Time Out Of Mind
by Bob Dylan

When time out of mind came out in September 1997, it had been seven years since Bob Dylan had released any original material, and that was the underwhelming, under the red sky. Since that mediocre album, Dylan released two acoustic records, a collection of covers of old blues and folk songs. He also made an appearance on MTV's successful unplugged series. Dylan's performance though was again a disappointment. Dylan then started to suffer from health problems and was hospitalized for a time in 1996 with a heart problem. He made a successful recovery. So, after all of this it was a pleasant surprise that the new album was a much needed return to form. For the second time in his career, his new record was produced by Daniel Lanois, whose atmospheric soundscapes had made Dylan's, oh mercy, album such a success. He works his magic here too. Time out of mind though was different from other Dylan albums. Dylan was definitely older, maybe wiser, certainty grumpier, but still regained a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. The new record was dark, spooky, it was about loneliness, bitterness, aging, and mortality. The first thing you notice on opener, love sick, is Dylan's voice, it really is wrecked beyond repair, but it suits the material perfectly. He's the first of the rock stars to deal with the sadness and frustration of growing old. There's no better example of this than on the epic closing track, highlands, when Dylan alludes to, 'all the young men with the young women looking so good, well I'd trade places with any of 'em in a minute if i could'. This is coming from Bob Dylan, living legend, and this is the way he feels, he wants to be young again. Mortality, plays it's part in, tryin'to get to heaven, and, not dark yet, surely both inspired by his recent health scares. Everything and everyone is cold, he's standin'in the doorway cryin', he's sick of love, he left his life with someone back there along the line. Bob's not a happy camper. And what's more, he's running low, the party's over, he moans, and there's less and less to say, and everything looks far away, but it's not all doom and gloom, and there is some wonderful black comedy here and there, 'you don't read with binoculars, do you'?. The songs range from the slow burning, love sick, the railroad shuffle of, dirt road blues, the brooding, million miles,to the funeral dirge of, not dark yet, as well as, to make you feel my love, one of Dylan's most beautiful ballads for years, the metallic blues of, cold irons bound, and the midnight burning, can't wait. Time out of mind, is classic Dylan, it's up there with his best, a mortal masterpiece.

From KingNoCrown 07/10/2015 04:28 | #145430 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

One of the greatest albums I have ever heard and one of Bob Dylan's classics. The production adds this atmosphere that hangs over every word Bob speaks, and only compliments it ever so perfectly. After a 7 year drought of no original material, Bob came back. The perfect time for this album is when you are alone at night, sitting with a drink looking out a window. Put this on and let Bob come take a chair next to you, and simply take some time out of your own mind.
Favorite songs: "Love Sick", "Sitting In The Doorway", "Trying To Get To Heaven", "Not Dark Yet", "Make You Feel My Love", "Highlands"

From Robert Anton Wilson TOP 100 COMMENTER 11/07/2011 17:05 | #29986 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

One of the great composers alive. Bob Dylan has succeeded in doing the impossible, his late albums are even better -as albums- than his earlier ones (yes the ones that included some of the most influential songs of music history). "Time out of Mind", "Modern Times", "Together Through Life". I doubt he will write any more era changing songs but, damn it, he is still writing exquisitely powerful albums and great music.

From junodog4 TOP 100 COMMENTER 09/16/2012 19:14 | #50604 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Simply beautiful. Dylan snaps out of his mediocre period and releases a classic. His writing has become reflective and intimate again.

From Brandon8 TOP 100 COMMENTER 09/06/2017 03:13 | #197353 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

One of his best albums came after a long layoff for him. The voice is noticeably damaged but the songwriting and the way the he uses that voice is spellbinding.