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This is Bob Dylan at some of his dark best. One of the darkest Dylan albums (except maybe Time out of Mind and the Times they are a Changin'). This shows a maturing song writer and musician who deals with issues beyond the protest song. He laments, he croons, he builds a voice that shows why he is the greatest American artist ever. This album is full of beautiful songs, funny songs, weird songs... each with its own special voice. Unlike artists of today, Bob points to what is ugly about the world and says "look at it, don't turn away." He points to the complex timeless emotions we all feel and embraces them, makes beautiful art out of them. Don't waste time or money on anything else. This is a great album that lays the foundation for Blood on the Tracks, Desire, Love and Theft, and Time out of Mind.
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This is a wonderful album of Dylan's. He amazes us again with his exceptionally real, poetic lyrics and heartfelt songwriting. Buy it!!
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I first heard Another Side of Bob Dylan about a year ago. It made me want to hear more. Now I have seven of his albums, but Another Side of Bob Dylan is my favorite. This album is more personal and less political, so it's not dated. The lyrics mean just as much now as when they were written.
This is just an overall great, personal, poetic album. None of the individual songs are as powerful-sounding as "Like a Rolling Stone" or have as beautifully melodic instrumentation as "Desolation Row" (both from Highway 61 Revisited). However, I think songs should be appreciated in their places in an album, the way the artist intended. (Don't skip around on cd's! Especially not on a cd as good as this.) I read in the liner notes to Another Side of Bob Dylan (or somewhere) that the whole thing was recorded within one 24-hour session. I think I remember reading that each track was even recorded in the order it appears on the album. This gives the album a raw sound. (You can even hear him laugh at himself in a few tracks.)
The real beauty of the album is in the way you get to hear what you've felt before. Bob Dylan makes it so personal to himself, anyone can relate to his feelings. But also, almost anyone listening will be able to relate to at least one of the songs with something very specific in mind from their own life. It's hard not to think about a particular person when you hear "It Ain't Me Babe". Anyone who has ever needed advice or given it to a friend dealing with personal tragedy can relate to "To Ramona". "Chimes of Freedom" and "I Shall Be Free No.10" are just plain good songs (although I don't expect everyone to fully appreciate "I Shall Be Free No.10"). "My Back Pages" is for anyone who has ever matured or done the opposite or ever changed without trying to and didn't realize it until later. (It sort of reminds me of A Catcher in the Rye.)
Like I mentioned earlier, the best part of any great album is not the individual songs, but the album itself. I especially like how this album progresses. It almost grows up and matures. The last few songs have a different feel than the first few (if you listen to them as part of the album, not just individually). Kind of like life - maturity through understanding through loss. Like in "My Back Pages" - loss of that raw, un-rationalized, un-economical, pure idealism that hasn't yet had to explain or defend or examine itself. "I Don't Believe You" and "Ballad in Plain D" - losing any idea that he might have it "figured out" and losing innocence, both through lost relationships. Then, to finish it all off, in "It Ain't Me Babe", he takes what he has lost and what he has learned and gains enough maturity to avoid being reckless with another person's feelings - to avoid risking that they might lose what he lost. It might take a few listens (to get familiar with the songs and hear all the words and know what is coming next) to fully appreciate this album. By the third listen, though, it's just beautiful. At the end of the album, the listener feels that just listening was a maturing experience. It makes your perspective a little more seasoned and experienced. Maybe it leaves you feeling a little sadder, maybe a little wiser. At the very least, I can say that anyone who REALLY listens to this album will feel a little bit different when it is finished.
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Let's face it: the majority of rock albums sound painstakingly prepared and preconceived. From repeated takes and overdubs, to the finally ready for public consumption polished sound, albums are rarely spontaneous.
And then there's Bob Dylan.
A Bob Dylan record is straight from the hip; there is no messing around and there is nothing hidden. The songs stand on their own, and Bob Dylan's songwriting was hitting it's stride with this album. From the lovingly poetic "To Ramona", to the playfully romantic "All I Really Want to Do", Bob Dylan rushes through all of his songs with an almost careless precision, creating some of the most enduring and original music of all time.
This album is a key addition to those interested in his early folk sound, and it stands along with "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" in terms of charm and overall brilliance. Don't miss out on this; it's like nothing you'll ever hear. Simple but effective melodies combined with some of the best examples of poetry in music, Another Side of Bob Dylan is a wonderful addition to any Bob Dylan collection, or any music collection for that matter (though for beginners I would recommend "Bringing it All Back Home" or "Highway 61 Revisited" to catch a first glimpse of Bob).
Bob Dylan dared to be himself, which is a truly rare and unique gift in music.
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Although DYLAN ,like all true legends is well treated nowadays in greatest hits packages,some of his records are still worth buying.ANOTHER SIDE is simply DYLAN reaching his early peak ,before his electric conversion;it is with this record that you can mesure his influence on so many artists that will come after him.It was not common at that time 1964 for a record with such a running time.You will notice here how he writes his songs;he often uses the roots of AMERICAN music:blues,ballad etc,but his originality is that he is able to transform them and make them work on a personnal level.This is one essential record of the sixties that you should have in your collection.Your only excuse is BOB's nasal voice,which has always been a matter of taste.
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