So it might be something of a paradox to say that the most successful moments on 12 Songs are those which adhere most closely to Diamond's road more traveled, but it's true. "Save Me a Saturday Night" revisits the Brill Building chamber pop on which Diamond built his early reputation, aged to an elegant midlife grey which suits him well. Then "Delirious Love" comes along, oozing so much pop majesty it doesn't even matter that he's rhyming "serious" with "mysterious" and "hangin' on" with "bangin' on"...and when some rootsy slide guitar snakes into the mix, it's the first authentic (and welcome) jolt of surprise on the album. Even the pastoral, gospel-tinged numbers serve to remind us that there's always been more than a hint of the sacred in Neil Diamond's well-meaning bombast - a very warped, patently insincere hint, but a hint nonetheless.
To me, though, it's closing track "We" which embodies 12 Songs best. Diamond comes in strumming a simple, lilting rhythm on acoustic guitar, recalling the understated sunshine folk of Cat Stevens' Harold and Maude score. Then the tuba comes in. And just like that, you remember that this is Neil Diamond: love him or leave him, he remains a peerlessly positive, unwaveringly cheerful force in pop music. The things he does might put a smile on your face, or they might make you wince - that's the same today as it's always been, as it was with "Sweet Caroline" and "Red, Red Wine" and pretty much everything else on Neil's twelve dozen or so Greatest Hits comps. But more so than any other Neil Diamond album, 12 Songs will make you lean toward the smile...or at least want to wince a little less.
Reviewed by Zach Hoskins
This review is also posted on The Modern Pea Pod.
Article comments
1 - solitary man
Rick rubin didnt do it,Neil Diamond did.You know nothiog about Neil Diamond except the media-created image and stage get-up.Diamond created singer/songwriter rock n roll.
2 - Hell Yeah
regarding your Neil Diamond review-with friends like this...why cant you just review the album instead of reviweing Neil Diamond?Its not even the real Neil Diamond you spend most of the article apologizing for.Have you listened to any Neil Diamond albums from the last 40 years?All you are basing the "Schmalt" and "Kitch" on is a few hit singles from the late 70's and early 80's.I doubt you have listened to a single Neil Diamond album besides 12 Songs.The apology and excuses for liking 12 Songs is just so tired and lame.I wonder what other artist would critics spend so much time making excuses for liking an album from them.It is absurd.Diamond has put out many great albums-Three Chord Opera,Tennessee Moon,Beautiful Noise,Stones,Moods,Tap Root Manuscript,Jonathan Livingston Seagull,on and on.Give him a break already!
3 - Zach
Dude, are you "two" the same person? I can't help but find it a little suspicious that two rabid Neil Diamond fans, both of whom named after Diamond songs, are posting on a weeks-old review within eight minutes of one another.
In any case, I'm sorry you didn't like the review. Or rather, I'm sorry you didn't like the first two paragraphs, which seemed to be your main object of criticism. But like it or not, the majority of listeners are not hardcore Diamond fans. Chances are, when they picture Neil Diamond they're going to see the man I saw: the kitschy image, the jumpsuits, etc. My review is for those people, because that is inevitably the angle from which I'm going to approach Neil Diamond. And I happen to quite like the album. But if that's not enough - if you want me to praise Neil Diamond as some kind of revolutionary artiste comparable to Bob Dylan or Johnny Cash - then that's just never gonna happen. Best to move along.
4 - Jonathan
Dude, I read your review and wasn't sure if you liked "12 songs" or not. I personally thought your critique of the music is dead-on acurate but your comments about Mr Diamond and his carreer are ill informed.
You may like Johnny Cash, but are you honestly going to assert that he has contributed more to music than Neil Diamond (whose work Cash covered)?
I have seen Diamond perform countless times over the decades and, although I have seen photos circa 1972, I have never seen him in a jumpsuit.
I am glad you clarified your position on "12 songs". Frankly, I am not sure I would say that about this work. "Hell Yeah" is a strong number but it is classic Diamond. "Delerious Love" and "We", would round out my top three on this collection.
Your comments about Diamond's carreer demonstrate an ill-informed snobbery and ignore the fact that Diamond was among the top concert draws in the nineties and currently. That would not be possible if the man relied on schmaltz and gimmickry.
Worse for you, I fear, is that the "diamondheads" have discovered you. As a result, you will find out a bit about "fans" and how loyal they can be.
5 - Charlotte
I think the problem with most sites such as this is people get way too upset if someone doesn't worship their favorite musician.
so what. this guy doesn't like neil diamond the persona or perhaps even neil diamond the person. but the point is he enjoyed the record despite the fact that he doesn't like the artist. and isn't that the sign of at least someone with integrity?
i think if you guys really want to read something about how great neil diamond is and how important and wonderful and how he shits diamonds and such, maybe you should write a tribute piece to neil diamond. i'm sure there will be several people willing to read and praise it along with you/
you cats need to relax. neil diamond is not worth a heart attack.
6 - Dave Nalle
Even given the late-'90s, early-2000s parade of classic singer-songwriter rebirths, I will be the first to admit that I didn't see this one coming.
