Reviews (page 7 of 14)
I mean... It's Blonde On Blonde
Dylan at his blues-y best
Although this is his most critically acclaimed album, I didn’t like it as much as Highway 61 Revisited. Of course it is still good though, it is clear the he is one of the best. Standout songs: Like a Woman
They say never trust a guy with two first names. Yeah. It holds the record for the shortest amount of time it has taken for me to stop listening to an album due to how shit it is. I knew 5 seconds into the first song I was going to hate it. Maybe it's the sour mood I'm in, but I reckon this album put me in the sour mood in the first place. There are ZERO redeeming qualities in this. Some of you lot will wank yourselves off about the lyrics or storytelling or whatever, but if the guy telling you the story sounds like a drunken snot-filled seal you aren't paying attention to what he's saying are you. The fact that he even had the AUDACITY to make it into a double album pisses me off even more. What makes it even worse is that I've got 4 more albums off this prick - at the very least - and has added to the list of albums I'm dreading of getting in this forsaken website Fuck Bob Dylan and fuck his shitty little harmonica. Grow up.
I think the only reason people like Bob Dylan is because of the time. Like if I was stuck in the 60's and he was on, i guess i would suffice listening to him (even though jazz at that time >>>>>>>>). The more of him i listen to, the more i dislike it esp that ANNOYING HARMONICA PLZ REMOVE IT.
The thing is, I don't hate Bob Dylan, but seriously he isn't this messiah that deserves all of this praise and 6 albums on the list. The whole album sounded the same, which isn't bad, but every one of his songs sounds so similar. You give this album to someone who isn't a music connoisseur, and they'd think it's boring and tasteless. Alas, it is just straight down the road, so it's three stars. Take one of these Dylan albums and give it to Paul Kelly or someone Australian.
I liked it better than I thought that I would
Volvemos en éste reto al mostro que es Bob Dylan, con un álbum de su época rockera, mi favorita por lejos. El álbum nos va paseando por blues y rock tradicional, todo con LA voz de Dylan, una brujería de otros tiempos. Un disco clásico de rock, muy acorde a los tiempos en que salió (1966). Hasta mañana.
Blonde on Blonde, Dylan's seventh studio album and his first double album is a great album, filled with Nashville sound. Outstanding tracks are "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35", "Visions of Johanna", "I Want You" and "Just Like a Woman" but really any track gives you sense of Dylans ability to write songs.
Better than Coldplay
I can respect the poetry of the lyrics. Just not a Dylan fan, although I can tolerate the more folky earlier stuff.
A mass of material stretching from hilariously fun to thoughtfully crafted and all the way to deeply moving.
Måste säga att det känns lite småläskigt att recensera ett album av gamle Bob när 100% av audiensen till min produkt håller han som någon form av husgud (@fanten210hours). Men Blonde On Blonde har ändå gått ganska varm förr om åren, även om det var en stund sedan sist. Det var ett av kanske 7(?) Dylans som ingick i min offline-period när arbetsplatsen inte tillät telefoner och det var mp3 som gällde. Det hade ändå något. En första låt som tjatar in att 'everybody must get stoned' går inte att ogilla. Sedan att både den, och framförallt "Pledging My Time" sätter en tydlig blues-vibb (bam BAbam, BAbam BAbam osv) över tonen i albumet. Den låten och den tydliga blues-känslan är inte något jag reflekterat över tidigare. Tyckte det var härligt. När sedan kavalkaden av hits som börjar med "One of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later) mår man bra. Inte ens den outhärdliga värmen på det okonditionerade tåget får överhanden. Jag tror att det ofta är just den här låten som är top of mind när jag tänker på Dylan, och jag tror att anledningen till det är att han aldrig sjunger så mycket som Dylan, som i den här låten. Sen "I Want You" = Klass! MEN sedan kommer en av mina topp-Bobers of all time. "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" tror jag bröt sig in under den där mp3-perioden. Fan vad bra den är. Vet inte riktigt vad det är, men den tuggar bara på i good vibes. En synt och en trumma som ligger som en konstant grund och på det är det en gitarr som ligger och lurar med väldigt små infall med korta intervall. Också fortsätter den vers på vers på vers i stilen av Dylan, mycket bra bara. Andra halvan av albumet kände jag inte att jag hade riktigt lika bra koll på. Men där fortsätter den där tydliga känslan av blues som jag nämnde tidigare, på ett väldigt härligt sätt. Ex i "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat", som jag också hoppas att det är Robbie som lirar lead på. Jag har inte kollat upp detta, men den där ryckiga stilen i solot tycker jag mig känna igen från The Last Waltz. "Just Like a Woman" = Klass! "Temporary Like Achilles" = Mys! "Fourth Time Around" = Gitarrmys! "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" = Trevligt avslut! Allt som allt ett fantastiskt album. Inte så mycket mer att önska egentligen och därför är det svårt att ge den ett betyg. Det är så nära en femma man kan komma utan att vara en femma. Jag tror att om jag lyssnade på musik på ett sätt där texten tog mer plats gissar jag att det skulle vara en given femma? Men jag måste försöka hålla i min ståndpunkt att vara sträng här. Bäst: "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again".
I think it's length plays against it, and it doesn't do it for me like some of my favourite works of him, still a lyrical jewel.
Interesting, first bob Dylan listen, Thought I would like his vocals more than I did to be fair. Sound was a alright just didn't like his singing very much
One of his best.
Álbum marcante. Letshuoer D13
Grossly overrated.
Better and more engaging than other Dylan albums
pretty fantastic. one of my fav Dylan albums
Would’ve probably been more positive towards it if it was shorter but it’s 73 minutes of acoustic-ish music that I’m not really feeling. Harmonica is always fun though.
Dad- 8 Mom- 7 Mike- NA Lori- 5.5 Michael- 6 Miles- NA Cole- NA Avg-6.63
A couple thoughts about Bob Dylan: 1. If you're going to use a fucking harmonica so much, shouldn't you be decently good at it? I mean Jesus Fucking Christ, I could practice for a week and play every single line on this album. 2. Unfortunately it seems I belong to the camp of hating-Bob-Dylan's-stupid-fucking-grating-voice. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. But if you're a singer-songwriter -- like, if that's your whole schtick -- shouldn't you be able to fucking sing? At all? Holy mother of God this guy's voice is annoying. 3. I get that the appeal of Bob Dylan is supposed to be that he's a "poet." Like woooooow, forget the music, but listen to those lyrics though. Fuck you. They're decent. It's not fucking Shakespeare. Two stars because I can appreciate that this at least took some level of musical ability and intellect. But Jesus man. Fuck you Bob Dylan. Fave songs: - One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later) - Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands
Reading idiotic writings like this are annoying. On the first song "Rainy Day Women #12 and 35" According to Andy Gill, by starting his new album with what sounded like "a demented marching-band ... staffed by crazy people out of their mind on loco-weed", Dylan delivered his biggest shock yet for his former folkie fans.The elaborate puns on getting stoned combine a sense of paranoiac persecution with "nudge-nudge wink-wink bohemian hedonism". Heylin points out that the Old Testament connotations of getting stoned made the Salvation Army-style musical backing seem like a good joke." Andy Gill, you are a muppet. That first song is Dixieland music that Dylan aped from the New Orleans area. Dixieland is frequently accompanied by marching snare, and guess what they tend to also sing lots of traditional and gospels in Zydeco and Dixieland style. You give Bob Dylan too much credit for creating something new, when he is merely copycatting traditional American folk and jazz, and poorly at that. I say it all the time, but Bob Dylan is the most overrated American musician. While he may of trailblazed a double album, I would say he was far from the master of its form. His lyrics don't really illuminate as much as they just sensationalize fringe communities in order to appear sufficiently countercultural for his time. It is literary masturbation. At least I have the good taste not to write songs about it. BLONDE ON BLONDE is filled with the terrible singing you've come to expect and the aural assault that he calls a harmonica. No thanks, Bob. Piss off. Next.
