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. jamesnormann
    Sep 23, 2006
    9
    it is amazing that bobby is still good enough & far ahead enough to get bad reviews.
  2. sl
    Sep 28, 2006
    10
    Another brilliant album in the bob catalogue.
  3. HenryT
    Sep 28, 2006
    4
    People who rate this 10 are living in a fantasy world. His Bobness is a true living legend, no doubt, but there's nothing special here, 12 bar blues that ramble and roll but special it ain't. If this is 10 then what is Blonde on Blonde? Because Modern Times doesn't come within huey of his best recordings. There's one good track the others are just old an follk and People who rate this 10 are living in a fantasy world. His Bobness is a true living legend, no doubt, but there's nothing special here, 12 bar blues that ramble and roll but special it ain't. If this is 10 then what is Blonde on Blonde? Because Modern Times doesn't come within huey of his best recordings. There's one good track the others are just old an follk and blues stock soup. If that's what you're really after there's others that do this better. If you want 'rustic Bob' try 'Good as I've been to you', at least it has charm. Listen again without the rose glasses you'll find the number '4' pops up.… Expand
  4. BenE
    Sep 3, 2006
    10
    flows perfectly from start to finish, spellbinding.
  5. BobT
    Sep 4, 2006
    10
    This a brilliant album and it exemplifies why Dylan is in a class by himself.
  6. TimR
    Sep 5, 2006
    10
    best album I have heard in years, I especially liked the first 6 tracks -- I was expecting something good but not this good...buy it you won't be disappointed regardess of your thoughts on Dylan -- if you are a Dylan fan you will be overwhelmed.
  7. jackL
    Sep 7, 2006
    0
    im bringing down the ratings
  8. howdy
    Sep 8, 2006
    6
    This is an enjoyable Dylan album. A masterpiece it is not. I prefer Muddy Waters' take on Rollin' and Tumblin' to this "smooth blues" version. Too many of these songs suffer from flat arrangements and production; they are lacking in tension or drama. Many of the songs sound like the corniest moments of Love and Theft, e.g. the "Tweedle Dee." The band is a very pleasant This is an enjoyable Dylan album. A masterpiece it is not. I prefer Muddy Waters' take on Rollin' and Tumblin' to this "smooth blues" version. Too many of these songs suffer from flat arrangements and production; they are lacking in tension or drama. Many of the songs sound like the corniest moments of Love and Theft, e.g. the "Tweedle Dee." The band is a very pleasant Americana roots outfit, but where's the musical edge? While I like this album, I really don't understand the over-the-top reviews. For later period Dylan, I prefer Infidels, Time out of Mind, Oh Mercy and Love and Theft over this album. But those albums have some truly great songs. I still can't pick out one truly great song from this new album. Still like it, though.… Expand
  9. JimG
    Sep 8, 2006
    9
    Dylan matures gracefully. Dylan is doing what he wants and could care less about anybodys opinion of his art. Great CD
  10. BrianM
    Sep 9, 2006
    10
    There aren't enough adjectives to describe how good this album is. The Man's in amazing voice, the band is incredible....if you're not listening to this, your life is incomplete.
  11. PaulS
    Jan 6, 2007
    10
    When all is said and done this will be recognized as one of the best. He should win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
  12. TimC
    Mar 21, 2007
    6
    Lyrically, this is classic Dylan, spinning fascinating tales of the working class (even throwing in the proletariot!) but musically, the album is dead in the water. Dylan's road band come off sounding like a Vegas sidebar act, so smooth they're butter, and it makes it darn near impossible to listen to.
  13. PhilZ
    Jun 11, 2007
    10
    Clearly the best of the recent trilogy along with Love & Theft and Time out of Mind. Perhaps the best work since Infidels. This is one of Dylan's top half dozen albums.
  14. Jamesk
    Jul 12, 2007
    10
    C mon guys, ofc if this cd was under the name of an unknown arist he may had a average user rating 2.But c mon he is BOB DYLAN.Whatever he says is like gospel to me.Period._
  15. JanisP
    Jul 31, 2007
    10
    Very enjoyable album, with the mystery and quirks of Dylan making blues even so much more interesting.
