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Jun 22, 2020JCLBryanV rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
"Rough and Rowdy Ways" will ultimately be regarded as one of Dylan's finest albums, at least a contender for his best of the last thirty years. There are many reasons for this, but the two biggest ones are the quality of Dylan's vocals and his songwriting. The lyrics on a good chunk of this album burn with originality, showcasing his trademark dark humor and often surprising turns of phrase. The persistent growl that has hindered so much of his output the past couple of decades is not as prominent here; there's more control in this voice, expanding his limited but always expressive dynamic and emotional range. The true highlights are "My Own Version of You", "I've Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You" and "Crossing the Rubicon" -- all of which are masterpieces of mood and texture. A lot has been written about the 17-minute "Murder Most Foul", which closes the album. That one song is a whole world unto itself. If you're a Dylan fan of any era, you'll find a lot to return to with "Rough and Rowdy Ways."