Bob Dylan – Modern Times

This entry was posted by owl and bear staff on Wednesday, December 20th, 2006 at 12:39 pm.

2006, Columbia

There are well-respected actors who’ve made careers out of playing themselves in movies.

These actors, at some point, can stop worrying about characterization and just be themselves. And although they rarely surprise, they also rarely disappoint.

Bob Dylan makes music in the same mode, and a lot of journalists are like Pavlov’s dogs when it comes to a new Dylan release. The truth is, ol’ Bob started this practice in the late 70s, and his “career renaissance” is only significant relative to the clunkers released between then and now. With the exception of Time Out Of Mind, Mr. Dylan hasn’t done much more than meet his achievements of 30 years ago.

That’s not to say that Dylan’s latest lacks any pleasure at all. “Nettie Moore” and “Ain’t Talkin’” prove that he can still write circles around most people half his age. Modern Times is just the least interesting of his recent trilogy.

B