Melody Road

I have been a Neil Diamond fan for over 40 years (to my wife's dismay) and was excited to receive Melody Road the day it was released. I popped it in the car's CD player on my way to a one hour drive out of town for a work related event and thought, at first, that Neil had lost it and was over the hill. Some of the songs sounded like Neil was out of pitch. The lyrics seemed gimmicky. Then when I was home and placed the CD in the stereo everything sounded better, especially "The First Time." Granted, the home system is much better than the car stereo. The second go around eliminated the pitch concerns. By the third go around it was classic Neil Diamond and it gets better with every session. I have now listened to the album over ten times. "OOO I WANT TO BE YOURS" is going to be a classic. It evokes emotions that only classic love songs approach. And, The First Time that I heard The First Time I wasn't sure what he was talking about but it is now clear that Neil is reliving his musical career and memorializing the nerves of a first performance away from home when he wasn't sure that he had what it takes to be a professional performer. Simple chords and his beautiful noise (voice) make this album one of his best. Alone at the Ball would certainly suggest that despite Neil's worldwide fame he (like others in similar situations) has an insular daily routine, which is contradictory to his public persona. When I first heard "Seongah and Jimmy" I thought, you've got to be kidding. I can't hear it enough now. It is the very sort of song that only Neil Diamond can pull off. It grows on you and you feel the love that the melody envelopes us with and which permeates our desires for adult companionship. Again, the songs do not have complex chords. The instrument is Neil Diamond's command of the lyric.

I've been a fan of Niel Diamond since eight track tape days. I can follow his music and remember what I was doing with each successive album. His songs transcended the upheavals and craziness of life. His rise to fame was meteoric. Then came a slump and the seeming inability of Diamond to make the transition into the later years. This album is a breakthrough. He has recaptured that special magic that has always appealed to his fans. "Melody Road" puts him back on top. This is an older, mellower Neil Diamond, but so is his fan base. During the lost period, he attempted to be something he wasn't. The results were stilted, poorly composed attempts to remain relevant in a world filled with younger performers, something that had no place in time or space and especially no relevance in a continuum of Neil Diamond music. And Diamond's full, rich voice resonates as it always has. It hasn't lost range. It sounds as good or better than it did thirty years ago. The song collection here is Diamond at his best. The songs are wonderful, and they reach out to the world as it is today. They pay homage to the passage of time while recognizing that life continues, and we never stop growing. If he produces music like this, he can go on forever. That would make this fan happy indeed.

I don't have the actual CD yet, but I was able to download the whole disc as mp3's. I have always loved Neil Diamond, I grew up on his music and he has been a mainstay in my life. This proves he still has what it takes as a songwriter and performer. And to think, he will be 74 on January 24th! Now that's impressive. There is one song on here that I really have to admit I hate and it will never be played again, but the rest of it is very good and a must have for any Neil Diamond fan. My favorite song and the one I consider the absolute best on this disc is the song "Something Blue." I have played this song at least a hundred times or more already and I still can't get enough of it. More than any other track on this disc, "Something Blue" is truly the closest to classic Diamond as you will hear. I cannot wait to actually have the disc in my collection and I hope to have the vinyl version soon. Do yourself a favor and get this, you won't regret it.

Neil Diamond! One of Rock/Pop's all time super stars scores high with his first studio album in six years. My only concern is, why? Why has he waited so long? Of course I am personally attached to him, as he was extremely special to me and my late wife, as so many of Neil's love songs spoke directly to us, as I am sure other fans can and will relate the exact same experience. From his early days at Bang Records up thru his Columbia years, now at Capitol, he always has and always will be an important part of my musical and personal life, as his songs bring back many, many happy memories of the times/years past..............I look forward to attending his current concert tour in 2015. Once again in his current album he manages to touch the listener, as only he can, with heartfelt and sincere songs, typical of Neil and his style of music over the years. His current album is a MUST for any Neil Diamond fan as well as any one who is a lover of pure, honest love songs!

Face it this man is simply a gifted entertainer, I own all of his studio/Live releases; and I've listened to Melody Road many, many times allowing it to repeat, and it never gets boring. It's resemblance to Neil's early style is remarkable, you can hear the time and effort taken w/ each song; this was by no means simply a thrown together @ the last minute album. In fact, included in the Liner Notes he goes into detail as to how these selections came about.Has his voice changed; of course, he's older, but then so are a good many of his fans. I am thrilled w/ my purchase; better still, I'm so pleased that Neil is still relevant; never giving in to rest on the laurels of his success, if Melody Road is any indication I think he'll still be making music for years to come. I highly recommend it; I don't believe you'll be disappointed.

When I initially bought the album when it was released last year I was very disapointed with it. There was only one song on the whole album that I loved from the first listening and it was 'the art of love'. the cd went in my cd cabinet and never came out of it. I had also ordered the vinyl release and didn't even bother to take off the shrink wrap.6 months later...I see Neil Diamond in concert in Antwerp and I am so impressed by his rendition of Something Blue and some of the other new songs.I don't know why I didn't like it at first, but now it's one of my favorite ND albums. after hearing some of these songs live, I took the time to listen to all of them and there is actually not one bad track on this album.

Fabulous...I am unashamedly a Neil Diamond fan, have been for years. This album is soo romantic and soo very Neil, you can tell from this selection of songs, that Neil has found LOVE, and is in love with his wife, he always seems to reflect his life through his music, and his devoted fans will know this all too well. Its really nice to listen to over and over, and you soon get to become familiar with these new tunes, and it wont be long I believe, before they too will become Neil Diamond classics. This album is a must have...more please Mr D, this is truly fabulous...

Melody Road is unique as it will appeal to die-hard Neil Diamond fans as well as newcomers to his music.Diamond's voice is still in fine shape with age almost maturing it and the songs on this album are high quality with plenty of singalong pieces in the style of Sweet Caroline.It would act as a good starting point to work backwards over the man's substantial output and is almost a companion album - 2008's Home Before Dark. Listening to this you wouldn't believ that Diamond is now 73. His songs still have a freshness and vitality and he obviously still loves what he does.

I was a great fan of ND, but I am afraid, and only my humble opinion, this album is way below his pervious recordings standard. the songs remind me of several recordings he made in the past, but don't let me put you off, for me it was a disappointment

I can't stop playing this album - it really makes you feel good! I have been a fan of Neil Diamond since the early 1970's and have most of his albums - so plenty to compare this new one with. My favourite song is "Seongah and Jimmy", but all the songs are good - it sounds as if Neil is in a happy place now and really enjoyed making this album. The deluxe version has the words, not sure why they didn't put them on both albums. Also just because someone doesn't like something doesn't mean that it is bad, buy this album and make up your own mind!