Bob Dylan is well-known for his musical talent and his amazing, if not a bit strange, writing talents.
Blonde on Blonde was originally released as a double-album, and is known as being one of his best works. From the epic 'Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands' to the simple 'I Want You', Dylan merges many styles and ideas to make one helluva an album.
1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 - 4:36
"Everybody must get stoned" is the anthem of this song. It's a slow song with a lot of harmonica and marching drum beat, but not much else. The song could've been shorter I guess, because essentially it's Dylan telling everyone to get stoned. Not that there's anything wrong with that. -
3.5/5
2. Pledging My Time - 3:50
Off the bat, a very bluesy song with a standard blues guitar groove and harmonica added. A very good song with a lot of blues and folk mixed, but again, nothing really special. The thing that makes
Blonde on Blonde so good is its ability to have good songs, if not great ones. There are no really bad ones. -
3/5
3. Visions of Johanna - 7:33
A more laid back song with a blues guitar throwing in licks here and there. The harmonica is also present in the beginning of the song, like many songs on this album. Dylan does his typical non-sensical lyrics, but somehow it all sounds so good. It's about remembrance and such things like that, and his voice just guides you through the song. -
4/5
4. Sooner or Later (One of Us Must Know) - 4:54
A song about trying to get close to somebody, and losing out. All you want is for the other person to know you did try, and did mean it. The keyboard's presence is essential along with the guitarwork and drums. It really gives a feel for the song as it crescendos right before the chorus. A strong song. -
4/5
5. I Want You - 3:07
The guitar licks and basic instrumentation in this is subtle, but very well-worked. The simplicity of the song is part of its brilliance, with Dylan not trying to work the listener into a crazy metaphoric web of messages. It's just as simple as the chorus: "I want you, I want you, I want you, so bad." -
4.5/5
6. Stuck Inside a Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again - 7:05
This song has an infectious beat and lyrical style. You'll probably be singing the chorus a few days later, and the guitar licks in the background are simple but elegant. It seems Dylan always wanted his voice to be the front of the song, but always knew he needed a catchy beat and lick in the background to keep it all together. Even at 7 minutes, you'll barely notice how long the song is. -
5/5
7. Leopard-skin Pill-box Hat - 3:58
Another standard sounding blues beat with the guitar being the main instrument here, going for that high staccato sound. This song is quite a weird topic, about some crazy hat that somebody is wearing. Although it makes very little sense, the beat is infectious enough that you might be humming it soon. -
4/5
8. Just Like a Woman - 4:52
Starting with some harmonica work, the song slows down into a slow folk rhythm about a woman who "breaks just like a little girl." It's a slow song that's mellow enough to listen through it and not really notice. -
3.5/5
9. Most Likely You'll Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine) - 3:30
Another song about going separate ways, but not necessarily in love. Just people with different ideas and not being able to agree, just going two ways. Nothing particularly stands out about this song, but it's still worth a listen. -
3/5
10. Temporary Like Achilles - 5:02
Another slow song that seems like Dylan is just reading poetry in a lounge. Not really upbeat or catchy. The lyrics are so out there, I'm not sure how to analyze the song. It breaks for some harmonica near the end, which keeps up the slow lounge-type style. Not bad at all. -
3/5
11. Absolutely Sweet Marie - 4:57
An upbeat guitar and drum beat brings this song a lot of life. The keyboards in the back have a very standout riff that fits perfectly with this song about Marie. Apparently she's not showing up, but the song's more upbeat that. Very good song. -
4/5
12. 4th Time Around - 4:35
A lovely finger-picked piece with harmonica makes this a very pretty sounding song. Simple in its music, but very elegant. It begins to crescendo in the middle, not really going anywhere lyrically, but the music is very comforting to listen to. Better piece than I remembered. -
4/5
13. Obviously 5 Believers - 3:35
A interesting folk and blues mix. Bluesy guitar with a folkish sort of beat. Sounds a lot like a Beatles/Lennon composition lyrically, but artists often try to imitate each others styles. Very interesting blend of styles. -
3/5
14. Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands - 11:20
A long epic to finish off the album, a perfect blues and folk mix. Steady guitar with a bit of harmonica here and there, Dylan makes a perfect homage to a woman. A sad song that doesn't leave you feeling that bad, but you can just tell how this woman is sad and how Dylan wants to be close to her. The piano/crescendo in the chorus is perfect for the mood. The lyrics are abstract, but the message is there. It always is with Dylan. -
5/5
Overall - 5/5
It's hard to rate this album anything lower just because of it's sheer brillance. Not every song is a 5, but together, the album is very strong. It's one of my favorite Dylan albums, along with Highway 61 Revisited. Anyone not familar with Dylan will probably agree this album is very good. Dylan's lyrical abilities are strange at times, but the message always seems to be floating around somewhere in the imagery. That's what he was best at, painting mental pictures and getting people to think. For that he's a great musician, and
Blonde on Blonde is one of his best works.
