Search - Bob Dylan :: Oh Mercy (Reis)

Great Album from a Phenomenal Recording Session!

Peter V. | 10/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is fantastic! The unique sound really makes it stand out in Dylan's massive catalog. The combination of Lanois's production, the lyrics and Dylan's best vocal performance in his career makes this a special album. From the fast beats of 'Political World' to the slow and atmospheric last few tracks, the sound and mood are consistent.



The recording session as a whole was phenomenal! From what I've read it was difficult for both artist and producer at times but I think so many good things have come from it. Songs such as 'Dignity' and 'Series of Dreams' from Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 as well as 'God Knows' and 'Born In Time' from Tell Tale Signs: the Bootleg Series Vol. 8 never made it on the album, yet are such great songs!



I have my own idea of which songs and versions should have made the album but I think the final product turned out just fine. It is better than all of his 80's and 90's albums except Time Out of Mind. You could make an argument that Infidels and Empire Burlesque are lyrically superior but those albums are hard to listen to unless you really like generic 80's production.



This is one of my favorites and one of the best not-so-famous albums by Dylan!"

Oh Mercy

N. Celender | 08/04/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My major problem with this album is that I didn't hear it earlier in my life. I'm always worried that Dylan will ramble on for too long and let his songs wallow in lyrical logic loops that start sounding like spoken word poetry over a predictable background of session musicians doing basically the best they can, but this album is terse, potent, just minimal enough. "Where Teardrops Fall" is just 2:32, the longest cuts about 5 minutes. These songs have varied tempos, an atmosphere, and soul."