Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
1997
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.
WikipediaThis 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
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.
Song writing of the highest standard, brilliant from start to finish. A beautiful and immersive album.
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.
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 🌟
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.
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.
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.
I really love the sound he created with this one. Not Dark Yet is one of my favorite songs.
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.
A stone cold return to form after the frankly abysmal previous 20 years (give or take).
3.1 + If someone told me this was their favorite Dylan album, I'd punch them in the dick.
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
great album all around, every song is distinct and enjoyable, lyrics are beautiful.
I have a feeling I might relate to this album one day, for better or worse. Love the storytelling
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.
This has got the strange whiff of an instant classic for my ear!!! Hidden gem in the back catalogue!
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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!
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
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
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
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.”
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.
“I’ve been to Sugar Town, I shook the sugar down, now I’m trying to get to heaven before they close the door.”
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!
I enjoyed the album, I have listened to ~Dylan before and considered him a bit of a drone, but this was better than me.
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.
goes on abit, but still knows how to write a tune. the last song is pretty funny very dark melancholic themes throughout
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.
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
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.
Enjoyed listening to the album, with some classic songs in there, and would listen again.
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.
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
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.
Dylan becomes the grizzled old blues singer he always wanted to be. This has the themes of the Leonard Cohen album from earlier, but whereas Cohen made that album then died, Dylan made this in 97 and is still alive. I like it, I love Dylan, but I think I’d rather be listening to the blues that inspired it. Favourite track: “Not Dark Yet”
Ik dacht dat zijn nieuwe werk niet zo boeiend zou zijn, maar blij verrast met dit plaatje.
Wow - really good album, in fact the first Bob Dylan album where the majority of tracks havn't given me a migraine. Lovely bluesy tunes. Would recommend
Last song was unnecessarily long and I didn’t enjoy the Tom Waits growl that Dylan used in some songs, but it was decent. 8/10
8/10. Good overall, really long, and started out a bit weak in my opinion. I am not sure how his production quality is still so low in the 90's, but I guess he found his style and he's sticking to it.
this isn't a bad album, but i was a bit disappointed given what i've come to expect from Bob Dylan. the most glaring issue is how rough his voice was by 1997 lmao, but additionally i felt that the songwriting was a lot more generic. the lyrics weren't bad by any means, but i wanted more of that classic Dylan wittiness, without which the protracted pieces feel particularly prolonged. 7/10
4.5 The thing is - traditionally, you’re supposed to listen to Bob for the words. I find myself lost in the band despite the fact that the songs are mostly mid-tempo and fairly similar in overall feel. (Which makes "To Make You Feel My Love" kinda stand out...) I like Bob Dylan, but I’m not what most would say is a fan - but I really dig this album overall. It’s another first listen for me.
Classic Dylan. I had never listened to this before or was aware of many of the songs, maybe this is because they are ones that don't get dragged out into the hit parade. I had no idea it was from the mid-90s as some of the songs are comparable to his best. One to listen to again in a mellow moment
Delicious. Who has pieces like Not Dark Yet or Make You Feel My Love that far in their careers? Dylan, that’s who.
Yeah, like this - sounds a bit more noir, a bit more cinematic than your usual Dylan. Even a bit Tom Waits in places! Fave track - "Not Dark Yet" was good - think I need to go with "Love Sick" overall though, that's a great album opener...
I was pleasantly surprised. Big fan of Dylan's earlier stuff, I didn't have very high expectations, but actually, this is a really solid album. I'm now a big fan of his more recent stuff too.
The year this album came out, I went on a long road trip around the Southwest of the USA. Wish I'd known about it then. Not that it would have made much difference, since the rental didn't have a CD player.
Ok, I've already listened to many songs from Dylan and I always liked them. Using this list, I noted how much he is important for the music industry and for the music evolution in the last decades, even don't find anything perfect for me from his discography yet. This album is by far the best one until now. A little bit long for my taste, but a great piece of songwriting with great music.
I never really dug deep into Dylan's catalog. My default impression of his music has always been the incoherent, beatnick/hippie, campfire folk vibe. I liked some of his songs, but wouldn't have considered myself a "fan" of his. This album may have changed that. It's actually a really solid dirty blues/folk album and - while he still sounds like he has gauze in his mouth all the time - his vocals are well suited to the genre. He mentions in "Highlands" that he listens to Neil Young - I'd say that influence is evident here, but still 100% Bob Dylan. Standing in the Doorway, Not Dark Yet, Cold Irons Bound, and Can't Wait were standouts for me.
One of the wildest things about this album is it’s only from 1997 and since then “Make You Feel My Love” has been a charted hit for Garth Brooks, Billy Joel and Adele! Fave tracks : “Love Sick” “Trying to get to heaven” “Make You Feel My Love”
Really like his raspy voice and song writing. It is quite a dark album but a very enjoyable listen. "Make You Feel My Love" is a beautiful song.