Incredibly good.
Great album Standout songs: Visions of Johanna Stuck inside of mobile with the Memphis blues again Most likely you go your way
Some weird one in there but overall great musically
Ok. Harmonica nice.
Another all timer.
This is my second Dylan album in a fairly short amount of time. I don't think this one is as good as Bringing It All Home. It's also quite long. Dylan's signature singing style seems so much more exaggerated on this album. Musically, it's standard Dylan, if a bit more rock and roll than what you usually think of. I actually found the harmonica a little much on some tracks, and I usually love a harmonica. I just wasn't in the mood for this album at the time, but it hit just fine, landing squarely in the average range for me. 3/5
Pretty good rithym
Sounds great. The first time I've started to click with a Bob Dylan album. Keen to give it another listen
He's a legendary songwriter but I just can't help thinking someone should've been at the helm telling him 'Rainy Day Women' is an in-joke that's not really funny. Leave it on the cutting room floor. Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands is somehow eight minutes too long and doesn't go anywhere. You've got some excellent, highly listenable numbers in Just Like A Woman, Fourth Time Around and One Of Us Must Know, but this could've definitely been a single, and it would've been fantastic.
Damn good Bob Collection. Good blend of folksy, and electric accompanied by a pure blues back track. Storied lyrics with powerful emotional context. This album shows Dylan's commitment to his craft. He is due all the respect and praise even as a tiny jacket, cold walk hipster grandfather.
I like some of his songs but damn did I dislike this album
This one was good. I liked it. 3 Stars.
Oh no, no, no. After Highway 61 Revisited I never wanted to hear another Bob Dylan album. However, deep down, I knew that the Dylathon never ends. I am now two albums deep into the Bob Dylan heptalogy (yes, I looked up that word just so I could use it here). I don’t recall much about Highway 61 other than that I disliked the ear-bleeding harmonicas and Bob Dylan’s shitty vocals. Tombstone Blues admittedly pops into my head every now and then, so this one might not be that ba-OH MY GOODNESS IT’S A DOUBLE ALBUM. Red alert, red alert. I am endlessly neurotic about conciseness in music and the double album is an affront to all that is good in my eyes. I have endlessly bemoaned the “hour tenner”, an album length from which only one album has returned alive. It’s not looking promising for this album. In any case, I’ll give it a fair shake. From what I’ve picked up about Bob Dylan, I’ve heard that he has a knack for songwriting – a talent I’m continually dumbfounded by. There’s no craft or catchiness to this music. Bobby just dumps a bunch of random shit into these songs and desperately tries to pair his lyrics with bog-standard, overblown instrumentals. Out of this entire suite of songs, there are only two that I think are alright. I Want You has a nice instrumental and is the best-written song on the album. Fourth Time Around is also pretty alright. Very reminiscent of Norwegian Wood on a lyrical and instrumental level, which means the instrumental finally chilled out for a second. This album was indistinguishable from Highway 61, though I'm curious to know why it’s on here. I’m checking the book. Rock’n’roll’s “first masterpiece”. Poetic. “...voice of a generation”. Rock’s first double album (so it was Bob Dylan to blame, huh?). The first page of the 1001 Albums book has an image of Jimi Hendrix lisening to an album with a few vinyl albums strewn beside him, of which this was one. This is probably a worthwhile listen if its one of the first things I’m confronted with when opening the book. I hesitantly cosign this inclusion.
I didn't understand why Bob Dylan is so beloved and I still don't understand it
Not my favorite Dylan, but it shows a period of transition for him. Everyone Must Get Stoned is funny and shows he doesn't want to be taken as seriously as people have grown to treat his music. this comes directly after Hwy 61 and the shock of his rock conversion is in full swing here. 3/5
Amazing. Heard a couple songs I did not know and was very impressed.
Previously rated: Highway 61 Revisited (4/5) Blood on the Tracks (4/5) Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert) (4/5) The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (4/5) **************************************************** Another day, another 4/5 Bob Dylan album. It kind of peters out at the end, and he really overdoes it with his elongated word shtick. I might have given it a 3 if it weren't for the strong tracks Rainy Day Women, Visions of Johanna, Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat, and Just Like a Woman.
Svängigt och nice. Man vänjer sig vid den horribla rösten och börjar lyssna mer på texten och känna viben
Ok I'm not a Dylan fan, I don't really get the appeal of his voice but...this slaps. I am happy to be corrected!
I mean look, I don't really care for Dylan. I think I've said it before: he sounds like a parody of himself.
Bob Dylan is fantastic and there is not a single bad track Blonde On Blonde. But Bob Dylan is also a bit of a one-trick pony. Guitar strumming, screamy off tone singing and a harmonica solo. Don't get me wrong, I love him for it. I just don't think a double elpee is where he shines best.
I just really don't like his voice.
My favorite BD album
Think I would have enjoyed this more if I just read the lyrics on their own, which were especially good in sad-eyed lady of the lowlands. I find the actual musicianship uncompelling in modern listening formats, the harmonica is pretty grading. Still need to watch A Complete Unknown
I get annoyed by his voice and him breathing through his stupid loud harmonica. Other than that it’s pretty good
The band is fantastic on this album, feel like Dylan was pushing music as a whole forward at this point, more experimental, the lyrics more surreal and poetic, he was certainly ahead of his time and to me this still sounds amazing today
Too long but solid album with some nice folky tunes
One of my favorite music artists period. And I think blonde on blonde is his second best album. Just incredible the entire Time. Visions of Johanna and sad eyed lady being two of my absolute favorite Dylan songs. I know I lotta people say he has a bad voice but I disagree completely I think it fits the music perfectly. The lyrics are obviously incredible. Easy 5*
Rainy Day Women // Visions of Johanna // One of Us Must Know // I Want You // Stuck Inside // Just Like a Woman // 4.5/5
Ugh, I think I just really don't like Bob Dylan's sound
Pinnacle Dylan. Both lyrically and musically it’s his most diverse and complete. It’s chaotic, but controlled. It’s comedic and tragic. A concept album about emotion rather than a plot. And ties up so perfectly with Sad Eyed lady… And Visions of Johanna is just incredible.
I like Bob Dylan, he was a big part of my childhood for me since my parents listened to him a lot as I was growing up. I'm a fan of this album for sure.
Classic album.
Simple: prolly top 5 or 10 all time for me. Been waiting for a Dylan contribution on our list, and this was the perfect day for it. This will never get old for me, so damned musical, lyrics that take you on a journey, this is Dylan almost as good as he gets (Highway 61 and Blood On the Tracks anyone?)
It's Dylan. Boss
Bob "Marmite"(or Vegemite for you Aussies)Dylan Didn't realise how decisive Dylan was, I get it though, I love his music, there are many musicians who would dream of writing just one song lyric as amazing as Dylan writes every time he puts pen to paper. This album is just like a best of as there is one classic after another, most bands must spend there nights with dreams of this album being theirs
every song on here is like 3-5 minutes but it feels like 15. sick death grips reference though
coisas que eu não senti saudade nenhuma nesse site: bob dylan
lado bom: eh o penultimo bob dylan da lista lado ruim: tem 70 minutos. vai tomar no cu mas, assim, não foi ruim. só foi longo. as músicas boas são boas, mas não dá pra todas serem né fazer o que. btw a gaita tava MTO mais alta que o resto dos instrumentos, isso me irritou (e quase me deixou surdo)
I don't understand why people like Bob Dylan. Boring music, terrible so-called singing, corny writing at times. I don't even think this has the music people know him for on it.
