The Bootleg Series, Vol. 17: Fragments - Time Out of Mind Sessions 1996-1997
by Bob Dylan
  • Record Label: Legacy
  • Release Date: Jan 27, 2023
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. AllMusic
    Jan 26, 2023
    60
    It's a lot of samey-sounding material to wade through just to find a slightly different version of "Mississippi." While the remix is instructive, offering insight into Dylan's intentions and making Time Out of Mind seem less like an outlier in his discography, this set is ultimately for the hardcore heads, who don't mind hearing minute variations on familiar themes.

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User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Outsideleft23
    Feb 18, 2023
    10
    Although it's impossible (and extremely foolish), to select one Dylan album as his definitive best, I'll settle for it just being myAlthough it's impossible (and extremely foolish), to select one Dylan album as his definitive best, I'll settle for it just being my favourite. What 'Fragments' shows is that despite its protracted creation these songs were worth fighting over, they are the ones that mark a new chapter in Dylan's writing.

    If there was one criticism frequently levelled at ‘Time Out of Mind’ upon release it was that Daniel Lanois’ production was a little too smooth for a supposedly blues-inspired record. t appears that Dylan wasn’t that in awe of the finished product either (I won’t go into the accounts of how Lanois and Dylan fought during the creation of the record – you can read that elsewhere), and thus the first disc of ‘Fragments’ is not only a new remix of the entire album, but Lanois’ production credits have also been quietly removed. Those amends are subtle but effective, Dylan’s voice feels crisper, you can identify the individual instruments of the stellar ensemble of musicians. Although you may strain to hear some of the alterations, the clearness of the new mix of ‘Can’t Wait’ reveals a gritty and, yes, bluesy song it is. The new mix of the aforementioned ‘Not Dark Yet’ may be the most striking of all the new versions, although the de-hazed ‘Make You Feel My Love’ seems unfinished in its new state.

    Full review available at www.outsideleft.com    … Full Review »
  2. Cinematekjunkee
    Feb 1, 2023
    10
    There is no other album in my musical journey that has had an impact deeply as Time Out of Mind did back in 2013 when I first listened to it.There is no other album in my musical journey that has had an impact deeply as Time Out of Mind did back in 2013 when I first listened to it. I was going through a very dark period in my life and the only form of joy was coming from listening to this sonically complex and lyrically raw album.

    Tracks such as Lovesick and Make you feel my love still ring in my head. I love this bootleg series that invokes a feeling of joyful revision of a true masterpiece.    … Full Review »
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