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Rough and Rowdy Ways Image
Metascore
95

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 192 Ratings

  • Artist(s): Blind Boy Grunt
  • Summary: The first new studio release of new music for the singer-songwriter in eight years.
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Top Track

False Prophet
Another day that don't end Another ship goin' out Another day of anger, bitterness, and doubt I know how it happened I saw it begin I opened my... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Jun 25, 2020
    100
    Rough and Rowdy Days is a typically astounding, kaleidoscopic journey through the last half-century of American history. ... Dylan lapped us a long time ago. He’s still sprinting far ahead. And now he definitely can’t be caught.
  2. Jun 15, 2020
    100
    “Rough and Rowdy Ways” rolls out one marvel after another, with killer playing from the singer’s road band.
  3. 100
    Rough and Rowdy Ways is long, intricately woven and illuminating as a medieval tapestry, and just as precious. It’ll make you cry, it’ll make you tear your hair out, it’ll make you gasp with awe.
  4. Jun 15, 2020
    90
    An artist haunted by the prospect of his passing while still facing down new challenges, Bob Dylan remains above all else a student of America.
  5. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jul 29, 2020
    90
    Rough And Rowdy Ways is unique, precious testimony from an elderly rock'n'roll survivor who, for all the games he plays, is a seer nonetheless. [Aug 2020, p.82]
  6. Jun 22, 2020
    90
    As with his best work, Rough and Rowdy Ways encompasses the infinite potential for grace and disaster that can be clearly discerned but rarely summarized in the most turbulent of ages.
  7. Jun 18, 2020
    67
    Dylan could use some editing here, for sure, but it’d be even better to let his band off their leashes and, like in the old juke joint featured on the album’s cover, close the windows and let it get hot in there.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 35
  2. Negative: 1 out of 35
  1. Jun 22, 2020
    10
    This is up there with Love and Theft and Time out of Mind. Another great album that is a mix of fun, mischief, and reflection. It is some kindThis is up there with Love and Theft and Time out of Mind. Another great album that is a mix of fun, mischief, and reflection. It is some kind of alchemy that he can continue to put out classics like this that take where he's been and move it on to something new and different. I absolutely love it. All of it. Expand
  2. Nov 24, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Best album since times out of mind. Pleasant vocals, meaningful lyrics and all the good that Dylan can give to us Expand
  3. Jun 24, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have made a test score, I see that the positive scores do allow them to load and you are deleting the negative ones in addition to blocking them. Censoring consumer freedom of expression for The Last of US game. You have fallen very low. Expand
  4. Oct 13, 2020
    9
    At 79 years old, probability suggests that "Rough and Rowdy Ways" may well be Dylan's last album of original songs. Here's hoping for a followAt 79 years old, probability suggests that "Rough and Rowdy Ways" may well be Dylan's last album of original songs. Here's hoping for a follow up but if "Rough and Rowdy Ways" does indeed turn out to be his farewell then what a way to go. It's my favourite Dylan album since 2006's "Modern Times". This latest offering is similar in many ways to that one and if you liked "Modern Times", you'll really enjoy this. Lyrically it is mesmerising if you have the patience to absorb over an hour of attention demanding material. The songs are backed by highly melodic and generally high quality backing arrangements rooted in blues. My own personal favourite is "I've Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You", it's probably one of the less incisive tracks lyrically but the blend of melody and lyrics just transmits the feel of an old timer, sitting back, drifting slowly in and out of the present while also reminiscing. Of course context is key, when Dylan is gone I doubt if any of these songs will be played in his memory ahead of his treasure trove of a back catalog. Having said that, as an album "Rough and Rowdy Ways" is a beauty. Disc 1 consistently delivers the good and is a masterclass in song writing and poetry. Disc 2 is made up soley of the 17 minute epic "Murder Most Foul", a song right up their with "Hurricane" in terms of storytelling if not necessarily musically. The revolutionary songwriter who first came on the scene almost 60 years ago is still landing his punches with surgical precision. Expand
  5. Jun 21, 2020
    9
    Its a foot tapper. I like his voice and he seems to be timeless and an essential part of America
  6. Jun 20, 2020
    8
    worth listening, haunting, feels like his last but hopefully not. Bob's voice imo has slightly improved, though he growls but it's more impressive ngl
  7. Nov 1, 2020
    0
    A bit overrated if you read what the critics are saying, but still worth listening to if you like Dylan.

    I join fellow critics in the
    A bit overrated if you read what the critics are saying, but still worth listening to if you like Dylan.

    I join fellow critics in the opinion that critics have praised his latest albums because he's old and will soon leave his last album on earth.

    Some good lyrics in his songs, quite deep, but it would be better as a book of poems than as a music album. It lacks charm in rhythms, chords, production...
    Expand

See all 35 User Reviews

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