No hay mucho que decir, Bob Dylan siempre en mi equipo. Iniciar un álbum haciendo un juego de palabras entre apedreado y colocado (everybody must get stoned) , y luego dejar en la grabación como te partes el culo (probablemente colocado) es de ser un capo maximo
As usual, I find Dylan quite good but not something I personally get really into
Dylan is great… not my favorite album by him here but this one still has some great tunes and great lines.
Classic album I have on CD. Many of my favorites on this one.
Ik kan me goed voorstellen dat voor menig luisteraar, onbekend met het werk van Dylan, het album ietwat rocky begint. Zet je echter door, dan beloont dit album je. Potentieel het beste dubbelalbum ooit gemaakt, het verveelt me geen minuut. Op Blonde on Blonde ontbreekt weliswaar een echte Dylan classic (Telt 'I Want You' ondertussen?), maar daartegenover staat gewoon een uur onvervalste folky bluesrock. Het is misschien niet mijn favoriete Dylan plaat, maar dat zegt meer iets over hoe sterk zijn discografie is dan iets anders. Blijft ook gewoon insane hoe hij in minder dan 5 jaar 5 absolute klassiekers van platen uitbracht.
Zeer gestoorde ballsy move om zo een album te beginnen. Meerdere keren in de lach schieten, allerlei geschreeuw op de achtergrond, sloppy tamboerijnen, helse harmonica's en een beschonken blazer sectie. De woordgrap van stoned zijn / gestenigd moeten worden, ha. Wordt geloof ik gezien als hét eerste dubbelalbum, waar we hier allemaal zo'n groot fan van zijn. Staan een aantal nummers op waar ik niet veel om geef: Leopard-Skin-Pill-Box Hat en Most Likely You Go Your Way bijvoorbeeld, en basically kant C (track 9 t/m 13). Daar tegenover is er een hele zwik prachtige nummers, sommige episch in opzet (34 coupletten), maar vrij ingetogen. Ook andere hits die je waarschijnlijk wel kent als I Want You en Just Like A Woman. Als geheel een vrij lange zit, dus ik skip altijd de helft. Dan heb je gek genoeg nog steeds een van je favo Bob Dylan platen over. Het is geen Blood On the Tracks of Desire, maar door de knallers toch een onmisbare Dylan plaat. Met ongeveer de helft meh, hoe kom je dan uit op 5 sterren? Dit is verre van een perfect album maar m'n luisterplezier bij de goeie tracks tillen dit van een oké album naar een top album. En na al die jaren ben ik nog steeds niet eens écht in de lyrics gedoken. Dus ook nog veel replay value voor de toekomst. Beste: Visions of Johanna, Sad-Eyed Lady, One of Us Must Know, Stuck Inside of Mobile Minste: Leopard-Skin-Pill-Box Hat, Most Likely You Go Your Way Albumhoes: Heerlijk onscherpe, ongezellige net-uit-bed-ff-snel-peuken-halen foto. Op de vinyl is ie ook nog eens altijd een kwartslag gedraaid wat het extra kak maakt. 5/5
Als dit album niet in deze lijst stond had ik het niet afgeluisterd denk ik. Het eerste nummer was al een directe afknapper, maar uiteindelijk wordt het wel beter. Het enige nummer met een redemption voor mij is I want you door de aanstekelijke melodie, maar daar houdt het ook wel op.
Ik ben nooit echt into Bob Dylan geraakt, maar wellicht dat dit mijn gateway album is.
Hoewel het eerste nummer wel echt het dieptepunt is van dit album, zette het wel meteen de correcte verwachting dat dit een verschrikkelijk album is dat ik alleen heb afgeluisterd uit respect voor deze lijst.
Voor het eerst een bob Dylan album in zn geheel geluisterd. Nice composities, mooie teksten, maar na verloop van tijd knap ik toch af op zijn zangstem. Jimi Hendrix zingt op dezelfde manier maar bij zijn muziek vind ik het beter passen. Laat bob maar gewoon muziek schrijven voor andere mensen
Blonde on Blonde is Dylan's brilliant transition from the electrified folk rock of Bringing It All Back Home and Highway 61 Revisited to the personalized imagery of the '74 Blood on the Tracks. 'But Mona Lisa must have had the highway blues / You can tell by the way she smiles' feels like something out of 'Desolation Row,' whereas 'An' I told you, as you clawed out my eyes / That I never really meant to do you any harm' is as subjective and specific as something off of Blood on the Tracks. Dylan learns how to place the 'I' in his allusive landscapes in ways that are often as blurry as the portrait of the artist serving as the album cover. Unable to ignore love and indignation any longer, he spawns the essential double album. Sad-eyed ladies, etc.
Musically, not my style. Lyrics are engaging, of course, but it's a lot to take in in one sitting.
I've had a pretty low rating for solo artist folk singers that are included on this list. I saw this one come up and knew it was 5 stars already as it is an album I've listened to countless times before but still find it just as enjoyable as the first time.
Classic!
Genuinely love this album :') First time really even diving into Bob Dylan and I'm so glad this album was one of the first generated for me. It is such a fulfilling sound, calming but emotional, and his voice is perfect to me. Haven't seen the new Timothee movie yet but now I might invest my time there, too. Feels like a soundtrack to life. Officially in love with a new thing
it made me wanna discover more about things, read about the album story as i did in high school. this album? that’s definitely my kind of shit
This album is very long! Perhaps I wasn’t in the mood but found this a real slog.
folk is kinda chopped imo but others will like if they're into the genre
Hasta un no fan de Dylan tiene que reconocer que este es un tremendo discazo. Ni modo, con alguno me tenía que ganar.
Great album. I knew several off of it, but there were some other songs that were really really great that I hadn't heard before. Like Visions of Johanna. I read up on the recording and it seems like it was a wild process that Dylan took a long time to get right between various bands and locations. You can definitely tell it's a solid final result.
Too much harmonica for my liking. I like rock but this isn’t up to my alley, can appreciate and jiggy to it a little though, but something about Bob’s enunciation… I can’t get around.
It's OK, a bit old sounding now.
Can’t say anything about Dylan that I haven’t already said in a previous review. Still feel the same way about him and his music. This album in particular.
Is it the best album by Dylan? I am pretty damn sure it is.
opaque production, abrasive instrumentation. dylan’s voice is terrible like so often on his early work. the whole thing is just self important and uninteresting. “i want you” is ok
With the band it has a "full" rock and roll sound. That fullness was maybe too consistent for me. On first listen I don't really connect with the lyrics for many of the songs on this album, however it feels like there will be more to get out of some with multiple listens.
Excellent and varied album. I slightly prefer Highway 61 and Bringing it All Back Home - but we are getting picky now. Some great songs
Alpinist in the top tier of Bob's albums.
This is certainly in the upper echelons of Bob Dylan albums. The run of songs in the middle of the LP in particular. I Want You and Just Like a Woman have to be two of the most emotional songs he has ever written. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat then reminds you how funny he can be. I've been laughing along with that song since I was a small child. While the arrangements, finger picking and production remain phenomenal throughout, emotions do cool slightly on the back-end of the record. With the exception of the epic and powerful 10 minute long final track, the songs aren't quite as exciting. For this reason there are multiple other Dylan records which I'd rank higher - but its a high bar!
This list is proving a Dylan education and I’m enjoying it, a high 4 this one that could even rise with more time and listens, just says a bit 2/3 through.
Classic and amazing!
He’s a great song writer and I enjoy his songs, but get tired in large doses. I enjoy a cd of Dylan covers more than original recordings.
The instrumentation is incredible, the musicians he worked with incredible and the compositions are great. But I am afraid I will never get around the voice, especially when singing things like "I Want You"
Não é o melhor trabalho do Bob Dylan.
Probably my favorite album of Dylan's even though that's not a big difference from most. Lyrics weave from relatable to not knowing what he's going on about. It all works.
