Bob Dylan--"Modern Times

1 rating since posting on Friday, November 24, 2006
in Michigan
(submitted by dancrimson )

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dancrimson
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Bob Dylan: Still A Relevant Force!
Well, what can you say? Bob Dylan is still doing it and he still sounds good. A close friend of mine once commented, "I think it's kind of funny--and somewhat ironic--that we're fighting a senseless war, our society's on the verge of collapse and Bob Dylan once again has a best-selling album."

Well, my friends, if you happen to be reading this and you listen to Dylan's music as much as I do, or if you're simply interested in his music (a "casual listener" as some would say, but I'm not that condescending), then I definitely recommend his latest offering, "Modern Times". Now, I'll admit, for a CD which was released in late August, a review is probably overdue. However, the fact that it's a new album by The Bard and that his music is still quite fresh and relevant today, makes the present as good a time as any to put my thoughts down on this new release. I'd have to say that "Modern Times" is his strongest release yet, which is to say that he's followed up his two previous albums ("Time Out Of Mind" and "Love And Theft") quite well. I think his newer stuff really stands up quite well along his most well-known material, especially the stuff he recorded thirty, even forty years ago. So, if someone was to ask me if Dylan's newer music compares with something, like, say, "Highway 61 Revisited" or "Blood On The Tracks", my answer would most certainly be "YES!"

His newest offerings within the last eight years have ranged from modern-age travel songs ("Time Out Of Mind") to a burlesque of traditional American music ("Love And Theft"); this one seems to seamlessly meld the two extremes quite perfectly. You get another one of his travelogues with the kick-off song, "Thunder On The Mountain", and a few minutes later, he tackles a classic blues, such as his jumping version of Muddy Waters' "Rollin' And Tumblin'". Yet, I also hear within many of these songs some of his most personal lyrics. Take for instance, "Working Man's Blues #2": his voice is in fine form, finer than I've heard in a long time, the music is beautiful and it aches of a man working all his life and struggling with love. And the album finishes off with something quite ominious, almost like he's making his current commentary. Over forty years ago, he said "The Times Are A-Changing". Six years ago, he said "Times Have Changed". Now, he's saying, "I Ain't Talkin'", with all the conviction of a frustrated man who has said all he could and has been ignored.

I hope you can enjoy this one for yourself! - dancrimson , posted 11/24/06

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