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

Just like a lot of you out there, I've suffered through the ups and downs of Dylan's recording career. He can take you to extremes, and almost force you to give up on him for good. But even through the lean years of his recording career (let's say 1981 to 1995), I have always kept my faith in Bob. Sure, albums like "Street Legal" and "Good as I've Been To You?" were a little hard to stomach at first but eventually they grew on me. "Time Out of Mind" brings us into a new chapter of the Dylan novel of life. On this record he is not the once young and brazen folk singer of the '60's, he is a tired and tortured old song-smith showing us that he's still kickin'. Throughout the album different instruments fade in and out of the mix like aural hauntings giving the entire work a cohesive sound rare in modern albums. Producer Daniel Lanios won a much deserved Grammy for his work on the disc as did the album itself and Bob to boot. The highlights of the album are the songs "Love Sick", "Cold Iron Bounds", and the epic 16 minute "Highlands" (in which Bob rhymes like the good old days). The voice that you hear is a voice of pain and regret, and I think Bob left it all on the floor when he recorded it. He bears his soul like he always does, but this time it leaves you a little sad. It will make you feel for the guy and regret ever doubting his musical genius.