Modern Times
by Bob Dylan
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Aug 29, 2006
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 289 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 245 out of 289
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 289
  3. Negative: 21 out of 289

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  1. SimonG
    Aug 28, 2006
    7
    I have the feeling that we are dealing with the Emperor's New Clothes a little here. Whilst I *like* this a lot, be reasonable, this ain't no Blood On the Tracks or earlier. Those records changed the world. This is merely a pleasant listen from a respected bard.
  2. DerrickC
    Aug 29, 2006
    10
    BEST ALBUM EVER in the history of music!!!
  3. joshs
    Aug 29, 2006
    8
    Modern Times is a fitting end to the trilogy, and may be the weakest of the three. Still, it's a nice, mature album from the master songwriter. His band plays well also. Not quite as good as his two prior releases, that certainly could change for me with further listening though.
  4. DanW
    Aug 29, 2006
    7
    If this is a 10, where would that put Blonde on Blonde and Highway 61? at 15? Let's get a grip, folks!
  5. LaurenC
    Aug 29, 2006
    10
    As a whole this album is more complete than Love and Theft. Some of Bob Dylan's best singing and most personal introspection since Blood on the Tracks. Great album to get lost in....
  6. JimM
    Aug 29, 2006
    10
    Dyan's last Three albums have received universal acclaim for a reason. Dylan is on a roll. Time Out of Mind was his best album since Blood on the Tracks, Love and Theft kicked him into higher gear with rocking blues, and Modern Times tops them all. The best album of his "later years" and will stand up to many of his early classics (inlcuding the very uneven Desire RH!). Modern Times Dyan's last Three albums have received universal acclaim for a reason. Dylan is on a roll. Time Out of Mind was his best album since Blood on the Tracks, Love and Theft kicked him into higher gear with rocking blues, and Modern Times tops them all. The best album of his "later years" and will stand up to many of his early classics (inlcuding the very uneven Desire RH!). Modern Times has it all: folk, blues, jazz, rockabilly, and Dylan's voice sounds great, expressing the character of an old blues singer. Only Dylan could sing these kind of songs so well. The band is great, the sound is much better than TOOM and Love & Theft. This album is getting great reviews for a reason.. it is that good. There's no throwaway songs on here (I didn't care much for Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum on Love & Theft,, or Dirt Road Blues on TOOM, I wouldn't throw out any of the songs on Modern Times they are all great, but the opening Thunder on the Mountain, Rollin and Tumblin, Levee's gonna Break are some of the best rockin' blues you'll hear (no one else is doing this stuff!), and then there are the jazz/ballads showing his worn out voice can still deliver (When the Deal Goes Down and Not Talkin' are two more masterpieces to add to his long list) and Workingman Blues #2 is stunning. I… Expand
  7. KurtA
    Aug 29, 2006
    10
    Dylan is the GREATEST artist ever. If PAul McCartney puts out an album this good in the next 5 years, I'l eat my words. But this tops everything since Blood on the Tracks. It remind's you of why you listen to music, why you love Dylan so much. And, YES, oh yes, he rambles.
  8. SamuelG
    Aug 31, 2006
    10
    Bob Dylan returns, the king is here again with a perfect album. I love it!
  9. MitchP
    Aug 31, 2006
    9
    The streak continues. Although I don't consider it the last part of a trilogy because Time Out of Mind has a different sound to it. Modern Times is more like a companion piece fo Love and Theft. I agree with one user in that it's not quite up to par with The great Trilogy of albums from the 60s. I think it's lazy criticism to compare the two "trilogies" and put them on The streak continues. Although I don't consider it the last part of a trilogy because Time Out of Mind has a different sound to it. Modern Times is more like a companion piece fo Love and Theft. I agree with one user in that it's not quite up to par with The great Trilogy of albums from the 60s. I think it's lazy criticism to compare the two "trilogies" and put them on equal level. That being said, it's a great album… Expand
  10. BradP
    Aug 31, 2006
    9
    Another Dylan album - OK, it's not going to shatter us like Highway 61 or Blonde on Blonde, but this is terrific work. Dylan retreats into melodies and structures taken from the iconic folk music he loves and adds poetry as only he can. The voice is creaky, the band is as comfortable as old jeans, and references from 150 years of American songcraft echo like distant voices in deep Another Dylan album - OK, it's not going to shatter us like Highway 61 or Blonde on Blonde, but this is terrific work. Dylan retreats into melodies and structures taken from the iconic folk music he loves and adds poetry as only he can. The voice is creaky, the band is as comfortable as old jeans, and references from 150 years of American songcraft echo like distant voices in deep caverns. Since virtually no other artist manages this, it is difficult to compare except to more Dylan. He embraces the old and traditional songs as they once were - malleable scaffolds from which to project your own version of the truth as you see it, instead of stuffy museum pieces or inscrutable '78s. Interesting that more than ever, Dylan's work reflects his early influences - especially Harry Smith's 1952 Anthology of American Folk Music. Those 84 tracks loom like gargoyles on the Cathedral of Bob. Clearly an extension of the path blazed by Time Out of Mind and Love and Theft, Modern Times contains no surprises, only revelations slowly turning in your mind. No one under 50 could possibly create this stuff, and we should be grateful.… Expand
  11. MattR.
    Aug 31, 2006
    10
    This really is a fantastic album. There are no weak songs, and a couple are among his best. Personally, I find it more appealing than Love & Theft.