Great. One of my favorite.
Veit akkurat hvor jeg vil putte det jævla munnspillet
Bob is an originator and has a unique voice, albeit thin, nasal and grating. I honestly have never enjoyed his music and songs, and re-listening to this album reinforced my opinion.
In 1966, this was probably neat, and the recording quality is good and the compositions are solid; but the songs all melt together, and I don't want to sing or dance, or feel a significant emotion from listening to them.
What more can be said about this album? It's possibly Dylan's magnum opus. This was written and recorded in such an unbelievably short amount of time for such a dense behemoth of an album. I think if this were my first time listening, I might find it exhausting, especially the harmonica and unrelenting word play. But it was a formative album for me, one that shaped my guitar playing and how songs can be written. It was good to return to it, and settle into the music, like a cozy Thanksgiving meal. It remains my favorite Dylan album.
Think this might throw him in my controversial column, but I do enjoy this era Bob more than others
My favorite, and in my opinion, the best Dylan record. This is a double album, and when I think of the double album as an art form, this is one of the archetypes. Dylan has a lot to say. The first 3 sides are jam-packed, and Side 4 is just for Sara, his wife, whom "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" is about. I picture Dylan up all night at his typewriter in his room at the Chelsea Hotel. His fingers are barely keeping up with his mind, and his ideas are as wild as his hair is on this album cover. The result is a drugged-out travelogue of strange characters, past romances, and abstractions of things sort of resembling love songs. He put together members of The Hawks (later known as The Band) and session musicians to create a sound to match the wild mood swings of this album. The group sounds tight but loose at the same time, and bends to the will of whatever each song requires, be it quiet contemplation, or raucous riffs and stomps between verses. The more I try to describe this record the more it seems to blur out of focus. I can't really do it justice. Trying to analize the lyrics here is a fools errand, and if you take it line by line you'll end up scratching your head wondering what this lunatic is talking about. However the more I listen to this record the clearer the pictures get, and the lyrics somehow make sense in the world Dylan has created.
Visions of Johanna is pretty nice, otherwise not the best dylan
I’d rather chew tin foil for 1hr 12mins
It's Bob
I hate Bob Dylan's voice and "singing." There are maybe a few songs I find okay, but I tend to like covers of his songs more than the originals. He's like if the Beatles weren't clever or wholesome. Or if Zeppelin wasn't cool. Or if the Stones weren't edgy. Okay music, okay lyrics, terrible voice. Too much harmonica. By far the worst song is the degrading and tone deaf Just Like a Woman. Shut the fuck up man.
## In-Depth Review: *Blonde On Blonde* by Bob Dylan **Blonde On Blonde**, released in June 1966, stands as a landmark double album in Bob Dylan's career and in the history of popular music. It marks the culmination of Dylan’s electric trilogy, following *Bringing It All Back Home* and *Highway 61 Revisited*, and is often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time for its lyrical innovation, musical diversity, and cultural impact[1][2][3]. --- ## Lyrics **Surrealism, Wit, and Emotional Depth** Dylan’s lyrics on *Blonde On Blonde* are both dazzlingly surreal and deeply human. The album is a tapestry of poetic imagery, caustic wit, and emotional vulnerability. Songs like “Visions of Johanna” and “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” are filled with enigmatic lines that evoke longing, spiritual searching, and existential confusion[4][1][5]. Dylan’s ability to blend the personal with the universal is evident throughout, as he moves from biting satire (“Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat”) to heartfelt confession (“Just Like a Woman”). - **Ambiguity and Interpretation:** The lyrics resist straightforward interpretation. Dylan crafts “universes unto themselves” in each song, with meanings that shift depending on the listener’s perspective[1]. The surrealistic approach, especially in tracks like “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again,” allows for endless analysis and debate. - **Themes of Love and Disillusionment:** Much of the album explores the complexities of love—lust, regret, betrayal, and spiritual yearning. The narrator’s relationships are fraught with ambiguity, bitterness, and fleeting moments of hope[4][5]. - **Cultural and Literary Allusions:** Dylan’s lyrics are laced with references to literature, art, and contemporary culture, enriching the album’s depth and making it a touchstone for critics and fans alike[1][5]. --- ## Music **A Fusion of Rock, Blues, and Folk** Musically, *Blonde On Blonde* is as adventurous as its lyrics. Recorded in Nashville with a mix of seasoned session musicians (including Al Kooper and Robbie Robertson), the album blends rock, blues, country, and folk into a cohesive, innovative sound[1][2][3]. - **“Thin, Wild Mercury Sound”:** Dylan described the album’s sonic texture as “that thin, wild mercury sound”—a shimmering, restless energy that permeates tracks like “Absolutely Sweet Marie” and “Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine)”[1][2]. - **Instrumentation:** The arrangements are rich and varied, from the brash brass of “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” to the plaintive organ on “Just Like a Woman.” The interplay between guitar, organ, and harmonica is especially notable, providing both drive and atmosphere[1][6][2]. - **Genre Fluidity:** Dylan moves effortlessly between rollicking blues (“Pledging My Time”), country-tinged balladry (“I Want You”), and rock anthems, creating an album that feels both sprawling and unified[1][2]. - **Vocal Performance:** Dylan’s voice is raw and expressive, veering between sneer and vulnerability. While some listeners find his vocals abrasive, others see them as essential to the album’s emotional impact[1][7]. --- ## Production **Nashville Sessions and Spontaneity** The production of *Blonde On Blonde* is legendary for its spontaneity and late-night creativity. Dylan began the project in New York but moved to Nashville, where the sessions took on a looser, more experimental character[8][2][3]. - **Session Musicians:** The Nashville players brought a professionalism and versatility that elevated Dylan’s compositions. Al Kooper’s organ and Robertson’s guitar are particularly prominent, adding color and complexity to the arrangements[1][6][2]. - **Recording Process:** Many songs were written or completed in the studio, giving the album a sense of immediacy and unpredictability. The sessions were often grueling, stretching into the early hours, but this contributed to the album’s unique “3 A.M. aura”[8][3]. - **Double Album Format:** As one of the first double albums in rock, *Blonde On Blonde* set a precedent for ambitious, expansive projects, allowing Dylan to explore a wide range of moods and styles[3]. --- ## Themes **Love, Alienation, and the Search for Meaning** *Blonde On Blonde* is thematically rich, weaving together explorations of love, alienation, and the search for spiritual and personal fulfillment. - **Romantic Disillusionment:** The album moves through lust, regret, adultery, love, marriage, and divorce, with Dylan often adopting a tone of resignation or cynicism toward his lovers[5]. The final track, “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands,” stands apart as a sweeping ode to surrender and devotion[5]. - **Identity and Transformation:** Dylan’s shifting personas—cowboy, poet, drifter—reflect a broader search for identity and meaning in a chaotic world[5]. - **Social Commentary:** While less overtly political than his earlier work, the album contains sharp observations about society, hypocrisy, and the human condition, often delivered with irony and humor[8][7]. - **Spiritual Yearning:** Underlying many songs is a longing for spiritual fulfillment, even as the narrator grapples with selfishness and the inability to live up to his ideals[4]. --- ## Influence **A Turning Point in Popular Music** *Blonde On Blonde*’s influence is vast, shaping the trajectory of rock, folk, and popular songwriting. - **Literary Songwriting:** Dylan’s dense, poetic lyrics set a new standard for what rock music could achieve, inspiring countless artists to elevate their craft[1][6][2]. - **Impact on Peers:** The album’s influence on contemporaries like The Beatles—especially John Lennon—is well documented, with tracks like “4th Time Around” serving as a playful response to their work[6]. - **Genre Blending:** By fusing rock, blues, and country, Dylan opened the door for later genre-crossing albums and artists[2]. - **Cultural Legacy:** The album’s enduring appeal is evident in its continued critical acclaim and its place in the canon of essential albums[1][6][2][3]. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Unparalleled lyrical depth and innovation[1][5][2] | Dylan’s vocal style can be polarizing—some find it abrasive[1][7] | | Masterful blending of rock, blues, and folk[1][2] | Some tracks are lengthy and may test the patience of casual listeners[1][7] | | Cohesive yet varied arrangements, thanks to top-tier musicianship[1][6][2] | Dense, abstract lyrics can be impenetrable for some[1][7] | | Groundbreaking production and spontaneous creativity[8][2][3] | Occasional overuse of harmonica and repetition[1] | | Immense cultural and musical influence[1][6][2] | The sprawling double-album format can feel overwhelming[1][7] | --- ## Conclusion *Blonde On Blonde* is a towering achievement that captures Bob Dylan at the height of his creative powers. Its blend of poetic lyrics, innovative music, and groundbreaking production make it a touchstone for modern songwriting and a defining document of the 1960s. While its complexity and Dylan’s idiosyncratic style may not appeal to everyone, the album’s ambition, artistry, and influence are undeniable. Nearly sixty years after its release, *Blonde On Blonde* remains a universe unto itself—an album that rewards repeated listening and close attention, and continues to inspire musicians and listeners around the world.
