Bob Dylan – Modern Times: I still prefer “Love & Theft,” but Modern Times is yet the latest chapter in the Dylan revival. I find it interesting that it took Dylan five years to record this follow up and so many of the songs have direct ties to other famous works. “Thunder on the Mountain” worships Alicia Keys over the top of a Chuck Berry riff. I don’t know how Dylan can claim a sole writing credit for “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” when the riff owes so much to the Muddy Waters’ classic of the same name, and “Someday Baby” nicks plenty of influence from Waters’ “Trouble No More.” Is Dylan running out of ideas or is he simply drawing inspiration from all the right places? I suspect more the latter but cannot completely dismiss the former. Regardless, Dylan has crafted another winner. Current Favorite Track: “Beyond the Horizon.”
Robert Randolph & The Family Band - Colorblind: I never expected to love this record as much as I did! It is fun, frenetic, and catchy. It also emphasizes slick over Randolph’s masterful steel guitar work more than what I would like, but the album still works. I am hoping Colorblind follows the pattern of The Grateful Dead and other great jam bands: the album versions are the jumping off point for the stage. Let’s hope a live album follows. Current Favorite Track: “Thrill of It.”
Bruce Springsteen – We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions: I have been scolded for daring to heap anything but massive amounts of praise on this album. I will confess, I like it more than I thought I would and like it more now than I did upon its initial release (and subsequent repackaging). The Springsteen version of “Mrs. McGrath” will always make me cringe, but other songs from the record have grown on me. I would love it if this band reconvenes to record an album of Springsteen originals- the best of both worlds. Current Favorite Track: “Jacob’s Ladder.”
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
DJR --
Great as Hammersmith is, the E Street Band WERE better on the Darkness tour. Reference the Winterland show at Wolfgangs Vault for proof. Great list though.
-Glen
2 - El Bicho
"The Grateful Dead and other great jam bands"
Huh?! When did you convert?
3 - Mat Brewster
He's faking it for street cred.
4 - Tan The Man
Kudos on Guster. An amazing band and another amazing album.
"Ballad Of Broken Seas" is another great album.
5 - DJRadiohead
Damn misplaced commas. It was supposed to read the Grateful Dead and other, great jam bands. =)
Kidding. I meant what I wrote. The Dead are considered a great jam band whether I like them or not. I don't, but I understand their place in the pantheon.
6 - Mat Brewster
Whatever, we know you pretend so you can get some unshaven, unbathed hippie chick goodness!
7 - Connie Phillips
Congrats! A link to this article now appears at our Myspace Profile page.
8 - DJRadiohead
"Hippies suck."
---Eric Cartman
You can keep the nasty hippychicks, Sir Brewster.
Thanks for the linkage, Connie.
9 - Mark Saleski
You can keep the nasty hippychicks, Sir Brewster.
i'll take 'em!
10 - Andrew Careaga
I thought Dylan's album was just so-so, and the Leigh Nash work was just too much Leigh, too much syrup.
My top picks, for what it's worth.
AC