What We're Listening To

Bob Dylan casts such a huge shadow over the music world that critics don't even review his albums anymore.

Instead, they seem to fall back on reviewing themselves.

The legend is conjoined to a brightly-painted era of genius, but how does this relate to his 33rd album, released as he approaches his 68th birthday? And can the reviewer split the two in their own head?

Thanks to the awesome influence of the man who created it, Together Through Life is destined to encourage either zealotry or iconoclasm. But as a statement of musical intent, it's hardly as inflammatory as those first electrified strains at Newport in 1965.

It's essentially a likeable collection of familiar melodies elevated by the sheer force of the performer's charisma.

Songs such as It's All Good, Forgetful Heart and If You Ever Go To Houston are bluesy efforts carried by Dylan's gravely, cynical voice, but don't so much define any particular state of mind so much as grumpily brush it as it passes it in the hall.