At 73 minutes, 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦 can feel like a long walk through a poetic thunderstorm — fascinating, but occasionally exhausting. Dylan’s famously nasal delivery and frequent, often piercing harmonica solos may test the patience of even dedicated listeners. 𝘚𝘢𝘥-𝘌𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘓𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 stands out as a haunting, slow-burning masterpiece, giving the album emotional weight and lyrical depth. A landmark record, yes — but not always an easy ride.
haven't even got past the first song and the tambourine can't even stay in tempo, wtf?
I think is like a little good,I like the intruments
I did not like this album because the lyrics was weird, and i did not like his voice.
Sick of bob dylan. Two BD albums in one week is too mandy
This is one of his more annoying sounding albums
Not my favourite Dylan album, but I wouldn’t argue against those who put it first. So many classics, one after the other. If I had a complaint, it’s quite a top heavy album. The first half is absolutely stacked.
Trash
low 3, if i never hear bob dylan again it’ll be too soon, please no more bob dylan, good album though, good songs
Pre-listening thoughts: oh brother here we go again. I’m about to get sick of Bob Post/during listening thoughts: okay so this solidified my previous opinion that we don’t need more than one Bob Dylan album on the generator. They all sound. The same. Like nearly freaking identical. That stupid ass organ and that fuckass harmonica just will not go away 😭😭😭. I’m about to give this a two just cause I’m mad that this took up a spot on the list. 4/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: NO Fav tracks: I want you Least fav tracks: any time that stupid stupid harmonica made an appearance
Not my favourite Dylan but a strong album nevertheless
Another great effort from bob. I love the cryptic lyricism and bluesy instrumentation. The only complaint i have is that is album is way too long and did not need to be a double album 8/10 Favourite: Visions of Johanna Least Favourite: Obviously 5 Believers
this would be a great album if Bob Dylan wasn't on it. still don't like his vocal tone or cadences.
For the most part fine but I don't really enjoy this version of Bob Dylan, with 4-5 verse songs and lots of instrumentation. The first song has to win an award for Drunkest Sounding Band or something. Not like the people in the band were drunk, but the essence of that band in an abstract way was just really very drunk.
the least offensive dylan
this had the most generous possible listen on my end: sunshine, windows down, blasting through the speakers on a beautiful almost-summer day. really enjoyed a handful of songs
"I Want You" feels like Bob Dylan doing a Neil Young song. IDK, overall I'm a Dylan fan but this was a grind today aside from Memphis Blues Again.
I mean...i enjoyed parts of it. Side 2 was best in my opinion. It just kind of leaves me cold in the same way that Neil Young does. It isn't even one of those "i don't love it but I can see why people do" situations...like i just...don't get it. At the time this came out, there was so much more that was again, in my opinion, more appealing.
Bob who? Blonde on what? Hmm. Intriguing. In all seriousness, c'mon, 10 out of 5 stars. One of the best things ever.
I feel like this is one of those albums that is always at the top of the list of "greatest". Hard to fault, but there are a few fillers that keep it from 5 stars.
Mobile mentioned!
I’m just not a huge Dylan person, but I admire the album. “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat” is maliciously funny.
It's so much easier to write a review of an album I dislike than an album I love. For the former it's just pointing out the things that fail to click with me be it the lyrics or the style of music or whatever it might be. I try to present it creatively but it's really just a matter of listing where it fails. For albums I love it's much harder. Why do I love it? How does it make me feel when I listen? How do the lyrics connect to me? How does it elicit memories of the time when I first heard it? How does it fit in the realm of cultural influence and personal influence? It's all of these things along with something that I think is indescribable, or even unnameable. Sometimes though (and just sometimes) albums just are - they are the thing that we need to hear when we hear them, and we connect at such a deep level that it becomes a part of us, and we get to revisit that every time we listen. Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde is one of those albums that just is that indescribable thing to me. I scanned through the reviews and some criticize his voice and some the harmonica or the length of the songs or the lyrics or whatever - but this album is Bob Dylan, it is authentic and personal and true and it creates a connection between you and him when you listen. In my review of The Wall I mentioned my challenge of writing something about an album that has been the subject of so much discourse already, and I think you can amplify that by 10 for anything Bob Dylan related but especially for this album. I have given a lot of 5 star reviews here, and maybe I shouldn't have been so generous with them, because when I give this 5 stars it doesn't seem like enough in comparison.
Not a bob Dylan fan as of June 2025 Not my kind of style but he’s a great artist
Sorry but not sorry. This is boring as fuck
Easy 5 star
Yooooo this is my first Bob Dylan Album! I like the look hes giving me. Looks like hes holding in a sneeze. I think I like this guy. These are some pretty great songs. Wonder if he was important or something. 10/10
Several good songs here but not my favourite Dylan album by any stretch. 4 stars or B.
the harmonica is not my instrument of choice
Helt okej, hört bättre album av Dylan. Bästa låtar: * Visions of Johanna * One of us must know * I want you
Yes, Bob Dylan has a weird voice and a loud ass harmonica. But he also has beautiful songs with excellent poetry. And this double album just flies by because most every song is just so so strong
I think I could like it more at some point, but not feeling it rn Still pretty good
When I listen to Dylan, I think of powerful lyrics! To me he delivered. However,I do prefer his earlier work.
Blonde on Blonde is a bloated, self-indulgent mess where Dylan mistakes gibberish for genius and nasal whining for vocal style. It’s the musical equivalent of being cornered at a party by a pretentious bloke who’s definitely read too much beat poetry and won’t stop telling you about it. Half the tracks go on forever about absolutely nothing, the band sounds like they’re winging it half the time, and by Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands, you’ll be praying for sweet, sweet silence. If this is ‘the pinnacle of rock poetry,’ no wonder punk had to happen. Made a heap of money and lived a soft cushy life by being an absolute wanker.
Stone me, but this way too long. Lyrically genius but music for Grandpa.
the aggressive harmonica start did not set us off on a good footing .......... his music is good, voice ....... not so much like, this is fine. my ears wouldnt bleed if someone turned on this album but i also wouldnt reach for it myself
Intro was immediately jarring. Bob loves a harmonica. I like it sometimes. Classic southern soul/rock sound.
I agree that this is too long. Interesting doing this on the day I did Springsteen's Dylan record, because there were a lot of points here that felt quite Springsteen.
Hate Dylans voice, but the album grew on me
Pff Bob dylan
Solid album, not amazing but not bad either
Great album.
