Definitive Dylan - Top 10 Albums

by Zach Johnson
Comments (7)

Bob Dylan has released 38 studio albums across his storied career, so narrowing down his Top 10 best is certainly no easy task. Below is an attempt to nail-down not only his best albums, but the albums that have defined his career. Albums that have stopped people (including yours truly) dead in their tracks. Albums that have defined the multitude of "phases" and evolutions throughout his career, and that have solidified his legendary status as the greatest songwriter of all-time. Surely to be hotly debated among fellow Dylanites, your critical commentary and opposing lists are welcome in the comments below. Click an album below to read a review

1

Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde

Read review on rollingstone.com

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2

Bob Dylan - The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Read review on rollingstone.com

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3

Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited

Read review on rollingstone.com

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4

Bob Dylan - Bringing It All Back Home

Read review on soundblab.com

5

Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks

Read review on consequenceofsound.net

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6

Bob Dylan - The Times They Are A-Changin'

Read review on allmusic.com

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7

Bob Dylan - John Wesley Harding

Read review on allmusic.com

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8

Bob Dylan - Love and Theft

Read review on bbc.co.uk

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9

Bob Dylan - Time Out of Mind

Read review on pitchfork.com

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10

Bob Dylan - Nashville Skyline

Read review on soundblab.com

Comments (7)

  2. #6317
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I love Dylan, but am far from an expert or completist (unlike my brother). Somehow I have never quite connected with 'Blonde on Blonde' as I have the others on your list. Hard to quibble with your picks at all, but I would probably find room...

I love Dylan, but am far from an expert or completist (unlike my brother). Somehow I have never quite connected with 'Blonde on Blonde' as I have the others on your list. Hard to quibble with your picks at all, but I would probably find room for 'Desire' and 'New Morning' if I were to put together a list. 'Blood on the Tracks' is probably my favorite and the recent bootleg series just confirms that. Not too into his recent Sinatra thing, but as far as being an interpreter goes I think his solo acoustic 'Good As I Been To You' and 'World Gone Wrong' don't get enough attention. Great list!

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  2. #6319
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Thanks Mark. I really love New Morning too! Great little rustic "domestic bliss" album. For whatever reason, Desire has always been a minor chore for me to get through in one sitting, but some great songs on it no doubt.

I'm a big fan of his...

Thanks Mark. I really love New Morning too! Great little rustic "domestic bliss" album. For whatever reason, Desire has always been a minor chore for me to get through in one sitting, but some great songs on it no doubt.

I'm a big fan of his latter day so-called "renaissance" string of albums (Time Out of Mind, Love & Theft, and to a lesser extent Modern Times), but from there feel like it's been diminishing returns as of late (not feeling his Sinatra album either).

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  2. #6318
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Bringing it all Back Home (or Subterranean Homesick Blues in the UK) is my favourite. The lyrics are unreal, there's a surreal element to them that I think I've only ever heard matched by Beck on his early albums, especially Mellow Gold.

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  2. #6320
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That's an incredible album Bob. Side 2 in particular has always been a remarkably hypnotizing listening experience for me...casts a certain spell that is indescribable...lyrics are intense!

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  2. #6321
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Blonde On Blonde remains my absolute favorite. Think this list does a great job of nailing down his best along with the career milestones. Not to knock Time Or Theft, but personally come back to Modern Times more. Also, find myself listening to...

Blonde On Blonde remains my absolute favorite. Think this list does a great job of nailing down his best along with the career milestones. Not to knock Time Or Theft, but personally come back to Modern Times more. Also, find myself listening to Planet Waves a lot. I think that album is really underrated.

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Comment was last edited about 5 months ago by Kevin Orton Kevin Orton
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  2. #6322
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Thanks Kevin. For me, Blonde On Blonde represents the apex of Dylan's creative and musical powers...that "thin, wild mercury sound".

I've always been fascinated with the mysterious nature of his motorcycle accident and the resulting...

Thanks Kevin. For me, Blonde On Blonde represents the apex of Dylan's creative and musical powers...that "thin, wild mercury sound".

I've always been fascinated with the mysterious nature of his motorcycle accident and the resulting (significant) change in direction, which is part of the reason I also love John Wesley Harding so much...the contrast is striking. Have always wondered what he would have been capable of had he continued in that Blonde On Blonde direction, assuming he could have survived the breakneck pace he was on at the time...probably would have gone the way of Hendrix/Joplin/Morrison/etc., so in that respect, perhaps it's better he sobered up and became a recluse for a few years. Anyway, fun to speculate.

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  2. #6324
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Great list! I know I'm probably in the minority, but I've always liked Infidels. Sweetheart Like You is simply one of the prettiest songs I've ever heard, and Jokerman is excellent as well. A great album from start to finish.

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