User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 35 out of 42
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Mixed: 2 out of 42
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Negative: 5 out of 42
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- Most helpful
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EricNNov 27, 2006
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VBMar 25, 2006
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marchFeb 17, 2006
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ToddRFeb 7, 2006Though 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.
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JohnCFeb 7, 2006Tuneful and engaging. I felt that the tracks hung together quite well as an album. There seemed to be a little more instrumentation added to each song as the album progressed, resulting in a subtle hour long crescendo.
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JoeKFeb 4, 2006This is clearly Diamond's best album in 35 years. It has enormous depth. There are no throw away tracks. With all the criticisms casted his way over the last 20 years this album reminds us why he is a true music legend.
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YinCJan 16, 2006I'm a huge fan of his earlier works. I probably have every CD. I even have his songs on a Karaoke disc. This latest set was incredible. I'm already singing these over and over. Kudos
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WilliamMJan 9, 2006My least favorite of a really great collection of Diamond discs
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PaulDJan 6, 2006After giving up on him 10 years ago, I am shocked. He has found himself again. Too bad it wasn't 10 years ago... the music he could have made! Another Rubin revival! I didn't even know Rubin was in the wax when I first heard it. I heard Johnny Cash all the way. Best Neil Diamond in 25 years. If he locks in on the chemistry, the next one could be a ten.
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AFullertonDec 31, 2005Best album in years! Haven't stopped playing it. I just imagine what might have been if he had tried this back in the 80's when the music he wrote was dull and lifeless. It's popular to trash Neil for the sequins but this is the best album I've heard from anyone in quite awhile. This in not your Mom's Neil Diamond! It's much better!
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BobbieDDec 30, 2005I haven't purchased a Neil Diamond album since the 80's. I love his old stuff and this CD is so reminicent of that. It's terrific!!!!
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markmDec 29, 2005great melodies, great songs. the most consistent Diamond album in years. If you are a diamond fan you'll love it. If you are not a Diamond Fan, if you have to give it a few listens to nail the melodies.
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marcbDec 16, 2005Best Neil Diamond songs in 30 years. Thank God for Rick Ruben. Stripped down, raw, heartfelt songs reminescent of Forever In Blue Jeans, Solitary Man, Song Sung Blue, etc.
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robeDec 5, 2005The Stark production reveals the strength of Neils songwriting. Strong melodies and direct lyrics from a master songwriter. Credit Rick Rubin for pulling the layers of gloss away to reveal this mans genius intact after all these years. An amazing album
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LedaCNov 26, 2005I love this CD. It reminds me of early Neil Diamond songs. I especially like Man of God. I have played the CD, many times, since buying it.
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RemyL.Nov 24, 2005The 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
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BFNov 21, 2005Horrid, horrid, horrid
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FredTNov 21, 2005First time hearing the album, a tad disappointed. When you understand where he is writing from and you're over 50 and you listen carefully and you're at a reflective period in your life, the music and the words just keep getting better each time you hear them.
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SandeepMNov 20, 2005One has to listen to this album and focus on the content of music/words and the melodies weaving out this album !
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EvanPNov 17, 2005This is one of the CDs Sony crippled with their rootkit that opens your PC to hackers and viruses. Avoid at all costs.
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JefSNov 16, 2005
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EricSNov 16, 2005Best work in years. Hands down. It was even better the 2nd and third times listening to it.
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ChrisFNov 15, 2005If you can get past the first tune on this CD, you're a die hard Neil Diamond fan. Conservative production can't mask Diamond's over-the-top sacharine-sweet sentimentality.
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DonnaCNov 14, 2005Deeper and pulling - draws me in to the simplicity and seering feelings I haven't experienced since the early 70's! Not sure what my favorite is, but ranking high are Evermore, I'm on to you, Delirious Love, oh.... Hell Yeah.......all of em'!
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FredWNov 12, 2005I know it's not Neil's doing but how can I support and enjoy a CD that has Sony Spyware?
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KarenPNov 11, 2005Diamond produces his best work in years. Simply extraordinary songs, vocals, and music. Written by a man who has seen a lot of life, it's not the optimism of the 60s Neil but a look at a mature man and musician, at peace with himself and enjoying the creation of songs.
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MichaelMarkNov 11, 2005Finally!!! "Hell Yeah" That's what I'm talkin' about! Thank you Neil ! Thank you Rick!
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MichaelMarkNov 11, 2005Finally!!! "Hell Yeah" That's what I'm talkin' about! Thank you Neil ! Thank you Rick!
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bbNov 10, 2005my mother loves neil...and it rubbed off on me. this album lives up to the hype. wish there was more percussion.
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patkNov 10, 2005wow!
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KeithGNov 10, 2005An incredible, mostly acoustic album. I've waited over twenty years for Neil Diamond to return to the great sound of his years at the UNI label. This is Neil Diamond without the overproduced glitter. Just pure, simple songwriting and performing.
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MikeNov 10, 2005absolutely brilliant, well worth the wait. Go Neil!
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JamesGNov 9, 2005
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JasonDNov 8, 2005Amazing acoustic album. Neil's best in more than 20 years, and one of the best CD's of the year.
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MichaelKNov 8, 2005Outstanding! Look for both Neil Diamond and Rick Ruben front and center at the Grammy Awards. This one is a classic with Neil Diamond at his very best.
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richbNov 8, 2005Having heard ALL his albums,this will rate among his top 3
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GregHNov 8, 2005I'm not a Neil D fan by any stretch, but I like some of his earliest hits and stuff for the Monkees. This is pleasant enough music and the most listenable ND I've heard in ages. Part of what makes this album shine is the simple production. The songs get a 6, the production gets an 8....
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Awards & Rankings
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But if 12 Songs does occasionally come across as slightly affected in its intent and presentation, it also is inarguably Neil Diamond's best set of songs in a long, long time.
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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]
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Entertainment Weekly[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]