This was a great piece, making me feel I was too hard on this album, although it was definitely one of the best of the year (although not in the top 10. I attribute the lyrical laziness to Robert Hunter, so it would have been interesting to look into the origins and effects of that collaboration. As for other albums from 2009, here’s my Top 10, which only includes the Arctics for your list: http://anearful.blogspot.com/2009/12/blog-is-born-best-of-2009.html?m=1
Thanks, Jeremy! Will have to listen to most of those, I'm not familiar with a lot of them. Not sure how I missed Wilco (The Album) as a notable 2009 release - I love that one! It definitely would be interesting to know more about that collaboration; how it came about, who was the driving force and how much was one writer vs the other
Great insights on Together Through Life! The laidbackness (at least lyrically, considering the sound is harder than Modern Times), the Tex-Mex influences including from David Hidalgo's contributions, and references to Bob's live performances help to augment the reflection. I will say a reference or several to Robert Hunter would have been apropos, as you highlight the lyrical simplicity so much and this was a rare Dylan album that was almost completely co-written, in this case with Grateful Dead songwriter Robert Hunter.
Thanks, Rua - I think you are probably right there that the collaboration with Robert Hunter should have gotten at least a mention. As I said to another comment here, it would be interesting to know more about what that collaboration looked like and how it came about!
Another terrific Dylan piece, Matthew! As for 2010, are you a fan of The National? I love their 2010 album High Violet. They've long been identified as a Brooklyn band, but they originally hail from (you guessed it) Cincinnati. Nice nod to their local roots in "Bloodbuzz Ohio." Definitely worth a listen.
Thank you, Graley! I loved your recent piece about Dylan's 2019 Cincinnati show. Looking forward to the 2024 Outlaw Tour Cincinnati show instalment! I know of The National, and have heard good things, but never properly listened. Will check them out, thank you for the recommendation!
Great post. This: “Dylan clearly takes his work and his art incredibly seriously, but thankfully he does not take himself too seriously” is something like what Trey Anastasio says about Phish.
This was a great piece, making me feel I was too hard on this album, although it was definitely one of the best of the year (although not in the top 10. I attribute the lyrical laziness to Robert Hunter, so it would have been interesting to look into the origins and effects of that collaboration. As for other albums from 2009, here’s my Top 10, which only includes the Arctics for your list: http://anearful.blogspot.com/2009/12/blog-is-born-best-of-2009.html?m=1
Thanks, Jeremy! Will have to listen to most of those, I'm not familiar with a lot of them. Not sure how I missed Wilco (The Album) as a notable 2009 release - I love that one! It definitely would be interesting to know more about that collaboration; how it came about, who was the driving force and how much was one writer vs the other
Great insights on Together Through Life! The laidbackness (at least lyrically, considering the sound is harder than Modern Times), the Tex-Mex influences including from David Hidalgo's contributions, and references to Bob's live performances help to augment the reflection. I will say a reference or several to Robert Hunter would have been apropos, as you highlight the lyrical simplicity so much and this was a rare Dylan album that was almost completely co-written, in this case with Grateful Dead songwriter Robert Hunter.
Thanks, Rua - I think you are probably right there that the collaboration with Robert Hunter should have gotten at least a mention. As I said to another comment here, it would be interesting to know more about what that collaboration looked like and how it came about!
Another terrific Dylan piece, Matthew! As for 2010, are you a fan of The National? I love their 2010 album High Violet. They've long been identified as a Brooklyn band, but they originally hail from (you guessed it) Cincinnati. Nice nod to their local roots in "Bloodbuzz Ohio." Definitely worth a listen.
Thank you, Graley! I loved your recent piece about Dylan's 2019 Cincinnati show. Looking forward to the 2024 Outlaw Tour Cincinnati show instalment! I know of The National, and have heard good things, but never properly listened. Will check them out, thank you for the recommendation!
Great post. This: “Dylan clearly takes his work and his art incredibly seriously, but thankfully he does not take himself too seriously” is something like what Trey Anastasio says about Phish.
Thanks, Daniel!
I was just listening to this album last night.
Of course I’m liking this now! 👍
Haha great timing!