  12. IanC
    Aug 31, 2006
    8
    I think it's an amazing feat that Dylan has made an album this good nearly 50(!) years into his career, but 10? Instant classic? Among the ranks of Highway 61 Revisited and Blood on the Tracks? C'mon.
  13. LarryS
    Aug 31, 2006
    10
    Tim Perlich of "Now" is an idiot! A voice changes with age and this voice is well suited to the material. He was never a crooner, but that never detracted from the sincerity and immersion in his chosen material in a way shared by a few e.g. Johnny Cash. The only cynical attempt to pass anything off; is Petrich's attempt to pass himself off as a knowledgeable critic.
  14. aurelios
    Sep 14, 2006
    9
    muy bueno , mejora con cada escucha, sin rabia sesentera pero se degusta como un vino de reserva, saboreando cada detalle.no tiene un 10 porque sino que ¿le pondriamos a blonde on blonde?.
  15. SethR
    Sep 21, 2006
    10
    awesome. dylan at his finest. 10 GREAT songs!
  16. KenG
    Sep 24, 2006
    10
    The depth and breadth of artistry evident in this disc is astounding. How many more years can he keep this up?
  17. emiliog
    Sep 25, 2006
    10
    Lo mejor de Dylan en los últimos años. Un placer escuchar el disco
  18. sbsb
    Nov 12, 2007
    9
    Not the greatest work of Dylan, but certainly a very good album. Dylan never gets old.
  19. DavidG
    Feb 23, 2007
    10
    giving dylan a 10 is only because for at least the last 20 years (more) dylan has been addressing a bible based truth that being he is the spokeman for yahweh concerning his bride and her relation with the marriage of god and his people(us)we being the bride for instance jokerman is humanity not .dylan. the waitess in time out of mind again is the bride. enough said i hope you replay some giving dylan a 10 is only because for at least the last 20 years (more) dylan has been addressing a bible based truth that being he is the spokeman for yahweh concerning his bride and her relation with the marriage of god and his people(us)we being the bride for instance jokerman is humanity not .dylan. the waitess in time out of mind again is the bride. enough said i hope you replay some albums , oh the gar dener in 'not talkin' is Jesus...… Expand
  20. Sarah
    Nov 17, 2006
    10
    This is an incredible, incredible album. Workingman's Blues #2 might just be my new favorite song. Anyone who thinks Dylan can't sing should listen to this. I can't believe some people gave it such a bad rating...Dylan is truly incredible. The songwriting is amazing...deals with everything from God to sucking milk out of cows. Amaaaaaaaaaaizingggggggggggggg.
  21. SharonD
    Nov 26, 2006
    10
    Another brilliant album from rock's greatest songwriter. I am sick of all these idiots who want to keep Bob frozen in the 1960's. You all need to grow up (and wake up). Older artists can be as relevant and emotionally moving as the younger ones, maybe even more so. It's called experience, which one can only gain with age. People place too much emphasis on youth over Another brilliant album from rock's greatest songwriter. I am sick of all these idiots who want to keep Bob frozen in the 1960's. You all need to grow up (and wake up). Older artists can be as relevant and emotionally moving as the younger ones, maybe even more so. It's called experience, which one can only gain with age. People place too much emphasis on youth over experience in American culture. It's great artists like Dylan who provide an antidote to this stupid notion.… Expand
  22. ReubenF
    Dec 18, 2006
    7
    A sentimental favourite for Bob Dylan fans who can rejoice that this album represents an excellent return to form. However, in my opinion it does not deserve to be in the top 10 for the year.
  23. mhmusicnmovies
    Sep 7, 2010
    9
    Not as great as Love and Theft, but Modern Times is a hell of a record. Dylan continues to let us know that he is back; quite a fun album. The times may be a changing but Bobby manages to stay his brilliant self
  24. Vampire25
    Jan 29, 2014
    9
    An accessible record with master class song-writing, Dylan has never failed at writing a great song. His vocals are painfully gruff, and commands your attention with each track. It's a patient listen, took me a few times to really feel it, and delve my way through each track.

