Time Out of Mind - Dylan, Bob (CD 1997)

Having followed Dylan's roller-coaster career since 1963, I sometimes wonder why so many people berate him for the few poor albums or songs he has released. After all, hasn't he produced the most mystical, lyrical and unabashed rock & roll of the last half-century?

In Time Out of Mind, we experience a new Dylan (yet again, some would say). Dylan has said a few times that he really wanted to be a blues artist like so many of his earliest influences. This album shows us that we would all have well-served if he had always been a blues artist.

TOOM is a very dark and brooding body of work. If you dismiss the 2nd track (Dirt Road Blues), there are no up-beat numbers on it. Dylan is sharing his vision of his past and projecting into a dark, mysterious future. Dylan, of all the popular artists expressing their angst these days, is the only one qualified to speak on the paucity of the times he has lived through. Alanis Morissette angst-ridden? Gimme a break! Jewel? Forget about it!

Several cuts have already been covered by other artists, thus reinforcing Dylan's unique place in the modern music pantheon. I especially recommend the last cut on the album ("Highlands"): at just over 16 minutes, it's a masterpiece of Dylanesque non-sequitors. It was supposed to clock in at 23 minutes, but producer Daniel Lanois said "no". Oh, well.

Dylan has sung and entertained us for over 35 years. Along the way, has frequently risen (and taken us to the absolute heights of musical power and lyricism. I hope that he will continue for a long time to come. I envision new albums in the future that will out-shine TOOM and will be considered controversial ("... the new Bob Dylan" etc). He will continue to change and demand that anyone following change with him.

Winner of the Grammy for Best Album (1997), Time Out of Mind is a truly great musical experience. It will grow on you if you will listen with an open mind and be willing to accept new ideas -- that's what Bob Dylan is all about.