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This album is one of the best Neil Diamond albums ever. The music is wonderful.

I heard the song Pretty Amazing Grace on the radio and the song touched me in a special way. The song is about find Grace and Mercy in God in a world full of pain suffering and misery, through the One who was pierced for our transgressions (Read Isaiah Chapter 53). It will lift you up. That song alone is worth the whole album. I grew up listening to Neil Diamond and I am proud of this song, if nothing else.

While I applaud the effort of a singer-songwriter, in this day and age, who tries to construct good, old-fashioned "songs", I have to say this album is kinda boring for those of us not completely enamored with Mr. Diamond.

And please don't read the liner notes prior to listening; he's kind of a blowhard in a pompous and fussy way.

The songs are not that catchy or memorable. He sings as if every word from his lips is gold, precious. It's a little weird, that affectation.

And no, I'm not a Neil "hater" or anything like that. His catalogue of songs will justly endure long after you or I are gone from this planet, but all this hoopla over this slight (but endless...many songs drone on after the five minute mark...) CD is a bit unjustified.

I'd still like to see him in concert...I think it'd be fun...but this record tries too hard to be "something." It's not. Don't get your hopes up too high, and his loyal fans will be pleased. He just will not create new converts to the fold.

I have been a fan of Neil Diamond in the past, but I was very disappointed in this CD. If this is how he is now writing his songs now, I'll pass.

Simply speaking, three words summed up this come-back of Neil Diamond's - Deadly, Dull and Boring - music wise - lyric-wise - listening-wise. But at least someone else bought it at the first garage sale so it wasn't a complete loss.