  16. CB
    Jul 8, 2007
    9
    Great, great album. Like many of his great albums, like New Morning or Slow Train Coming, starts out sounding understated and then gets better with each listening. His best since Blood on the Tracks, Desire, and Slow Train. Don't judge by the first listening; listen again. It's a sleeper. Over the hill? Man's still got the juice.
  17. KenS.
    Mar 1, 2008
    6
    Thunder On The Mountain is by far the best song on the cd. This cd was over rated. Not really up to traditional Dylan standards.
  18. DanS
    Nov 19, 2006
    9
    An excellent cd......one of my best. If there were more up tempo songs on it, like track No. 1....it'd be a 10.
  19. BurtJ
    Nov 2, 2006
    1
    Another disappointment from one of the great minds of the 60s. We should have listened to him fifty years ago when his brain was fresh and he said he had no idea why he wrote his songs.
  20. MatthewB
    Aug 27, 2006
    10
    Amazing!
  21. PippoP
    Aug 27, 2006
    9
    A great album from a great artist.
  22. freepilos
    Aug 27, 2006
    9
    Great! Although i doubted i've heard Frank Sinatra.
  23. LindaM
    Aug 27, 2006
    10
    Great timeless music!
  24. RichR
    Aug 27, 2006
    5
    Well, I haven't actually heard this yet, so I"m giving it a five, but I can't imagine that Bob's larynx (around here they pronounce it lar-nix) has recovered since his last album. At one time, in the sixties, his voice, though rough and imperfect and unorthodox as heck, was the best thing out there. Years of, what? cigarettes? have fried his voice beyond repair. Don't Well, I haven't actually heard this yet, so I"m giving it a five, but I can't imagine that Bob's larynx (around here they pronounce it lar-nix) has recovered since his last album. At one time, in the sixties, his voice, though rough and imperfect and unorthodox as heck, was the best thing out there. Years of, what? cigarettes? have fried his voice beyond repair. Don't get me wrong, please: I love him, but his voice is fried.… Expand
  25. KikiG
    Aug 28, 2006
    10
    Yet another late career masterpiece. An impossible blend of music history, love, lust, fire and brimstone. The songs sould truly timeless. Some could be half a century or a century old yet there is no contrivance or exercise in empty nostalgia. They are as anachranistic as they are fresh.
  26. AKish
    Aug 28, 2006
    8
    let's be realistic folks.
  27. madsl
    Aug 28, 2006
    7
    a strong effort from the veteran master! it does not contain a single moment of pure brilliance but it is definitely a cohesive album with a great sound and some of the best singing of dylan's career...now that's something!
  28. RH
    Aug 28, 2006
    2
    Heh, I agree exactly with the [Anonymous] reviewer. Desire was his last great effort and everything since is a crushing bore. I'll pass on listening to this former great mumble some nonsense over sluggish, generic rock. Another Dylan album receiving praise for no reason.
  29. geofr
    Aug 28, 2006
    10
    after a couple of listens 'modern times' certainly feels like a 'major' work, residing quite comfortably within the americana 'canon' (i.e. jl hooker, h williams, m waters, s foster etc & all the other usual suspects) rather than merely reflecting it like most everyone else (including modern day 'giants' such as lucinda, g welch etc). it's art, after a couple of listens 'modern times' certainly feels like a 'major' work, residing quite comfortably within the americana 'canon' (i.e. jl hooker, h williams, m waters, s foster etc & all the other usual suspects) rather than merely reflecting it like most everyone else (including modern day 'giants' such as lucinda, g welch etc). it's art, i suppose - kinda the musical equivalent of the prose in his chronicles, vol 1. and it's simultaneously witty and profound, rocking and reflective, sensitive and cynical. his band is awesome through most of it too &, surprisingly, he's actually taken considerable care with the vocals. as important, these songs have been written with performance in mind - further adding to the repertoire for the 'never-ending tour'.… Expand
  30. 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.
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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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