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Time Out Of Mind

Bob Dylan

1997

Buy At Rough Trade
Time Out Of Mind
Album Summary

Time Out of Mind is the thirtieth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on September 30, 1997, through Columbia Records. It was released as a single CD as well as a double studio album on vinyl, his first since The Basement Tapes in 1975. For many fans and critics, the album marked Dylan's artistic comeback after he appeared to struggle with his musical identity throughout the 1980s; he had not released any original material since Under the Red Sky in 1990. Time Out of Mind is hailed as one of Dylan's best albums, and it went on to win three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year in 1998. It was also ranked number 410 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2012.The album has an atmospheric sound, the work of producer (and past Dylan collaborator) Daniel Lanois, whose innovative work with carefully placed microphones and strategic mixing was detailed by Dylan in his memoir, Chronicles: Volume One. Although Dylan has spoken positively of Lanois' production style, he expressed dissatisfaction with the sound of Time Out of Mind. Dylan has self-produced his subsequent albums.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.21

Votes

10646
Genres
Rock
Folk
Singer Songwriter

Reviews

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Sat Feb 25 2023
3

3.1 + If someone told me this was their favorite Dylan album, I'd punch them in the dick.

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Tue Feb 23 2021
5

This album sounds like Dylan's "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, and in fact, he almost died after releasing it. Thankfully, he's still around, but that does nothing to diminish the album's dark look at mortality. It's brutally honest, like any Dylan record, but this one feels moreso. Best track: Not Dark Yet

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Mon Jun 07 2021
5

This is Old Dylan at his darkest and I mean that in the very best way. Dylan's voice has aged so well. Granted, his early voice wasn't the best so it's not a far trip to "better" but, even so, Old Dylan's voice is a pleasure to listen to. It feels like it has finally grown to match his powerful songwriting. The end result is an amazing piece of art that cuts hard.

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Sat Feb 20 2021
5

Song writing of the highest standard, brilliant from start to finish. A beautiful and immersive album.

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Thu Nov 25 2021
5

What a vibe. This album transports you. It picks you up and drops you into the midwest in the early 20th century, pours you a Jack Daniels, offers you a cigarette and tells you it's late night tales. An album that puts the world to rights. A few tracks could have lost a minute or ten which drops a half mark, but as we don't have half marks it gets the five.

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Mon Aug 02 2021
2

This is a highly regarded Dylan that I never really warmed to. Maybe it's the languid pace of the songs, or maybe the swampy bluesy feel that was never my thing. Maybe its the foggy atmospheric Daniel Langlois production or the old mam world-weary voice that keeps me at arms length. In any case a Dylan album that is near the bottom of the list for this Dylan fan. 2.5 🌟

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Thu Jul 29 2021
5

July 28, 2021 I really like the gravelly texture of old Dylan voice, which feels like it fits better with some of his songwriting than young Dylan voice. He sounds jaded and cynical and wise - exactly the right person to be meditating on mortality.

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Fri Aug 06 2021
4

Excellent album from the latter half of Dylan's career. Daniel Lanois' production aesthetic goes really well with these songs, giving them a heavy atmosphere and mood. It's not dark yet, but it's getting there. 4 stars.

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Fri Aug 20 2021
4

Though I'm not as big of a fan of Dylan after Desire, I must say this is quite an enjoyable record where he seems to have established a sort of template/persona of sorts for his subsequent records. How Dylan got his groove back.

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Mon Dec 12 2022
5

Captivating album. It really feels like you’re hearing the last breaths of Bob Dylan, as he’s nearing the end. It’s rough, yearning, full of pathos. But what really struck me about the album was the way it’s recorded! I read about the album production beforehand… how everything was done live, in this one-mic-in-the-room style, how the effects on Bob’s voice were printed on the performance as he sang. I had read all this background, but I honestly didn’t expect to hear that much of a difference in the sound. Man was I wrong! It’s such a unique-sounding album, sonically. It sounds full and live but also fuzzy, like an hazy, impressionistic version of a 50’s blues record. Something about the recording makes it feel so out of time, so strange… and made me on my toes for the whole listen. You know, 5 stars! It had me all the way through.

