Reviews (page 3 of 13)
There's nothing more that needs to be said about this classic album. It has some of my favorite Dylan songs on it.
Great album - one of Dylan’s finest.
A classic, probably Dylan's best later period album. The albums after this one just don't have whatever this album does, no other way to explain it. Excellent lyrics and the accompanying music does its job to support what Dylan is putting out there. A easy 5 star album and one that I need to get back into my regular rotation.
Thoughts before listening: This is one of Bob's best. I guess it was probably a nice surprise for Dylan fans at the time since this came in the mid-70s after his heyday. Proof that Dylan could grow from the politically minded voice of the 60s into a 30-something tackling more auto biographical topics. Review: Looking at Dylan's discography, it's always interesting to me that this was released 10 years after his original run. Songs on here like "Tangled Up in Blue", "Simple Twist of Fate", "Shelter From the Storm", and "Idiot Wind" are on par with anything from Highway 61 Revisited or Blonde on Blonde and rank among his best songs ever. I'm also a big fan of "Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts". Overall this is a fantastic album fully deserving of its place on this list and among Dylan's best. 5-stars
Simple twist of fate is just the best
Bob's finest, i hysfad men inte mördande konkurrens. Det är faktiskt få om ens något Dylanalbum som är så fokuserade och gedigna som detta. Vindlande kompositioner i Tangled up in the blue, Idiot wind och ...Jack of hearts. ...Big girl now berör mig forfarande på djupet trots alla coverversioner (där Hederos/Hellberg nog är den bästa), Shelter from the storm är och förblir helt fantastisk i sin enkelhet, troligen Dylans bästa låt i min bok. Med undantag för Meet me in the morning, som faller lite ur ramen,är de patos och självklarhet som präglar den här skivan som är imponerande . Då har jag inte ens nämnt ordet skillsmässoalbum och jag låter bli. Blir glad att vi äntligen fick ett kanonalbum så jag känner mig godhjärtad och generös och plockar fram femman om än en svag sådan Lyssna också på Eldkvarn - Utanför lagen, Bruce Springsteen - Tunnel of love, Aztec Camera - High land, hard rain
Timeless.
Bob Dylan is one of my favorites. Loved this album there were some songs I had never heard.
Might be my favorite Dylan album.
After being surprised by the opening track of Blonde On Blonde, I was much more familiar with the opening track of this album, "Tangled Up in Blue", having played it on Rock Band 2. Not only do I still enjoy that track all these years later, but the rest of Blood on the Tracks turned out to be stellar. The songwriting throughout this record was top-notch, delivering more lived-in character stories from different perspectives, as Dylan strummed pleasant acoustic guitar melodies and blew on his harmonica in between verses. While most of the songs tend to describe relationships that erode, Dylan approached these tales from various angles. The passage of time on "Tangled Up in Blue", the shift from third-person narration to first in "Simple Twist of Fate, the emotional maturity and acceptance of dissolution on "You're a Big Girl Now", the vehement vocal delivery on "Idiot Wind", the reckless abandon to venture out on "Meet Me in the Morning", the string of poker metaphors to describe such incriminating behaviors on "Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts", the direct plea to the listener to pass on the message of lost love on "If You See Her, Say Hello", the quiet-storm seclusion of the narrator as they reconcile with their broken heart on "Shelter from the Storm". These different narrative and vocal techniques give each track its distinct flavor, never overstaying their welcome, all while scaling back other session personnel to keep Dylan and his guitar a persistent presence in the mix. It is a deliberate choice that worked well to showcase the leaps and bounds he made in writing and performance. Suffice it to say, Blood on the Tracks is a spectacular album that helped cement Dylan as a creative force to be reckoned with.
Dylan goes electric! Such a seminal album and one of his very best!
I’ve put off actually reviewing this album for a while because it is so easily a five star album, I mean this is prime Bob Dylan. The album is nonstop bangers, not a single skip on the whole album, every song was added to my folk playlist. At first, I will admit, I was unsure about Idiot Wind and Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts, but they have both since grown on me and are some of my favorites from the album. Also the closing three songs are ELITE, what an ending. It’s Dylan, it gets a five.
Great album, worthy of this list.
good ol' dylan
Fantastic album, Bobby d
I wasn't too sure about my 5 star rating on Highway 61 but things are different this time around. Blood On The Tracks contains some of the most cohesive and hard hitting tracks that Dylan ever wrote up. When you manage to keep a mind tied to 7 minutes of Idiot Wind, you've done something right. A fantastic record through and through and this time I'm very sure (9/10, bordering on 10, 5/5 on this scale)
Heartbreak and soulful return to folk roots
Amazing music,great lyrics. If Bob Dylan was missing either of these his awful way of singing would ruin the album. Instead you get a great album worth every second
Really liking it fr fr fr
Awesome album. Not a chore listening to it. Will listen to again
Minimal instrumentation, monumental writing. Tangled Up in Blue and Idiot Wind alone make this an achievement. The quality remains consistent throughout and makes this one of the finest albums of its time.
Brilliant Dylan writes the most impressive Lyrics and folk based guitar and delivery marry so well. It took me years to appreciate how good he is and this is a prime example.Story telling hazy folky poetic
my favorite dylan album, it is on a constant rotation in the lab, to all the people under 40's chagrin. tangled up in blue, sipmple twist of fate, Lonesome, jack of hearts, shelter are all fantastic
it’s just beyond anything. the only negative i can think of is that he reallyyyy sounds dylan-y here, like his voice almost sounds like someone doing a dylan impression at certain points. but it’s just such a gut punch otherwise that it doesn’t matter. remarkable storytelling, melodic finery. fav tracks: you’re gonna make me lonesome…; buckets of rain; tangled up in blue; meet me in the morning; if you see her, say hello; lily, rosemary and the jack of hearts; you’re a big girl now; shelter from the storm; simple twist of fate
# Playlist Track - Tangled Up in Blue # Notes - A pretty damn good Dylan album! +1 for having a good album that doesn't contain any of his most famous songs. - Folksy, interesting, making great use of his weird vocals. - I probably should go listen to a few more Dylan tracks.
Dylan us one of the hallmarks of modern music.
I can understand why many people don’t like Dylan. His voice is nasally, he forces rhymes at times, and his harmonica playing leaves something to be desired. I cannot, however, understand anyone not loving Tangled Up in Blue. There are a couple other classic tracks on here, most notably Shelter From the Storm. However, I didn’t fully dig into much of the rest of it. I still liked it, but the entirety not nearly to the degree as those two. I’m amazed and a little disappointed in myself for never having listened to this album in its entirety before; as such I’m unfamiliar with songs I should know. All that to say that I can’t give any Dylan album with Tangled… less than 4 stars, and the rest of this is good enough that I have to round up to 5.
Sometimes this is my favourite Dylan album.
Bob Dylan at his best. After this listen I’m looking for this album to add to my collection.
It's June 30, I'm at a cottage, and here I am listening to the greatest rainy day album of all time. I'm not usually that much of a Dylan fan, but this one is just perfect.
One of Dylan’s best albums. 11/10
One of my fave albums of all time. Perfection.
Quite a few songs on this that I come back too regularly, Twist of fate is one of my favourite dylan songs, another record I get the chance to listen to on vinyl, looking at the backstory and realising this was heavily inspired by the breakdown of his marriage makes this quite an emotional masterpiece.
3rd favorite all time
This might not be the most important Dylan album, but it sure is his best.
A formidable return to stripped down and acoustic songs by Dylan. Blood On the Tracks is arguably his best album. That’s saying something.
I had never heard this album before. I imagine if you are a Dylan fan, as I am, you will love the song writing and heart felt feelings within the songs. He always seems to be able to capture a mood or time period. If you are not a Dylan fan I imagine you will talk about his voice or how it sounds whiney. I think a great album that is well worth a listen to.
This album reminds me of multiple ex-girlfriends.
Maybe the best break-up album I’ve ever heard. Standout tracks include Idiot Wind, You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome and of course Tangled Up in Blue. Dylan’s songwriting shines.
Kæm vet kor musikksmaken min hadde endt opp uten Bob Dylan, for snakk om påvirkningsevne på omtrent alle artister æ like. En absolutt klassiker, med fascineranes tekster og alt man treng.
This album doesn't quite grab me the way Bringing it All Back Home did, but it's still great. 9/10
No notes. Perfect.
Thrity trillion words have been written about this album. I'll just add: all killer, no filler.
