Those Bloody Tracks

Overall Album Score: 8.7 out of 10

First of all, I am going to mention that I agree wholeheartedly with George Starostin's one-sentence summation of this album. It's just an 'average fantastic record.' Let me justify that, if you will, my lovely and moist turnip!

While this is most definitely a major improvement from 1974's Planet Waves, which was oftentimes flat, boring, and usually-uncharacteristic-of-Bob-Dylan, Blood on the Tracks doesn't have any of these qualities ... except that it's a bit flat. Yeah ... the only reason I'm saying that is because after listening to Blood on the Tracks, I sit up from my chair, self-satisfied, and say: "Wow! That was a good album! But it this really Bob Dylan? It sounds so danged normal!"

And that's precisely what's wrong with the album. It's normal. It's so normal, in fact, that all it really does is wallows. Although, it wallows in perfectly skilled and an entertaining matter! It's just that none of Dylan's previous albums (specifically the ones from his 1965-66 peak period) are like this ... they all have these bold, heavy-hitting songs on it that'll likely take your breath away whether you're listening to the lyrics or not. While the lyrics on Blood on the Tracks are as strong as ever, the more mellow steps that Bob has taken here concerning his instrumentation, you'll likely sleep through Blood on the Tracks if you're not careful. This is totally unlike what we've heard on such classics as "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Like a Rolling Stone," ... and even "The Times They Are A-Changin," all of which would slap you silly right where you sit.

The instrumentation on here is another notable aspect of the album! This is largely acoustic, which brings us back to his old folky days when this dude just started in the business! Except, Dylan hadn't forgotten about his rhythm section! Also, with one slight exception, Dylan gave the old middle finger to country-rock and, thus, we have this very regular-sounding album. I am happy, at least, for this change-of-style, as I was never totally impressed with country-rock to begin with. However, I just wish that Dylan would have gotten a bit of that edge he used to have back.

Overall Album Score: 8.7 out of 10 (This is a very strong album. Comparing it with Dylan's other albums from the mid-70s, this is probably his best. Nevertheless, due to the sheer straightforwardness of these songs, I can't help but being slightly disappointed with it all.)

Average Song Score: 9.0 (Bobby Dylan delivers a nice set of songs! I can't really complain about THAT!)

Album Tilt: 8.5 (...I hate to take away points in the album category, but heaven help me, I don't really see Blood on the Tracks being a particularly special album. It's entertaining, though.)

Artist Rating: 8.5 (For the first time in Bob Dylan's entire career, he delivers his most straightforward set of songs! ... Even though he's been much bolder in the past, at least his primary goal here is to be entertaining. Nevertheless, I'm slightly disappointed with the artistic value of Blood on the Tracks.)

Track Reviews

Tangled Up in Blue 9.5/10

Bobby starts up with this niiice little laid back acoustic piece. It is well played, of course, but the melody is rather weak. This is exactly that good old pleasantries that we've heard from Nashville Skyline except it's quite a bit more normal. I won't call this one phenomenally engaging, but at least it's smart. Although the lyrics certainly aren't pleasant, touching on the subject of his then-oncoming divorce from his wife.

Simple Twist of Fate 10/10

I'd definitely wouldn't call this one BEAUTIFUL, but it is quite lovely! Dylan definitely does dabble in a good melody here with some nice, peaceful acoustic guitar strumming. This might resemble his old folk days very closely, but it's just not as heavy-hitting as it was back then! Everything said, this song is definitely quite nice!

You're a Big Girl Now 9/10

This is another entirely luverly, sentimental-like piece that is absolutely entertaining to listen to! It's affecting, but, for some reason, I just can't call it entirely memorable. Other than the subject matter (which is as strong Dylan-esque as ever), it just isn't that bold!

Idiot Wind 10/10

This is one of the more memorable tracks on here, just because Dylan is calling some chick an idiot throughout the whole thing! ...Which is kind of funny! And as far as it being bold, this one sounds as passionate and angry as his old folk albums sounded ... which cannot be a bad quality! This song is nearly 8 minutes, too, and I hardly miss it.

You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go 8/10

Ooof! That harmonica! ...While this song is definitely a good one, it hardly leaves a lasting impression! However, it is also one of the album's shorter tracks, so ... I guess that makes sense.

Meet Me in the Morning 9/10

I'm almost convinced that in order to make Bob Dylan suck on this album, you'll probably have to kick him ... really hard ... during the recording. On second thought, had that happened on this track, it might have been unusual, and I would have been forced to give this track a full 10! "Meet Me in the Morning" is a fairly regular-sounding blues song. And, Bob is wonderful with it, as usual. (There's some nice 'lectric guitar played here, too!)

Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts 7.5/10

Oof! Country music! I thought we were passed that era! ...Anyway, this doesn't sound like the country-rock from the days of yore! ... At least I don't remember them having those overly-simple bass lines. Hmmmm... And this song is just under nine minutes. That won't sit well with the kiddies! This song doesn't suck ... it's just mediocre.

If You See Her Say Hello 9.5/10

A very nice melody! It's something that Bruce Springsteen might darn well saw his own arm off for. (...Not that I'm dogging on Bruce Springsteen ... but I do believe that he would saw his own arm off for this melody...) This is another wonderful, ultra-sincere Bob Dylan number! Just rack it up along with all the other classics on this album.

Shelter From the Storm 9/10

Yay for Bob Dylan! (Yep... it's more of the same ... more of the wonderful same!) I can't really say anything special about this one that I haven't said about the others so ... carry on, baybe.

Buckets of Rain 8/10

Ooooh... the vague hints of boredom loom above my head whenever I listen to this song, but it's under three and a half minutes long, so it never gets to that point. The melody, while it's still fairly strong, it's not the world's greatest ditty on the planet. It's not the world's most inspired album-closer, either, but it's entirely decent! ... Unlike my physical condition right now as I'm writing this ... Patrick Stewart once autographed my bum.

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dflat0821@yahoo.com (vantheman) received March 9, 2005

best album ever! well, maybe right behind "exile on main st"