Neil Diamond: Three Chord Opera : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

I don't begrudge Neil Diamond his decision to "grow" artistically. Sure, I love his late-Sixties output ("Kentucky Woman," "I'm a Believer," "Cherry Cherry," etc.), but strumming E-A-D over and over again would make anyone weary. And even though Diamond's elaborately orchestrated (read: syrupy) Seventies ballads drew winces from bong-toting teenagers, they served their mothers well.

Now, twenty-seven years after his last album of all-original material, Neil Diamond -- black leather jacket on his back and a black guitar in his hand -- returns with twelve new songs he calls Three Chord Opera. Even the opening track "I Haven't Played This Song in Years" promises a return to his guitar-pop glory days. Neil looks ready to rock, and I, for one, was ready to salute him. Unfortunately, the illusion dies with "I Haven't"'s initial notes: a tinkling piano, soon to be accompanied by a weepy clarinet. As for the song itself, let's just say that "Love on the Rocks" rocks by comparison.

The rest of the album follows suit, sounding more like Cats than "Cracklin' Rosie": stings, trumpets, cheesy keyboards and melodramatic vocals. (According to the liner notes, there's some guitar in there somewhere.)

Maybe it was naïve to think that Neil would come all the way back, but Three Chord Opera's title and cover image promised to at least meet us halfway. But, hey, my mom will dig it.