The story telling on this album is wonderful. The titles of the songs make you want to listen to the album. I get Bob Dylan is not for everyone and his voice will be like Marmite to some, but vocally I think he's excellent on this album. I particularly like the soaring end to the vocal phrases on the first few numbers. To me this is all at once, a wistful, romantic, and bitter album. The first side of the album is perfect. It's just brilliant. This is one of Dylan's best albums, but don't let anyone tell you that this was his last great album. 5 stars all the way. Would I listen again? Yes. Would I buy the album? I have it. Side One 1. "Tangled Up in Blue" 5:42 - Lovel acoustic guitar introduction and riff. Dylan's vocal phrasing is excellent. The narrative of the song is wonderful. 5* 2. "Simple Twist of Fate" 4:19 - Plaintive, mellow introduction. Again, the vocal phrasing is excellent. The bass guitar is understated and excellent. Again, the story telling is compelling. 5* 3. "You're a Big Girl Now" 4:36 - I'm going to stop mentioning the story telling. 5* 4. "Idiot Wind" 7:48 - There's a bitterness here. Less of a story telling narrative and more of a dissection of an 'ex'. It's compelling. 5* 5. "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" 2:55 - The introduction immediately sounds more upbeat than 'Idiot Wind'. But is it? The lyrics could be interpreted as either complimentary or the exact opposite. A super listen. 5* 25/25 Side Two 1. "Meet Me in the Morning" 4:22 - Bluesy. Excellent. 5* 2. "Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts" 8:51 - This always had a sea shanty feel to me, probably due to the keyboards. Nick Cave, Shane McGowan and others must have listened to and been influenced by this song. The story is excellent. Musically it doesn't quite grab me as much, especially for a long song, even though it is up-tempo. 4* 3. "If You See Her, Say Hello" 4:49 - Sad and wistful. "Tell her she can look me up if she's got the time". 5* 4. "Shelter from the Storm" 5:02 - Lovely acoustic introduction. Excellent bass guitar, complimenting the song beautifully. Lyrically excellent but also vocally! The story is quite superb. A song of regret? This is probably my favourite track from the whole album. "Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine, If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born. Come in, she said I'll give ya shelter from the storm". 5* 5. "Buckets of Rain" 3:22 - Such a beautiful opening to the song. Again, vocally excellent. Wonderful guitar picking. That subtle bass work is excellent. There's also a degree of humour here, "I like your smile And your fingertips. Like the way that you move your hips. I like the cool way you look at me. Everything about you is bringing me misery" 5* 24/25 49/50
I don't know that sadness, pain and regret have been so seductively packaged too many times.
Nice
優しい歌声、メロディーでいい感じ。 ルーラルな場所で聴きたい。 古き良きアメリカっていうイメージ。 1人で聴きたい。 マスターピースだな。
legendary
Ok, Bob. I get it. You're a genius. Do you need to rub it in our faces? This album is so solid and emotional and rich and complex. My partner told me it was written after his divorce and you can really feel it. Especially in tracks like "Idiot Wind" which was already brutal before knowing the divorce context. Yikes. Favorite tracks... "Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts" and "You're Gonna make me Lonesome When You Go" but I really loved it all from start to finish.
What I think really proves that an artist is truly talented, is when they make a fantastic comeback album after a run of duds. And not only did Bob Dylan release one of the best album in his career with Blood on the Tracks, but just to rub it in, just to make sure that everyone knows how talented he is, he then proceeds to go on an entire run of albums just to prove that he's still got it.
The reaper of weekend albums returns. Holy fuck this album felt like it went on forever. It may sound like that's a bad thing, but in this case, quite the opposite. This really felt like a continuation of The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, and I'm all here for it. This is Bob Dylan at his finest. There's not a whole lot to say here that hasn't been said already for all of Bob Dylan's greatest works. When Bob Dylan is in his element, he really does know how to write and create amazing music. I did really enjoy the Dylan-esque version of blues in Meet Me in the Morning. That and Tangled Up in Blue were my favourites. Anyways easy 5, this one's a classic.
This is probably my favorite Dylan album. It's just really weird and sounds very unique.
Klasicky Dylan, klidny bez tech nejvetsich pecek, dobry album.
For most artists putting out their 15th studio album, there's a hint of desperation for a paycheck. Dylan, however, sounds like he's just getting going, putting out some of his best work one track after another. I'm not, nor have I ever been, the world's biggest Dylan fan, but even I cannot deny the impact this album had on folk rock as a genre. If you, like me, don't exactly vibe with the instrumentation on Dylan records, I encourage you to have the lyrics pulled up while listening. It's an entirely new and unique experience that may help you "get it."
Dylan's return to Columbia Studio A serves as the ideal backdrop for a creative renaissance that feels like a homecoming where traditional folk structures encompass some of his most temporally unmoored songwriting.
100/5
Definitely my favorite Dylan
Good lyrics, good music, super accessible Bob Dylan.
No notes.
I was in a contest but I was in a house for so long choking and unable to wallow I forgot what the contest was for and all the other events that had taken place before. I was trying to swallow my medicine but it wouldn't go down so I stuck my finger deep in my throat and scraped it out. I walked into a room t9 get the guy who I was waiting on to call my turn and the room was a resteraunt.. like in a food court but just one resteraunt. There was a glass door that led to another city. I still felt like I was choking when the host finally, who seemed to be ignoring me, asked what he could do for me. I told him I felt like I was choking and having trouble breathing. He looked down my throat and started laughing. I noticed he looked a lot like the comic book artist Erik Larson. He asked me if I ever got beer nuts stwisted in my throat. I said no. Then screamed wake up.
Possivelmente o melhor disco do Bob Dylan. Um dos mais melódicos, com uma produção extremamente aconchegante e Dylan no auge da sua narrativa. Idiot Wind e Tangled Up In Blue são os maiores destaques.
Not only is it Bob, it’s top 5 Bob.
Bob in awesome mode. Porch swing music.
Blood on the Tracks is Dylan at his most emotionally raw and poetic, delivering a collection of songs that feel deeply personal without ever being plainly autobiographical. Whether it’s the aching If You See Her, Say Hello, the winding heartbreak of Tangled Up in Blue, or the quiet devastation of Simple Twist of Fate, every track is steeped in reflection, regret, and the complexity of love lost. Musically, it’s stripped down and intimate, letting the stories take centre stage. The arrangements are warm and organic—acoustic guitars, soft drums, and the occasional splash of organ—perfectly framing Dylan’s worn, expressive vocals. There’s a quiet power in how understated it all is. Blood on the Tracks isn’t just one of Dylan’s best albums—it’s one of the greatest singer-songwriter records ever made. Honest, wise, and full of beautifully bruised melodies, it’s the sound of someone trying to make sense of their life and inviting you to do the same.
more bob dylan. i wouldn't be surprised if his entire discography is on this list, i swear... this album is effusive and full of emotion; the album was made shortly after dylan's wife left him. it's a folksy breakup album, written in a way only bob dylan can. i really like the sultry and romantic tracks in the album. even as i'm still not used to his voice... his songs are VERY nice to listen to this time around. mans is pouring his heart and soul into these songs.
lol
Bob dylan always 💯
This album has somewhat of a cult following. I am not one of those people, but I get it. With the exception of Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts, this is a great album. You know there's a bunch of old dudes sitting around saying, "Blood on the Tracks really got me through some tough times." Must be good, right?
Thank you, Bob! One of my favourite dylans!
just unreal, i loved it... dylan is finally clicking
Great
LOVED this one. His voice and the music breathe as one. He also articulates way more in this one compared to the previous one of his I listened to, which was Bringing It All Back Home. 5/5
this is the most divorced anyone has ever been.
As soon as this album came into my feed I was already looking forward to hearing 'Tangled Up In Blue'. The rest was equally enjoyable.
finally
Bob here is in top form. Honestly, for those looking for definitive Dylan, there are several records that fit the bill, but for me, this is the one.
Ten years on from the seismic shock of appearing on stage at the Newport Folk Festival playing an electric guitar (gasp!) Bob returned to playing mostly acoustic for this album. This is the classic Dylan sound of guitar, harmonica and those familiar vocals, plus a comparatively restrained backing band. Dylan always denied that any of the lyrics were autobiographical but given that he was in the middle of a marriage breakdown at the time it’s hard not to speculate about some of them. As always, they are complex with multiple layers of meaning and literary allusions, especially on Tangled Up In Blue that explores different interpretations of the title phrase and casually name drops “some poet from the 13th century” set on top of a simple repeated guitar riff. I wonder if those outraged folkies ever returned to this album and asked themselves what they were so upset about back in 65? Bob-tastic!
My first Bob Dylan album!
