Together Through Life

I’m not too familiar with the modern Dylan releases but I have to admit that I am a bit disappointed by Together Through Life. Sure his voice sounds decently enough for something that sounds like a lawnmower chewed it up and spit it out, but this record sounds like Bob coasting. But perhaps that is the point; the record is light, and not too serious, but there just may be a bit too much pleasant mid-tempo blues rock and roll to distinguish the songs from each other. There is nothing very memorable on this record, unfortunately. Also, the lyrics are a bit disappointing with such atrocities like tracks 2 and 10. Bob co-wrote 9 of 10 tracks with former Grateful Dead co-lyricist Robert Hunter, which makes me question Mr. Dylan’s judgment and worries me that he is unable to do better on his own. This record features liberal use of accordion and organ, mixed louder than one would expect. Bob Dylan produced this record under the pseudonym “Jack Frost.” No FCCs noted.

1. Big production on blues number with loud accordion, horns, and organ. (3:51)
2. Mandolin on this ballad. “Life is hard.” Okay. Bob’s certainly been more poetic… Bob’s voice strains on some of the vocals. (3:39)
3. Bluesy plodding number with loud accordion and slow tempo. (4:15)
*4. Upbeat and somewhat long, rhythmic and kind of countrified; reminiscent of older Dylan storytelling songs. (5:49)
*5. Kind of dark blues dirge. A good one; hooks are appealing and some great instrumentation with organ, guitars, and mandolin. (3:42)
6. Standard blues rock and roll with more mid tempo easy listening music. (3:51)
7. Sounds like a sea shanty merging with a country ballad. Bob laments over a lost love. (5:54)
8. Up-tempo bar blues with some fun, if predictable, guitar work. (3:37)
*9. Perhaps the best track on here… it is just more memorable than the rest possibly because the electric guitar is tasteful and the accordion is comparatively subdued, highlighting the strong vocal performance. (5:25)
10. “It’s all good” coming from a 68 year old sounds as ridiculous as you think it would. More repetitive mid-tempo roadside rock and roll. (5:28)