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Tue Jan 17 2023
5

I really love the sound he created with this one. Not Dark Yet is one of my favorite songs.

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Tue Jun 08 2021
4

I didn't expect this to be so good!

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Mon Sep 20 2021
4

A stone cold return to form after the frankly abysmal previous 20 years (give or take).

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Fri Sep 23 2022
4

If a whisky dive bar was an album its this !

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Wed Jan 10 2024
4

Bob Dylan No. 5, but I’ve had a nice six month break from him on this generator TBH my interest in Bob Dylan's music is flagging post-70s, but as much as I hate to admit it, the critics are right: he did have his mojo back by this point. The blues are roarin', the ballads heartwrenching, the lyrics funny. My attention span was a little fried by the time the 16 minute-long closer came around, but I did chuckle some at the detailed excuses to get out of drawing that waitress. HL: "Standing in the Doorway", "Trying to Get To Heaven", "Not Dark Yet", "Make You Feel My Love", "Highlands" January 9, 2024

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Wed Feb 28 2024
3

This one presented me with a bit of a quandary. One one hand Bob Dylan is an amazing lyricist and writes a solid tune - acoustic and electric. On the other hand I find his nasally voice kind of irritating.

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Fri Oct 01 2021
1

Me one week ago, listening to Blood on the Tracks: "Oh wow, Bob Dylan did make good music after the '60s! Maybe I was wrong." Me today: "Maybe he just didn't make good music after 1975." This is tremendously boring. His voice is like a weak Tom Waits parody, which isn't good because Tom Waits is already like a goofy Leonard Cohen parody. Such a long, aimless album. Only one track on here that I enjoyed, the rest felt like I was sitting in a coffee shop trying to have a conversation over the aspiring local artist playing for the night. Wikipedia says "Time Out of Mind is hailed as one of Dylan's best albums." Whoever wrote that must work at Lids because that's nothing but cap. Dylan, I've given you two 4.5 star ratings so far, that makes this one even more disappointing. This doesn't belong here. Favorite tracks: Not Dark Yet (but maybe it should be Bob; go home). Album art: Looks like a trashy picture for a greatest hits, Starbucks compilation CD. I think my distaste for the music is seeping in here, but this is very bland. The least interesting Dylan cover I've seen so far, so it fits I guess. 1.5/5

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Tue Feb 23 2021
5

Found a live version which was really enjoyable. Bob dylan is truly a grand master. Soul and passion in every song, thoughts and politics behind every word

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Thu Apr 15 2021
5

great album all around, every song is distinct and enjoyable, lyrics are beautiful.

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Sat May 01 2021
5

I have a feeling I might relate to this album one day, for better or worse. Love the storytelling

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Fri Aug 20 2021
5

Before listening I wondered why this was on the list - Dylan's 30th studio album, well beyond his "prime." But I really appreciated the songwriting and heard greatness in it. Classic Dylan storytelling, and notewotlethy as a return to form after a long dry spell. You can hear him grappling with his age, and he sounds so old. Remarkable to realize that he is still releasing vital material now, more than 20 years after this album was released.

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Sun Aug 22 2021
5

This has got the strange whiff of an instant classic for my ear!!! Hidden gem in the back catalogue!

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Wed Sep 01 2021
5

I've heard this album plenty of times and I always really enjoy it. It's dark and brooding. Love Sick, Not Dark Yet, and Highlands are all great.

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Fri Sep 24 2021
5

This record has spent a bit of Time Out of Mind. I loved it when it came out and listened to it endlessly for a while. I enjoyed spending time with it all day today. It has been added to my regular playlists.

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Thu Oct 07 2021
5

what is it about him? no one knows

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Sat Nov 06 2021
5

Might be my favorite Dylan album. I especially like Highlands.