Tangled Up in Blue is probably my favorite Dylan song, and this is right up there for my favorite album of his as well. It's honestly so hard to pick his best album, it always seems to change for me. Idiot Wind and Shelter from the Storm are my next two favorites on this one, but there's not a weak song on here. Rating: 4.9
One of the best records ever made and still not even this man’s best
Classic album from a legend.
Complaining that Blood on the Tracks isn't my favourite Dylan album is like complaining about the colour of the defibrillator someone is using as you lie motionless on the pavement outside the library. This album is brilliant, life changing, expansive. It is everything. Its deep cuts would be headline hits for other artists. And then there are the bigs ones. Shelter from the Storm; Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts; Tangled Up in Blue; You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go; If You See Her, Say Hello ... feed these electrons directly to my ventricles and maybe through his pain I will live again. I do see this album as a little more of a "bag of songs" compared to the more holistic works of say Highway 61 Revisited or Blonde on Blonde. But no bother. This is an easy 5.8 stars.
So glad to see this on here, it’s always been my favorite Dylan album. Top 10 All time for sure
One of the last great Bob Dylan Albums. Feels like he's in his element here doing all of the things that have made him so great for so long
Some of the classics of my youth that have popped up here - Rumours, Murmur - have instantly evoked nostalgia, amusement, or wistfulness. This one still gets me in a place that feels present, live, and meaningful. From the first chord on the album, I am engaged.
One of my favorite albums. I find it flawless and Dylan's best. I once went as Shelter from the Storm to one of our friend group's infamous theme parties...this was come as a Bob Dylan song.
Not bad at all, I thought I would hate this
awesome
That's what I'm talking about. Greatness. Perfection. It's a 5/5 It's a 10/10 Have a great day you all
An easy five stars for me. One of my favorite albums, occasionally my favorite Dylan. I guess the question is, why? Why has this been such a critical darling forever, and why do I love it? The lyrics mostly make little sense, the playing is adequate but not blowing anyone away, and the singing is….Bob Dylan. I think it’s because even if you don’t quite understand what he’s singing about (and I think he rarely does either) Dylan is an impressionist painter with words. He gives you an idea of a story or a mood and you fill in the gaps yourself. That could be lazy or ineffective, but he’s got a certain mystical quality to his writing that just works just enough to get you in the mood for creativity. I dunno. He’s somehow a master, and no one has really recreated this sort of songwriting in my mind.
This is my second favorite Bob Dylan records and honestly just one of my favorite albums of all time. To me this is kind of the apex of what Dylan is good at. Great song writing, with folk, blues and rock composition. I think it's a perfect revisit of what he became known for in the 60s, but when he finally comes back to this record it's a new Bob Dylan. A better, more refined and mature Bob Dylan. I like almost every song on this record, but its the book ends that stand out the most. Tangled Up in Blue is brilliant and Simple Twist of Fate is such a perfect follow up. In the same fashion, Shelter from the Storm is one of my all time favorite songs. Its brilliant. Its perfect storytelling, but the follow up of Buckets of Rain is the really cherry on top.
Blood on the Tracks is the most focused collection of songs in Dylan’s catalog, and his greatest artistic achievement in terms of crafting a structured, thematic piece of work. In the throes of a major life shift, Bob accurately conveys every emotion and coping mechanism that comes with the dissolution of a long-term relationship. Throughout these ten songs, he expresses bitterness (both understandable and irrational), replays multiple scenarios with a seemingly impossible balance of confusion and clarity, admits fault while not being afraid to place blame on other parties, resigns himself to mournfulness, and occasionally offers the glimmer of hope or optimism that you can only believe so much coming from a damaged lover. Conceptually, it’s a total success, but what elevates this record to its rarefied brilliance is the astonishing execution of the material. For as great as the lyrics are across the board, Bob graces every single song with a melody that’s just as good, and furthermore, delivers a cogent, passionate vocal on each one. Regardless of which tracks derive from the original New York sessions (shoutout to Tony Brown’s exceptional bass work on these songs in particular) or the last-minute Minneapolis sessions, the soundscapes provide the right amount of musicality and tunefulness without detracting from the lyrics’ emotional impact. I suppose each statement in the last two paragraphs should have the obligatory “in my opinion” attached to it, given the subjectivity of art in general. This has been a subjective ranking, after all. More so than any other Dylan record, though, the heights of Blood on the Tracks feel about as close to objective or undeniable as possible. For me, it’s apparent right from the opening of “Tangled Up in Blue”; I’m completely hooked even before Bob’s flawless lyric, vocal, and melody enter. The blend of acoustic and electric guitars with Gregg Inhofer’s subtle keyboard pad is a sound as glorious as anything ever committed to tape, and anchors the nearly-six-minute journey with sheer elegance. After all these years, it’s still a top 20 Dylan track for me. “Simple Twist of Fate” and “Shelter from the Storm”, both from the New York sessions, also rank among my top 20, and deserve every bit of praise they’ve received over the last 50 years. Bob’s storytelling and imagery are as effective as they’ve ever been on these two tracks, with both receiving an added boost of distinct, dynamic emotionalism. “You’re a Big Girl Now” and “If You See Her, Say Hello” are equally stunning and particularly devastating, featuring two of the most impressive vocal performances on the record. And with all due respect to the numerous instances of first-class songwriting between John Wesley Harding and Planet Waves, “Idiot Wind” is Bob’s most ambitious, industrious accomplishment since Blonde on Blonde, and for my money, an absolute triumph. To this day, the last verse never fails to make me shake my head in awe (“You’ll never know the hurt I’ve suffered/Nor the pain I rise above/And I’ll never know the same about you/Your holiness or your kind of love/And it makes me feel so sorry”). Hell, I even love the occasionally-maligned “Meet Me in the Morning”. The blues have been a large part of Bob’s musical DNA from day one, so it seems fitting to me that he would include a blues number on an album centered around heartbreak. I dig everything about it, especially Bob’s soaring vocal and the perfect tones of each electric guitar. It’s never felt out of place to me, and regardless of how much love is given to the outtake “Up to Me”, I wouldn’t trade this track for anything. I must admit that I gravitate towards a few alternate takes of these songs. Give me take two from the New York sessions of “Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts”, featured on More Blood, More Tracks. As much as I love the album cut of “You’re a Big Girl Now”, I return even more to the outtake originally issued on Biograph. It’s even a close call on “Idiot Wind”; the album version is a top 30 Dylan track for me, due in part to his fiery delivery and excellent band performance, but I like the acoustic version from The Bootleg Series Volumes 1-3 at least just as much. But really, it’s basically irrelevant at this point. We’re talking about Blood on the Tracks here. I could sit here and attempt to further delineate the majesty of these songs, but there’s nothing I could say to do any of them justice, and most anyone reading this understands the overwhelming power of this album anyway. I feel truly lucky to live in a world where Blood on the Tracks exists. I’ll never take it for granted. Least favorite track: “Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts”. To my ears, this one has always felt more out of place than “Meet Me in the Morning”. I don’t dislike it; it’s an intriguing story (one that honestly still confounds me) and another solid vocal from Bob. After living with this album for decades, it’s continued to grow on me. But every now and then, the organ still feels over-prominent to me, especially given the song’s length (one of the main reasons I much prefer the acoustic take). It’s the only track that wouldn’t land in my top 100 Dylan songs. Favorite track: “Buckets of Rain”. From a compositional standpoint, my answer would be “Tangled Up in Blue”, “Simple Twist of Fate”, “Idiot Wind”, or “Shelter from the Storm”, all of which are among my top 30 favorite Bob songs. But there’s a magic to this song, both on its own and in context of the record, that deeply affects me every single time I listen to it. The musical conversation taking place between Dylan’s magnificent guitar work and Brown’s dancing bass line is simply one of the most serene sounds ever captured. Bob’s vocal is as wistful and splendidly straightforward as the lyrics, and each line, no matter how simple, packs such a strong emotional punch. It’s the perfect closing track for this record, and often closes out any Dylan playlist I make. A top 10 personal favorite for me. Pure greatness. 5+/5
Classical Classic of Rock Music
Never really listened to Bob Dylan but thought the album was really lovely. Shelter by the storm made the playlist so it gets 5*
It's my fav Dylan album. So beautiful in its execution and storytelling 5⭐
Now I have never listened to any 70's music, but this album was special. The storytelling is amazing, the long songs hit the hardest
Best Dylan album yet. I haven't listened to them all, but this one had bangers, ballads and bars. Great album. Some songs, like Meet Me in the Morning feel like they could have been recorded in the last 15 years. Best Songs: Meet Me in the Morning, Shelter from the Storm, Buckets of Rain Worst Songs: NA
I don't usually like folk, but this one was so good I'm gonna replay it a few times, and I didn't even pay attention to the lyrics
It's a tough album to write about besides just saying listen to it. My favourite album Dylan made. It's got depth and honesty and emotion. Beautiful album and worth including on the list for sure.
