So yes, Modern Times has arrived, and for once it sounds pretty much exactly like what we've been expecting. But who knows? Maybe the old dog's got a couple more surprises in him for next time. Just don't bother asking Dylan... he ain't talkin'.
if (preg_match('/' } else { echo 'Or maybe it isn't. After all, there's nothing more uncertain, or unsatisfying, than attempting to peer into Dylan's dark side; one gets the sense that any attempt, from After the Crash to this very essay, is a little like the infamous "Garbology" practiced by Weberman: digging through mountains of apocrypha and "hieroglyphics" and coming up with nothing but more questions, supported by paper-thin speculation. But isn't that part of the fun? Certainly we critics like to grumble, but would we care even half as much about Dylan if he didn't insist on staring at us only through silent movie makeup, endless trails of pseudonyms and those iconic, impassive shades? Maybe; it's not as though he'd turn into Neil Diamond if he let his guard down, although that might be part of what he's afraid of. But however infuriating it can be, an essential element to Bob Dylan is that mystique; that quality that makes you put on album after album and wonder, in the best possible way, what the fuck you're listening to. There have never been easy answers, there probably will never be, and maybe that's a good thing. Even now, when his stylistic kinks appear to be smoothing over possibly for good, Dylan isn't in the business of holding your hand and telling you what you're missing. Thank God.'; }
by Zach Hoskins
Find more music, film and pop culture criticism at The Modern Pea Pod.
Article comments
1 - the real mighty quinn
"... He can't keep up with the musical or even cultural trends of the last 30 years - the guy hasn't even acknowledged punk, after all"
obviously you can't even keep up with the facts. when dylan played brixton last november, he did the clash's "london calling" - two nights in a row.
"... One major highlight is the interview with A.J. Weberman himself, including his story about the end of their relationship"
RELATIONSHIP?!?! Weberman was a STALKER. these days he would have been arrested and put in a mental health facility for observation.
"... I'm embarrassed to admit, it actually took that iPod commercial for me to notice the rollicking "Someday Baby""
me too - i'm embarrassed to admit i read this all the way through. what a sad little article about a masterpiece record. too bad you can't hear it.
2 - Zach
Wait, wait, wait. I LIKED the freaking album. Am I understanding correctly that I have to write a total sycophantic BJ of a review in order to be credible? Modern Times is good, but come on, on a Dylan curve? From the guy who gave us Blonde on Fucking Blonde? Not a five-star album or a "masterpiece," by any stretch of the imagination.
As for your taking issue with the Weberman "relationship" remark, that's just semantics. Dylan and Weberman had a much more personal "relationship" than most celebrities and their stalkers; they talked on the phone, remember? And yes, I'm aware that Weberman would have been prosecuted these days. I CALLED him a nutcase. Or were you just skimming for anything you could remotely call me out on? About the only thing I'll concede to you is that, fine, Dylan played a Clash cover. In Brixton. Last November. On two nights. Guess I've got better things to do than scour the dude's setlists.
Is it just me, or did my disparaging comments about "Dylanology" strike a nerve? Eh, "Mighty Quinn?"
3 - jkerouac
dude, i really enjoyed reading yr article. it was well written,insightful, and honest. i wish more reviews were as fair, not sycophantic and not totally critical either. you just laid it out like ya saw it, after all it's just one persons perception. well done
4 - jkerouac
dude, i really enjoyed reading yr article. it was well written,insightful, and honest. i wish more reviews were as fair, not sycophantic and not totally critical either. you just laid it out like ya saw it, after all it's just one persons perception. well done
5 - Dude Skoodle
It was a good article, as a long time Dylan-freak- thats what we were called in the 60s and 70s- that's a compliment.But Dylan does know that times are still a-changing. He just does not think they are changin' for the better. Older people rarely do. He has acknowledged punk though.Have a listen to the 1984 TV SHOWS- I think it was David Lieberman Show. He plays punk style and he loves the Ramones.Also he likes Rap music as he says in Chronicles. By the way when is rap going out of date- can't see myself how it can still come on like the latest thing.The biggest problem with today's music is they don't really talent scout around anymore. The first thing they look at is the physical attractiveness of the artist.The good thing about Bob is that he is an oldman and like Van the man is putting out music- not modelling. When will music executives realise the audience is not looking for a sexual partner- they are looking for music? Dylan is proving that people want good music- not just the latest plastic diva. This is an important contibution that this very nice man- something not generally noted- is making. He is a great man and a kind manand a quality that he has that is not noticed is his exceptional modesty. Thanks for not pumping out the commonly stated nonsense that he is plagiarising Timrod. Do we want a poet laureate of rock music who does not r=bother to read other poets? All great poets are influenced by other poets and adopt and rearrange images and ideas. None of Shakespeare's stories are original and nobody accuses him of plagiarism. Borrowing a few of Timrod's ideas and phrases will promote Timrod and inspire his rediscovery. Nobody has noticed the phrases lifted from Robert Johnson and Walt Whitman in Modern Times. Thank God that Dylan isn't writing in a void like most pop writers these days- the last book those people have read was a raffle book! Overall a thought ful article and you did avoid being a sycophant. You were right not to suspend your right to be critical. In these days of sacred celebrity we need to look at others who may write good songs- no not Sprinsteen or other low quality Dylan imitators!
In our admiration of Bob Dylan we have given up looking for other good writers, instead they manufacture stars out of good-looking people without regard to musical ability.
6 - Debbie Stevens
Crikey, I was given a copy of his new album just recently from a Dylan fan in Tampa Bay-it was the nicest cd I'd listened to in ages and I may not be a real BD follower, but you have to respect and appreciate the man's natural ability to stay true to himself!
I will always treasure his song, 'Lay lady Lay'
Cheers from the land down under!