#204
June 10 1985
Bob Dylan
Empire Burlesque
Genre: Rock
3.5 out of 5
Highlights:
I’ll remember You
Dark Eyes
In 1985, if you were the youngest Boomer, you were about 25. The calculations are fluid but many people agree that GenX begins in 1965, although I think it starts earlier, in 1961ish. This is the year we are seeing a lot of longer in the teeth musicians putting out self-assured if not remarkable boring albums as they approach midlife.
Knopfler, Springsteen, Sting, all of them in their mid-30s and slowing themselves down. Relaxing. Settling in.
Here is the grand Boomer Voice of a Generation himself putting out what has to be his most accessible, if not kind of dull, record. There are more “songs” here than on his previous 4. And, full disclosure again: My experience with Bob really starts with this project and Street Legal in 1978.
I find myself wondering: Was Dylan so perfect a voice for the changing of the guard that, like a mosquito in amber, he is best remembered for that time? If you came to this album having never heard him or of him, you’d think, “What is this? How did this nasal voice warbler get a record contract? He can’t even hold a not in tune on the centerpiece ballad, “Emotionally Yours”!!!”
Although “Dark Eyes” is lovely and I wish the album had more of that.
Empire Burlesque is fine. It’s better than Saved. Better than Street Legal. About as interesting as Infidels. But with more strings. (And no one needs Dylan with strings)
No comments:
Post a Comment