In my youth I had his Greatest Hits cassette from 1967. I've never heard this album. I only knew the amazing track that is Shelter From the Storm. Simple Twist of Fate - put me in a creative mood. Meet Me in the Morning - A blues song that sounds genuine. Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts-I was expecting to find out Paul Simon was involved with this song. Buckets of Rain - put me in a meditative state. Every track has something interesting going on. This is an album. Great cover art. Great song writing and Dylan as always is using his voice as an instrument. The audio quality is on another level. I'd like to revisit this album.
Wonderful and chill album.
Another fantastic Dylan album. Tangled up in Blue and Shelter from the Storm are two of my favorite Dylan tunes, which help elevate this album to 5 stars in my mind.
Superb album. Dylan at his absolute best. I love it.
Bob Dylan at maybe his lowest point is also Bob Dylan at his highest point. This record is a perfectly written and spectacularly performed rendition of how it feels when you're playing Fortnite with your friends and they all drive away in a car, leaving you to die downed and alone in the storm. Or when your wife leaves you, I guess that sucks too.
The writing here is simply amazing. This is him “going back to his roots” and it’s done really well. Really great album cover too.
Should go on the albums to listen to at least 1001 times before you die list.
His most expressive and vulnerable album, and his singing (yes, I said singing) is top-notch. Heartbreakingly beautiful songs and amazing performances. If you listen to this and don't love Dylan, you never will.
Years ago when I first listened to Bob Dylan, I didn't care for him or his music very much. I am still not sure if it was because I was told I wasn't supposed to like his voice, or I was told he was "fine" from others. I just have a distinct memory of knowing I wasn't supposed to like him. So I didn't. Over the years, I would run into Bob Dylan songs now and then and think, "this is the guy I'm not supposed to like?" I'm not sure why I held that notion for so long, but after a while, the dam broke, I listend to more and more of his songs and albums, and can say, without a doubt, he is very much worth listening to. This album is great! It's pretty rare that I'll give an album of the day more than two or three listens, but this one was playing on loop, all day long. 5/5
I’ve never sat down and listened to a Dylan album. Tangled Up In Blue is a great opener. The whole album is pretty good. He had a great melodic sense, good lyrics, and a great accompanying band. Simple but effective. Shelter From the Storm is another highlight. Pretty good album.
Trodde det var en lätt femma men andra halvan är så jäkla slö
Distinct, wild, instant classic.
Not much to say, bob hits it on the head with this one, even if it was meant to be a bit folkyer originally I like this version a lot regardless so suck it Jean
Renowned to be a dark album when Bob Dylan was going through a divorce. Having said that, some great songs. Tangled up in Blue is a great opener. There is an emotional punch to each song and it is one of Bob Dylan's most accessible albums.Bob Dylan will always be a marmite artist, given his style but this album warrants a listen and may just change people's minds.
Fantastic album. Bob was still very much in the height of his writing power for this album and it's a delight throughout.
One of the best breakup albums of all-time. Dylan denies these songs are autobiographical, but you can't write some of these tunes if there isn't something on your mind that is a part of the song. There's not a bad song on here and Idiot Wind is an excellent diss track. "You're an idiot, babe It’s a wonder that you still know how to breathe" Great line. I am surprised at how few plays some of these songs have on Spotify. Stone cold classic album and I came on to this album when I was looking for good breakup albums and it fit the bill. It's angry, wistful, resigned and bitter. Most of all, the songs are well-written.
wahrhaftig ein grossartiges album, mit einer fülle von unglaublich guten, gut arrangierten songs mit tollen texten. ich war nie ein grosser dylan-fan, aber dieses album hat mich gepackt!
Currently going through a breakup, so thanks for the assist. Am I now of the camp that this is his best album.
Time has shown me that this is Dylan’s best. Tangled Up In Blue is a perfect song, and it’s followed by one powerful song after another. Some of his best writing (meaning some of the best songs ever written), his best vocals, and the best production in his catalog.
5 stars on the strength of Tangled Up In Blue alone
Long songs and some country sounding short songs
I don't know what exactly to say about this one because it's meant a lot of different things to me throughout my life. As a study of human relationships it's necessarily enigmatic, vague, and complex. Sorry, I guess that's kind of a cop out. But I don't get the general impulse to dissect and mythologize Dylan. (Or to, you know, make a movie about his life.) Anyways, as I listen at the beginning of February 2025, this album is almost exactly fifty years old. However, I don't feel for a moment like it belongs to a single time or place.
Fun album and I thought it was really enjoyable
Bob Dylan hit a home run on this album. Elite singer-songwriter folk music. I can get why he's not everyone's cup of tea, seeing how nasally he can sound, perhaps particularly on this album, but if you don't care for Bob Dylan then you probably don't care for true folk music anyways.
solid dylan
Undoubted one of Dylan’s greatest records. A perfect blend of what he did before and in my opinion one of the greatest collections of his poetry.
Shelter From The Storm is the final track in Sam Steiner's excellent and moving play 'You Stupid Darkness!' so it's a win from me xx
Har faktisk aldri hørt et Bob Dylan album før, har syns det virker som et overveldende prosjekt og vet ikke hvor jeg skulle begynt. Så veldig greit å få et servert. Dette var jo skikkelig fint! Klassiske folk-sanger, og stemmen til Dylan passer perfekt. Stjernen i showen er tekstene og historiefortellinga her. Dette er jo faktisk en mann som har vunnet Nobelpris i literatur, og begynner å skjønne hvorfor her. Hver låt har en håndfull skikkelig poetiske vendinger, og maler historier man kan se for seg på en måte jeg ikke ofte gjør når jeg hører på musikk. Favoritter: Shelter from the storm, Lily Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts, Tangled up in Blue
Started this like “it’s good but I don’t really know if it’s good enough for a five” and by the time I finished ‘If You See Her, Say Hello’ I was emotionally devastated enough to consider giving it a six. Favourite Tracks: 3, 5, 8, 9, 10 Least Fav Track: Tangled Up In Blue
Think "tangled up in blue" has to be one of my favourite Dylan songs. Really evocative. He has an amazing way of creating a mental picture of the story he's telling in his songs. Highlights: Tangled up in blue Lily, rosemary and the jack of hearts Shelter from the storm 4.5
This was the first Dylan album that really clicked with me and, while I now don’t view it quite as highly as Highway 61 Revisited or Blonde on Blonde, it’s still a damn fantastic album. It must have sounded even better in 1975 as well, after a stretch of pretty dreadful Dylan records since the start of the decade (most notably the horrific Self Portrait). While I like Dylan the most when he combined his folk roots with a more electric and diverse sound, this back-to-basics album is still very impactful. It feels darker than his earlier folk records - whether that’s an intentional tonal choice or just a natural result of him sounding older and more weathered - and features some of his greatest and most inspired songwriting and actually catchy melodies. The opening track Tangled Up In Blue is the highlight but it never feels like the calibre drops too much, and it’s just quality track after quality track
I can't believe how good this album is--a lot of my favorite all time tracks and I had never heard in the context of this album. Was surprised to learn it landed with some mixed reviews when released, but those reviews were not correct!
One of Bob's best. Maybe his best, but he has several albums that could be in that category. I remember this was kind of a comeback for Bob. Pure genius.
Perfect as always!
good songwriting and performance classic
hoooly shit man
One of the all time best.
Dylan is just singular as an artist. Each song on here is a books worth of story in itself, a tale to become absorbed in. An album I know well but still don’t know at all and so can still explore. If it isn’t your thing that’s fine, each to their own.
Not the Bob Dylan I was expecting but also just as good as I could have hoped for.
A firm fave
My personal favourite Dylan record with my personal favourite Dylan song (You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go). Appreciating his work takes some getting used to - his songwriting variety is subtle, but definitely hits the untrained ear as a bit samey. But his lyrical turns of phrase on this record and the overall focus elevates it above so many others in his discography (alongside Desire). What you have here is the fundamentals of perfect songwriting, and if you need evidence of that all you have to do is look at the scores of outstanding cover versions this collection inspired.
