NEW MUSIC WEEK: Bob Dylan

On Tuesday, Bob Dylan released his first new album in five years, a veritable dino-dig of old blues bones, jabberwockian wordplay and vintage roadhouse sounds winkingly titled Modern Times. On that same day, a crusade of scholars, sycophants and related shut-ins began digging through the disc — does the title reference Chaplin, Sartre? — for clues related to the man, the myth, the puzzle.

Dylanology, the study of All Things Bob, is an intense pop culture pursuit; there are college courses devoted to his work. This deification both irks and amuses the emotionally reclusive Dylan, who once infuriated followers by modestly comparing his skills to those of a mere "song and dance man."

As a result of the idolatry, Modern Times, stuffed as it is with old-timey references and wild doublespeak, often sounds deliberately built to mess with heads. For instance, the album was produced by Jack Frost — otherwise known as Bob Dylan, trying on yet another chilly mask.

For all the allegory, however, Modern Times also has the wistful aroma of a goodbye note. It’s entirely possible that Dylan is bidding adieu, and that the album (and his enduring message) is simply about looking back, with anger and affection. The final installment in a career-rejuvenating "trilogy," the new disc is neither as bleak as 1997’s Time Out of Mind, nor as fanciful as 2001’s Love and Theft. Instead, Modern Times, which features Dylan on keyboards, guitar and harmonica, is both serious and shamelessly romantic, sepia-toned and pop culture savvy, a puzzling, puckish portrait of the artist as a 65-year-old antihero.

(My Dylan review runs in full tomorrow -- along with a story called "Blonde on Blonde," an epic battle between Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson.)

Comments

[sparky]

Well at least we got out of the bimbozone, but I never did get the idol worship of Bob Dylan. Granted he was a great songwriter, but the man has been baked for about thirty years and listening to him sing/slur is painful to watch in concert. I did this a few years ago and it was not an enjoyable experience.

How he and Keith Richards are on this side of the earth's surface remains a mystery.

[chilledbongo]

'jack frost' produced the last few dylan albums, btw. not new.
unless dylan drops dead, i dont think this is his farewell. the mans a musician, not a poet, as some would have him. as such, he lives to make music, which is why his last few albums have been so damn 'musical'...the guy is still learning how to do it better...

[Blind Boy Grunt]

Good point Bongo on the Jack Frost credit. Perhaps the error will be corrected before the review goes to print.

It was interesting that Daly heard (smelled?) "a wistful aroma of a goodbye note" on "Modern Times."

"I think I'm in my middle years now," Bob Dylan is quoted as saying in the latest issue of Rolling Stone. "I've got no retirement plans."

Perhaps I'm out of place here, but I wish Daly gave us more inches on the likes of Dylan and less "think pieces" about Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton.

Let People, Blender and the NY Post cover that gutter beat.

Do people who read the St. Pete Times give a hoot about Hilton and Simpson?

I think not.

[Sean Daly]

Yeah, yeah, I knew about the damn Jack Frost thing. It's not an error, fer crissakes. That said, I "reworded" it in the print version to appease you. Lord knows I don't need a buncha Dylanheads on my ass.

Speaking of inches: Giant Dylan review in tomorrow's paper -- along with two giant cut-outs of Paris and Jessica. I'm an equal opportunity hack.

[Bassnote]

Getting a little testy there Sean, try decaf.

Just kidding. I know a a pop critic you have to give equal time to the best as well as the bottom of the barrel and everything in between. People have varying tastes, so you have to touch on everything.

I am not a music critc, but I am a wedding DJ, so I have to have a little of everything with me when i do a gig. To be honest I hate about 95% of what I have to play. Which I'm sure is the same with you and what you have to review.

[Elisa]

still haven't given up on dylan? oy. it's time to move on.