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Fri Nov 26 2021
5

Felt a bit like my first Dylan, easy listening and great stuff

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Mon Jan 31 2022
5

Opet ću se vratit ovom albumu! Divno… Više mi se sviđa ovaj stari glas. “They tell me everything is going to be all right, but I dont know what all right even means” Make you feel my love i Not dark yet najbolje

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Fri Jan 28 2022
5

njegov glas je ko rastopljena ÄŤokolada s 85% kakaa-oboĹľavan!

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Tue Apr 12 2022
5

Magnificent output from Bob once again. He's just such an impressive artist, growing and changing with the times but also steadfast with his outstanding poetry and storytelling. It's what we love and expect from him. And it's his 30th studio album! He's a prolific artist who continues to create without ever becoming dull or irrelevant; instead he's only gotten better and better at his craft as the time passes. Unlike some of his contemporaries *cough* rolling stones *cough cough* who still write embarrassingly immature songs well into their twilight years. This is a deep, brooding, introspective masterpiece.

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Sat Apr 30 2022
5

Never a huge Dylan fan,liked his music and lyrics.Don’t know how I missed this album absolutely loved it right up my musical alley..bluesy and great lyrics…a keeper

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Mon May 09 2022
5

A masterpiece from the GOAT.

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Tue May 31 2022
5

One thing listeners tend to learn about Bob Dylan is to never count him out. When he seems to be at his lowest ebb creatively, to the point of no return, he would come back with something so potent, so pure, so reaffirming that it would seem ridiculous to have ever doubted him. On Time Out of Mind, Bob (with the help of Daniel Lanois) once more turns all perceptions upside down and begins keeping up with a wave that hasn't subsided since, offering a continuation of the ever mystifying path taking that makes Bob Dylan well... you know. One of the more intriguing, interesting yet under the radar comebacks in music history.

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Mon Jul 18 2022
5

OWN A NEW REISSUE Love this album. Such a step up over previous Dylan albums and sparked his renaissance. Production-wise sounds like radio transmitted from space. Muddy, distant, reverby. Lots of instruments in the murk. In that way kinda reminds me of Basement Tapes, in that maybe you won't catch everything unless you listen closely. So many good songs: Love Sick, Million Miles, Til I Fell in love with You, Highlands, etc. Maybe one or two middling old man Dylan tracks, as these late ones are expected to have. Top tier

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Wed Jul 20 2022
5

The only song I didn’t like was the cover of Make you Feel My Love. Nothing to maudlin, loved the country folky rhythmic vibe. 4.5 album, rounding up because this is some Dylan I can get behind!

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Sun Aug 14 2022
5

Beautifully rendered songs, atmospheric and bluesy. Dylan's vocal may have aged a little, but it suits the subject matter of these songs perfectly. His delivery is spot on, his songwriting dark, mournful and heart rending. This album is a total mood, but I enjoyed it immensely. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Tryin' to Get to Heaven, Not Dark Yet, Million Miles, Standing in the Doorway, Dirt Road Blues, Cold Irons Bound, Highlands, 'Til I Fell in Love with You, Love Sick, Make You Feel My Love, Can't Wait

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Fri Sep 02 2022
5

This is not in my collection, but is now on the must-have list. Dylan at his most love sick, with a couple classic cuts, including Trying to get to Heaven, and Not Dark Yet

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Tue Sep 06 2022
5

Dylan has a brush with death again and decamps to the woods to write this album. He comes back pissed off. The sound of an angry aging man finding his muse again. Love it. Even Adele couldn't ruin his songs. Best Tracks: Love Sick; Not Dark Yet; Cold Irons Bound

