The consensus on Neil Diamond's 80's & 90's output is that it offers many schmaltzy ballads. However, of the 11 tracks on this album, 7 are upbeat. The slow songs sound no different than songs from his other CDs around that time, but the fast songs offer a change. Personally, I enjoy "Fire on the Tracks", "Primitive" and "One by One". Most of these songs are only available here, so if you were disappointed by "Heartlight" or "Best Years" because they were way too slow, this one's a little different.

Primitive is one of those albums ruined by record company interference.When Neil gave in the original Primitive,Sony didnt hear the middle of the road pop ballads that they think sells Neil Diamond albums.But those added ballads(Turn Around,Sleep With Me Tonight and You Make Me Feel Like Chritmas)completely feel out of place here.

Skip the ballads,and you will hear a good (if dated) collection of funky songs about primitive love,space love,Brooklyn street gangs and fire on the tracks.

This is one of Neil's best works, bringing back memories of his "Beautiful Noise" album from 1976. "Fire On The Tracks" and "Brooklyn on a Saturday Night" paint brilliant pictures of life in New York that is so much a part of Neil's life and music. The first track, "Turn Around" and the title track, "Primitive" were my two reasons for buying this album. But the other songs are great, too. In particular, "You Make It Feel Like Christmas", another favorite of mine.

This was a transition album for Diamond. Because of the lawsuits regarding it, it was easy to miss. But `One by One' and `Fire on the Track' are classic Diamond. If this had come out in the 70's, both would have been hits.

I had the orignal tape of Primative by Neil diamond and the tape streched. The CD sounds great and I can listen to it in my car or at home and it completes my collection. These songs are not included in any compilation that Neil Diamond has release and I missed listening to them.

I'm so happy Amazon had it available (New) and at such a great price.