Modern Times by Bob Dylan

valhoun · Post by **valhoun** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 7:26 am

The album comes out on August 28th and the buzz is saying that it is even better than "Time Out of Mind" and "Love and Theft". This website posted scans of an upcoming Uncut Magazine that gave the album 5 stars. All of the leaked reviews state that there are three or four songs that are on par with just about anything written by Dylan which, of course, means that they are on par with the best songs written by anyone.

lightning · Post by **lightning** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:25 am

They always say that when a new Dylan album comes out. Can the hype. I heard the Prehear snippets. Sounds like more Love and Theft.

dr who · Post by **dr who** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 5:08 pm

I just heard track 1 Thunder On The Mountain in full and I don't know what all the fuss is about. It is very mediocre Dylan.The lyrics are way below Dylans standards and his voice is shot.Even the playing is not as good as it was on Love and Theft.I was expecting a masterpiece and the song sounds like an outtake from Love and Theft.

Kush · Post by **Kush** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 7:18 pm

The signs were clear with Time out of Mind and then very obvious with Love & Theft. He's gone south to New Orleans. in style, music and lyrics. And if you dont like it he doesnt really care. He never did. Just like when he went electric. Or when he got religion. Its great music if you can 'feel it'.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 7:41 pm

There are 9 tracks I haven't heard though.And it was probably a crappy sounding mp3 that I heard.Each of Dylan's ablums always has its own sound that's why I was surprised when Thunder On The Mountain sounded like Summer Days.

(Posted by Jerry /moderator note)

Shane · Post by **Shane** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:44 pm

I've only heard Rollin' and Tumblin'. A bit disappointed. Does anyone know where I can find Thunder on the Mountain? I've heard the snippets, but I can't judge by those.

Kush · Post by **Kush** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:41 pm

My earlier comment was based on Time out of Mind and Love & Theft - especially the latter. I have heard only clips of the new album and yes it seems like more of Love and Theft. My only complaint about Love and Theft and presumably about the new album is that he would make the lyrics a little shorter and let the music roll.

Kush · Post by **Kush** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:47 pm

A very short and early review from Washington Post

Bob Dylan titles his upcoming album "Modern Times" -- due Aug. 29, it's his first in five years -- but the mercurial singer (and astoundingly entertaining XM radio DJ) is also about ancient tunes -- his own and those bluesmen, mountain balladeers and Tin Pan Alley craftsmen always restlessly reinvented.

tomsakic · Post by **tomsakic** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:19 pm

The album is absolutely awesome. Almost as Time Out of Mind, but close enough to the masterpiece.

Shane · Post by **Shane** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:53 am

It's nice. I think "Nettie Moore" is my favorite.

kleinschmidt · Post by **kleinschmidt** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 6:31 pm

me too, Shane. I thought I was the only one. I haven't read any reviews that praised Nettie Moore as the best track. It's absolutely beautiful

tomsakic · Post by **tomsakic** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:16 am

Quite contrary, here it seems we all think it's the best song on the album.

Authorised lyrics are available on http://www.expectingrain.com/dok/cd/200 ... rics.shtml

Nettie Moore

Lost John's sittin' on a railroad track
Something's out of whack
Blues this mornin' fallin' down like hail
Gonna leave a greasy trail

Gonna travel the world is what I'm gonna do
Then come back and see you.
All I ever do is struggle and strive.
If I don't do anybody any harm, I might make it back home alive.

I'm the oldest son of a crazy man,
I'm in a cowboy band
Got a pile of sins to pay for and I ain't got time to hide
I'd walk through a blazing fire, baby, if I knew you was on the other side

Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'r
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes

Well, the world of research has gone berserk
Too much paperwork
Albert's in the graveyard, Frankie's raising hell
I'm beginning to believe what the scriptures tell

I've gone where the Southern crosses The Yellow Dog
Get away from all these demagogues
And these bad luck women stick like glue
It's either one or the other or neither of the two

She says, "Look out, daddy, don't want you to tear your pants
You could get wrecked in this dance."
They say whisky'll kill you, but I don't think it will
I'm ridin' with you to the top of the hill

Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'r
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes

Don't know why my baby never looked so good before
Don't have to wonder no more
She been cooking all day, it gonna take me all night
I can't eat all that stuff in a single bite

The judge's coming in, everybody rise
Lift up your eyes
You can do what you please, you don't need my advice
'Fore you call me any dirty names, you better think twice

Gettin' light outside, the temperature dropped
I think the rain has stopped
I'm gonna make you come to grips with fate
When I'm through with you, you'll learn to keep your business straight

Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'r
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes

The bright spark of the steady lights
Has dimmed my sights
When you're around me all my grief gives 'way
A life time with you is like some heavenly day

Everything I've ever known to be right has been proven wrong
I'll be drifting along
The woman I'm loving she rules my heart
No knife could ever cut our love apart.

Today I'll stand in faith and raise
The voice of praise
The sun is strong, I'm standing in the light
I wish to God that it were night

Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'r
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one here left to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes

Music and words by Bob Dylan
Copyright 2006 Special Rider Music

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:33 am

The one thing I like of Dylan over Leonard during this phase of his career, is that he's very 'rhythm driven'. Modern Times is a 'driven' CD. Dylan is and always has been very musical. No synths (someone prove me wrong), but he's more a musicians' musician. Whereas DH had more of the 'ethereal' factor. Which is fine/great/wonderful - a difference in style. I've always been a Leonard lover, so for those who don't know me, please don't shit in my shoes (and for those that do, go ahead), I just think, this time 'round, that Dylan has done, with his own 'croaky vocal' what Leonard didn't. Sing. However badly, however cleverly, or slyly, but he just 'did what he did', and produced one great CD. There is a 'drive' behind this CD that DH didn't have, IMO. It's still new in the disc drive, but it has a nice feel to it. It made me go back in time and get some old Dylan. Mind you, getting a new Leonard does the same. Still, I like this album on many fronts. In that it's out front, is one.

Linda.

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:36 am

The lyrics are way below Dylans standards and his voice is shot.

Yes, well they can't rule the roost forever. Leonard has been criticized for the very same thing for years. It's still a good CD.

tomsakic · Post by **tomsakic** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:31 am

Modern Times prove exactly how Cohen and Dylan are totally different. Leonard could never had such kind of CD, driven to the rhythm of delta blues. Somewhere in the midst of my 4th Modern Times session, I realised how non-American Leonard is, and finally got his statement that Recent Songs are his best CD because he succeded in waht he always was trying to do: merge Oriental influences with country & western. Then it all rolled backward in my head, to the very first song. French chanson, Oriental heritage, violins, oud, Serge Gainsbourg-like style of I'm Your Man, Euro disco, poetry, Garcia Lorca, Greek flavour in most recent songs, way of singing. It's Europe, with Oriental (Polish-Russian-Lithuanian) touches, Eastern-European-Jewish heritage... It's completely different world that Bob Dylan's world of Mississipi, delta, dozens of singers he mentiones in his Chronicles, Woodie Guthrie, childhood in Minnessota. Two worlds.