Bringing It All Back Home
Released: 1965
Many would say that Bringing it all Back Home is not the greatest Bob Dylan record, nor is it even close. Well, I can not find a way someone could think that. The album includes everything that makes an epic cluster of recordings. it has some fast song, some slow, some happy, some sad, intelligent lyrics, and poetry. Thealbum also includes a song that now adays is looked over to a great amount. That song would be "Subterranean Homesick Blues", which in my opinion, is Dylan's greatest recording, lyrically. "Bring it all Back Home" also includes many songs that would turn into hits. Some of those songs would be "Maggie's Farm", and "Mr. Tambourine Man".Both of those songs have been covered often. The most reconizable covers would be The Byrds (Who have done many Bob Dylan covers) covering "Mr. Tambourine", and Rage Against The Machine covering "Maggies Farm".
1. Subterranean Homesick Blues: As I said before, this is, in my opinion, Dylan's greatest recording lyrically. The lyrics are simply genius, and out of this world. You maybe able to relate them to REM's "It's the End of the World". It is an electric guitar led song, that opens with the line "Johnney's in the basement mixin' up the medicine. I'm on the pavement thinkin' 'bout the goverment". Just an unbelievable song. 5/5
2. She Belongs to Me: Here is just a simple, nicely done song.It is a love song and is just kind of happy. There are some great lyrics, such as the following "She can take the dark out of the night time, and paint the day time black". There is not much more to really say. 4/5
3.Maggie's Farm: This recording is one of those songs that you either love and can't get enough of, or it is obnoxiously annoying to you. The opening acoutic guitar playing is very similar to the opening acoustic guitar playing on the song "Man of Constent Sorrow" by The Soggy Bottom Boys, who along with Alison Krauss did a large portion of the sound track for the film Oh Brother, Were Art Thou. I find the song incredibly interesting, yet it occasionally annoys me. 4.5/5
4. Love Minus Zero/No Limit: I particularly like the harmonies to this song. The lyrics are mediocre for Bob, but they are sort of moving, in a way. It reminds me of the sound The Beatles combined with The Byrds would sound like. 3.5/5
5. Outlaw Blues: The opening to this song is strangely similar to the into to "Subterranean Homesick Blues". The song is supposed to be Blues orientated, but I think it is a little to chaotic to be labeled only one genre. The song has a great driving beat, supported by the drumming. I like the lyrics "Don't ask me nothin' about nothin, and I may just tell you the truth". 4.5/5
6. On the Road Again: "On the Road Again" is lead by a great rythm. It includes some mediocre lyrics, guitar playing, but some good harmonica playing. Which flows and adds into the song fabulously. Bob's vocals really stand put in this track. 3.5/5
7. Bob Dylan's 115th Dream: The opening to this song includes an error take at the track, with Bob stopping his playing while laughing. Every instrument does a great job in this recording. It oddly reminds me off a School House Rock song, which reminds me of Country Joe and The Fish, because they use to do some of those songs. The song runs at 6:33 which is slightly odd for a folk song, and Bob Dylan. I always find myself skipping to this song first whenever I listen to this album. 5/5
8. Mr. Tambourine Man: This track was basically made famous by The Byrds who would go on to cover many other Bob Dylan songs. It is highly emotional, and passionate. I don't really have to describe the song, because you have all heard it, even if you can't remember. Overall, it is a catchy unforgetable recording. 5/5
9. Gates of Eden: This is probably the folkest song out of the album. Of course it is very difficult to wonder what it is about, beacuse of sets up what he is trying to say in an odd, yet genius manner. Other than it's great meaning (Whatever it is) the song is extremely catchy, and is hard to forget, let alone get out of your head. 4/5
10. It's Alright, Ma (I'm only bleeding): For Bob Dylan, this song is quite horrific, shocking, controversial, and poetic. It is sung in a very plain manner, but that is one reason why it stands out from the other songs on Bring it all back Home. The lyrics always leave me confused, and wondering of what Dylan is trying to vent or say. The song is just very difficult to describe. 5/5
11. It's all over now, Baby Blue: Here is a quite lovely song, with song nice lyrics. It is just difficult to listen to after "It's Alright, Ma (I'm only bleeding)", because it is such a huge switch. The chorus really stands out to me, which just state the title name. The song is a perfect closer, not just because it states "It's all over now", but because the album leaves you with a happy, and pleasant song. 4.9/5
Now, I've been trying not to give so much 5/5, but this album easily deserves it. So 5/5
EDIT: Sorry, for the title, and poor quality; my old reviews aren't too good. :)