    All In All, Modern Times is a great record, and another one of Dylan's masterpieces. A-
  25. TheDaveHimself
    Jul 15, 2011
    8
    Bought this album while living in California. Every time "Spirit on the Water" comes on, I'm taken right back to those highways that flow into San Francisco Bay. From beginning to end, this is what you've come to love about Dylan. His homage to earlier music is dead on and some of these gems could have been pulled from the 1920s. "Workingman Blues #2" is another highlight and "Ain'tBought this album while living in California. Every time "Spirit on the Water" comes on, I'm taken right back to those highways that flow into San Francisco Bay. From beginning to end, this is what you've come to love about Dylan. His homage to earlier music is dead on and some of these gems could have been pulled from the 1920s. "Workingman Blues #2" is another highlight and "Ain't Talkin'" is already being hailed as another great Dylan work. Pick it up.… Expand
  26. Ricko
    Nov 28, 2017
    9
    The song "Spirit on the Water" says everything about what this album is - "You think I'm over the hill, You think I'm past my prime, Let me see what you got..." Dylan emphatically proves he's still got plenty in the locker here. Following on strongly from "Love and Theft", this is up there with the master songwriters best work from the last 30 years. 10 tracks of the highest calibre andThe song "Spirit on the Water" says everything about what this album is - "You think I'm over the hill, You think I'm past my prime, Let me see what you got..." Dylan emphatically proves he's still got plenty in the locker here. Following on strongly from "Love and Theft", this is up there with the master songwriters best work from the last 30 years. 10 tracks of the highest calibre and country blues at it's best. His vocals are surprisingly good as an extra bonus on this and the backing band he has here play a stormer as well. For me, this is the last great album Dylan has produced and the last essential one.… Expand
  27. eunice-vanburen
    Apr 26, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In creating 'Modern Times' Dylan has drawn upon traditional American music and has created a conservative album similar to his two previous studio albums. Despite misgivings that may arise from Dylan fanatics who have yet to hear the album and fear that its preservative nature renders the album irrelevant or worst of all boring, it takes just one listen to disprove this. 'Modern Times' is an attempt to make an observation about the state of the current world (hence the title) without making any specific references (except for the infamous mention of Alicia Keys in the opening track that says more about the 64 year old's music from his zenith era than it does of Keys and contemporary popular music ) to society. The lyrics are typical of Dylan in that they are cerebral and in fused with religious themes. However this album is not the mind bender of Dylan's landmark 1965-1966 albums and the lyrics and tunes are more simplistic. The relative simplicity of the lyrics makes this album more commercially appealing than a majority of Dylan's former albums but this doesn't mean that the lyrics have been dumbed down for the sake of a cheap and easy sell to the masses. Instead this means that the album is more accessible than is common with Dylan recordings and that the messages have merely been sugarcoated. Of course not all of the songs on this album detail Dylan's impressions of the world. This album is a combination of songs that are a loose commentary on the world ('Thunder on the Mountain', 'Workingman's Blues #2', 'The Levee's Gonna Break' and 'Ain't Talkin'), songs about relationships ('Spirit on the Water', 'Someday Baby'), a combination of both ('Rollin' and Tumblin', 'Nettie Moore') and a theme that must be close to Dylan's heart at the time of recording; aging and death (Beyond the Horizon). Although all of these themes seem to be entwined with one another across the album particular songs give particualy themes more prevalence than others.The affect that the album impresses upon the listener is that it is expertly done.The tone, the spirit, the singing, the music and above all the lyrics are as engaging and exciting as some of the man's best work.

    My rating: A+ (Perfection)

    Strongest song: Workingman's Blues #2
    Weakest song: When the Deal Goes Down    … Expand
  28. JayUK
    Aug 2, 2013
    10
    The best Dylan album of the 2000s and possibly the best of his career so far. I prefer listening to it on vinyl, Spirit on the Water sounds a completely different song when on vinyl.
  29. All_ButTrU4
    Oct 17, 2022
    7
    Third in his successful late career renaissance this controversially constructed album sits comfortably amongst his '97 landmark time out of mind and its '01 sequel love and theft. Its bluesy balladry makes it some of his easiest work to listen to. Cited as a wholly self penned masterpiece questions of credit arose in reference to lyrics and melody which legally were nil and void due toThird in his successful late career renaissance this controversially constructed album sits comfortably amongst his '97 landmark time out of mind and its '01 sequel love and theft. Its bluesy balladry makes it some of his easiest work to listen to. Cited as a wholly self penned masterpiece questions of credit arose in reference to lyrics and melody which legally were nil and void due to the age of the original work. This doesn't tarnish this album though. Modern Times like a wise grandfather talking to his grandchildren, at times exciting, at time depressing, but always undeniably impressive while still not cool. Dylan's most impressive quality is his acceptance of his place as a senior statesman in music whose goal seem to be about maintaining quality as opposed to creating a new energy. Therefore this is not his best record, nor is it attempting to be, but the kids none-the-less would be wise to listen… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2006
14
#14 Most Discussed Album of 2006
75
#75 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Uncut
    100
    Love And Theft was quite unlike any other pop album--apart, that is, from Modern Times, its direct and audacious sequel. [Sep 2006, p.72]
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    Intriguing, immediate, and quietly epic, Modern Times must rank among Dylan's finest albums.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    80
    It's hard to hear Modern Times' music over the inevitable standing ovation and the thuds of middle-aged critics swooning in awe. When you do, you find something not unlike its predecessor, Love and Theft.
    Read full review
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