Love And Theft
by Bob Dylan
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 163 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 146 out of 163
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 163
  3. Negative: 12 out of 163

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  1. All_ButTrU4
    Oct 14, 2022
    8
    The sonic sequel to 1997's "Time out of mind " and his whopping 31st record, Bob Dylan returns older and his voice rougher. Part of his later years renaissance "Love and theft " feels like a good step in the right direction. Taking a step back ,love and theft feels like a thematic stroll down memory lane with his best moments rehashed through a just as urgent light. From the openingThe sonic sequel to 1997's "Time out of mind " and his whopping 31st record, Bob Dylan returns older and his voice rougher. Part of his later years renaissance "Love and theft " feels like a good step in the right direction. Taking a step back ,love and theft feels like a thematic stroll down memory lane with his best moments rehashed through a just as urgent light. From the opening "tweedle de &tweedle dum " to the comparably sparse "sugar baby " ,Dylan shows hes still got a lot to say and just as many interesting ways to say it.… Expand
  2. Samimacedo
    Nov 10, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. HINARIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO melhor album da cerreira sim, vão ter de aceitara supremacia… Expand
  3. Ricko
    Nov 9, 2011
    8
    If your a fan of Dylan in blues mode then this is vintage. The greatest lyricist of the 20th century transitions nicely into the next one here. Some of his best work in decades can be found here and he really just confirms his place among the greats by adding another masterpiece to his colossal volume of work. Amazing that the guy is still able to produce such high quality material after 40 years
  4. TheDaveHimself
    Jul 15, 2011
    8
    It's Bob Dylan. Enough said. Probably the wittiest and most care-free he's been on a record. Fantastic follow-up to Time Out Of Mind. "Mississippi" ranks among his greatest songs, which is saying quite a damn bit. More proof that this Jokerman will always have some bite in him.
  5. mhmusicnmovies
    Sep 7, 2010
    10
    An absolutely amazing album ! In my opinion, its Dylan's best since Blood on the Tracks (1975) and arguably one of Bobby's best three or four records. Love and Theft improves with each listen. Brilliant.
  6. JamesD.
    Mar 16, 2009
    10
    It smells like dust and sweat. Dylan's rocky voice takes us along road 66. With a raw sound and a bluesy, rock and folk orchestration that lead the great man's poetry and humour on the winding and sunny roads of lucid hope. A great album !
  7. AlanB.
    Feb 7, 2008
    10
    This album was released on September 11, 2001. Bod Dylan may not be a prophet but he is a poet and poetry and prophecy go hand in hand. Listen to each track several times and you will be rewarded with beauty, insight and truth.
  8. JackH.
    Dec 10, 2007
    10
    A mosaic, a masterpiece. Album of the decade thus far.
  9. RussellF
    Sep 18, 2007
    10
    The critics are right on this one - a truly great CD.
  10. JamesB
    Jun 21, 2007
    9
    Yes, if you DON'T like Bob, you won't like this. But if you are a fan (and you SHOULD be), this is a GREAT album musically and lyrically. There are some very funny lines in a few songs that you really need to pay attention to.
  11. waynet
    Jun 15, 2007
    10
    I have been a Dylan fan for over 25 years and 6 years after the release of the album, I still find myself having to play it. Every track is Dylan at is best. This is the best of his recent trilogy
  12. EVHVH
    Jan 31, 2007
    10
    Again an icredible album from bobbie. He is the best. I don't know any artist who wrote more than 750 songs, who are beautiful. EVERY important artist is influenced by dylan, and if (s)he's not, he should not be named as a great artist!
  13. PeterE
    Sep 14, 2006
    10
    An astonishing album. This is up there with Dylan,s masterpieces.
  14. frankd
    Aug 13, 2006
    9
    a wonderful homage to the music of 30s & 40s. Pure joyous Americana.
  15. JesseF
    Jun 22, 2006
    10
    The Dylan album to own, if you only own one.
  16. paulh
    Jun 12, 2006
    8
    not a 10 out of 10 album but a worthy addition to the canon.doesnt reach the peaks of time out of mind but then again never tries to following its on beat which flows through an America of bygone days.Mississipi is the stand out track - havnt heard Dylan so playful in decades..Still the poet of our times who seems still able to express what everyone else can only feel.........