Bob Dylan, monument de la musique au phrasé si particulier que je connais pas tant que ça, je me réjouis donc de l'écouter. J'aime le rythme et l'énergie du premier morceau Tangled up in blue. Les disgressions dans sa voix sont très intéressantes et on sent le côté conteur du bonhomme avec l'harmonica de rigueur :). Je trouve la musique très cinématographique, Dylan arrive à nous emmener dans ses histoires, comme dans Lily, Rosemary and the jack of hearts où on se croirait dans pub irlandais. En pur songwriter, les émotions sont transmises par sa voix, assez exceptionnelle qui me surprend à chaque fois par ses inflexions. Sa voix râpée et inégale rappelle parfois celle de Shane Mc Gowan qui lui aussi semble né pour raconter la "vraie vie" Tantôt plutôt folk (idiot wind), country (meet me in the morning) ou heartland rock, l'album n'est jamais monotone et les ambiances changent au gré des différentes pistes, devenant davantage mélancoliques sur la fin de l'album qui est la meilleure partie (If you see her, say hello, shelter from the storm, buckets of rain). L'album offre une véritable expérience d'écoute, pleine d'émotions et d'authenticité. il faut reconnaitre le talent de Dylan qui arrive à composer de telles chansons poignantes.
Greatest breakup album of all time but of course, it’s so much more than that.
One of his absolute best.
Perfection.
Probably a top ten album of all time. Probably Dylan's best album. So much good stuff. Idiot Wind is savage, regretful and sad. You're a Big Girl Now, Simple Twist of Fate, Shelter From the Storm. These are towering achievements of song. So much truth here.
Not really listened to this album before - I know and really like some of the classic tracks - Tangled up in Blue / Shelter from the Storm - but not that familar with most of the tracks. They are not the most immediate songs as lyrically quite dense but I'm sure they reward repeated listening. My initial reaction on a couple of listens is a 4 but I'm sure it would be a 5 if i could listen a few more times. ...
Dylan is one the key artists who shaped the entire phenomenon of popular music. BOTT is one of the ways he did it. There should be a special 6* category for albums like this.
Klassiker!
Don’t even need to listen today. It’s already in the heavy rotation. All timer.
Toca hoy nuevamente otro álbum de éste mostro, un clásico de su extensa discografía. Sólido, relax, entre folk y melódico, con un Dylan con su voz más asentada. Sigo prefiriendo su faceta rockera de juventud pero éste es un gran trabajo. Hasta mañana.
Seems I've become a Dylan fan. This one's getting five stars, proving that my enjoyment of Highway 61 Revisited was not a fluke.
It really is a great album. I love listening to it. Seems the older I get, the more I like it. it is a classic. I originally got hooked on Dylan with Time Out Of Mind….and then went back. I don’t love all his stuff…but his great stuff is really great!
Stone cold classic. Not necessarily always my favourite Bob, but almost always the one I think is his peak
I only ever appreciated and enjoyed Dylan in small doses, but the story telling and introspection of this one kept me hooked to the end.
If you don’t like Dylan you haven’t heard Dylan, and I don’t mean you haven’t listened to Dylan.
What a great album! I always thought I should give this album a little more attention and today I found out why. Bob Dylan is a great storyteller and this, combined with a simple sound and his unique way of singing like a solitary troubadour, makes Blood On The Tracks one of the most creative albums of his career. Personally, it is not among my favorites, for the simple fact that you can't choose 10 albums to be your favorite, you can only choose two or three hahahaha. Jokes aside, this is without a doubt a 5 star album!
I initially always thought of this record as a victory lap since Dylan was so established from his original folk days, to going electric on highway 61 to his (IMO) magnum opus of Blonde on Blonde. However, after revisiting this may just be him enjoying the peak of his career. So many memorable songs/singles from tangled up in blue, a simple twist of fate, shelter from the storm or buckets of rain, to the deeper cuts of you're gonna make me lonesome, meet me in the morning an idiot wind. So much great blends of folk and rock aesthetics. Truly another perfect record.
Great album. Dylan is the type of artist who just plays music for music sake, without becoming overly commercialized. Simple instrumentals to accentuate his fantastic lyrics.
Frábær plata. Ekki margir sem ná að setja svona senur upp með textum í tónlist. Algjört ævintýri bara.
Ein af mínum uppáhalds Dylan plötum. Engir stórsmellir en mér finnst hún heildstæðasta platan hans. Simple twist of fate og Shelter from the storm eru þó bæði í miklu uppáhaldi hjá mér. Það er bara einn Dylan!
Favorite Track: Tangled up in Blur
5/5
15 albums in and Bob is still writing bangers. This one might be my favorite of his on the list. The first two songs are always great to hear Jerry Garcia play them. Classic. On this list all day.
This is my third album by him on this list and I have enjoyed all three. The album has a strong opening with Tangled Up in Blue. Meet Me in the Morning was my favorite track. Idiot Wind had a great sound and really continues to resonate today, which is a shame. Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts is a fun ballad. If You See Her, Say Hello is a really pretty track about lost love. The rest of the tracks were not favorites, but still really show Dylan’s skill as a singer and songwriter and great to listen to. Overall, this is another masterful album from him. Favorites: Tangled Up in Blue Meet Me in the Morning If You See Her Say Hello Least Favorite: Buckets of Rain 5
When I first encountered this album, in high school, I was dismissive of it and now I have no idea why. At the time I liked the "hard rain's a-gonna fall" Dylan, but this album has so many great songs, esp Tangled up in blue which has to be on a GOAT list. I'll be listening to this album over and over--a classic like Joni Mitchell's Blue.
One of Dylan's most consistent and excellent albums.
This is 5 star poetry set to music. So maybe 10 stars. I find the whole feel of this just takes away all the detritus and puts me in touch with my soul. A soul to a soul. Doesn't get much better than that.
This is a fantastic album
magical songs that sound like spells being spun for the first time while the tape rolls
My 4th Bob Dylan album from this list, 3 more to go. Here is - still - the thing: Dylan's work isn't what I mostly look for in music. Which is not lyrical content with the music acting as a wrapper. A backdrop, foundation. Not to speak of his blues country rock 'n roll offerings on that matter. This one? Is and felt very different. Wikipedia tells me "Blood on the Tracks" was initially conceived to have an electric backing band. Well, thank fuck it didn't, then. I can follow the instruments here and they do pleasant things? Quite pretty things even, occasionally. The bass in "Shelter from the Storm"? Yeah. Nice. I'll probably listen to this again later today. [...] It is now later today. I have listened a lot to this.
MASTERPIECE. God fucking DAMN!
would i be disinvited to christmas if i gave it anything but a five?? great great album
Some of the 20th century’s best poetry that also happens to be set to absolutely excellent music
My all time favorite record
What a great album. Listening to it today, I thought, what would it have been like if the full band from the Blonde on Blonde/Highway 61 musicians had joined in on this one... and vice versa. Just a delight.
Uno de los mejores discos de Bob Dylan. Gran nivel
If I had to pick one Bob Dylan album it would be “Blood On The Tracks”. It’s a heartfelt break up album at its core. It also features in my opinion Dylan’s best composition “Simple Twist Of Fate” Stand Out Tracks Tangled Up In Blue Simple Twist Of Fate You’re a Big Girl Now IDIOT WIND You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts Shelter From The Storm This is a classic album and may have a few songs that are now as amazing as the ones mentioned above but it all flows well and mainly sticks to the theme of heartbreak, loss and trying to find yourself again 5/5
Probably his best album. 5/5
For years I thought Dylan fans were pretending. Then I heard this.
Fantastic album.
Killer opening track, killer closing track, and all kinds of good old human being rock and roll in between. Bob Dylan is one of the best ever and this is one of his best releases.
Really fun, easy to listen to album. I think if you don't know much about Dylan except a handful of the classics (like me) this is probably a great place to start. Dylan's storytelling and songwriting abilities are on display here. Tangled up in Blue is a great start to the album, Idiot Wind and Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts are also favorite tracks. It's probably a 4.5 rating for me but since I have to pick and this ones got me in a good mood we can go 5.
This one’s on the Mount Rushmore of divorce albums. Elegant, poetic, but with a simmering undercurrent of bitterness.
Solid folk rock album. Not really something I listen to normally as I’m not a big Dylan fan but “If You See Her, Say Hello” is a great track. Also liked “Idiot Wind”.
The best Bob Dylan album. Intelligible, great lyrics, diversity of music.
My joint favourite Bob Dylan album alongside Blonde on Blonde. Although he denied that the content is autobiographical, it's hard to avoid considering these some of his most personal lyrics. Even the breakup theme aside, it's pretty clear what a song like Idiot Wind is saying It's also a very accessible album for Dylan, easy to listen to and plenty of great tunes. His vocals are strong and although the arrangements are not super complicated there is some great stuff, me e.g. I like the bluesy riff of Meet Me In The Morning Perfection
Dylan rips his heart out on record. Mid-period Dylan's most mature and consistent work.