I certainly didn't see a Neil Diamond revival coming - because unlike the others you mention HE NEVER WENT AWAY.
Dave
7 - Zach
Jonathan: I'm not surprised you weren't sure about my reaction to 12 Songs, as it was neither overwhelmingly positive nor negative. It's a solid three-star album. Yes, Diamond succeeded in creating an album that transcends his largely negative image (the main point of all that talk about my reactions to the persona), but there's also a sense that either he's trying to fit too hard into his idea of a "Rick Rubin album" or that Rubin is trying too hard to make Diamond into another Cash. There's also the issue that the man just isn't a good lyricist; and as mentioned in the review, when he delivers those lyrics in that theatrical way of his, it just underlines the shortcomings.
As for the Cash/Diamond comparisons, I'd rather not belabor them, though I suppose the Rubin productions and your "singer-songwriter" assertions do make them relevant. So yes, I will assert that Johnny Cash, who took country music out of the honky-tonk margins and brought it to a wider audience (along with Americana, folk, etc.), has contributed more to music than Neil Diamond, who penned tunes for the Monkees. I realize this is an oversimplification, but I think it's a point worth making. Sure, Cash covered Diamond. He also covered Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode: are you going to tell me Trent Reznor has contributed more to music than Cash just because Cash covered him?
I'm not sure what's funnier, that Neil Diamond fans apparently call themselves "diamondheads" or that they like to make veiled threats to blog reviewers on strength of one mediocre review. But one thing you'll never convince me of is that Neil Diamond is some kind of living legend.
And Dave: please, please, you know what I meant. We all have artists whose work we follow as fans and who, to us, "never go away." But Cash and Lynn were making records in the '80s too, and to the general public, their late-'90s/early-'00s records were considered "comebacks." Just the way it works. Ticket sales do not relevancy make...just ask Wayne Newton.
8 - A Music Fan
You call that a review? You should have your blogging privileges revoked. Why can't you write an unbiased review instead of trying to justify & reinforce some kind of negative image you seem to have created in your own mind for Mr. Diamond? I listen to everything from Pantera & The Red Hot Chili Peppers to Billy joel & Elvis Presley. I think Neil Diamond is a brilliant songwriter whose songs have been covered by MANY MANY people including Elvis & Johnny Cash. It's too bad your too ignorant to appreciate this album for what it is, a great singer/songwriter with his guitar and something to say.
9 - jeff
Interesting dialogue. And Neil couldn't care less about any of it. But here's my 2 cents, boring. A couple of good tunes, maybe several; Delirious, Saturday Night, On to you. But much of it wouldn't be given a second chance by a non-ardent Neil fan. And "We", you really like this song? C'mon, it's the worst of the bunch. Capatin of a shipwreck, he is, his voice doesn't come close to being in tune, embarrasing.
So much of the arrangments are trite, hackneyed, worn out. Try Dianna Krall or a change. Yes, she uses more than three chords, but give it a try.
I wouldn't be chiming in if I weren't a long time Neil fan, and I've listened to the cd 30 times already; but let's face it, we're hearing ghosts in his music, that's why we keep listening.
10 - Satriela
I happened upon this cd while sitting in a plane on the way to Africa...fell in love with it...IT'S INCREDIBLE and I'm no Neil Diamond fan...seriously, I'm 26 and was raised on late 70s funk. "Face Me", and "Hell Yeah" are so good...the honesty in the lyrics...plus the fact that as soon as I got back to America I bought the CD and have already listened to it over 20 times says something.
11 - ryan
not a good lyricist ? Have you never heard his lyrics ?
"we dance to a whispered voice, overheard by the soul, undertook by the heart, and you may know it, if you may know it"
or
"I've got an emptiness deep inside, and though I've tried it won't let me go"
From the mystical to everyday observations Neil Diamond says things in a direct way which really is the best thing an artist can do. After all it's about comunicating ideas. If you disagree take this lyric from 12 songs to heart.
"tell me how wrong I was and I'll tell you how right you are"
Your right he's not a good lyricst, he's a great one.
12 - Evan
Neil Diamond is the best music i ever listened to
13 - Evan
Neil Diamond was singhed by Russ Regan who also sighned Elton John and Olivia Newton John
14 - Dr Dreadful
Neil Diamond was singhed by Russ Regan...
Neil Diamond converted to Sikhism?!?
15 - Evan
made a mistake i meant he was sighned by Russ Regan anyway i just his new cd 12 Songs from Cd Ware House i always thought he sounded better then Olivia Newton John i also like her but i like Neil Diamond better
16 - Evan
i bought his new cd 12 Songs today
17 - Evan
i wonder want Olivia Newton John would think if she read my comment saying i like Neil Diamond
18 - Evan
i meant to what not want i just wonder what Olivia Newton John would think if she read my comment saying i like Neil Diamond
19 - Evan
better
20 - Evan
i guess that did not happen she did not read my comments
21 - Evan
anyway its too late to see Neil Diamond on stage becuse he quit touring for life i think but there is still Neil Sedaka
22 - Evan
im not gonna get to see Neil Diamond but tomorrow im gonna get to see Neil Sedaka