I recommend both the cd and a video of the movie. The cd has great studio versions of the songs whereas the movie has some great, energetic live performances, particularly of "You Baby," and "Amazed and Confused." This cd is abslolutely classic and as of the writing of this review, "America" is particularly uplifting so soon after the terrorist attack on New York & the Pentagon. Indeed, the night before this review was written, I saw Neil Diamond in concert at Madison Square Garden & he had the crowd on it's feet with "America." This is a cd that we as fans know is great regardless of what his peers may have thought. I hope in the future, some justice will be done and he will be inducted into the Rock n roll Hall of Fame.


"America" is one of the most spectacularly horrible songs!   September 25, 1999
12 out of 25 found this review helpful

"America" is quite the phenomenom. It collects so many of the hallmarks of a horrible song into such a concise package. We have a wonderfully insincere patriotic message, a marvelously cheesy pseudo-heavy guitar part, a woefully synthesized orchestra, a flat spoken word section, and a terrifically horrendous choir of everyday people containing some sort of message about democracy, I think. Few songs reach a peak of sheer banality this high. After this monumental opener there's not too many other places the album can go. There's no way it could possibly get worse, but that doesn't mean that it gets that much better. All in all, a spectacular achievement in the annals of horrible music!


EXTRAORDINARILY HIGH CALIBER OF SONGS! I LOVE IT!   August 7, 2000
BeatleBangs1964 (United States)
8 out of 10 found this review helpful

Neil Diamond is a mega talent, plain and simple. He is able to create a wide range of music from the simplistic, catchy, "you baby" to "America," "Hello, Again," and so many others. He is a gifted composer, singer and performer. I love Neil Diamond! Neil Diamond has a place of honor in my CDs for the car! "America" is a wonderful welcoming song for all citizens and this collection of songs is a cultural enrichment. IT IS EXCELLENT! I have seen him in concert twice and each time he put on a spectacular show! I hope to hear him live again soon. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT COLLECTION! How can anyone not like it?


If you ask me . . .   April 2, 2005
Kevin Killian (San Francisco, CA United States)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

"America' should have won the Oscar for the best song of 1980! Actually the year 1980 was a great one for pop music in the movies, unlike the stark crops of recent years. The official nominees included "Fame" and "Out There On My Own," both from FAME, "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson, and "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton. There was also one dud, "People Alone," from THE COMPETITION which hasn't stood the test of time.

If you ask me, "America" should have been nominated and could have won, even under such stiff competition. And I know some of you will say the same of "Hello Again" and "Love on the Rocks" two of Neil's softer tunes.

However, XANADU fans are still smarting over the total lack of Oscar recognition for the many great tracks in the movie--"Suddenly," "Magic," "Xanadu," "All Over the World" and "Suspended in Time." As for which soundtrack LP is the better bargain, I call it a draw!

PS, by the way, the award went to FAME which isn't a disgrace.


It Doesn't Get Any Better!   February 23, 1999
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

From the energetic sounds of America, to the smooth strains of Summerlove, music doesn't get any better than this! If you are a fan of Neil Diamond, or a fan of beautiful, powerful, and fun music, look no further! This album is for you!