The Best Years of Our Lives

Performer: Neil Diamond
Artist: David Foster; Steve Lukather
Engineer: Jeffrey "Woody" Woodruff
Producer: David Foster
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Personnel includes: Neil Diamond (vocals); Dean Parks, Steve Lukather (guitar); Jerry Hey, Larry Williams, Gary Grant, Daniel Higgins, Bill Reichenbach (horns); David Foster, David Paich, Michael Omartian, Robbie Buchanan (keyboards); Reinie Press, Mike Brignardello (bass); Paul Liem, Tris Imboden, Carlos Vega (drums). This mixed bag of Neil Diamond songs includes regretful ballads like "This Time," optimistic love songs like "Everything's Gonna Be Fine," and late-1980s rockers like "Take Care of Me." Though '80s production values dominate, Diamond is in fine voice and songwriting form throughout, classily nodding to newcomer Tracy Chapman in particular on "Baby Can I Hold You." While there are occasional flashes of the songwriter's early-'70s fire on songs like the title track, the subject matter here mostly centers on old memories and the pain of loss. This album came when Neil Diamond was firmly entrenched in his adult contemporary niche. A/C can be so pandering it's insulting sometimes, but when it's done with heart and smarts it can be sublime. Diamond apparently gets that and for the most part makes adult contemporary that is actually for adults. It takes a master to croon "Cause I do believe in forever/it's a place that lovers find" without making the sentiment cringe-inducing. And Diamond pulls it off. Despite that, even he can't keep from sounding creepy when he sings, "Ooh, babe, you're a hot little number" on "Everything's Gonna be Fine." Both he and this album are classier than that, and once you're into the song it's undeniable -- it becomes a feel-good anthem, and it works. Diamond was wise enough to co-write a number of these songs with master producer/songwriter David Foster. Foster writes his share of pabulum, but when he's good he's great, and on this album he's in fine form. Diamond was also wise enough to tone down the production so that his rugged voice and the melancholy melodies are able to shine through. The Best Years of Our Lives is an album that is romantic and sentimental without being manipulative, and despite a couple of overproduced ballads that are outweighed by the other tracks, particularly the high-spirited and hopeful title cut and the subtle remorse of "This Time," it is a strong entry in Diamond's oeuvre. ~ Bryan Buss

With a career as a hitmaker stretching across the decades, Neil Diamond has purveyed catchy, three-chord pop/rock, progressive singer/songwriter material, middle-of-the-road balladry, and even traditional country. He started out as a Brill Building hitmaker; a songwriter for hire, he worked alongside the likes of Carole King and Gerry Goffin, and penned hits for the Monkees and Jay & the Americans. His solo career took off in the mid 1960s and made him one of America's most successful recording artists and concert attractions for a long time to come. Even decades down the road, younger groups such as UB40 in the '80s, Urge Overkill in the '90s, and Smash Mouth in the 2000's were still scoring hits with Diamond's evergreen compositions.

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