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Album Title: Beautiful Noise, Neil Diamond
Why I Bought It: At the urging of my sister E.
What I Like (Sad): "Home Is a Wounded Heart". One of those "he's out making his name, she's at home waiting" songs. Honorable Mention: "Dry Your Eyes".
What I Like (Nostalgic): "If You Know What I Mean". Looking back, from early middle age, at what used to be....
What I Like (Raucous): "Beautiful Noise". One of those celebrations of the city; Jackson Browne's "Downtown" is another in this family. Honorable Mention: "Street Life", a slightly less positive spin on things.
What I Don't Like (Message): "Don't Think, Feel". The tune is catchy, but why do people insist these are incompatible?
Overall: On the arc of Diamond's career from teenage rebellion ("Cherry Cherry", "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon", "You Got to Me") to mellow adulthood ("You Don't Bring Me Flowers Any More", "Free Man in Paris"), this is a little past the halfway mark - not chronologically, but stylistically. I think he was at his best in the late '60s, early '70s ("Holly Holy", "Sweet Caroline", "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show"), but this is still good. "Stargazer" is fun and bouncy, "Lady Oh" sweet, "Signs" hopeful; it's not an outstanding collection, but it'll do.
Why I Bought It: At the urging of my sister E.
What I Like (Sad): "Home Is a Wounded Heart". One of those "he's out making his name, she's at home waiting" songs. Honorable Mention: "Dry Your Eyes".
What I Like (Nostalgic): "If You Know What I Mean". Looking back, from early middle age, at what used to be....
What I Like (Raucous): "Beautiful Noise". One of those celebrations of the city; Jackson Browne's "Downtown" is another in this family. Honorable Mention: "Street Life", a slightly less positive spin on things.
What I Don't Like (Message): "Don't Think, Feel". The tune is catchy, but why do people insist these are incompatible?
Overall: On the arc of Diamond's career from teenage rebellion ("Cherry Cherry", "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon", "You Got to Me") to mellow adulthood ("You Don't Bring Me Flowers Any More", "Free Man in Paris"), this is a little past the halfway mark - not chronologically, but stylistically. I think he was at his best in the late '60s, early '70s ("Holly Holy", "Sweet Caroline", "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show"), but this is still good. "Stargazer" is fun and bouncy, "Lady Oh" sweet, "Signs" hopeful; it's not an outstanding collection, but it'll do.
