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Love And Theft Image
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 163 Ratings

  • Summary: Picking up where 1997's resurgent 'Time Out of Mind' left off, 'Love And Theft' finds the 60-year-old Dylan self-producing the album's 12 tracks.

Top Track

Mississippi
Every step of the way, we walk the line Your days are numbered, so are mine Time is piling up, we struggle and we stray We're all boxed in, nowhere... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. "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.
  2. 100
    [Dylan's] most cohesive work in over a decade...
  3. It may not be a better album than ''Time Out of Mind,'' but it glides from genre to genre with a sprightly glee, as if Dylan were traversing the American musical landscape in search of thrills, revenge, and reparation.
  4. "Love and Theft" showcases the gloriously sloppy spontaneity he's displayed onstage but only rarely captured on record.
  5. It doesn't really break any new ground, but that's not the point. This record is about Dylan cutting loose and celebrating the richness of American music.
  6. 80
    Love and Theft is a strange trip through Dylan's personal relationship with the blues, whether it's the silly story-song "Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum," the mandolin lament "Mississippi," or the solid blues-rock of "Lonesome Days Blues" and "Summer Days."
  7. Shredding Paper
    70
    Doesn't come together as a cohesive effort, as a number of songs just don't fit in. [#11]

See all 20 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 69
  2. Negative: 5 out of 69
  1. 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 fourAn 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. Expand
  2. kathc
    Jan 2, 2005
    10
    " .. got nothin' for you, had nothin' before.." But you did and you still do
  3. JohnD.
    Oct 3, 2001
    10
    Remarkably loving & energetic, a celebration of freedom from w/in pain, a meditation on fate & its refusal, this collection soars throughout Remarkably loving & energetic, a celebration of freedom from w/in pain, a meditation on fate & its refusal, this collection soars throughout like very few other high points in this artist's long career. Expand
  4. PeterE
    Sep 14, 2006
    10
    An astonishing album. This is up there with Dylan,s masterpieces.
  5. RossM.
    Nov 2, 2001
    9
    The record if a happy man who no doubt gets up in the morning looks in the mirror and thinks he now likes what he sees.
  6. 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 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. Expand
  7. BubbaHick
    Jan 7, 2006
    0
    Bob Dylan sucks he's a fruitcake and should dye, He's like fucking Cher!!!

See all 69 User Reviews

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