Neil Diamond- Home Before Dark

If there’s one musician in the history of music that can get any group of people to sing along with him it would be Neil Diamond. Yes that’s right good ole Neil has been rocking us with his classic tune Sweet Caroline for years in all his hairy chested pop-rock sensation. But Neil wasn’t always a stadium rocker he has his roots in the acoustic singer-songwriter world. And that’s just what Home before Dark gives us.

Produced by Rick Rubin Home Before Dark certainly shows his age, the album is chuck full of songs about the passing of time and reflection. But don’t get me wrong this album isn’t all mellow acoustic songs there are a few power-house anthems like the tunes “One More Bite of the Apple” and “Don’t Go There” which both could translate well to the stage where the Diamond really shines.

 If you’re a DiamondHead your certainly going to love this album its got all the classic coifed hair and hairy chested Diamond that you know and love but its also go a very different side to Neil. One in which life has certainly taken a toll and he’s not the young man he used to be. If your not a fan of Neil Diamond, well then you can just get right out of here. (only kidding) if your not a fan of the Diamond you may like this album. It’s a very mellow album and there aren’t any “Cherry Cherry’s” or “Sweet Carolines” its just a good and pure acoustic rock album

Score 2/5

Of Montreal- Skeletal Lamping

Kevin Barns, the mastermind of the contemporary psychedelic, lo-fi indie-pop what ever you want to call it band, of Montreal is not only Kevin Barns but another person perhaps a Ziggy Stardustesque alter-ego is what you would call it who goes by the name Georgie Fruit. Of Montreal are a very fascinating band Barnes has left little time in-between releases as of Montreal’s last album was released just last year. But do not take the short release time as hurried material of Montreal’s latest album Skeletal Lamping is full of whimsy and fascination.
The entire album floats from psychedelic sounds to musical soundscapes to funk and seemingly everywhere in-between. Some of my personal favorite tracks are “Id Engager” and “Nonpareil of Favor” which are definitely the popier tracks off of Skeletal Lamping but don’t be confused with all the musical schizophrenia at heart Skeletal Lamping at the very heart is a pop album with a bunch of love songs. Abit love songs about explicit sexual fantasies and a black she-male protagonist but love songs none the less. Skeletal Lamping is certainly a bizarre album and I don’t believe its going to garner any new fans but if you’re a fan of Barnes and of Montreal then your going to love this release and all of its weirdness

Score 3.5 out of 5

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