Though Neil Diamond is riding the good will created by 2005's Rick Rubin-produced "12 Songs," there is a song on "Home Before Dark" called "Don't Go There," and the danger of overemotive "Heartlight"-ness always looms. While not quite as revealing and rewarding as its 2005 cousin, the new album will certainly please fans of Rubin and Diamond's stark-yet-comfy acoustic direction. The sprawling opener "If I Don't See You Again" has the right sprinkling of epic; "Another Day (That Time Forgot)" is a gorgeous duet with Natalie Maines. It's hard to shake the feeling that "Home" sounds like the younger brother of "12 Songs," but it's a warm, supremely confident next step in Diamond's unlikely renaissance. Best of all, there's not a seagull to be found. —Jeff Vrabel