Together Through Life
by Bob Dylan
Rating 10.0 out of 11
Together Through Life is Bob’s fourth straight masterpiece, that’s how this review starts so just buy it. Following Modern Times in “06, “Love And Theft” in ‘01, and Time Out Of Mind in ‘97, Together Through Life represents a completely fresh sound for Bob Dylan. Time Out Of Mind was dark and beautifully atmospheric, “Love And Theft” was edgy and bitter, Modern Times was great rock and roll. Together Through Life is a Tex-Mex, south of the border sounding song collection produced by Bob himself under his alias of Jack Frost. These songs feel like a border town bar during happy hour, in a time that has not offered much to celebrate. Co-writing many of the lyrics (9 of 10 songs) with Bob here on the new album is Robert Hunter, who has written with The Grateful Dead among others. This is the first time Bob has written in collaboration with another lyricist since writing with Jacques Levy on the incredible Desire album from back in ’75. David Hidalgo from Los Lobos plays accordion on the album throughout and he is terrific. Mike Campbell from Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers plays mean guitar all the way through. Breathtakingly sad melodies drip from these songs, but they maintain a hopeful feeling at the same time. Bob seems to have a great time inhabiting these new songs with a band he considers to be one of his best ever, you can hear that they have a connection playing together on these tunes. I suggest purchasing the deluxe version of the new album. It comes with a DVD of an interview with Bob’s bonkers first manager Roy Silver, which Martin Scorsese did not use in his excellent biopic about Mr. Dylan, No Direction Home. It also includes a CD of an episode of Bob Dylan’s Theme Time Radio Hour, with this episodes theme being Friends And Neighbors; a collection of great songs by The Rolling Stones and Sister Rosetta Tharpe and other great selections, and witty DJ commentary by Bob with fan mail and everything you want in a good hour long radio program, which he does every week on his own satellite radio show. And a poster and bumper stickers and a lithograph and bookmarks, in other words lots of promotional stuff if you bought it at an independent record store, which is the best place to purchase music, of course. Have a couple of beers, or root beers, and enjoy this album.
Beyond Here Lies Nothin’- A love laden tune with the band in fine dramatic form with a great lead guitar by Mike Campbell. Also check out the Quentin Tarantino styled video clip for the song, easy to find on the web.
Life Is Hard- A bittersweet tale of losing a connection with someone you love, the band is in fine form on this slow burning song.
My Wife’s Home Town- A great play on the title leads a mischievous tale about some wife of someone who is from burning Hell below, with the band churning out a minimal bluesy groove.
If You Ever Go To Houston- A great accordion line from David Hidalgo leads this tale of Bob’s observations about the Texas city.
Forgetful Heart- A slow shuffle about love losing meaning, the band is amazing on this one.
Jolene- A great blues stomp about about a man’s obsession with a woman with another stinging lead guitar from Mike Campbell.
This Dream Of You- This feels like Baja Mexico, slow and dreamy with a heart breaking accordion lead by Mr. Hidalgo.
Shake Shake Mama- A great melody that makes you wanna shake, just plain joyous.
I Feel A Change Comin’ On- One of the best Dylan songs ever, it feels like right now in time, very present.
It’s All Good- A sneering Dylan snarls and growls his way through this sarcastic up tempo blues number talking about the state of things here at home in the US of A.
Bob’s voice sounds as sandpaper and glue as ever, with just a touch of pissed off optimism in his lyrics and delivery. The band as I have mentioned is marvelous all the way through, the songs have spontaneity to them and a playful mastery musicianship. The artwork is vintage photography that feels like the music sounds, and there is a great photo of Bob lighting something inside the booklet. Like I said, just buy it, you won’t regret it.
