Melody Road Explained

Melody Road
Type:studio
Artist:Neil Diamond
Cover:NeilDiamondMelodyRoad.jpg
Recorded:2012–2014 Archangel Recording
Label:Capitol
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Melody Road is the 32nd studio album by American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, released in 2014. It was his first album of original music recorded since 2008's Home Before Dark, which debuted on the US album charts at #1.[1] It was produced by Don Was and Jacknife Lee.[2]

After 40 years recording solo for Columbia (Capitol had released Diamond's 1980 soundtrack album for The Jazz Singer.), Diamond signed with Capitol Records in early 2014.[3] At the same time, his back catalogue was moved to Universal Music Group, Capitol's parent company.

On September 8, 2014, six of the tracks from Melody Road were premiered at the Capitol Records studios in Hollywood, CA at a listening party for a small group of music industry executives and journalists. Following the event, Billboard wrote that the album is "rich in orchestration that retains the dark rustic qualities of his last two studio albums of original material, 12 Songs and Home Before Dark." Of the songs, the article stated that "'Something Blue', the most commercial of the songs played Monday, has the classic Diamond mid-tempo lilt; the ballads 'The Art of Love' and '(Ooo) Do I Wanna Be Yours' offer springboards for Diamond's still-potent voice; and 'Seongah and Jimmy' is an eyewitness account of a romance between a woman from Korea and a man from Long Island."[4] The Wall Street Journal wrote that "The Art of Love" is a "tender offering from Diamond, who at age 73, hasn't lost that ability to convey a wide swath of emotions in just four minutes."[5]

In September, three videos from the album were released. A lyric video for "The Art of Love" debuted on Diamond's YouTube/VEVO channel, and the video for the album's first single, "Something Blue", premiered on Yahoo! Music.[6] Rolling Stone debuted the video for "Nothing But a Heartache".[7]

Reception

The album received generally favorable reviews. Ann Powers of NPR wrote: "This is music with (as one song title says) a sunny disposition, expressing Diamond's resilient faith in the power of both romance and the balladry that enhances it. 'Still remember the first word you wrote, in every single note that you play,' he declares in "First Time," a joyful remembrance of musical beginnings that recalls one of the singer's own early hits, "I'm a Believer." Diamond's ability to do that, to be in the moment while knowing just what makes his long career special, keeps him vital. Few could navigate this road with so much panache."[8]

In October 2014, Melody Road debuted at number 3 on the Billboard charts, selling 78,000 copies in the first week.[9] The album has sold 235,000 copies in the United States as of September 2016.[10]

Personnel

Horns (Tracks 3, 4 & 10)

Strings (Tracks 3 & 5)

Production

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2014)Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[11] 80
UK Albums (OCC)[12] 40
US Billboard 200[13] 153

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Sisario. Ben. The Marathon Man of Pop. 11 September 2014. New York Times. September 11, 2008.
  2. Web site: ABC News Radio Staff. Neil Diamond to Release New Studio Album, "Melody Road," Next Month. abcnewsradio.com. ABC News Radio. 11 September 2014.
  3. Billboard Staff. Neil Diamond Signs With Capitol Records (Exclusive). 11 September 2014. Billboard. January 20, 2014.
  4. Billboard Staff. Neil Diamond Takes Guests Down 'Melody Road' at Capitol Studios Listening Party. 11 September 2014. Billboard. September 9, 2014.
  5. News: Ayers. Mike. Neil Diamond Returns With New Album 'Melody Road'. 11 September 2014. The Wall Street Journal. September 9, 2014.
  6. Web site: Geller. Wendy. Feeling Down? Neil Diamond's 'Something Blue' Will Snap You Out of It!. music.yahoo.com. Yahoo!. 24 September 2014. 24 September 2014.
  7. Web site: Murray. Nick. Watch Neil Diamond's Reflective 'Nothing But a Heartache' Video. rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. 24 September 2014. September 16, 2014.
  8. News: Powers. Ann. First Listen: Neil Diamond, 'Melody Road'. 23 August 2015. NPR. October 12, 2014.
  9. Slipknot Scores Second No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart . October 29, 2014 . Keith . Caulfield . Billboard.
  10. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20160928004910/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases . September 28, 2016 . Upcoming Releases . Hits Daily Double . HITS Digital Ventures .
  11. Web site: End of Year Charts – ARIA Top 100 Albums 2014. ARIA Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 7, 2015.
  12. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2014. Official Charts Company. August 25, 2020.
  13. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2014. Billboard. October 10, 2020.

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