Monday, March 30, 2009

SONG: New Bob Dylan

I've been on a pretty massive Bob Dylan kick for the last month or so. It started with a curiosity about his three Christian-themed albums from 1979-81, but has blown into an all-out re-discovery of his entire catalog. I love it when that happens. Bob Dylan was a pretty foundational artist for me - he was the first singer-songwriter I really listened to/admired, and he was the inspiration for a lot of my early songwriting and performing. I remember thinking as a kid, "if he can sing like that and make it, I've at least got a shot." As the years have passed, I've come to realize that a little bit of brilliance helps make up for a lackluster voice - and Bob's more than just a little brilliant.

Recently, I've been pretty excited to learn that his 33rd(!) studio album is on it's way, and will be out in April. Never mind that the album cover looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch ad (see right). A really really bad Abercrombie & Fitch ad. I'm sure it'll be great anyways. Because this is Bob Dylan. And his worst album cover is still better than any other guy's best album cover. Or something like that.

He's released the first taste from the new album on his website, called 'Beyond Here Lies Nothing'. Not a far cry from 2007's Modern Times, it's got a real southern swing to it, with plenty of horns, organ, and bluesy guitar riffs. Get it at the link below. The record's called Together Through Life, and it's out April 28th.

Bob Dylan - Beyond Here Lies Nothing
from the album Together Through Life (out April 28th)

1 comment:

Tigre said...

Bad cover art for sure but I'm always excited for a new Dylan album especially since I hear David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) plays accordian on every song. That'll be sweet. Oh, I love your state songs thing- reminds me of the theme hour Bob Dylan does on XM radio.