  17. BrianM
    Mar 5, 2006
    9
    Excellent in almost every way! Total enjoyment is to be expected when playing this recording, and not from just Dylan fans. This is for anyone that enjoys meaningful music, from the lyrics of "Missisippee" to the driving beat of track 5.
  18. jamess
    Feb 9, 2006
    10
    Being a Dylan freak, I might be biased ;) but this CD is worth being biased about. The epitome of cool.
  19. royr
    Jan 21, 2006
    10
    Bubba Hick....Dye? Let's leave writing to those in the know how hey?
  20. SammyM
    Jan 8, 2006
    10
    This is my favorite album. It's not only a great album but a great document in American music history.
  21. ThomasD
    Dec 25, 2005
    9
    Wow, he's happy again. I'm glad Bob, it's good to see you happy again.
  22. RebeccaR
    Nov 14, 2005
    10
    This latest dive (for me) into the work of Dylan pulled up gold once again in Love and Theft. I shared it with my father, dying in a hospice, hoping it would bring him as much joy and serious reflection as it's brought me.
  23. AnthonyN
    Sep 22, 2005
    10
    Leave it to the master
  24. kennetho
    Jun 25, 2005
    10
    dylan's most lyrically daring disc in ages succeeds on all levels for his ripening fans and will generate a new decade of afficionadoson scale of importance with ''sKYLINE'', ''SELF-PORTRAIT'' and ''J.W.H.''
  25. ScottA
    Jun 12, 2005
    9
    I don't believe that you can (or should ) take the work of an artist like Dylan and make comparisons to earlier work. He is a dynamic creator who must be absorbed in the time of the creation itself. That being said, Love and Theft is a remarkable set of lyrics that is almost prophetic in its accuracy. The fact that it was released on 9/11 sends a shiver up the spine ("things should I don't believe that you can (or should ) take the work of an artist like Dylan and make comparisons to earlier work. He is a dynamic creator who must be absorbed in the time of the creation itself. That being said, Love and Theft is a remarkable set of lyrics that is almost prophetic in its accuracy. The fact that it was released on 9/11 sends a shiver up the spine ("things should start to get interesting right about now"). Sugar Baby transcends melancholy and sentimentalism. It is a meditation on the condition of an aging thinker.… Expand
  26. JimB
    Mar 27, 2005
    9
    What an outstanding,heartfelt collection of songs. Bob's finest album since 1975's "Desire".
  27. kathc
    Jan 2, 2005
    10
    " .. got nothin' for you, had nothin' before.." But you did and you still do
  28. tim
    Oct 5, 2004
    10
    not only one of the best by dylan -- one of the best by anyone. if i could only take one song to a desert island, it would be mississippi...
  29. wayneh
    Apr 7, 2004
    9
    still got it
  30. BenjaminH
    Jan 6, 2004
    10
    No doubt a great album. A friend told me once that Bob was a shit, he listen to this album and i get him impresionate. Bob is a great singuer, he has a unic voice and her guitar is simple and beautifull carrying us to the paradise. He is poetry not only for his lyrics, also for his beauty. May be a little less monotomy will be better (9,8 willl be my rate), but there are different No doubt a great album. A friend told me once that Bob was a shit, he listen to this album and i get him impresionate. Bob is a great singuer, he has a unic voice and her guitar is simple and beautifull carrying us to the paradise. He is poetry not only for his lyrics, also for his beauty. May be a little less monotomy will be better (9,8 willl be my rate), but there are different elements that we forgot that monotomy. Thanks Bob...… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2001
11
#11 Most Discussed Album of 2001
29
#29 Most Shared Album of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. PopMatters
    100
    "Love and Theft" sees Dylan roaring back from Highway 61 at full bore, reminding us -- as he did on Blonde on Blonde, The Basement Tapes, and Blood on the Tracks -- that, like him or not, there isn't anybody else who can do his job.
    Read full review
  2. Mojo
    90
    An album virtually bereft of fluff and filler. [Album Of The Month] [Oct 2001, p.104]
  3. Spin
    90
    Where [Time Out Of Mind] stared down heartbreak and mortality with somber melancholy, Love and Theft finds Dylan taking on those same themes loaded up with piss and vinegar. [Nov 2001, p.127]
See all critic reviews »