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Home Before Dark
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Home Before Dark Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: After 40+ years in the business, Neil Diamond finally receives his first No. 1 record with this album produced by Rick Rubin.

Top Track

Pretty Amazing Grace
Pretty amazing grace, is what you showed me. Pretty amazing grace, is who you are. I was an empty vessel! You filled me up inside… And with amazing... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Home Before Dark offers aesthetic proof that "12 Songs" was no fluke. This is a much stronger, less "civilized" album.
  2. NOW Magazine
    80
    This is understated folk pop, and as a result, some may be disappointed by the lack of big pop hooks. However, for those of us who always found Diamond overwrought and too extroverted, this restraint is refreshing and welcome.
  3. Q Magazine
    80
    Home Before Dark offers a dignified and, yes, hip addition to the Neil Diamond canon. [July 2008, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Hartford Courant
    80
    Like much of Diamond's canon, these songs are rich with melodramatic flare-ups.
  5. Boston Globe
    70
    This year's model is not quite as stark or stirring as its predecessor; the emphatic melodic thrusts and vocal bravado of "Whose Hands Are These" and "No Words" will resonate with fans of Diamond's adult-contemporary glory.
  6. Billboard
    70
    While not quite as revealing and rewarding as its 2005 cousin, the new album will certainly please fans of Rubin and Diamond's stark-yet-comfy acoustic direction.
  7. Hot Press
    60
    Neil doesn’t do things by halves. His words and melodies are, like Roy Orbison, Cecil B De Mille scaled. That said, there are more than a few points where he misses the mark.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Greg
    Jun 10, 2008
    10
    Surely does deliver sadness regret, and other mature revelations but does it in Neil Diamond style and I am one of those people and I loved Surely does deliver sadness regret, and other mature revelations but does it in Neil Diamond style and I am one of those people and I loved it I will hope the artisti see's the response and hears the cheers and keeps creating for the glory of the song. I am still waiting and hoping for Neil Diamonds "GRACELAND" equivalent. A mix of Pop Royalty and creative passion that shakes up everything and Everyone. Maybe he should have lunch with Paul Simon on some Hot August Night and learn the benefits of being still crazy after all these years.. Home before Dark proves Neil is still out there. So Neil, from one Brooklynite to another for the next one.....Send Rick home .F*** Lonliness .....GONNA FLY.… Expand
  2. SteveSv
    May 27, 2008
    10
    Slightly bluesier and countrier then 12 Songs.But a strong collection of melodic and introspective acoustic rock.
  4. JohanV.
    May 29, 2008
    9
    Neil's latest cd is a terrific one! I feel almost compelled to listen to it all day! Keep up the fine work, Neil!
  5. JohnO.
    Jul 13, 2008
    9
    I enjoy this disc more every time I hear it.
  6. JucaAv
    May 27, 2008
    5
    Conventional.

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