4.5
One of those albums that shaped rock. Funnier than I remembered in a bitter way
ik ben veel meer muziek > lyrics dus dit was niet echt mijn ding maar ik heb wel een hele wikipedia deep dive gedaan na het lezen van die lyrics. waardeer het ook om eindelijk eens een keer naar hem te luisteren. favs: one of us, stuck inside of mobile
Blues appropriation with a tone -deaf vocal delivery.
Hate Dylan's vocals. Never understood the appeal. This is a modicum better than some of his more acoustic folksy albums but still nothing I ever want to listen to again if I can avoid it.
Very bluesy. So much harmonica. I can dig it, but it's pretty slow and Dylan's voice isn't all that lovely.
My spiciest music take is that Bob Dylan is overrated. That’s not to deny his significance, though i think his role as Supreme Influencer is exaggerated, as if The Beatles, Springsteen, and U2 would be chimps scratching themselves with their instruments if not for Dylan’s obsidian obelisk. There was probably a time in my life that I would have gotten really into Dylan too, likely as an angsty twentysomething, but instead we ended up as missed connections and I listened to something stupid like Phish. The heart wants what it wants, Mr. Zimmerman. Anyway, this is fine. I still struggle with finding it appreciable, nevermind GOAT, especially since Led Zeppelin IV came out like five years later. Like Thai food, single malt scotch, and Las Vegas — I get it — but it’s just not for me.
Niet zijn beste werk
Dylan is such an aquired taste, and there are spots where this lags a bit, but it's a pretty good one.
I'm having trouble standing his voice but I did like Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I'll go mine).
It’s hard to argue against the generational influence of Dylan. Of this albums, this one is definitely a classic. However, his trademarked nasally voice and his droning harmonica are admittedly not my favorite. I blame John Popper and Howlin’ Wolf for spoiling me. There are some fun songs on here such as Absolutely Sweet Marie and the bluesy Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again (a very Fallout Boy title BTW). Then, of course, is Rainy Day Woman #12 &36, ‘cause “Everyone must get stoned!” This album is difficult for me because the aforementioned complaints, but it has really good songs. Throw in the influence and I am going to rate it higher than I normally would.
Random thoughts: * I was totally jamming when I turned this one on and "Rainy Day Women" got me grooving all over my kitchen. I forgot how fun that song is. Why don't I play that song more often? * "Visions of Johanna" really caught my ear. I know many people think this is one of Dylan's best. I see why. I need to listen to this one about a thousand more times. * There were several bluesy songs on this one, a side of Dylan I don't really think of or maybe never knew. * "Just Like a Women" and "Fourth Time Around" are Dylan classics and it was fun to hear them in the context of their original album. * I'll need to come back to this album a few more times and get to know some of the other tunes way better. This was a really good one. Maybe not a classic in my book....yet.
didn’t think i would like dylan but this was some pretty good stuff. got bored near the end cause it got a lil old but the last song is great
Well, at least the ratio of Harmonica in the songs was lower than Highway 61 revisited and the backing band had more variety on the song arrangements. An improvement, but not by much.
8/10 love my twinked out freak that’s slightly misogynistic
he liked horns. not just employing them in music, but also being poetic about them.
Ett mästerverk! Femma
My first repeat artist. Hughway 61 revisited was the first which I liked infinitely better. This one was way more bluesy, I didn’t hate it but was not as good as his other albums.
I'm sure Dylan is an amazing lyricist and I got wee snippets of that but it is hard to see it through all the harmonica
Comfortable and appealing, a fair share of great songs though I wasn't that interested in the more-bluesy tracks on the album By this album especially I think I've been eased into appreciating Dylan more properly, the warmth from some of the songs charms me
Excellent! 5/5
the only tolerable dylan album
I somewhat enjoyed it, though it sounded repetitive for me sometimes. Yet, it was released in 1966 and Dylan made a reference to Death Grips already! What a man!
xcellent album. Sadly I had never listened to this one. Most of what I listened to with Dylan was the singles collection. I know this is considered on of his best (along with blood on the tracks) but I hadn’t ever listened. I knew quite a few because they were popular singles.
me trying to figure out why these wet women are insisting on such a brutal form of capital punishment.
Har klart meg heile livet uten
OK - yes it is a classic that gets better with every listen. I understand now
One of my favourite Bob Dylan albums!
It may just be the voice, but many of these songs feel like the same song, repeated again and again.
Плюс за Боба, атмосферно и подняло настроение сам факт того, что генератор его сегодня выбил. Правда на какие-то песни сидишь и смотришь косо, но это так, когда в творчество углубляешься уже не удивляешься.
When Bob finally succumbs and goes to meet his maker, singing to himself, guitar strap around his neck, and playing his trusty harmonica, I hope God punches him in the face, jamming it in his mouth and he then spends eternity looking like Wallace (friend of Gromit), and every breath he takes all he can hear is that fucking mouth organ. Then he’ll know what he put the rest of us through. I've listened to a couple of Dylan albums on this list, a very early one and a 1990s one. Both were ok. But this album seems to be the point where fame had gone to his head. It sounds like it's been recorded by a bad Bob Dylan impressionist. He may be the great poet but how can you hear the poetry when he can't hold a note with either voice or harmonica. There are some nice songs on here. But most of it is just an aural assault.
Know it’s genius but can drone a bit for me
get OUT OF HERE BOB DYLAN I hate your voice
I really don't like Bob Dylan. I turned this album off during the first song's creaky fricken harmonica intro. His up-and-down vocals make me feel anxious. AHHHHHHHHHH
baum. mas n o melhor. 2.5/5
idk what a leopard skin pill box hat is but I want one
NO
Easy 5 star
Someone take that goddamn harmonica away from him FUCK
- Rainy Day Woman #12 & 35 is een beetje gek, goofy, klinkt oubollig, de lachjes in de achtergrond zijn soms een beetje eng, maar het is ergens wel leuk, een klein bangertje. ik zou er niet dagelijks naar luisteren maar zo 1 keer op een heel dronke avond, in een donkere pub, net uit de wc's gestommeld en dansen met de meest random mensen die ik nooit meer terug zal zien - oke blijkbaar is dat dus een constante voor het gehele album, een zeer familiale sfeer, op een bruine kroeg manier, veel mondharmonica lik bob shut up hahaha, nee wel geen slecht album tot nu toe, maar niet men favorietje - Visions of Johanna doet me denken aan "Like a Rollin stone", also #lovejoanbaez
nee, niet voor mij
Nah
This is my first time listening to new genres and unfamiliar songs. Starting from this album, notably Bob Dylan surely is a storyteller on this one but one thing that bothers me is that I'm not used to the type of melody where it is plainly just said and having no tone, but the instrumental were well done, maybe just the harmonica was a bit to sharp to the ears, but it was a first good hear. Rating this album a 6.6/10
I just don’t get it I’m sorry. The voice and harmonica just grates on me. The lyrics are great though.
This one is a re-listen! Great way to start the project; I love Bob Dylan so so much. This record isn't my personal favorite in Dylan's discography but it is still fantastic! 4/5
This was Dylan’s third album after going electric, and probably one of his best. He’d got the band that he’d been looking for and moved recording to Nashville, making good use of the studio ambience by removing the screens between musicians, adding to the live feel. Talking of the music, he’s a long way from his folk roots here, comfortably playing a mix of blues and rock whilst still being recognisably Dylan. The first track is a boozy stomp, hitting back at the critics who were still throwing metaphorical stones at him, but after that we get a blues number followed by the incomparable Visions of Johanna, the highlight of the album for me. This is Bob telling stories in ways that feel natural and honest, getting to heart of complex relationships and emotions with precisely the right words. You could listen to just this song a hundred times and still find something new in it each time.
