Modern Times by Bob Dylan (CD, Aug-2006, Columbia USA)

On a scale of 5, I give Modern Times a 10. It's not just Dylan's voice. It's not just his never-ending tour. It's the fact that for nearly 50 years he has given all of humanity his dedication and his wisdom, so generously shared by the brain of the most prolific songwriter of all time. In his lifetime, he has lived a thousand lives. If you don't believe that, listen to any 10 of his albums: it's like listening to 10 different artists. Dylan is THE genius of all the songwriting geniuses; just read his lyrics without listening to the music (which you can do at bobdylan.com) and you'll read the most entertaining and insightful poet in history. Then add that phenomenal music--bearing in mind that Dylan alone wrote the words AND the music for all those hundreds of songs. He's written rock, country, gospel, folk, pop, and swing music songs. What other songwriter (or songwriting team) can even come close to claiming a catalog like his? Modern Times is just another precious music jewel along the way. Dylan's music will be recorded and remembered for centuries.

What made me seek it out was it was - well....Dylan. Kept hearing it on the local radio station and it was - D y l a n. He never gets old - he just keeps on doin' it. This is a fantastic CD. All the great lyrics that only Dylan can produce. No one does Dylan - but ol' Bob. It is fantastic. I highly recommend it!!!

This is much in the same vein as Loss and Theft, his last release, although not as many uptempo songs. It still sounds better than 99% of the older songwriters still out there. I love the Western Swing he has adopted.

Bob enjoying the craft more in the last 10 years than in the 20 before. We are all lucky to still have him around. His live show is better than ever.

I am a long time Dylan fan with recordings ranging with 45's in the early 60's to 33 1/3 LP's to cassettes to CD's, to MP3's. This past decade of his work is as highly charged and true as that of his first decade.

"Modern Times" is true evidence the bard extraordinaire is still at the forefront of his art and substance as an entertainer. "Modern Times" is a must have production providing a look at Dylan today and a glimpse of future and continued brilliant work.

Bruce Hohenstein

To Me this is his most enjoyable album he has made in 41 years. The blues predominates, his gravelly voice is exactly what the lyrics and music demand,Bob Dylan singing for everybody. And just as well, those who've stuck with Dylan over the years and listened with awe to Time Out of Mind are going to keep Modern Times out next to the CD player for quite awhile.

The CD was a gift to my husband. The shipping took a little long, but, then again it came from Asia.

Being a long time fan of Bob Dylan, It's always quite an occasion when he releases a new album even though he's more of a growler these days than a singer. I wish I could tell you how much I'm enjoying Dylan's latest, but I can't seeing as how I don't yet have it. I sent 2 emails to funbusiness4U telling them that I hadn't received it yet & got no reply. So, I filed a complaint & have not heard from that as yet because they said it may take at least 30 days. I ordered the disc on 10/7 & was told I could expect delivery somewhere between 10/18-10/30. I've always had good service from the other sellers, receiving my discs usually before the earliest date, but not this time, unfortunately. Can't review it, sorry.OK, I have to give it a good rating, just going by the song from it that I heard on the radio. Kevin

Just GREAT to hear from Bob again. Nicely crafted songs, even if its a bit "poppish." If that's what it takes to sell a few million albumns, I say more power to him. Very easy to listen to, and expertly produces, though still fresh and free flowing. Mr. D far exceeded my expectations, so, keep 'em coming Bobby!!! This is a great addition to any/everyone's musical library.

I HEARD AN IN DEPTH CRITIQUE ON NPR. THE SERENITY, HUMOR AND INSIGHT OF THE LYRICS ARE A REFLECTION OF HOW I FEEL AS A BABY BOOMER; LESS MILITANT, LESS SELF ABSORBED AND ACCEPTING OF LIFE ON LIFES TERMS. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE CLARITY OF THE TUNES IS PRONOUNCED BY DYLAN'S MATURE VOICE AND THE TIGHTEST BACK UP I HAVE HEARD IN YEARS. I LISTEN TO THIS CD, SOMETIMES CONCENTRATING ON THE LYRICS, SOMETIMES VISUALIZING DYLAN PERFORMING AND SOMETIMES JUST ENJOYING THE TALENTS OF A GROUP OF REAL PROS.

I would like for the particulars about the CD to be inside like one you normally purchase. Lyrics were missing and this is a big seller.

Bob is always nice to listen to. ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

I was looking for cd when I saw a signed copy of the cd I decided to bid as his influence on me in the 60's and his willingnes to change for the times is the mmessage I feel is the legacy of the baby boom generation.I hope it is an original that is the gamble of "E" bay. However for me it is what it represents.

Ok, it's Dylan. So the yardstick that measures his songs is set higher still, after all these years, he is producing some great material. He is truly an evolving artist and part of his mystique is his ability to change. He changes arrangements on his old material constantly. I really liked this album, he does sound a little like Redbone and there's nothing wrong with that. His voice has mellowed. I have tickets for his upcoming show at the Nassau Coliseum and can't wait to see him in the flesh...!

I am a long time fan of Bob Dylan and have most of his CDs,had them on records and replaced with CDs. The Modern Times CD is a mature sound of Dylan as well as a continuation of great lyrics and like his delivery as well his voice has matured and is reminisant of Warren Zevon's Last CD. I'm seventy and my ears still perk up on the hotter tracks. So far I've listened only seventeen times, just can't get enough. I think its the best new CD I've listened to in some time. Since it was Dylan I had to have it.
Dick Foltz

Never was a big Dylan fan as a younger guy, but I really enjoy the beat and appreciate Dylan's unique talent. Even my adult kids enjoy it.

I'm kind of the marginal Dylan fan. Like him more than a casual listener, but far from a die hard. I liked this album. Even some of the tracks pushing the 6,7,8 minute mark still kept my attention and didn't wander into boredom land. There aren't too many "rockers" on here, but that's kind of par for the course for Dylan at this stage. Anyways, I dug it.

Dylan is so GREAT. There will be names from the 20th century musicians and his will be among the top ten. Glad to win it.

If you like blues and you like Bob Dylan you will love this. He delivers 2 great and 2 good blues numbers.

Was shopping around for a decent price. Found it on eBay. Ordered it. Received it in timely fashion and very good shape. Thanks, Ken

I can't remember the last album Dylan did that was this good. There have been some great ones in recent years but this one pretty much blows most of his back catalogue away. Bob poetically sings about the usual topics of love, hate, life, death...heck...he even hints at religion again. But it's not just Bob that is great here. His band is amazing and completely in their element. This one has to be heard to believe. 5 Stars.

I rad about the lbum release in the New York Times. The dics sounds great and got to me quickly. Delightful!

Bob Dylan does it again. Love the music.I bought this Cd for my son's birthday. And he loves it too.

Dylan has about 40 albums released, with the latest being Modern Times. It entered the charts at #1 making him the oldest person to reach #1. This album is amazing to say the least. Dylan returns to an earlier political form with The Levee's Gonna Break, talking about the disaster in New Orleans. But the best track is Thunder On the Mountain, which he played on tour as his encore at Bethel. Even after all these years, his songwriting is still excellent and any Dylan fan will not be disappointed.