Seeing Things
by Jakob Dylan
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Jun 10, 2008
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. AllMusic
    80
    In Rubin's hands, Seeing Things plays like a songwriter playing his newest songs in your living room--a seductive feeling that no Wallflowers record ever captured, which is an excellent reason for Dylan to step out on his own.
  2. Billboard
    80
    Under Rubin's direction, Dylan's laid-back rasp, often laced with smoky harmonies, gains weight and texture.
  3. Blender
    80
    Treading his father’s path, he’s never sounded so comfortably himself.
  5. Hartford Courant
    80
    His singing is a string of raspy exhalations, a measured and folksy wrapper for the despondent musings on 'War Is Kind,' one of several tunes that assess the outside world through introspection.
  6. PopMatters
    80
    Lyrically, this is clearly Jakob’s strongest material to date.
  7. Uncut
    80
    Together [Dylan and Rick Rubin] have made an austere acoustic album that could've been titled "American Recordings VI." [June 2008, p.87]
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  8. Boston Globe
    80
    Dylan, as a songwriter, may have lost interest in grand rock-band arrangements but not his sense of melody or storytelling.
  9. Hot Press
    80
    Jakob Dylan's debut effort, Seeing Things, is a bare bones acoustic record showcasing the talent of the son of Bob.
  10. Mojo
    80
    He's beautifully world-weary in songs such as 'Valley of the Low Sun' and 'Will it Grow.' [Sep 2008, p.102]
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  11. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    The unplugged treatment brings Dylan's strengths as a lyricist into sharp relief on his solo debut. [13 June 2008, p.70]
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  12. Austin Chronicle
    67
    With material this naked, a stumble or two is expected, but Seeing Things possesses enough newfound emotion to make even Bob Dylan proud.
  13. Lost At Sea
    66
    There are pleasant moments, but by any measure Seeing Things as a whole is rather bland and featureless.
  14. Spin
    60
    Melodically, Jakob could've dug a little deeper here, even if he was consciously avoiding radio-ready 'One Headlight' territory. But Seeing Things does manage a few unexpected moments of timeless grace.
  15. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    He and producer Rick Rubin deliver a well-judged acoustic set whose songs mix war weariness with hope and loss.
  16. Q Magazine
    60
    Though the younger Dylan hasn't the gravitas of those old masters, his best songs such as 'Will It Grow,' have an easy downbeat charm. [Aug 2008, p.135]
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  17. The Guardian
    40
    While his lyrics are as enigmatic as his father's (eg "I was born in the summer of Sam"), it's hard to care about what he's on about.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 31
  3. Negative: 2 out of 31
  1. MarkS.
    Jul 17, 2008
    7
    Everyone will compare this folk/protest album to Bob Dylan for obvious reasons but the real comparison and similarity is to Bruce Everyone will compare this folk/protest album to Bob Dylan for obvious reasons but the real comparison and similarity is to Bruce Springsteen. This is a very good album, in many ways better than Springsteen's folk albums but Jakob Dylan is no Johnny Cash and it would be very interesting to see Rick Rubin do an album with Springsteen.… Full Review »
  2. ToddH.
    Jul 15, 2008
    10
    I love the album. It's a step away from what he did with the Wallflowers and I like it. Great song writing and very listenable.
  3. MaddiL.
    Jul 12, 2008
    10
    I saw him in concert and he sounded exactly the same as in the album, which means awesome!
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