Bob Dylan's last album, 2006's 'Modern Times', came as a surprise to many people - devout fans included - who were not expecting a record of such solid, likeable tunes. And even if the soundtrack was more 'smouldering embers' than 'red hot', Dylan's ability to wring a likeable album from his chest of creativity after fifty years in the business was an admirable feat - heck, he even managed to squeeze in a nod to Alicia Keys. Modern, indeed.
Unfortunately, his 33rd album 'Together Through Life' tempers the congenial nature of its predecessor in the worst way possible. What originally began as a one-song project for a film soundtrack should probably have stayed that way; although the musicianship displayed here is undoubtedly satisfactory, there's absolutely no spark whatsoever.
Dylan's 'flu-ravaged toad' vocal delivery has always taken some getting used to, too, but it seems to be deteriorating with every album. Here, it adds no character to basic country-tinged songs built around acoustic and slide guitar, ukelele, accordion and softly brushed percussion - songs that are deliberately-paced, rambling, and basically as dull as ditchwater to listen to. A welcome measure of bombast is eventually introduced with 'Shake Shake Mama', even if its lyrics leave much to be desired ("I got the blues for you baby, when you look up at the sun / Come back here, we can have some real fun" - is this really the man who wrote 'Like A Rolling Stone'?).
Overall, however, 'Together Through Life' displays the worrying signs that Dylan has started to retrace his steps; even so-called 'legends' don't get free passes for mediocre albums. Perhaps he should finally wrap up that so-called Neverending Tour of his, take a nice long holiday, and come back with an album of songs actually worth writing, never mind listening to.