There might be too many albums from Dylan over there, but this one is another clear masterpiece. The last from his electric series, and perhaps the more accomplished. Everything is close to perfect, with a good balance between electric and folk, seriousness and some goofyness, the music is flawless, and the lyrics, I mean, it's Dylan. It's pretty long (a double album) but not boring a single second.
It’s Dylan, it’s never going to be bad.
Like all Dylan, great but would be better if some one else sang it.
chato pra caralho
Super fun album with just hit after hit . It’s a perfect Dylan album
I like this album. I like Dylan. I don't think it's his best. There is no doubt he is hugely influential and a talented singer-songwriter with a vast body of work. I just think some of his other work is better. It's still a 4/5.
Favorite Tracks: Visions of Johanna Just like a Woman
Not much I can say, it’s really good. Classic style of Bob Dylan harmonica, guitar, great lyrics. One of my favorite and one of his best. 10/10
This is very long and Dylan is very whiny. I am sure it's a stylistic choice, but that blurry cover shot is really annoying. Not for me.
I own a copy of this, but I don't think I've ever listened to it from start to finish. It's quite a tomb of work, it's quite a riot in places. There's a sense of danger just around each corner or track, but then in true Bob style, he goes a little soppy on you. It could do with some auto-focus on the album cover.
Bob Dylan does the blues!
Great album
I like alot of the Bob Dylan songs, just not these. These seem very early in his career (Not sure if they are) but they sound very whiney. Not a fan
Nee.
yay - I get to listen to a Dylan album!!!! 4/5 #musicsky #albumsky
great stuff. every track slaps
Literally of course
I just... man. Bob Dylan is tough for me to properly rate. Heck of a songwriter. Absolutely atrocious vocalist. Makes for a really tough listen.
Really wanted to enjoy this but I’m just not a fan of Bobs singing voice, highlights for me was ‘Obviously Five Believers’
Classic album. Familiar with all the songs. Brilliant writing and production but you get tired of hearing Bob’s voice after a while and this album is 14 songs!
Bob Dylan is a talented musician. The album is good, but I feel the songs are similar. There is a lot of harmonica, too. I would have probably liked this more if I had been around when it came out.
Good
Fine, never been a big fan of Dylan, but didn't hate the album.
It's alright, I guess maybe I'm just not a fan of this style of "singing". I'm sure the stories he is telling are great and all but I just don't care much for this style.
This one had me Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again.
Not my favorite Bob album but not bad 3.3/5 Favorites: Rainy Day Women, Stuck Inside of Mobile, Just Like a Woman
Cutee maar van de meeste liedjes vind ik de live versie leuker
Great stuff
The most impressive part of this album was the harmonica work, not my favourite Dylan.
every artist have a breakup album and this is Bob's take on it... wait a fucking minute that's Blood On The Tracks. although his singing still lacks technique, it sounds way, WAY better than that on "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan", my last dylan album from the list. The songs are decent and the arrangements as well. And oh yes, "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" definitely make me want to get stoned. but there's too much fucking harmonica. so... 3.5/5 i think?
Yet another Bob Dylan album. There are 7 LPs of his on this list. It's nice to listen to for a few songs. Unfortunately, it gets boring after 50 minutes. At least Dylan's songwriting is great. 3 stars for "Blonde on Blonde".
My 2nd Bob Dylan review. My opinion in his music hasn't changed.
getting more and more into bob dylan
Hatte ich noch nicht gehört. Für.mich persönlich ist das peak Dylan. Genau der Sound den ich bei ihm liebe.
I love the rise in Sooner Or Later, the melody in I Want You, the one note harmonica in Pledging My Time, the waltz in Fourth Time Around. Everybody must get stoned.
not a big bob dylan girl
Two well known hits, some other good songs, couple missing the mark.
Not my cup of tea 😔
This is like the 8th Bob Dylan album I've gotten. His voice has grown on me but man I can't stand that harmonica
Still can’t stand his nasally droning.
Well, after a lifetime of avoiding seeking out Bob Dylan music to listen to, here we are. And of course they throw me a double album to start! Look, I get it, Dylan is a legend and massively influential. I know there is a reason, and he's not a completely talent-less hack. But lets be real; to my (and many others') ears, his voice is like nails on a chalkboard. Same can be said for his harmonica playing. My understanding is that his biggest strength is in his lyric writing, which may explain part of why I've never really understood the appeal, as a self described "lyrics last" kind of listener myself. I did not consciously follow along to the lyrics while listening, and while I understand that it might not be the best way to try to understand Bob Dylan...again, I don't listen to music primarily for the lyrics, I listen for the MUSIC, including vocal melodies over lyrics in a lot of cases. Well, another strike on Dylan for my ears, because whatever melodies he may be singing are just far buried under his absolutely awful, effectively tuneless, and distracting voice. Look, I listen to plenty of singers who aren't traditionally good, but there just really aren't any redeeming qualities to his voice that make me want to hear it. And then comes the music. The entirety of the instrumental playing on this album just feels so far in the background because Dylan just never. shuts. up. And again, I get it, its the style! But just really, really not for me. Any break he gives us from his nasally croaking usually is accompanied by some shrill and almost equally annoying harmonica playing. I forget the song, but early on in the album he holds out a single, shrill and obnoxious note for like 15 seconds, but it felt like a god damn eternity to me. I was literally yelling at my speakers "Fuckin' get on with it!!! Christ!!!" I just didn't find much of anything of interest in the instrumentals backing him to redeem my severe distaste for his vocals, but its clear that they're just support characters for his words. If I were to review this album for the public, I might be more kind or reasonable, once again fully understanding his significant impact and influence. But since this is just for me...sorry Bob, to the 1 star pile you go. I'm sure we'll meet again here, and I'll do my best to give you another shot, but I'm not really holding my breath about coming away any differently than here.
Perfectly serviceable, I said, perhaps I'll listen to it again some day. And then I went right on to listen to it straight through again. This might be the best of Dylan.
It's just too much Dylan for me
Very good music. Very Dylan voice. I appreciate its place im history
There’s some really great stuff on here. Dylan is obviously a terrific songwriter. However, the bluesy stuff just isn’t my favorite. It’s a little too Rolling Stones and I do not like The Rolling Stones.
listen, it's gonna take someone a lot smarter than me to discuss all the lyrical themes of Blonde on Blonde. i do think that the album as a whole is much less focused on politics than it is love. not just love between one person and another, but love between an artist and their audience, love turning sour, and love that is so far away that you have zero hope of ever obtaining it. you could see songs like "Just Like a Woman" as condescending to whoever the target would be, but they're at the very least not venomous. it seems, so far, to be the Dylan most concerned with himself rather than the world around him and its going-ons. "Memphis Blues Again" feels like a brief glimpse into an outer world that makes less and less sense over time, all capped off with wishing you were a part of it while stuck in your own humble squalor. "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" is the only time a man has written a song for a specific woman who is all but named in the title and got away with it. he deserved to. basically, it's "Highway 61 Revisted" turned inwards and a bit calmer. and longer. what could be better?
After decades of listening, I always think I'm going to get bored by Bob Dylan and he always surprises me. Good stuff.
I really like fun, upbeat Dylan. I'm hit or miss on slow Dylan. I absolutely hate mid-tempo, drawn out word, list of random things he happens to be looking at when writing the song Dylan. This album has them all, but not enough of the fun songs to make the others worth it. There's probably a single album's worth of material here that would get a 4 from me, but the double gets a 2. drawn-to-listen-to: many covers of Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again (Grateful Dead, North Mississippi Allstars, Old Crow Medicine Show, Cat Power, so many more)
Fantastic album! As my friend Carlos likes to say: Dylan spits hot fire.
