Spring Break
REVIEW: New Dylan album tangled up in mediocrity
3 and a half out of 5 stars
Natalie Abreu
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Focus
Though it was not announced until a month ago, an iconic and always relevant perennial artist has once again returned to the music scene. That's right Bob Dylan the myth, the man and the legend has finally released a new studio album.
It has been almost three years since Dylan's last studio album, "Modern Times," was released and garnered both critical and popular acclaim. Now, he has returned to please his diehard fans with his 33rd studio album "Together Through Life," which proves to continue his blues music streak through soulful, somewhat grittier and sarcastic-sounding songs than were on his previous album.
According to the album notes, Dylan was inspired to record the album by the uncluttered early rock and R&B recordings of Chess and Sun Records, which can be felt throughout the album along with hints of blues, zydeco and Tex-Mex ballads. The warm accordion that accompanies most of the songs, played by David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, feels like just the right amount of infusion for each song.
From the fun and playful opening song "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'" to the soulful and poignant "Forgetful Heart," there seems to be a journey into a land where love and pain and reflection on life are prevalent. Each step of the way proves to be enjoyable to listen to. It's as if the album transports the listener to a gritty Tex-Mex bar filled with shady people and good times.
Dylan and The Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter wrote them on the album. While some of the lyrics are not up to par Dylan's legendary style, like "Sun and Fun" in "Shake Shake Mama," the songs all have their own flavor, accompanying instruments such as guitar, mandolin and accordion adding to the twisted, love related themes of each song.
"My Wife's Home Town" is particularly gritty with Dylan's vocals and lyrics such as, "Hell's my wife's hometown," and "I'm pretty sure she'll make me kill someone."
However dark the album's subject manner might be, one can tell by listening to the album that Dylan is having a fun time. "It's All Good," in particular, gives off a laidback, sarcastic vibe.
While the album might not be the best of Dylan's recent studio albums, Dylan proves to be a musical virtuoso, and his album certainly is one of the best of the year.
It has been almost three years since Dylan's last studio album, "Modern Times," was released and garnered both critical and popular acclaim. Now, he has returned to please his diehard fans with his 33rd studio album "Together Through Life," which proves to continue his blues music streak through soulful, somewhat grittier and sarcastic-sounding songs than were on his previous album.
According to the album notes, Dylan was inspired to record the album by the uncluttered early rock and R&B recordings of Chess and Sun Records, which can be felt throughout the album along with hints of blues, zydeco and Tex-Mex ballads. The warm accordion that accompanies most of the songs, played by David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, feels like just the right amount of infusion for each song.
From the fun and playful opening song "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'" to the soulful and poignant "Forgetful Heart," there seems to be a journey into a land where love and pain and reflection on life are prevalent. Each step of the way proves to be enjoyable to listen to. It's as if the album transports the listener to a gritty Tex-Mex bar filled with shady people and good times.
Dylan and The Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter wrote them on the album. While some of the lyrics are not up to par Dylan's legendary style, like "Sun and Fun" in "Shake Shake Mama," the songs all have their own flavor, accompanying instruments such as guitar, mandolin and accordion adding to the twisted, love related themes of each song.
"My Wife's Home Town" is particularly gritty with Dylan's vocals and lyrics such as, "Hell's my wife's hometown," and "I'm pretty sure she'll make me kill someone."
However dark the album's subject manner might be, one can tell by listening to the album that Dylan is having a fun time. "It's All Good," in particular, gives off a laidback, sarcastic vibe.
While the album might not be the best of Dylan's recent studio albums, Dylan proves to be a musical virtuoso, and his album certainly is one of the best of the year.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
jim
posted 5/01/09 @ 10:34 PM EST
Not a bad review, although the conclusion, "one of the best of the year," doesn't really fit with the headline - "Tangled up in mediocrity," which s more in line with my own feelings. (Continued…)
Whatsa Point?
posted 5/20/09 @ 12:36 PM EST
This album would be total and absolute shit garbage, if that category wasn't already filled to the brim. To think that I considered myself the biggest Dylan fan in my city, all those decades ago -- and the absolute crap the guy comes out with now!
It's hard to believe, but the worse his music (noise of band, basically) gets, the more plastic shit his record company sells. (Continued…)
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