Street Legal - Bob Dylan

The previous reviewer of this album gained a crowned review for their efforts, so i feel that to make any sort of impression, i have to make this good. But then looking at the previous review, i am not sure that i agree with all of what they say, for instance, they seem to lack the admiration for the lyrics on this album, which after Blood On The Tracks was his best showing in the 70s. The instrumentation and style of the album is another world away ...
...be a put off for some fans, and the debate stills goes on as to the merits of this album, but i am firmly in the lovers of this album camp. I see this as a masterpiece and view it as one of my favourite albums by him, although then i would probably say that about the majority of his albums, but never mind.

1. Changing Of The Guards - This is a great track to strat the album and at over seven minutes long, it is almost another epic by ... more

The previous reviewer of this album gained a crowned review for their efforts, so i feel that to make any sort of impression, i have to make this good. But then looking at the previous review, i am not sure that i agree with all of what they say, for instance, they seem to lack the admiration for the lyrics on this album, which after Blood On The Tracks was his best showing in the 70s. The instrumentation and style of the album is another world away from the likes of the previous albums and this may be a put off for some fans, and the debate stills goes on as to the merits of this album, but i am firmly in the lovers of this album camp. I see this as a masterpiece and view it as one of my favourite albums by him, although then i would probably say that about the majority of his albums, but never mind.

1. Changing Of The Guards - This is a great track to strat the album and at over seven minutes long, it is almost another epic by Dylan. This sets the tone for the style of the rest of the album and introduces the femal backing to Dylan's vocals. This style was often referred to as his 'Las Vegas' period, although i would disagree and i think that it is too demeaning of this spectaculr album. This song though is often seen as one about his life since beginning on his musical career some "Sixteen years" ago as he atones as the first words on this album. I would be entitled to agree with this, as i view it as a very personal tracka nd one full of loss and pain, but also specked with success and a feeling of fulfilment. Check out the chord progressions and the use of the saxaphone in between the verses for a feel of what the album becomes.

2. New Pony - A song that is both religious and also indicates a new love or a lost one, with the use patronising names and powerful vocals that heighten the metaphors formed from the lyrics. This is again a very strong some and the guitar in this is both powerful and soft, staying behind the vocals yet remaining a dominant force. The mixing and production on the vinyl version of this album was often criticised as the album's main shortcoming, but this was addressed in the remastered CD ressues, which i would recommned over the vinyl as it does bring this album above what it was.

3. No Time To Think - This song i feel explores the problems involved in marriage and relationships and as the title implies, this is about a lack of though that goes into relationships and the problem of rushing into things. This is slightly less powerful than the last two tracks but is still good and makes for a more poignant track.

4. Baby Stop Crying - This is where the backing trio comes into their own on this softer more endearing track that as you can guess by the title is a compforting piece, perhaps reviewing past mistkes in his relationship with Sara? I like this track and again the lyrics are a highlight of this, as they are on the entire album,a nd as such they need to be listened to rather than simply absorbed into the music.

5. Is Your Love In Vain? - Another track that hints at his past marriage to Sara, and as such the lyrics are poignant and worth a good listen. The vocals on this are also great, showing a more patronising style, or is that just me?

6. Senor (Tales Of Yankee Power) - This is a classic track that Dylan once said, "Many tracks don't really come up to the standards of the event the inspired them, but on Senor, i felt that perhaps is was better." But at any rate this is quite an eerie and haughnting track that is another highlight of this album. This change in style is nice and helps to emphasize this track compared to the more instrumental pieces that came before it.

7. True Love Tends To Forget - Another track about some of the failures taht come with marriage and love, but also feels as if their is something to be said for it, and that not all is lost. The vocals bring this track alive and make the lyrics that much more poiganant and explore the meaning and problems with relationships. Again this feels quite personal, although he never really explores the first person and seems to hang around in between that and the third person, careful not to make it too personal and profound.

8. We Better Talk This Over - A more upbeat track with the vocals more closely following that of the rhythm of the song, making the music more powerful and the lyrics becoming more intertwinned with the music. This is again very personal, as i have said of many of the tracks, which is one of the reasons i think that this is such a good album, the songs were more exploratory and Dylan was searching himself for some purpose and motivation after the failure of his marriage, and then comes the final track...

9. Where Are You Tonight? (Journey Through Dark Heat) - This is the climax to the album and seems to sum up some of what the other songs were trying to get at. This is very personal and is almost certainly about Sara and the break-up of the marriage, with the lyrics showing that, and the vocals calling out through the organ playing that intensifises this track, bringing it all together. This mirrors the first track well and makes it feel more complete, with Dylan initially exploring the past and now looking at what he can do after the recent trajedies in his life.

The album cover sums up this album perfectly, sitting at a crossroads in his life, getting over the divorce to Sara and soon to become a born again Christian. The music is unique to anything that Dylan had done before and it shows that he can pretty much do any type of music he feels like and pull it off. Some view this as a so-so album, but for me this is a classic and containes some of Dylan's best lyrical and vocal work, and should be a delight to any Dylan fan, although some non-Dylan lovers may not like the style of this and may do better to look elsewhere for their first taste of the musical genius that is Dylan. 

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