Lots of bangers, lots of fun. The songs are quite similar and there isn’t too much variation in the album. The quality of the songs and characterful nature are just about enough to justify this. I probably wouldn’t choose to listen to the album as a whole again, as it’s quite samey. But love the energy, vibes, and fun. So much character comes out of the raw set up of essentially guitars, bass, drums & a hell of a voice.
Lovely vibey beats.
This really pleasantly surprised me! As a child I loved those opening 5 tracks up to All These Things I’ve Done. After those 5 I was expecting a bit of a drop off with some lower quality versions of the same type of song, as I hadn’t heard of many of them before. I was definitely wrong, the album kept delivering and throwing in different shades and flavours, whilst keeping a cohesive sound and identity; certainly enough to justify the rather dramatic ending of ‘Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll’ that could potentially be considered cheesy (though I personally wouldn’t say it is) if taken in isolation.
This is a strange one to review because my respect and appreciation for the musicianship and composition is almost as high as it could be. However, in terms of personal taste and what I relate to, it’s very far away. Instrumental funk is not something I’ve ever really listened to nor will if I’m completely honest. I’m sure fans of it would argue I’m missing out on a lot. 3stars could feel harsh as my appreciation for what it is, is extremely high. It could also seem too generous as my personal enjoyment and relationship to this style of music is low….I imagine seeing this performed live would be a different story.
This is such a fun album full of attitude and personality. Though if you’ve listened to one, you’ve listened to them all. Generally they blend in to one another. I think it could be an 8 or 9 track album instead of 12. Though I must say, Walk This Way and It’s Tricky stand out amongst the others, they’re brilliant songs!!
This is why I’m doing this challenge - to discover albums like this I’d never heard! This is a BRILLIANT album and I’ll be listening again to it for sure. I can’t even describe it’s genre, it kind of defies it. The less said the better, the more played the better! 4.5
I'm struggling to really see the importance of this album or how it can be held in a high regard. I suppose it doesn't pretend to be anything it's not, but I can't really understand how someone could relate to this in a meaningful way. There isn't even much quality musicianship on show. Some of the really techno sounds reminded me of Ross 'Finding his sound' in Friends, lol. Maybe at 3am in a nightclub I'd feel differently?
I’m happy to have been given this album and forced to listen again. I didn’t connect with it when I gave it a first listen a few years ago. I thought there was too much noise/soundscape and I just didn’t feel what the hype was all about. Upon second listen I can absolutely appreciate the epic nature of the whole album, and the grandeur of it certainly had its effect on me this time. If it’s not too basic an analysis, I still don’t really ‘get’ the soundscape-y parts of it. The more musical tracks have much more of an effect on me. Money, I think is an incredible rock song. I’ll have to be in the right mood, but I do think I’ll listen again. Those last 2 tracks to close it off are epic.
Listening to this I’m transported to a 65’ Blues club in Chicago in my head even though I’ve never been anywhere near anywhere like that. I’m was born in 99 in the North West of the UK haha. The musicianship on display decorated with his exceptional vocals of pure emotion just engulfs you. Great record.
Need I say more
It's a timeless album. Heartbreak, heartache, anger, bitterness, contemplative; all timeless and relevant themes that Dylan explores in a way that will always ring true.