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Mon Dec 12 2022
5

Guys we had a very good week in The Becca Records Club! I’m about to give my 5th 5-star rating here, but that’s not the point. The point is, I am a nut for late-period Bob Dylan. I’ve never listened to this, though I’ve heard it mentioned frequently. I’ve listened to 1989’s Oh Mercy (also produced by Lanois) and 2020’s Rough and Rowdy Ways many times, both of which I love. I find that Bob Dylan is a songwriter, and more importantly a singer, who only got better with age. It's not evidenced on all, but many of these later albums, and especially Time Out of Mind, which is just so stunningly beautiful. His voice sounds like leather and he manages to say so much more with so much less than he used to in the 60s and 70s. He masters the power of silence, of sometimes not saying anything at all and letting the music speak for itself. Musically, he isn’t afraid to get weird and challenge himself later in life too. Playing with different bands and session player. Introducing new genres and instruments, and not just introducing them, but inviting them in and allowing his own writings, voice, and tone to grow around them. You never listen to a Bob Dylan album and feel like he’s wearing someone else’s shoes. No, Bob Dylan always sounds true to himself, but he isn’t afraid to explore all the many shades of that self. And not just explore, but communicate what he’s found or seen with all of us. The lyrical content is as dark, haunting, and profound as any Dylan album I can think of. It’s up there with Blood on the Tracks. And for me, maybe even stands a little taller because of the age and experience he brings to this record. Sonically too, it has such dynamic range. It’s some of the best-sounding music I’ve ever come across, in terms of pure audiophilia. And hats off to Daniel Lanois for his production work here. I can get lost in these songs, his voice, forever. It’s like swimming in the greatest sea of all time. And he just keeps giving. He’s truly the greatest songwriter we have. And that talent, almost 40 years into his career, is on full display in Time Out of Mind. “Make You Feel My Love” is the only moment I can see feeling a bit off. Especially as it’s been covered and grown in the popular conscious after the release of this album. But as one reviewer put it, “In context, “Make You Feel My Love” is not a romantic bauble; it is an ironclad threat in a velvet glove, one final attempt to force love from the listener at any cost. “ And I couldn’t agree more. I think this “ballad” is one of the more tormented moments on the album and in many ways is its centerpiece. But my two favorites songs ares “Standing in the Doorway” and “Not Dark Yet.”

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Thu Jan 05 2023
5

Some of his best writing on this one.

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Thu Jan 19 2023
5

Yo, I'm here for this. *vibes*

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Thu Jan 26 2023
5

For Dylan to wander his way through most of the 70s trying figure out who he was only to come back with this album feels like Jesus emerging from 40 days in the desert and being tempted by the devil. It is dark, brooding and gritty. It’s almost as if he somehow knew that he would almost die shortly after this album was recorded. My only complaint is some of the overly echoey vocal effects. Other than that, this album ranks among Dylan’s very best and that is about the highest compliment I can give it.

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Mon Jan 30 2023
5

I love Bob Dylan now! Almost cried at some songs!

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Tue Feb 14 2023
5

“I’ve been to Sugar Town, I shook the sugar down, now I’m trying to get to heaven before they close the door.”

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Tue Mar 14 2023
5

Amazing album. You’d be quick to write off Dylan at his age here with his gravelly voice but that only adds to this album’s rough and rowdy ways!

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Sat Apr 01 2023
5

Excellent album with beautiful tracks. Not sure it would have been on thid list were it not Bob Dylan, but it's Dylan.

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Tue May 09 2023
5

Yes please, give me more of these albums. I enjoy them very much.

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Wed Jul 05 2023
5

An album that took real time to settle and work its magic. On a cold wet day, travelling home in the car after a hard week away, terrible tail backs, a long journey ahead. On that day it connected and since then I have always admired this collection of songs. I have to be in the mood, you don't choose this album to be background music it needs attention. The production is a little "murky" the pace "pedestrian" but my word its an emotional ride. I got married to Make You Feel My Love, admittedly it was Adele's version cause the wife-to-be preferred it. But the words were perfect. A classic album by Dylan, and I think an essential record for any collection.