Brilliant!
This is the Dylan I prefer. I can understand him, his voice is more melodic, and his lyrics have a bit more of an edge to them.
It's one of the few vinyl LP's I have and it's one I cherish deeply. Shelter From The Storm, Idiot Wind and Tangled Up In Blue are absolute masterpieces of Bob and the whole album is just great. My favourite album of the master.
Fantastisch gewoon. Mogelijks z'n beste album. Een dikke 5.
Brought back some memories. I hadn’t heard some of these songs in a while.
I can't believe this was sort of panned when it was released. It's an incredible album. Possibly my favorite dylan record.
Great album
Another groundbreaking release in Dylan's discography, though one that took me longer to fall in love with when compared to his earlier releases. Dylan in the 70s isn't the most consistent and his ditching of the "harsher" folk-rock noises that his seminal 60s releases were composed of for 'Blood On the Tracks' didn't go over well with me upon first listen. But ultimately, the decision to "regress" to his more traditional folk style amplifies this album's beauty, warmth, and melancholic ethos. It's no secret that this album is, in large part, about the turmoil surrounding his marriage with Sara at the time. The opening songs 'Tangled up in Blue' and 'Simple Twist of Fate' play into these nostalgic memories and fond moments spent with several ambiguous characters. 'If You See Her, Say Hello' may be the most directly heartbreaking song here related to Dylan's personal life, while 'Shelter from the Storm' offers a level of comfort on the album's most soothing moment. 'Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts' is the standard labyrinthian tale on these Dylan albums, though in theme with this album, it's largely related to false charades and convoluted love paradigms. My favorite song has to be 'Idiot Wind', not only is it the most catchy and visceral song here, but Dylan's criticism of his own supposed ego here comes off as poignant and undeniably aggressive - it reminds me a lot of 'Like a Rolling Stone' in that sense. This is not an album that's as politically charged as his previous efforts, but in my opinion, it boasts some of Dylan's strongest and most vivid writing. There's a looming sadness here that can't be shaken off on even the most optimistic of songs.
A masterpiece. Dylan’s reputation as a master is fully earned.
Incredible song writer on one of his best albums. Tangled up in blue, simple twist of fate, i you see her say hello, shelter from the storm are all amazing I could list every song on the album. Fantastic work
historically, i am much more of a 60s dylan person than a 70s dylan person. this album in particular i've had no interest in since it was sort of force-fed to me growing up while being told it's great. that being said, i've been in a bob dylan mood lately and so i listened to this album for the first time with an open mind and, i really enjoyed it. even though his music and songwriting had evolved over the previous decade-plus, at his core, he still is dylan and his lyrics are terrific and evoke great imagery. although i think the crop of songs here may not be as iconic as some of his 60s albums, i think they are all at least pretty good, my favorites being, 'tangled up in blue,' 'idiot wind,' 'if you see her, say hello,' and, 'shelter from the storm.' i may not have been a fan going in, but i truly enjoyed it all.
If you had to pick a single Dylan album as the best of the catalog, this would be a very close contender. Some of the best songwriting ever, excellent composition, and solid production. This is definitely one of the rare times I agree with this list. 5/5
A best-friend record, a rabbi/therapist record, a desert island disc, a fantastic break-up album – this is all of those and more. One of the few (precious few) that truly meet the by-now rather cliched “must-hear” label. There are seven absolute classic songs and three awfully good ones. To call it Dylan’s best is praise enough and yet … maybe the best ever. (And editors – WTF – 2 weak Dire Straits jokes in a brief capsule review of the best record ever by Bob Dylan and one of the best of all time, period!?!?!? Shame on you and your anti-Dylan bent, which is clearly getting to you.)
I don’t think this is one of Mr. Dylan’s big hits. I don’t recognize any of the songs, at the least. Nevertheless, this is my favorite of his albums from the list so far. He doesn’t drift too far abstract in his imagery, which is something that I felt plagued the previous album. Just straightforward and earnest.
With Tangled Up in Blue snd Shelter From the Storm, the rest of it easily carries this to 5 stars or A.
Tangled up in Blue
One of my all time favorites
America's folk poet is spot on in this album.
Peak Dylan
Maybe my favourite Dylan album right now, some more lush and less harsh production than usual, mixed with some of his most endearing songwriting styles is just so nice and complete to listen to. Shelter from the Storm, Tangled Up in Blue, and A Simple Twist of Fate are all just absolute top tier Dylan for me so this album is always gorg
Day210 - the word genius is thrown around a lot (by me) but dylan writes these amazing lyrics and thus album is an all time classic
Easily one of the best dylan albums. Favorite track: Tangled up in blue other picks: simple twist of fate, your gonna make me lonesome, meet me in the morning, shelter from the storm
Top Ten of all time. Heart wrenching and beautiful.
Best Dylan album? Certainly best 70s (Desire a close second.) Not much else to say, Bobby D said it all.
My favorite Dylan album. I used to not like it, but it’s grown on me and now I love every song. Lilly, Rosemary, and The Jack of Hearts? Banger. Idiot Wind? Banger. Tangled up in Blue? Simple Twist of Fate? Buckets of Rain? Banger. Banger. Banger. I will admit, at times on this album, and on others, his attitude towards women in questionable. But you know what? FIVE STARS.
Listening to this driving around cerillos NM had me in my feelings
Bob Dylan fan here so what can I say... a great record and reminds me of my student years (not that I studied in the '70s). Beautiful melodies, great storytelling.
Heartache and humor, stories and love songs. It's aged fabulously. Dylan said in interviews that nothing on this album was written from personal experience; I do not believe him. Highlights: Tangled up in Blue, Simple Twist of Fate, You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go, Meet Me in the Morning, If You See Her Say Hello, Shelter from the Storm, Buckets of Rain
One of his best albums
Blood on the Tracks This is definitely up there in my favourite Dylan albums, it may even be my favourite as it’s probably the one I’ve listened to more than any other. There really isn’t a weak track, each one is fantastic in its own right, and as a collection they work superbly. Tangled up in Blue is one of his best songs for me, and a great opening track, setting up the atmosphere of the album. I love the shifting tenses, going back and forth in time. Simple Twist of Fate. Another all time Dylan song, such a lovely melody and evocative lyric. You’re a Big Girl Now, is such a bleakly moving gem, the almost spanish sounding guitar and feel amplify the melancholy sadness of the words. I love how the Hammond rises and falls evoking breathing throughout Idiot Wind, and the lyrics are, of course, caustically great. After the bleakness and bitterness of the previous 3 songs, You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go’s jauntiness and vaguely upbeat feel is a pleasant contrast, as is the bluesiness of Meet Me in the Morning. While it might feel a little slight, the playing, and drumming in particular, is excellent and its a nice palate cleanser to start the 2nd side. It took me a while to appreciate Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts, but now I think it’s great, its complicated picaresque plot tale is brilliantly told, fully utilising the 9 minutes without feeling long, the wild west setting and music marrying it all together. If You See Her, Say Hello always puts me in mind of Girl from the North Country, with its similar idea of asking someone to wish his ex lover well. A beautiful wistful lyric, perfectly complemented by the fantastic music. More top tier Dylan. I love how the first verse of Shelter from the Storm, setting up the whole song brilliantly. Love the melodic bass against the almost spiralling rhythmic guitar. Buckets of Rain has always been a favourite, again the acoustic and bass together are excellent, and it’s slightly amused but sincere observational lyric is great The playing is uniformly excellent, the acoustic guitars and electric bass working in great harmony, particularly on some of the sparser tracks. And lyrically, while still hidden by allegory and riddle, it might be his most obviously personal, even if he still denies that it is. At turns sad and peaceful, profound and flippant, clear-eyed and opaque, every song has little corners and moments that are clearly about something specific, whilst also leaving room for interpretation and, in many cases, shifting meaning. I guess that’s the thing though, while he might say You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go is about literature, and while that interpretation clearly works, you can’t help but wonder what else he means. Maybe he is ultimately very literal and we all obsess over meanings that aren’t there, but maybe he just likes obfuscating everything. I guess that unknown gives it its emotional power 50 years later. It’s a classic for a reason, it endures and no matter how many times you listen you can still hear something new, or you hear it in a slightly different way, like all the best music. An easy peasy 5. 🩸🛤️🩸🛤️🩸🛤️🩸🛤️🩸🛤️ Playlist submission: Tangled up in Blue
Muito bom
Such a great album. I wouldn’t be sad if idiot wind was about 3 minutes shorter, but that’s my only complaint.
Time is a jet plane
This could become my favorite Dylan album. It’s a great mix of styles that hits right for me. Also great lyrics, obviously.
