In a daily reminder of how old I am, I reviewed the album for Glide Magazine when it was originally released and said this to open:
Welcome to Bob Dylan’s Modern Times, which sounds about as “modern” as a Model T Ford.
In re-reading the full review, the main feelings are still the same, but I was a bit too harsh on the production/musical backing. While I don't think the record is as good as Time Out of Mind or Love and Theft, (which I consider two of Dylan's best ever) it isn't very far behind them either.
In fact, I would argue that Modern Times is Dylan's last capital G, Great album of his career.
There are a ton of good songs here. "Thunder on the Mountain" is a fantastic opener, "Workingman's Blues #2" is a gem as is the stunning stark closer "Ain't Talkin'". The easy strolling "Spirit on the Water" is a breezy ride and his more laidback musicianship here points to his ballad trilogy that would arrive a few years later.
"Some Day Baby" is a fun spin and "Nettie Moore" is a great twisting of a Scottish ballad. While there was lyric controversy, and crediting issues with this, none of that really bothers me as the overall feel and flow is Bob through and through.
So on this, the albums 20th Anniversary, give it a spin. Here are a few tunes to get you started.
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