Getting Neil Diamond out of his Vegas mode was not an easy task.

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Producer Rick Rubin, best known for his career in the hard rock/hip-hop realm until he worked wonders on the final Johnny Cash albums, partially succeeded in getting Diamond back to his roots on their first collaboration, "12 Songs," in 2005. There were some fine moments on that album, with Diamond showing signs of regaining the songwriting spirit that was found on his early masterworks such as "Solitary Man" and "I'm a Believer."

Rubin and Diamond are back together on "Home Before Dark," which takes their free-flowing brand of chemistry to the next level. On practically every song, Diamond, who raised his profile with a recent "American Idol" guest appearance, sounds more confident, more in control and more impassioned than he did last time out.

When he sings with Dixie Chick Natalie Maines on the piano-based ballad "Another Day (That Time Forgot)," their voices blend beautifully. When he carries an irresistible melody over shimmering guitars on "The Power of Two," it's a refreshing reminder of all that got lost during those years when he scored staggering commercial success. And when he turns in the spirited, deeply reflective "One More Bite of the Apple," he seems positively energized.

— Kevin O'Hare, Newhouse News Service