#177
October 27 1983
Bob Dylan
Infidels
3.75 out of 5
Highlights:
Jokerman
Sweetheart Like You
License to Kill
Jokerman
Sweetheart Like You
License to Kill
I’ve always had my own problems with Dylan. I feel like, if I really wanna “get it”, I have to do so much work. Like if I want to know what a song is REALLY about, it’s not enough to decipher the lyrics but I should also have to know Dylan’s position and state of mind while writing it. That’s a lot of work, man. Like, “Union Sundown”. If I extrapolate…and really dive in…and use the filter of 2018…and my unionist experience…is Bob anti-globalism? Is he a Nationalist? Sounds like it. But, is it his position or is he expressing someone else’s view? I’m so confused.
That’s probably not fair and I’ll get castigated for that statement but look at “Neighborhood Bully”, a series of couplets set to music but, is it a song? Is it a jam? It’s a jam! That’s what I don’t like about this guy. Take the poetry from myriad tracks and put them on myriad backing music beds, nothing coalesces or informs the other. The “singing” is atrocious, I’ve never cared for his voice so…oh, I know! It’s spoken word set to music with occasional melody from a troubadour who can barely hold a tune.
I don’t care for this guy. I wanted to. But this project, which started with music from 78-82, presented me with the worst of Bob’s oeuvre. Shot of Love, anyone?
I bought this album in 83. I felt smart for owning it. I was bored by it. It sounds like exactly what it is: Bob Dylan set to the music of Dire Straits. Another band I find dull.
That said, the first half washed over me more ease and accessibility than those others. Now, it does run out of steam by the end but there are moments that really shine.
I feel like I’m all over the place here. Cuz, that’s what Dylan does to me.
Christgau wrote about this album: “Nevertheless, this man has turned into a hateful crackpot.” Ok. I didn’t delve into the meaning of all the songs. Cuz, like I said, too much work.
That’s probably not fair and I’ll get castigated for that statement but look at “Neighborhood Bully”, a series of couplets set to music but, is it a song? Is it a jam? It’s a jam! That’s what I don’t like about this guy. Take the poetry from myriad tracks and put them on myriad backing music beds, nothing coalesces or informs the other. The “singing” is atrocious, I’ve never cared for his voice so…oh, I know! It’s spoken word set to music with occasional melody from a troubadour who can barely hold a tune.
I don’t care for this guy. I wanted to. But this project, which started with music from 78-82, presented me with the worst of Bob’s oeuvre. Shot of Love, anyone?
I bought this album in 83. I felt smart for owning it. I was bored by it. It sounds like exactly what it is: Bob Dylan set to the music of Dire Straits. Another band I find dull.
That said, the first half washed over me more ease and accessibility than those others. Now, it does run out of steam by the end but there are moments that really shine.
I feel like I’m all over the place here. Cuz, that’s what Dylan does to me.
Christgau wrote about this album: “Nevertheless, this man has turned into a hateful crackpot.” Ok. I didn’t delve into the meaning of all the songs. Cuz, like I said, too much work.
No comments:
Post a Comment