I’ve been a huge fan of Dylan for a while now and this album is the best example of why. The raw emotion in the lyrics and vocals create the best breakup album of all time.
One of the best albums of all time, love to see this on the list!
Perfect. 5
I have always loved this album - so many amazing songs on it. I listened to it again with my teenage son and sadly he was unimpressed.
The ultimate breakup album.
Classic
One of the greatest albums of all time. Possibly Dylan’s most confessional. Easily one of his more accessible and relatable. Emotional.
Definitely one of his best. Beautiful and powerful lyrics throughout the album. If there were ten stars I’d give it a nine. Only because “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” sounds a bit too much like “Shelter from the Storm” in its instrumentation. Listen to the jangling guitar and especially the bass. Otherwise, I couldn’t find a thing wrong with this. A load of classic Dylan tracks and it all feels cohesive. Here’s another for Bobby. 5/5
Oof. After a run of meh, an absolute classic. Making me feel less guilty about giving that stuff 2 stars as you've got to have somewhere to go that leaves a gulf. Also, massive kudos to the Minnesota musicians who re-recorded many of this record's highlights and really make it shine. I've heard bits of the first recordings Dylan wasn't satisfied with in December 74 and he was right not to be. Dylan was a real cunt for not crediting them until decades later despite this.
The best album by the best artist in the last 60 years. I especially like "Shelter from the Storm". Dylan was feeling very overwhelmed around the time he met Sara, his first wife, and she was not part of the hectic music world. She was his refuge. "Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm / 'Come in', she said, 'I'll give you shelter from the storm.'" That was part of what Sara provided to Bob. My favorite line from that song is: "Well, the deputy rides on hard nails / And the preacher rides a mount / Nothing really matters much / It's doom alone that counts / And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn / 'Come in', she said, 'I'll give you shelter from the storm.'" It's not the meaning of the line so much as the imagery. I picture a bleak landscape with an overcast sky and a storm on the way with worn out men riding gray mounts. And then, there's a one-eyed undertaker. It paints a picture. And Sara was there to give shelter. Awesome lyrics. But of course, you would expect no less from Mr. Dylan.
Perfection. In my top 5.
He still had voice ,and he always had amazing writing skills. He's Dylan.
I grew up listening to greatest hit compilations and you miss the soul of the songs when that happens. First time listening to the album. So glad I did. Great album. Favorite Track: Buckets of Rain
Muy sonoro.
One of my favorite albums. A masterpiece. Stunning. Straight to the heart. I would be happy to listen to Bob Dylan every day.
I love this album. I discovered almost 25 years ago toward the end of college and it remains one of my favorite albums of all time. It's soulful and beautiful.
Turning your pain into art 101. Brilliant and sad and also brilliant. Another favorite. Screw the versions crap and just bask in the full sessions: More Blood, More Tracks
BOTH VERSIONS RULE
One of my all-time favorites. I was thrilled to have an excuse to listen to it again.
His second best album
This was amazing - excellent storytelling set to great music. I somehow never heard this before and now get why he is so revered
I only knew the really famous bits, enjoyed the other songs too. Especially Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts.
💔 What an album.
Bob Dylan is one of the most influential figures in modern music, with one of the most extensive catalogs of any recording artist. Blood on the Tracks is arguably his best - or one of his best - albums. Dylan's style of country rock makes for great melodic songs, but the strength of his work is in his brilliant lyrics. This album includes "Tangled Up in Blue," and "Shelter from the Storm," perhaps the most famous of a group of incredible songs that demonstrate Dylan's skills as a songwriter.
Ik word nooit zo warm van de cover van Blood on the Tracks. Waardoor ik deze soms links laat liggen, niet uit mijn vinyl-kast pluk. Maar damn, wat is dit toch een sterk albums. Alle songs zijn op zichzelf echt super sterk. Geen concept album met een groter verhaal maar in de liedjes apart hebben we hier met peak-Bob te maken. In de songs zit een heerlijke folk-flow, de nummers zijn net iets complexer als in zijn beginjaren (blowin in the wind) maar zijn toch zo Dylanesque dat het altijd vertrouwd is. Geen gexperimenteer, maar gewoon het beste van jezelf laten zien tijdens de jaren dat je in topvorm bent. Volgens mij heeft Dylan een beetje twee piekmomenten gehad. Midden jaren 60 met Blonde on Blonde en Highway 61, en midden jaren 70 met Planet Waves (onderschat), Blood on the Tracks en Desire. De één jong en fris, 10 jaar later meer volwassen en met meer spanningen in zijn privéleven (kinderen, dan krijg je dat). Deze plaat viel te goed om geen 5 sterren te geven. 8,5/10 Highlights Tangled Up In Blue Shelter From the Storm Buckets of Rain
Best album so far! 4.7 per track.
Amazing that this is his 15th studio album and he was still cranking out great songs. Solid 5 out of 5.
His best in my opinion
Contrary to some reviewers here, I won't say this is Bob Dylan's last *absolute* masterpiece. To me that honor goes to *Rough And Rowdy Ways*. Yes, I'm talking about Mr. Zimmerman's latest record, released a couple of years ago or something. Not that Dylan didn't have his share of duds between *Blood On The Tracks* and his latest LP (and also his share of very good records, fortunately--starting with *Desire, the one that immediately followed this album suggested by the 1001 Albums app today). Anyway, I wish *Rough And Rowdy Ways* could join this list a.s.a.p.. In the meantime I rejoice at the inclusion of *Blood On The Tracks*. The first four cuts are essential Dylan songs. The three that follow are shining examples of his different songwriting skills as well, even if slightly less essential. And the last three are delicate and heartfelt gems that are actually as essential as the first four. There's not much I can say about this record that others haven't already told in an eloquent and more convincing fashion than anything I could ever attempt to conjure at the moment. I feel tired today, even exhausted. So I'll just shut my trap and listen to Bob's tales. After all, most of the "voices" and characters in this record are world-weary figures. Best way to not feel so alone tonight. Number of albums left to review: 178 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 358 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 206 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 260
My favorite Dylan album. Great songs throughout, some of his strongest singing. Seeing the songs evolve on The Bootleg Series is fascinating. The backing band does a nice job throughout.
Brilliant, and in my opinion, very underrated Bob. The best known tracks that (almost) bookend the album are very good, but there's some really highlights in the middle, not least Idiot Wind and Jack of Hearts. It's also very 60s-ish isn't it? I've got a bit of a theory that Bob went straight from the 60s to the 80s in his music, and we're still very much in the Blonde on Blonde/Highway 61 era here.
i hate my wife *harmonica*
Easily one of his best collections of songs. Amazing story telling and super catchy
This is the best Bob Dylan album, I think it’s honestly a bit underrated, needs to be talked about more.
A strong Dylan album
The greatest divorce album, period. One final masterpiece from Zimmerman. He should have retired immediately after releasing it. It seems fitting that this is damn near the last album I'll be served here (it's number 1,087 and legend has it I have two more left after this one). But since this is, in all likelihood, my last Dylan album (Christ, I hope it is), why not take this moment to talk about my own divorce. No one deserves to hear about that, so I'll focus on the one time I saw Bob Dylan perform live. We saw him in a less than full arena back in 2017, clearly when the man was well past his peak. We basically went just to say we saw Dylan live. And it was just awful. Sort of like seeing Willie Mays play for the Mets, or Henry Aaron holding on for a few more at-bats with the Milwaukee Brewers. The highlight was Mavis Staples, who was his opening act. And goddamn does Mavis still have it. Big time. It was almost like Dylan should have been the one opening up for her. The big takeaway was how much joy and enthusiasm Mavis Staples still had performing. She showed no signs of fatigue, and she probably would have kept on performing had someone not told her it was time to go so that they could wheel up Zimmerman on stage. Her performance was the polar opposite of Dylan's. He was barely going through the motions, only occasionally felt the need to stand up and sing on a few songs. We got the impression that Dylan was only performing because he felt like he was obligated. It had an air of "What else am I supposed to do at this point in my life". It wasn't as sad as much as it was disappointing. He played some Sinatra songs for some reason. And the only song he performed from this album was "Tangled Up In Blue". It was towards the end of the show, and we left immediately after. Dylan may not have known when to leave the party, but my girlfriend and I did on that night.
One of the best album beginnings' I've heard. Pure brilliance.
Blood On The Tracks is a quintessential singer-songwriter album from one of the best to ever do it. Among my very favorite records of all time.
Bob Dylan is poetry. You don't always get it but you know it's poetic. His voice grates folks and I get it and even after listening to him for as long as I have I still don't get some of it. Dylan's lyrics are eternal and I find it funny to see some of the reviews here that pan this record but give other lesser one's all fives and not seeing the irony. This Pulitzer Prize winning author's album is a solid 5/5.
