Bob Dylan, Rough and Rowdy Ways | Album Review 💿

Back with his first LP of originals in eight years, the iconic Bob Dylan is superb throughout his 39^th studio album, Rough and Rowdy Ways.

Bob Dylan is not only a musical icon – he’s an icon, period.  One of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time, Dylan’s illustrious career has far extended beyond his heyday in the 1960s and 70s.  Honestly, Bob could’ve ‘called it a day’ years ago and he would still be iconic to the nth degree.  But, thankfully, he didn’t do that. 

Now, at the ripe young age of 79, he’s released his 39^th studio album, Rough and Rowdy Ways, his first album of originals since 2012 (Tempest).  Many 79-year olds are retired, but that’s just not Bob’s style.  And judging by just how great Rough and Rowdy Ways is, you hope that the legend never hangs it up.

 💿 1

“I Contain Multitudes”

✓ “I Contain Multitudes” commences Rough and Rowdy Ways in utterly sublime fashion.  A superb song title, it’s comes directly from a line from the classic, transcendentalist poem, “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman.  Indeed, Dylan “contains multitudes” referencing countless things including cinema, history, and music such as “Them British bad boys, The Rolling Stones,” and “Playing Beethoven’s sonatas, and Chopin’s preludes.” Not only are the lyrics excellent, but “I Contain Multitudes” is a legit, gorgeous ballad that perfectly suits Dylan’s distinct voice.  How do you follow up such an accomplished record?

The answer is, ✓ “False Prophet.” “False Prophet” marks a stark contrast to the reflective “I Contain Multitudes” embracing blues rock and a more assertive sound.  Bob Dylan showcases ample personality here, continuing to bless us with masterful songwriting.  FYI, the false prophet (or lack thereof) is mentioned explicitly for the first time on the third verse, reappearing on the seventh and the tenth and final verse.  Dylan is on autopilot.

“My Own Version of You” 

Two gems, and Bob doesn’t stop there! “My Own Version of You” continues the marvelousness of Rough and Rowdy Ways without missing a beat.  This subtle, compound duple meter cut provides another contrast to what’s been served up so far, maintaining Dylan’s virtuosity in the songwriting department.  The focal point is always the narrative, though there are some undeniably great musical aspects that occur as well.

“If I had the wings of a snow-white dove / I’d preach the gospel, the gospel of love / A love so real, a love so true / I’ve made up my mind to give myself to you.” Sigh, just breathtaking! “I’ve Made Up my Mind to Give Myself to You,” the esteemed fourth track, is in no rush where tempo is concerned.  I love the way that the music lays back, serving as a fitting accompaniment to Dylan’s sophisticated pen, as aforementioned.  The slower pace certainly matches the theme of the record: L-O-V-E.

“Black Rider” 

You can make a legit case for either “I Contain Multitudes” or “False Prophet” as the crowning achievement of Rough and Rowdy Ways – both are epic.  That said, the chilling, dark, enigmatic, minor-keyed ✓ “Black Rider” has an equally strong case.  Here’s the deal about “Black Rider.” Even if the lyrics weren’t potent and Dylan had ‘fallen off’ his storytelling game, the music alone would earn this record accolades. The production is spare, allowing Dylan to be the focal point, yet, the harmonic progression – the chords – are absolutely gorgeous.  Of course, it’s Bob Dylan, lyrical master, so it only requires one lyric to confirm the elite nature: “Black rider, black rider, hold it right there,” he sings on the fifth and final verse, “The size of your cock will get you nowhere.” How awesome is that? “Black Rider” is subject to interpretation, including references to mortality – perhaps Dylan’s own – and perhaps, more subtly, politics.

✓ “Goodbye Jimmy Reed” rightfully accelerates the tempo, opting for a livelier, more bluesy sound.  The bluesy sound also makes sense considering Bob Dylan references the late blues musician, Jimmy Reed, throughout the song. Furthermore, there are a number of clever spiritual references, beginning on the first verse.  Lyrics like “I can tell they’re Proddie from a mile away” and “Give me that old time religion, it’s just what I need” are top-notch.

