puzzling (Self Portrait - Bob Dylan)

Member Name: simoncardwell

Product:	Self Portrait - Bob Dylan
Date:	14/06/09 (83 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The Mighty Quinn

Disadvantages: messy throughout

Derided upon it's release, 'Self Portrait' was tarred with the tag of being Dylan's worst ever outing, a feat possibly equalled by the long since deleted 'Dylan', this is a messy collection of songs, lacking any real direction & seemingly that way intentionally.


It has been suggested Dylan made 'Self Portrait' so uneven intentionally, he disliked being branded a 'spokesman of a generation', & used this album as a vehicle to rid himself of the tag. Perhaps confirming such conspiracy theories, was the appearance of the much stronger 'New Morning' only months later.

Certainly far below his usual standards, much of what is here is filler, with only really 'The Mighty Quinn' that is essential. There are re-workings of previously recorded tracks, covers, live tracks with the band, the end result being a complete mish-mash which leaves an impression of confusion.

The album is an anomaly coming after a decade where Dylan barely put a foot wrong & released consistently great albums every year, but this is too sprawling & confused to spend the time trying to figure out.

Summary: for completists only