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Mon Jul 17 2023
5

Let's say you're having a barbeque at your house with a bunch of people. The weather is beautiful, everyone's been day drinking and having a great time but as it gets later in the day people gradually begin to head home until the sun's gone down and only a few friends remain. These friends are the real ones and maybe one of them rolls a joint or packs a pipe and conversation gets deep, not necessarily super-serious but one of those good deep conversations that make you smile. This is the album you put on for that occasion.

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Thu Jul 27 2023
5

Stunning. I’d never visited Dylan’s work outside of the main albums and was suitably impressed. Excellent delivery and swampy blues lines. Very good.

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Fri Aug 18 2023
5

Another incredible Dylan album. It’s most comparable to Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker in terms of theme, but Dylan made it 25 years ago. Of course the lyrics are perfect, and Dylan’s voice maturation is so interesting, and it has excellent instrumentation. Just an all-around great album.

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Fri Aug 18 2023
5

I’m biased, but I love this album. It’s kinda wild to think that this album is 25 years old and that when Bob finished this album, the sixties were 25 years behind him. This is, by some measures, middle period Dylan. This album shows that behind his inscrutable poetry there is a man who feels sadness, humility, anger, and love. I would never introduce anyone to Dylan with this album, but it 100% deserves all the praise it gets. I know this review is already long, but I just have to shout out “Make You Feel My Love” as one of the most beautiful love songs ever written.

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Fri Oct 06 2023
5

The best album of 1997. Yes, it's better than OK Computer.

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Thu Dec 14 2023
5

One of the more important albums in my life. A return to form for the Master. Tight, snazzy sound. Lyrics contemplating one’s mortality. Dylan puts out one of his best all time albums at age 56.

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Wed Dec 20 2023
5

Song thoughts: Love Sick - smooth rhythms paired with Bob's ragged voice Dirt Road Blues - a classic folk western song. The electric guitar sounds great on this song. Standing in the Doorway - smooth soft rock paired with Bob's signature voice. Million Miles - love the blues sound to the song, Bob knows how to make music. Tryin' to Get to Heaven - Bob's unique voice is on display in this soft rock song. 'Til I Fell in Love with You - the instruments all work together perfectly. An easy song to just groove to. Not Dark Yet - another song where everything works together. Cold Irons Bound - love the bass line and intro. I can see this song playing over a scene where someone walks into a busy saloon. Make You Feel My Love - this is a classic song, if you haven't listened to Adele's version you should go and do that. This is another excellent version. Can't Wait - this song is funky and just makes you want to sway. Highlands - not many songs can be this long and not feel like a drag. This was an incredible album. Each song sounds unique while fitting the theme of the album. The instruments are always on point to blend with Bob's unique voice. I will definitely be coming back to this one!

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Tue Dec 26 2023
5

Just brilliant. Bob drags is through his influences with a bleeding heart and a voice that fits perfectly. There's something about the delayed delivery of the lines on Can't Wait that makes me laugh.

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Wed Jan 03 2024
5

All time great; should be good

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Mon Jan 08 2024
5

Every track on this album is top notch Dylan

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Sun Jan 14 2024
5

I own a copy, I bought it right after the album came out, I felt very strongly then that this was a great record. It's probably the only studio Dylan record that I listen to with some regularity. Giving it another listen now just reinforces that opinion, it's a great record.

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Thu Jan 25 2024
5

Thunder wonder plunder. The man is a poet! I never appreciated Dylan until recently. His voicing of social and political issues transcend generations and will keep his legacy alive for generations to come.

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Tue Feb 06 2024
5

I loved every second of this album. It was like listening to music with my dad again. It's beautiful and soulful and just makes everything feel familiar somehow.