“Mother of Muses”

“Mother of Muses” slackens the pace once more, marking another contrast.  Bob Dylan dabbles in Greek Mythology, Homer Odyssey style, seeking, well, the mother of the nine Muses.  The mother of the Muses in Greek Mythology was Μnemosyne (Zeus was the daddy).  The only Muse that Dylan explicitly references is Calliope, ‘the superior Muse,’ who Homer supposedly asked to inspire him to write Iliad and Odyssey.  Dylan seeks the same inspiration.   A moment worth noting is when Dylan references five generals, Elvis Presley, and Martin Luther King.

Song length never concerns Bob Dylan, with the final three songs of Rough and Rowdy Ways all surpassing seven minutes in duration.  The shortest of the trio is the moderate paced standout, ✓ “Crossing the Rubicon.” Although it runs seven-and-a-half minutes, it’s a chill, laid-back, easygoing experience.  Comprised of nine verses, Dylan always caps off each verse with the titular lyric.  The Rubicon, of course, is a river in Italy.  In Bob’s hands, it’s the source of another compelling narrative that many a songwriter wish they could lay claim to.  

“Key West (Philosopher Pirate)” is the penultimate record, concluding the first disc of the album.  Nine-and-a-half minutes long, Dylan continues to have plenty to say.  Perhaps it doesn’t quite achieve the highs of “I Contain Multitudes,” “False Prophet,” or “Black Rider,” but it’s another great piece of songwriting and storytelling.  If you view this the end of the album (“Murder Most Foul” as a bonus cut), then it’s a strong, reflective coda.

💿 2

“Murder Most Foul” 

The 17-minute-long “Murder Most Foul”, the first single released prior to the album, rightfully concludes Rough and Rowdy Ways.  Honestly, where else could “Murder Most Foul” effectively land? Place it at the beginning, it’s totally ineffective.  Place it in the middle, it takes away from the remainder of the album.  It’s definitely a work of art, albeit a work of art that’s is a lot to digest, and best examined as its own entity by my estimations.

It was a dark day in Dallas, November ’63 / A day that will live on in infamy / President Kennedy was a-ridin’ high / Good day to be livin’ and a good day to die…” The concept and idea behind the record is awesome. Bob Dylan sings about the assassination of JFK.  His words are poetic and thoughtful, as we all expect from a Dylan record, and have heard consistently throughout Rough and Rowdy Ways. Beyond covering JFK’s ‘most foul’ demise, Dylan makes a number of cultural and social references.  Check out the Genius page, and there are a plethora of annotations.  The references that stuck out most to me were musical, as Dylan seems to explore his entire album collection.

“Play ‘Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’
Play it for the first lady, she ain’t feelin’ any good
Play Don Henley, play Glenn Frey
Take it to the limit and let it go by
...Play another one and ‘Another One Bites the Dust’
Play ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ and ‘In God We Trust.’”

Final Thoughts 

All in all, Rough and Rowdy Ways is by far the best Bob Dylan album in years.  Perhaps that goes without saying considering his last album of originals prior to this was Tempest (2012), but Rough and Rowdy Ways just feels special.  If this is the last album Dylan ever releases, it feels like the perfect way to cap off a legendary career.  Why? Great songwriting and storytelling, first and foremost, but also, great productions the fit the icon well.  Also, the order of the track list flows well, commencing with “I Contain Multitudes” and closing out with “Murder Most Foul.” One of the best albums of 2020? You bet! 

✓ Gems: “I Contain Multitudes,” “False Prophet,” “Black Rider,” “Goodbye Jimmy Reed” & “Crossing the Rubicon”

Bob Dylan • Rough and Rowdy Ways • Columbia • Release: 6.19.20

Photo Credit: Columbia