Ten out of five - close to his best album. I was in my final year at Newcastle Uni, sharing a unit in Charlestown with 3 other reprobates (I think we ruined the carpet by leaving bags of garbage in the house for so long that it ate through the bags). I still remember getting a U.S. import copy (still have it), I think in White Light Records, because it hadn’t yet been released here. It was on a Monday morning before I hopped on the Flyer & headed back up north. I couldn’t wait to give it a spin when I arrived back at the flat. Ever since Nashville Skyline, I’d had to ease my way into each of Bob’s new albums, but not with this one. With this it was love at first spin. The opening bars of Tangled Up In Blue got me - I think it’s one of his greatest songs, but this album is full of classics - If You See Her, Say Hello is as beautiful a lyric as he’s ever written. Simple Twist Of Fate & Shelter From The Storm aren’t far behind. When I first played the album, I was taken by Lily, Rosemary & The Jack of Hearts - because it had been a while since Bob had recorded a long, rambling, story-telling number. Also, for a long time I just wasn’t sure about Idiot Wind. Now it slays me - I love it when he proclaims “I can’t help it if I’m lucky. About 20 years ago a workmate gave me a copy of a bootleg cd called Blood On The Tracks - The New York Sessions, which had surfaced in 1998. It was the original test pressing, which Bob rejected because he thought it was too downbeat. He was probably right but it’s still a great listen. Lots of lyric variations & a much more acoustic feel. Blood On The Tracks - even the title is an absolute winner.
Wow! My second Dylan album in 3 days. So lucky! This is my favourite Dylan album although given his massive catalogue listening to them all is still a work in progress. Does not contain my favourite all time Dylan song but that is probably for another day. I only got into Dylan a few years ago hence reason why I’m trying to catch up on his albums. I saw one of those classic album reviews on TV about this album. The album content about lost love and relationship tensions struck a chord with me at the time. Not necessarily because of my own experiences I hasten to add but I do perversely like to hear how such tensions translate into the artists music. The title Blood On The Tracks reinforced that this was an album full of dark matter. Whilst those things are true on this album it isn’t all doom and gloom and you can catch a lot of humour in the lyrics. Lyrically this is an outstanding album and every listen reveals new things within those lyrics. They also challenge you to work out the true meaning of the words and if indeed there is any meaning. These are the reasons why this album is high up on the list for me. An album I never tire of and listening today to it again was a joy. 5/5 29/4/24
Perfect album. Iconic songs mixed in with classic Dylan tunes. Bob was at the height of his powers and this is one of his legacy albums.
All time desert island shit
Soooooooo good. Love the famous tracks but also nodded along to ones I wasn’t familiar with. Really enjoyed this one beginning to end.
This has completely wet my Dylan whistle! I can’t wait to dive in further. The middle 4 tracks are potentially the best 4 continuous tracks from the middle of an album I’ve heard. 4.6
It's hard to think of what to write about an album so lyrically complete. And while the lyrics, topics, session mythology, and creator alone would probably have been enough to make it a discussion point in the pantheon, it wouldn't have half the impact if the tunes weren't there, and they are in spades (hearts? 😀♠️♥️). And if this is engrossing, the alternate take of "You're a Big Girl Now" on the Biograph compilation is well worth seeking out.
One of Zimmermans best
I still remember discovering Bob Dylan through my parent's vinyl collection when I was around 8 or 9 and how stoked I was to find out he was still alive. It was this very album I first heard. It's a treasure. He's a treasure.
This could very well be his best album and if not, it's certainly among his top five. It's a classic!
This is in the top five of all time imo.
When we were choosing CDs for the library, for the very first time, eking out dollars, Tom insisted on this album. It was entirely new to me, and yet entirely familiar, because he could play every note and sing every lyric. A voyage of transition.
My favorite Dylan album
This may be an absolutely flawless album, start to finish. Start to finish this is absolutely spellbinding stuff - even the 'weakest' track (in my opinion), 'Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts', is still a brilliant story-telling song. I keep forgetting how good this album is, and then I'll rediscover it again and be transported.
Of course it’s 5, but some people put this on a pedestal and for me its not even his best album of the 70s
Excellent
although there is much debate if anyone reds this review, but for me, this is my favorite Dylan album, and what I consider his beat. Fro top to bottom, all great tunes - *"Tangled up in Blue" remains my favorite). Sit back and enjoy!
This is probably not my favorite Dylan album, as far as straight relistening goes, but even then it’s still a five star album.
Alright! It's time for my second Bob Dylan album. You know what? I really liked this one. This is a truly legendary album right here. A lot of what I had to say about Bringing It All Back Home applies here too. Bob Dylan's singing is hit or miss, but when it works, it definitely works. The instrumental sound in this album is top-notch. Everything about the instruments just works wonderfully. The songwriting is easily the best thing about this album. The ability that Bob Dylan has to tell a full complex story in a song like "Tangled Up in Blue" or "Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts" is one that not very many songwriters have. While there are overarching themes, and it is speculated that multiple songs on here were written about Dylan's then-wife, each song's story stands out to create a great collection of stories in the form of amazing songs. Overall, this album absolutely deserves to be on this list for its cultural impact, and the sheer talent and quality behind it. 5/5.
I know with Dylan his voice isn’t His strong suit in some people’s eyes but as a song writer he is iconic but I grew up with his music so his voice is engrained in my psyche so it is only familiar not an issue but come on a lot to hear Here every one of his albums are different even if the voice remains the same still give it a 5
One of my favorites!
Don't think I have ever listened to this before but have heatd many songs. This is my favorite kind of Dylan.
Beautiful album
The perfect album. Phenomenal.
Few albums have more clearly reflected what an artist was going through than this one. Dylan expresses sorrow, anger, regret, and a whole lot more in this bitter self-examination. Not every song is a total winner, but the highs are startling in maybe his last truly great album. Best song: Tangled Up in Blue
One of my favorite albums and in my opinion some of Dylan’s best song writing.
Ok I've never listened to a whole Bob Dylan album and I can't say why. This is beautiful! The way he combines beautiful music with even more beautiful lyrics, telling stories of love and life is absolutely unique to this day. Even when you don't like his voice, his singing style, this kind of music, etc. you have to appreciate the amount of influence he had on modern music.
Under-appreciated Dylan classic “Idiot Wind.”
Classic
Masterpiece
One of the greatest albums of all time. Dylan simply doesn't miss.
So good. I really feel every emotion while listening to this album. I'm really glad I'm getting into Bob Dylan in a big way through this album journey. So personal, so lyrical, and he's doesn't need to re invent the wheel to make killer albums
The first Bob Dylan cd I ever bought (in college) and my favorite to this day. In fact my favorite album of the 1970s. Every song is a classic. 10/10 lyrics 10/10 music. Love how Bob Dylan reinvents himself musically every few years (how he sings and how he plays), but at the core of everything he does and the one thing that never changes is the genius of his lyrics. This one is all about his divorce from Sara in 74, extremely personal, but also relatable.
the contrarian part of me always wants to not like bob dylan but there's really just no helping it
I'm a Dylan fan. Blame Max Broadys dad who played him in his car when I was about 13 and I was hooked. Blood on the Tracks is up there as one of his best. I cannot add to the cannon about his song writing ability and I know his voice isn't for everyone. But these tracks just soar.
Moving
Bought this album while going to the University of Northern Iowa in “75” Loved it then and love now!
One of the finest Bob Dylan albums (and with so many greats, that is high praise indeed). Everything about this is perfect.... The music, the lyrics, but added to that Bobs voice. For me, this his peak. No weak songs but difficult to give a favourite due to the strength of them all. That said, "If you see her, say hello", just nods ahead of the others. A sadness in the lyrics. I've only given 5 stars because I can't give 6
“And every one of them words wrong true, and glowed like burning coal, pouring off of every page like it was written in my soul from me to you” “And I’m going out of my mind, oh, with a pain that stops and starts, like a corkscrew to my heart, ever since we’ve been apart” “I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form. Come in, she said, I’ll give you shelter from the storm” Every song on this album is a masterpiece.
Einu sinni fannst setti ég Bob Dylan í sama flokk og Megas, þ.e. leiðinlegt þjóðlagaskáld en svo fór ég að hlusta á Bob Dylan og núna er hann kominn í uppáhald sem ég set reglulega á fóninn og þetta er bara stórgóð plata sem ég mun hlusta aftur á. Hver veit, kannski mun ég á endanum fíla Megas líka.