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Tue Feb 20 2024
5

Look, I’m a Bob fanatic, but I do try to keep some perspective. Before this album was released, I hadn’t really enjoyed one of his albums since 1989’s Oh Mercy, also produced by Daniel Lanois. I thought Bob had lost the plot with Slow Train Coming (1979 - an album I now love). I didn’t like any of the 6 albums he released in the 80’s between those 2. And I didn’t like any of the 3 albums he released in the 90’s before this one. As for his live performances, I found his versions of his classic songs harder to listen to on each tour he made here. He’s admitted that before Time Out Of Mind he’d lost his way. The album was immediately lauded on release. As for his live performances, I finally realised that he was always gonna mangle the classics, but what was left of his voice always sounded fine when he was singing a song that he’d recorded with the same voice. And so, his live performances of songs from this album have always entertained me. And it helps when he writes crackers like these - Love Sick (the live version that came with the bonus CD on my copy is better than the studio version); Standing In The Doorway & Million Miles are heartbreakers; Cold Irons Bound is just a great track; Make You Feel My Love has become a standard (although I’d rather listen to Adele’s version); Highlands is epic; but Not Dark Yet has always been my favourite, and the older I get, the more it moves me. And I haven’t even mentioned the quality of the songwriting or the band. He hasn’t done an album anywhere near as good as this since.

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Wed Feb 21 2024
5

That's easy -> great artist, great album, great performance

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Mon Sep 14 2020
4

I enjoyed the album, I have listened to ~Dylan before and considered him a bit of a drone, but this was better than me.

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Fri Jun 04 2021
4

better than i expected, really relax but it was good

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Sat Feb 13 2021
4

I'm listening to Time out of Mind by Bob Dylan. It's difficult to really 'rate' an album such as this. A towering figure in music for so many years, it's hard to find a place to begin. Maybe I can start in the most superficial way possible. The songs are pleasing and I really enjoyed the first track. I recall this album coming out and listening to it at the time. I revisit Dylan fairly often and I have not returned to this one as of yet. It's pretty universally well reviewed. People talk about his voice and he is sometimes dismissed off-hand because of how he sounds. This happens to Neil Young as well. I love both artists and enjoy taking them exactly how they are with their distinct voices. I'm enjoying this very much. I'm not worrying too much about the entirety of Dylan's career when thinking about this current album. The general idea is that it's a return to form, or one of the better later period Dylan albums to come along. 'Trying to get to heaven' is a mid album highlight, and a nice accompaniment to another cube farm pandemic Monday. As the album finishes up, I'm saying I very much enjoyed it - though when jumping back into Dylan the next time, it probably wont be this.

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Thu Jan 28 2021
4

goes on abit, but still knows how to write a tune. the last song is pretty funny very dark melancholic themes throughout

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Sat Mar 06 2021
4

Un bon album comme tout ceux ou presque de Dylan 4.25*

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Sun Mar 14 2021
4

Lejos de sus obras maestras pero el mejor los posteriores. Un Dylan más envejecido y con una voz más ronca, pero con un sonidocavernoso y buenas canciones.

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Thu Jan 28 2021
4

Like it. A bit indulgent with song lengths though!

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Sun Jan 24 2021
4

I can see why Dylan wasn't happy with the production but good god this man can do blues and make country actually palatable, dark and brooding. Still feels like he inspired and influenced in a huge way, reminds me of Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Mountain Goats and more. Make You Feel My Love is stunning

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Wed May 26 2021
4

I've never listened to any Bob Dylan outside of the 60s and 70s. I really liked this. Looks like the 80s aren't worth my time, but need to check out more of his later work.

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Wed Feb 24 2021
4

Enjoyed listening to the album, with some classic songs in there, and would listen again.

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Sat Apr 10 2021
4

The 5th time Dylan was able to make a come back album and have it rock the music world, especially with it's mortality based lyrics.

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Thu Apr 29 2021
4

It's Not Dark Yet is an absolutely beautiful song. Dylan is someone I have appreciated without going to the well, so was glad to hear an album of his I'd never heard. I also enjoyed Love Sick, Standing in the Doorway, Can't Wait and Cold Irons Bound. 4

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Fri May 28 2021
4

There are some really nice tracks here, and I especially liked "Standing in the Doorway", but overall it's not my favorite work from Dylan.

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