HE IS...I SAY

Longtime fan presents a not-so-compelling case for the singer-songwriter’s musical genius.

The first of many problems with this big, sloppy kiss of a book is the basic untruth of the subtitle: Rolling Stone contributing editor and TV writer Wild does not come off like a man who ever had much concern about confessing his love for Neil Diamond. Although, as the author repeatedly moans, Diamond has never received much love from critics and serious music types, Wild presumes that simply slathering his text with prosaic praise and recitations of albums sold and sales-chart rankings will convert these nonbelievers. The friendly approach is to be expected, not least because the author’s résumé is comprised primarily of such light fare as companion books to Friends and Seinfeld. But even given this background, his book is notable for the relentlessness of its ego-stroking and thoughtlessness of its hero worship. Indicative of Wild’s gushing tone are such lines as, “I'm a Believer that Neil Diamond's best songs are forever, and that man himself is looking pretty damn good for sixty-six too.” Diamond has long been derided as a flashy and shallow crooner—Barry Manilow with slightly more heft—but the argument could be made that he deserves recognition as one of the most talented singer-songwriters of the last few decades. Wild, however, mistakes enthusiasm and ardor for criticism. In between the occasional stale nugget of biographical information, he pads the text by plugging his producing credit on Diamond’s Behind the Music episode and reminding readers what a totally super guy Neil really is.

A book-length press release.