Time Out of Mind

Bob Dylan

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 30, 1997)
• Original Release Date: September 30, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002C2E
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  Mini-Disc  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (209 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,109 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

At the beginning of Time Out of Mind, Bob Dylan finds himself in the same dead-day world as on 1964's "One Too Many Mornings." By now, though, he can't be bothered to romanticize the street and the distant dogs' barking; he can only moan about how sick he is of love, of himself. Saying it seems to give him the strength to go on, and go on he does, over 11 songs that are among his most plainspoken and musically eloquent. The reconstituted bottle-blues that sparked the early '90s acoustic masterpieces Good As I Been to You and World Gone Wrong carries over to Daniel Lanois's carefully dirty production and a groove that tops anything Dylan's done in a studio since, at least, Blood on the Tracks. No matter how lousy he feels, this is the work of a mighty, mighty man. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning collection just might be his best........, June 16, 2000

By	Brooke276 (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

Approaching this album as an admirer (but certainly not a dedicated fan), I was not prepared for the impact it would have on me. Here is an album, released at a time when most artists would be wrapping up their careers, that is as strong as anything he has ever done. While a few tracks manage to get the foot tapping in pleasure, the CD overall is full of regret, lamentation, sadness, and the inevitable approach of death. Sung with grit and passion, the songs demonstrate that there are indeed second acts in the lives of Americans (and musicians). Dylan is one of the few artists remaining who has lyrics worth listening to (each song is like an intimate story told by an old friend) and for anyone interested in understanding how all of us are burdened by the past, pick up this disc immediately. Dylan's scars are well-earned and he commands our attention with every note.

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bob Dylan's hommage to blues, January 9, 2000

By	Chad Gould (St. Petersburg, FL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Bob Dylan I think has fooled some of his fans by creating one of the best blues-inspired albums I have heard. Those who know him in his folk days may be disappointed, but fans of traditional blues should flock to this album. Well-crafted lyrics focus largely on the aspects of aging and the pain of love, and love lost; the background is simple, inspired by blues with a touch of folk to help things along. The ballads are the best; "Tryin' To Get to Heaven" and "Not Dark Yet" are my personal favorites.

Daniel Lanois's production adds an ambient feeling to the album. Its a mixed bag: For the ballads (which tend to be the odd numbered tracks), the ambient touch gives the songs a certain distance that really emphasizes the loss and the sorrow in the lyrics. It helps these songs immensely. For the improv blues tracks (which tend to be the even numbered tracks), I'm not so sure that a more forward production would've been more beneficial, to give the production a rawer feeling. Irregardless, to me, it's not enough of a distraction to seperate the listener from the lyrics. Some listeners may view this differently.

I'm a big fan of blues in itself; what Bob Dylan has done with this album is amazing, if you look at it from a blues angle. The album is NOT very folk-rock oriented; if you come into this album expecting "Highway 61 Revisited", you are probably going to be disappointed. In my opinion this album is best appreciated with repeated listenings. You will then appreciate what its got: simple lyrics and simple music that produce a powerful impact. A masterpiece of a different kind, proving that Bob Dylan is incredibly talented at writing music from the heart, even 30 years after he began.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elvis was right..., July 14, 2006

By	Mr Q - See all my reviews

...Costello that is. Who once said that he thought this was Bob Dylan's best album. Everyone guffawed at Costello's hyperbole at the time. I mean better than 'Blood on the Tracks'? 'Highway 61 Revisited'? 'The Times They Are a Changin'? 'Blonde on Blonde' for God's sake? Well now it's nearly 10 years old and it just gets better and better. It doesn't have the shock factor that those earlier issues had but rather it just seeps into you over repeated listening. It's subtle and quietly profound. It's the best album he ever made.