"Three Chord Opera" is just what you'd hope for from a new Neil Diamond effort. There are some truly inspired--if sometimes maudlin--tunes ("I Haven't Played This Song in Years"; "Midnight Dream"; "Elijah's Song"; "Turn Down the Lights"); the required love songs, delivered as only Diamond can ("I Believe in Happy Endings" is by far the best, and probably the best track on the album); and a handful of fun, upbeat, sometimes too silly, numbers ("Don't Look Down"; "At the Movies"; "A Mission of Love"; "Baby Let's Drive").

Is it Diamond's best? Probably not. There doesn't seem to be an "I Am, I Said" or "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" here (although there IS one catchy spiritual tune, "Leave a Little Room for God"). The songs on this album are more subtle than those, but they ring with that certain quality that has always made Neil Diamond an endearing singer/songwriter. The warmth, introspection, underlying optimism, Solitary-Man-outlook, and honesty are all here.

Bottom line: There's enough top-notch material--all of it, by the way, written by Diamond--to make this CD his best effort in many years. It's good to see this 70s pop icon back at the top of his game.

I've been a Neil Diamond fan for years. Though I still prefer his classic work, I bought this album because it's the first one in 25 years in which all the songs are written and composed by Neil himself. I really felt bad for Neil that his 25 year marriage to his second wife ended not long ago. It's hard to imagine that a man that can write with such passion has trouble with love in real life. But don't we all? Some of these songs are a little "strange" but there are a few love songs worthy of praise. It's also amazing that Neil's voice hasn't faded given the fact that he's 60 years old. Neil did his best work when he was experiencing personal pain and growth, and that's what I think this album is all about.

If I had written this review after I first listened to this CD, I would have only given it three or four stars. However, I listened to it a couple of times and then, I heard Neil Diamond do several of the songs on the CD in concert at Madison Square Garden. As always, Neil was phenominal in concert and after having heard him perform five songs on the CD, I began to like the CD a lot more.

I remember Neil from his rocking "Cherry Cherry" days. I like his rollicking songs such as "America," "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show," and "Soolaimon." I also like some of his early intense songs like "I Am, I Said," and "Holly Holy." Therefore, a less rocking Neil Diamond really has to grow on me. I really appreciated, "I Haven't Played This Song in Years" after hearing it performed in the concert. "At the Movies" is another song that I really like much better having seen it performed. Neil is sounding better than he has in decades, both in concert and on this CD. He turned 60 but the quality of his voice has really been sounding great. He has a somewhat gravelly voice that was becoming exagerated but, on this CD, he is back to the Neil of the 1960s as far as voice quality is concerned. I don't know whether he quit smoking or what the reason is, but he sounds great.

This CD is more subdued than the early Neil, but listen to it carefully and revisit it a couple of times. It will grow on you as it did on me.

This is an excellent collection of new songs. Neil Diamond fans should be pleased and he'll probably win some new fans as well. My favorite is "I Haven't Played This Song in Years", very sad, but it has outstanding lyrics and is beautifully sung. "Midnight Dream", "A Mission of Love," "You Are the Best Part of Me" and "Elijah's Song" are also standouts. Sentimental lyrics, some over-the-top instrumental parts, but all very Neil Diamond. There are a lot of different styles of songs on this cd, and it reminds me of his "Beautiful Noise" album. No matter what you may think of him, it's hard to deny that his lyrics are written from the heart and his voice is like no one else's. I thought the lyrics especially were among the best he's written. I hope I'm as productive and true to myself at 60-years old.

The first time I listened to this, my feeling was that it was pleasant enough, but nowhere close to vintage Neil Diamond, and with no songs that truly stood out.

Each time, though, that I would play it, more songs would stand out, and though I would'be given it three stars after the first listen, I now feel that it deserves a strong four stars. There aren't any songs here which I consider equal with "Song Sung Blue", "Sweet Caroline", "Cracklin' Rosie", "Love on the Rocks",

"Holly Holy" or "You Don't Bring Me Flowers Anymore"...Well, on second thought, "Turn Down the Lights" (in my personal opinion) just might come awfully close to his best, and there are quite a few really good songs here.

The opening song "I Haven't Played This Song In Years", is a feeling portrayal of a long ago love, and a song most of can probably identify with. Then comes the rousing pep talk, "Don't Look Down". "Midnight Dream" approaches Neil Diamond's stronger and earlier work, at least in my opinion. However, my personal favorite is "A Mission of Love", a real feel good type song which should get anybody's energy level up. That one is first of the last four cuts, each of which is indeed worthy. There's "Elijah's Song", and then the gospel flavored "Leave A Little Room For God", leading up to the tender love song, and the one song here which I may easily, with time, count as one of the best in his whole career, "Turn Down The Lights".

I am impressed with the instrumental breaks in several cuts: "Don't Look Down", "I Believe in Happy Endings", "Midnight Dream", "You Are the Best Part of Me", "Baby Let's Drive", "My Special Soneone", "Elijah's Song", and "Turn Down The Lights".

All in all, I think most Neil Diamond fans will welcome this, and it's strong enough that it may well win over new fans. Don't expect this to quite match his most notable efforts, but do expect to enjoy it.