Bob Dylan - Tempest

yeah, heard Duquesne Whistle a few days ago and thought it was better than the previous albums' first singles, though the production is a bit too clean -- hope this new record is as good as Together Through Life, which I really liked.

Heard 5 of the 10 songs so far...2 pretty standard dylan blues-by-numbers songs (although narrow way is better than most of the ones on the last few albums). Pay in blood is the best thing he's done since "love & theft".

Where did you hear them?

They were up on youtube for a few hours on saturday. Scarlet town, pay in blood and narrow way.

Also, early roman kings has been floating around since it was used as the music for the trailer for some new US TV show a few weeks ago. Don't like that one as much, since it's just a slow muddy waters riff for five miutes.

It's just leaked exystence.net/

Just as I was wondering what to have a listen to.

Bosh

after a couple of listens, it's a very good record indeed! I think has elements of the two previous records -- some songs have that dark, muddy sound that made the songs on Modern Times sound so atmospheric, but this time they are more right to the point. Other songs have that vibe that made Together Through Life sound so vibrant and fun.
I was worried that Tempest (the song) was going to be another Highlands or Cross the Green Mountain, you know, an old man talking for 16 minutes about random stuff that pops inside his mind, but instead it has a narrative quality to it, with a story that builds up etc and it's played in the style of a 1910 waltz -- it works.
The Lennon tribute is mega too, and it's a perfect closing song (think 'Roll It Over' ehe). Long and Wasted Years and Pay in Blood are other highlights, some of the best songs he's done in a decade. The only song I'm struggling to understand at the moment is Soon After Midnight which is really bland compared to the rest of the record.

It says it all that I'm looking forward to this record more than any other this year. I'm even exercising the self-control to not download this prior to release date.

I adore Dylan and almost all his stages. 'Love & Theft' is probably my favourite album, so if this even comes close I'll be a very happy man.

Robert Allen Zimmerman

Listened to it this morning, thought it was shit.

Neil >>> bob

After a couple of listens I'd say its his best since Time Out Of Mind, its far better than Together Through Life.

The single, Roll On John and Tempest are pretty exceptional tbh.

I listened to it once and wasn't as positive as some people seem to be. Must confess I thought the last one was a step backwards after the new sprout of creativity he had found with Modern Times or Love and Theft. This might be better, but the truth is I find it hard to sit down for another hour of overlong jangly bluesy numbers with one simple riff repeated over and over again.

Its not as good as 'Time out of mind'. That to me is 10 out 10. Probably my favourite Dylan record since 'Blood on the tracks'.

spot on Karl

it's boring, generic and could be any chancer

if the album was made by an unknown people wouldn't give it a second listen

Yep, musically it's so bland. Of course people will respond with 'yeah but Dylan has always been about the lyrics' well guess what they are incredibly shit too. The tribute to Lennon is hilariously bad.

Yeah, I heard a bit of this at my Dad's yesterday, repetitive shite with no melody in his voice at all. Hard to believe its the same person as Can You Please Crawl out your Window, Positively 4th Street & Like A Rolling Stone, sounded so dull and without fire.

Dylan is one of my heroes but I have absolutely no interest in his later work. I haven't heard the new LP, but the reviews I've read make it sound absolutely abysmal.

I don't think there are many better bands in the world than Dylan's and yeah the music is simplistic but it sounds pretty good to me.