that remains one of a kind.As a 30 something,it speaks volumes that a 65 year old is expressing what I'm feeling better then bands of my generation.The self-doubts of "Hell Yeah" and "What's It Gonna Be".The inner-dreamer and romantic of "Oh Mary","Save Me a Saturday Night" and "Captain of a Shipwreck".The pessimist loner of "Im On To You","Create Me" and "Face Me".The believer-despite-it-all of "Man of God".Just powerful music.The one uptempo rocker, "Delirious Love" stands out from the introspection.But "Delirious Love" is also a three chord guitar gem that goes back to the days when Neil was just a great rocker from Brooklyn.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. ToddR
    5
    Though I loved Rick Rubin's work with Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond's attempt to make a critically-viable, stripped-down album is pretty lame, mostly because these songs are just bland.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. RemyL.
    3
    The stark production only makes the weakness of the songwriting clearer. I'm sorry but it seems Neil lost his touch for good. Listen to Mccartney's last for quality "veteran" pop songwriting… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 37 User Reviews

Recommended Products

  1. Unpredictable - Jamie Foxx

    • Release Date: Dec 20, 2005
    Unpredictable Image

  2. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West

    • Release Date: Nov 22, 2010
    My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Image

  3. Take Care - Drake

    • Release Date: Nov 15, 2011
    Take Care Image

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. Tago Mago [40th Anniversary Edition] - Can
    Metascore: 99
  2. Live in Europe 1967: Best of the Bootleg, Vol. 1 - Miles Davis
    Metascore: 99
  3. Siamese Dream [Deluxe Edition] - Smashing Pumpkins
    Metascore: 96
  4. The SMiLE Sessions - The Beach Boys
    Metascore: 96
  5. National Treasures: The Complete Singles - Manic Street Preachers
    Metascore: 95
  6. Achtung Baby [Super Deluxe] - U2
    Metascore: 93
  7. Some Girls [Deluxe Edition] - The Rolling Stones
    Metascore: 93
  8. Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down - Ry Cooder
    Metascore: 92
  9. Unto the Locust - Machine Head
    Metascore: 91
  10. Quadrophenia [The Director's Cut] - The Who
    Metascore: 90
  11. Rio [Live] - Keith Jarrett
    Metascore: 90
  12. Bitch Magnet - Bitch Magnet
    Metascore: 90
  13. What Were You Hoping For? - Van Hunt
    Metascore: 90
  14. Charity Starts at Home - Phonte
    Metascore: 89
  15. Nevermind [20th Anniversary Edition] - Nirvana
    Metascore: 89
  16. Journey of the Deep Sea Dweller, Vol. 1 - Drexciya
    Metascore: 88
  17. Bad as Me - Tom Waits
    Metascore: 88
  18. The Singles - Goldfrapp
    Metascore: 88
  19. Undun - The Roots
    Metascore: 88
  20. The Wonder Years - 9th Wonder
    Metascore: 87
All Current Music »