12 Songs gives us one of americas finest songwriters with Rick Rubin in tow to sprinkle some of the magic that he so liberally cast about when he worked with J Cash.

Does it measure up though? Well it's a bit of a hit and miss release. Not that it's bad, but simply because it doesn't match expectations. If it was released with less fanfare it would have favoured better. The dream team of Diamond and Rubin engenders a firm belief that something very special would be in the offing. Sadly it's not though. It is a rock solid Neil Diamond album however. No doubt about that, but there is nothing of Rubin here, and that's the rub.

Johnny Cash put his faith in Rick Rubin and the results are there to hear in the American recordings. On the other hand it sounds like Neil Diamond wasn't ready to relinquish his hold on his music and the results, although well recorded and well performed, lack the humanity that Cash layered into his recorded material. It's a shame, because this is a good album that snatches at greatness. That it just misses is a loss to Neil Diamond fans. Many will be very happy with it, but when I listen all I can think of is what could have been.

Takes longer to grow on you than most Neil Diamond albumns but like everything he writes it is brilliant. The man is a musical genius.

This album is superb, great lyrics and marvellous melodies. This album will climb the charts I have no doubt when Neil's new one is released on the 12th of May. This of course coincides with his latest sell out tour. Neil sounds like he is playing in your front room.