I love the self-awareness here... "or, something an old fan can flick through at a glance to get a sense of how much better their taste in Bob Dylan albums is than mine." You are right from your side–don't look back.
I usually dislike these lists, but I love how you prefaced yours by explaining that the rankings might be different tomorrow… and an album showing up at the bottom of your list simply means you like others more. Yes, yes, yes! Wasn’t “The Basement Tapes”simply the most amazing recording to me last night (late last night, cleaning up the kitchen after the day’s messes)?! OMG, how much do I love “Saved”…
Thank you for this fantastic list of Bob’s albums. I will surely revisit it in the future, because to me it’s just a lot of fun to read about such greatness!
Thanks for reading, and I'm glad that you enjoyed this one! I'm with you, such lists can so often be sanctimonious or righteous but one of the best things about his music is how it can hit us all in different ways at different times, right?
Movie was better than I expected! I hope you enjoy, too, it if you see it soon!
Finished it earlier, great piece. Surprised you like Saved as much as you do. For me it suffers from the same problem you identify with Infidels: Thin, flat sound. I love those songs so much live, but rarely turn to the album versions.
Thank you, Ray! Can definitely hear that compared to those live versions, but I do think it has more warmth in its sound than all his other 80s work. Those Gospel tours are definitely "God tier", aren't they?
This list is well-crafted, surprising, occasionally odd, and compelling--just like the albums it ranks. I like your point that if you had to do this again tomorrow, the order would be different. The one album I'll comment on is Love and Theft (or, more properly, "Love and Theft"): I'm with you that it's one of his very best. Hard to believe it's 24 years old already and I still can't get over how terrific "Mississippi" is every time I listen to it.
Haha! That's a great compliment, thank you - 'occasionally odd, and compelling' is about the best response I could have hoped for for this. Yeah, that is crazy - same distance from "Love and Theft" coming out and now as there was between "Love and Theft" and Street-Legal! Amazing to still have him, and still have him touring and creating all this time later.
Ok. Listening to Saved again for the first time in a long time. It definitely deserves higher than rock bottom in Bob’s discography. I still have a hard time putting it in the top 20. But it is a great listen.
Glad to at least encourage a re-listen! That feels like mission accomplished for this. Definitely think that one gets a harsh rap in his career by always coming dead last or nearly last in these things!
A bold post! As a lifelong Dylan freak, I've never attempted a full ranking like this. Yours is a solid list, though, naturally, I disagree with a few placements. But hey, all lists are personal and subjective. Great stuff!
Haha same here - it's an impossible task really isn't it? (This one moved around so much once I went back and re-listened to things and everything could definitely justifiably move around!). Looking forward to seeing your ranking in future, if you ever decide to undertake such a fool's errand!
In detail, maybe a few changes, but by and large I think that's a fair choice. I'd have to put Blonde on Blonde at the top, though; I was there from the very beginning, and when it came out it hit me (to coin a phrase) like a frei-ght train... Going to revisit your list again and create a playlist... Good work!
I love the self-awareness here... "or, something an old fan can flick through at a glance to get a sense of how much better their taste in Bob Dylan albums is than mine." You are right from your side–don't look back.
Haha! Thought I'd preempt any such comments 😁
I usually dislike these lists, but I love how you prefaced yours by explaining that the rankings might be different tomorrow… and an album showing up at the bottom of your list simply means you like others more. Yes, yes, yes! Wasn’t “The Basement Tapes”simply the most amazing recording to me last night (late last night, cleaning up the kitchen after the day’s messes)?! OMG, how much do I love “Saved”…
Thank you for this fantastic list of Bob’s albums. I will surely revisit it in the future, because to me it’s just a lot of fun to read about such greatness!
Enjoy the movie!
Thanks for reading, and I'm glad that you enjoyed this one! I'm with you, such lists can so often be sanctimonious or righteous but one of the best things about his music is how it can hit us all in different ways at different times, right?
Movie was better than I expected! I hope you enjoy, too, it if you see it soon!
Knocked Out over Infidels is a take so hot I had to put down my phone. Well done! Hoping for more such moments as I dive back in.
All the way, til the wheels fall off an burn! With opinions like these, you'll soon be regretting ever letting me write for the Double E's!
Finished it earlier, great piece. Surprised you like Saved as much as you do. For me it suffers from the same problem you identify with Infidels: Thin, flat sound. I love those songs so much live, but rarely turn to the album versions.
Thank you, Ray! Can definitely hear that compared to those live versions, but I do think it has more warmth in its sound than all his other 80s work. Those Gospel tours are definitely "God tier", aren't they?
This list is well-crafted, surprising, occasionally odd, and compelling--just like the albums it ranks. I like your point that if you had to do this again tomorrow, the order would be different. The one album I'll comment on is Love and Theft (or, more properly, "Love and Theft"): I'm with you that it's one of his very best. Hard to believe it's 24 years old already and I still can't get over how terrific "Mississippi" is every time I listen to it.
Haha! That's a great compliment, thank you - 'occasionally odd, and compelling' is about the best response I could have hoped for for this. Yeah, that is crazy - same distance from "Love and Theft" coming out and now as there was between "Love and Theft" and Street-Legal! Amazing to still have him, and still have him touring and creating all this time later.
Ok. Listening to Saved again for the first time in a long time. It definitely deserves higher than rock bottom in Bob’s discography. I still have a hard time putting it in the top 20. But it is a great listen.
Glad to at least encourage a re-listen! That feels like mission accomplished for this. Definitely think that one gets a harsh rap in his career by always coming dead last or nearly last in these things!
A bold post! As a lifelong Dylan freak, I've never attempted a full ranking like this. Yours is a solid list, though, naturally, I disagree with a few placements. But hey, all lists are personal and subjective. Great stuff!
Haha same here - it's an impossible task really isn't it? (This one moved around so much once I went back and re-listened to things and everything could definitely justifiably move around!). Looking forward to seeing your ranking in future, if you ever decide to undertake such a fool's errand!
I may now have to - you seem to have forced my hand!
Haha can't wait!
enjoy the film! I've see it 4 times and loved every moment.
Kathy from Milwaukee Wisconsin, USA
Thank you! I enjoyed it more than I expected to. Glad you have been enjoying it as well and hope you can see it again!
In detail, maybe a few changes, but by and large I think that's a fair choice. I'd have to put Blonde on Blonde at the top, though; I was there from the very beginning, and when it came out it hit me (to coin a phrase) like a frei-ght train... Going to revisit your list again and create a playlist... Good work!