Pre: I know this album, it's a classic, probably a 4 star review. Easy. Post: "Bringing It All Back Home" and "Highway 61 Revisited" are WAY better Bob Dylan albums than Blonde on Blonde. How in the world did I think this album was so good. The only song worth mentioning is "Stuck Inside of Mobile..." and the fact that Al Kooper's Hammond organ playing is so damn good throughout this album. Not nearly as memorable as I'd thought. One to skip if you're not a huge Bob Dylan fan. Go check out the other two albums instead they both hold up quite a bit better than Blonde on Blonde
I really am not a fan of Dylan's voice. Everything else is fine, but just his voice seems like a parody --- of his own voice.
This is a nice album, but definitely outdated nowadays, as it is not really that exciting, the melody is alright, but I find it a bit meh in 2025. I would say that it definitely hit a lot harder back when it came out.
The tail end of the greatest 3-album run in music history. Visions of Johanna and Sad Eyed Lady are criminally underrated.
Beautiful! The best of Bob Dylan I've heard so far.
bob sounds a lot like donald trump on i want you and it ruined the rest of the album for me
I'm not a big Bob Dylan fan, but I actually liked this album. I still don't like his voice, but I was enjoying the instrumentals on a lot of tracks. I learned it was one of the first double albums in rock music, which is also pretty cool.
I oscillate on Dylan. This was a pretty fun album with a lot going on musically. I was surprised by how many echoes from other songs were found in snippets of these tracks. Like "Obviously Five Believers" had hints of "Rolling Stone", and "Visions of Johanna" had musical bits that were used in other hits, can't recall which right now. A lot of the chord progressions and tunes were repeated as he evolved into other parts of his career.
It's a good album. I can't rate it higher because the parts of it that were annoying really make it hard to take seriously. There's a bit too much harmonica and poetics, and I have a hard time really feeling the more blues-influenced tracks. The other songs that don't hit for me are when I just can't take his voice/inflections. The songs that are good are really good though. Like when it works, it works.
All good tracks, visions of Johanna and stuck inside a mobile stand outs. Lots of bluesy ones that sounds quite similar. Could have been shorter, but enjoyed it. Not as many bangers as Desire or Blood on the tracks though.
An all-time favorite. Every song on this album is great. Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands is an incredible closer.
Always love some Bob. And loved how bluesy this album felt.
Not on the level of freewheelin but still okay
This is what I expect from country rock! Delivers on all fronts. Slight repetitive? But it repeats all the best parts.
he really is that good of a songwriter
I like Bob, but thats a lot of Harmonica.
Sorry the voice and harmonica doesn't do it for me
Heavy on the harmonica at the start
What a nasally man.
Lol, a top three Dylan for sure. Or Top 5? He's got too many classics!
This is likely an essential Bob Dylan album. My brother is a fan and has deep tracks of all sorts from all kinds of his published works so I can't say THIS album over any other is better or judge the quality really. He is too deep and different and well, a special case in the music world. Bob Dylan is in effect, his own genre. I absolutely believe that any music lover ought to get to know Bob Dylan's music in one way or another. Yeah... thinking deeply on it, I just don't know if there is any comparison to be made with his style... I would be perfectly willing to nominate a genre called "Bob Dylan" and deem it worthy to listen to.
What an end to his electric trilogy. I think Highway 61 is probably more focused, but some of the songs here have been propelled into my favourite Dylan tracks. Sides A and B were pretty much perfect in my opinion and Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands might be his best song that I've heard. 5 Stars Bob.
Not long after being pleasantly surprised by Bringing It All Back Home (5 stars!), I'm somewhat underwhelmed by this one. There's some great stuff here, to be sure. But like many double albums it's just way too long. There is plenty of lesser material here that could have been excised. Dylan himself is often at his least tuneful, and the harmonica frequently grating. Visions of Johanna though? Masterpiece.
So bad
bob on bob
Frustrating listen. There is a great album somewhere in here, with the great lyrics and easy folk melodies keeping everything consistent. But this did not need to be a double album at all. So much of sides 1 & 3 is unremarkable, and that's to say nothing of once again Dylan's vocals getting in the way of what would be a much better record if anyone else was singing. Some definite highlights, but not worth a full listen. Top tracks: I Want You, Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat, Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands
Sok szájharmónika, nem tetszett az éneklése
Thought it was great, but this is however an album i'll have to revisit because there's alot you might miss on first listen, especially with an complex artist like Bob Dylan. Therefore I will give it 4/5 for now.
Unpopular opinion but rainy day woman is fucking annoying. The rest of this album is great though.
Yeah I don't want to be rude, but... Is Bob Dylan deaf? I made it through half the album. That's about all I can handle of his "unique" singing.
Never been a huge Dylan head but it was nice to listen to, probably going to stick to the hits going forward
Blonde on Blonde is OK. I think the more complex instrumentation actually takes away from the core of Dylan's ability -- strong story telling poetry over a guitar. Two star.
Look, I like Bob but this is his most overrated album. 6/10
Pretty Bob Dylan. It's cool.
I can’t stand Dylan’s voice and strange inflection he uses when singing. It takes what would be fine songs and drags them down in my opinion.
I don't believe in Dylan...
I 've always though Dylan was way overated. I even went to see him about 15 years ago in Beijing and hos total lack of generosity toward the public made me dislike him too as a person. Well what he's recognised for is songwriting, poetry (not sure his litterature Nobel prize is deserved though, but Ombama got the Nobe Peace...). And he sure does write some very good texts. Some very good songs too. Look: All along the watch towers (Hendrix made me love this song), Like a rolling stone, Knok on a Heaven's door.. great songs when they are played by others. Because what I am not found of is his orchestration and his voice (and his ego). Songs like I want you is nice, because the melody is backed by the guitar; taking over where the voice should. I won't listen the whole album again. Well a bit harsh on the monument, but only because it was built too high in my opinion.
Really good
The icon who, for some reason, represents boomer’s pinnacle of musical poetry. Well, it had to happen sooner or later. Only two octaves to his name and a damn harmonica he somehow manages to play without using his hands. Where most hear the “rock era” of the master, for me only “Stuck Inside of Mobile…”, “Obviously Five Believers”, and “I Want You” (which my hippie aunt used to blast on loop when I was a kid) ever managed to break the weak blues and folk monotony. I’ve managed to reach the end of Blonde on blonde without too much suffering.
4.5
4 stars
That’s one helleva harmonica, Bob. Plus some classic songs.
I can only take so much of his limited singing range. This exceeded my patience by a good half hour. Nobody needs a Bob Dylan double album. On the bright side, I am a sucker for the harmonica.
Knowing Bob Dylan is so well known, I was expecting a lot more. Definitely feels like a product of its time, and maybe if I grew up with it I could appreciate more, but the signing is just tedious. some good instrumentals but the singing is just too distracting.
Otro de los esenciales de Dylan. El disco que sigue a Highwai 61, el que comenzó en Nueva York y acabó en Nasville, el doble, el de la foto desenfocada... Pledging my time suena a Depeche Mode 8I feel you), Visions of Johanna es uno de sus clásicos. Just Like a Woman es otro, como I want you, una delicia. One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later) resuena a Like a rolling stone (Al Kooper tiene mucho que ver). En Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again es imposible no acordarse de Kiko Veneno. El cierre con Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands es otro emblema. En resumen, imprescindible.
Started out rough but oh my god this is so good
Too much with the harmonica for me. The music is good, but it has a sound that I don’t like for more than 2 songs. 3/2
Dylan croons nonsense over soulful harmonica.
Q: What's the one thing worse than a Dylan album? A: A *double* Dylan album. That voice. I think I've got PTSD.
Bob Dylan doesn't have a great singing voice, but there are a scant few artists who can conjure up images as enchanting as his with their words. Each track on this album is an enigmatic puzzle-box, and it is impossible to listen through the whole hour and a quarter without trying to pick at their lyrical mysteries. This is one of the great ones. Favorite track: hard to choose, but I'll go with "I Want You" today
2.5
Great album. One of his best work.