Review Summary: An underrated work of genius. A must own, or at the very least, listen.
Looking over Dylan's best albums can be a slightly overwhelming experience. The sheer amount of superb songs on much of his 60's work is seriously mind boggling, and in my opinion Bringing It All Back Home is quite possibly his strongest, even when faced with such classics as Freewheelin' and Highway 61 Revisited. The latter is often credited with containing the "best song ever written", and while Like A Rolling Stone is definitely a great song, I don't see it as his best, let alone the best ever written.
And now on to this album, which seems slightly under appreciated both on this site and overall, and I figure I can try and add a new perspective on this lasting, and in my opinion, genius piece of work.
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Great start to the album. Dylan's constant vocal barrage and the slightly riotous musical accompaniment creates a great driving beat, and the lyrics are, like so many songs on here, simply masterful. It speaks of society and the rules we all follow without really knowing why, and the fractured state of existence in a system full of hypocrisy and confusion. Funny too.
She Belongs to Me
A fairly mellow song, especially following the former. The title seems to be ironic, as the person he speaks of is independent and driven, and maybe he's being judgmental of that. Or maybe not. Like all Dylan songs, it's best to find your own meaning in it.
Maggie's Farm
This song seems to be a bit of an acquired taste so to speak, as I know many people that can't stand it. I can see how Dylan's unusually nasally and grinding voice and the the raucous instrumentation might get on some people's nerves, but the lyrics are cutting, humorous, and pretty scathing, and the metaphor is used to great effect.
Love Minus Zero/No Limit
A pretty straightforward song about the perceived perfection of a current love, and yet it retains a classic Dylan sense of cynicism and irony. A really great song, catchy, with some good lyrics, and probably a great one to play to a new romantic interest. Or at least I hope, haven't tried it yet.
Outlaw Blues
Funny, true, and original. Some might call this song filler, but it has a few excellently clever and very funny lyrics. The combination of humor and cutting observation about life and its situations is pretty prevalent in much of Dylan's art, and that holds true here. "I wish I was on some Australian mountain range, I got no reason to be there but I imagine it'd be some kind of change."
On The Road Again
Much in the vein of "Maggie's Farm", using a woman and a relationship as a metaphor for society and our place in it, especially in America. At least that's how I see these songs. Funny that after almost fifty years they hold just as much meaning as they did originally.
Bob Dylan's 115th Dream
What a great opening, firstly, and what a song, secondly. A straight up tale, of which there are few on this album, but the lyrics are ingenious and highly entertaining. A great back beat and Bob Dylan wailing away. It seems the title is a reference "Bob Dylan's Dream" off of Freewheelin', but the subject matter and tone are quite different.
Mr. Tambourine Man
A pretty emotional song that, like so many of his, seems to be highly nonsensical at first, but upon repeated listens and some analyzation can be found to hold great power. There's a haunting and melancholy vibe to this tune, and the surreal imagery takes you to a whole different world. And let's all try to forget about The Byrds.
Gates of Eden
And if *** hadn't gotten serious yet with the opening song, it certainly does here. A seriously epic song that seems to be about life, love and everything in between. Though, it seems, all great Dylan songs are. A really powerful tune.
It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
And here it is. My love and admiration for this song is boundless, so I'll try to stay away from the land of hyperbole here and keep it brief. Groundbreaking, mind-blowing lyrics. Immensely tense, powerful and simple song. Truly his magnum opus, in my opinion.
It's All Over Now Baby Blue
Seems to be in the same family as Gates of Eden, with a great melody and some pretty psychedelic lyrics. I know a lot of people might pick this as their favorite, but it seems to me outmatched by much of what comes before it. Still one of the best songs on the album, but since most of it is the best, it's a somewhat meaningless thing to say.
Well, there it is. I'm finished.
"Don't ask me nothing about nothing, I just might tell you the truth."
