The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Year:1963
Rating:13

Bob Dylan is a brilliant songwriter with a horrible voice so it's better when people cover his songs. That is one of the worst myths I have ever heard in my life because it's the exact opposite. I have never, repeat never, herad a Dylan cover that I liked more then the original. (Some Byrds covers came close though)

I'm getting off topic. Bob Dylan's sophomore album is a huge improvement over his first. To let you guys know, his first album was filled with a bunch a folk covers. Enjoyable as it was, it is not even close to showing any emotional resonance. This album though is filled with originals that are not only both listenable and resonant, but are some of the greatest songs ever written by man. I'm sure you have all heard of the classic anthms Blowin' In The Wind and A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall. Both while very simple in form, are majestic in substance. The brilliance of these two songs belong to Dylan's voice and his poetry. I don't think I need to explain the man's talent for lyrics so let's focus on the dreaded one, his voice. I talked about resonance earlier didn't I? Well if you want something to touch your soul....Dylan may not be for you. He does touch mine however. (Despite being positive that I don't have one) Sure his voice is very unconventional and dare I say "ugly" but that's the point. Do you really want to hear say, Freddie Mercury sing these songs? That would be nothing short of a disater!

But don't be fooled by thinking these are the only two classics on here, there are tons more. Most notably Master's Of War. A very simple 3-chord song which showcases Dylan putting down the corrupt people who start wars just to earn money. (Sadly enough, this is what happens in real life) There are also two beautiful love ballads. The first is the romantic Girl From North Country. I just love how the guitar and Dylan's voice give the feeling of being with the one who you havn't been with for a long time. The second is the misogynistic Don't Think Twice, It's All Right. The winner for the best melody easily goes to this one.

The other tracks don't quite reach the peaks of these five but most of them are still great! There's a lot of humour in this album. Talkin' World War III Blues, I Shall Be Free, Bob Dylan's Blues. Generic in form, but Dylan's voice and lyrics make them come to life. There's some social critique a la Oxford Town. A short little ditty about protests of letting a black man go to a university in Mississippi. Very nice melody too. Down The Highway and Bob Dylan's Dream are a little on the filler side though. The former is too generic and the later's pretensions do not compensate the sub-par melody. (My Back Pages did a much better job)

There are also two covers on here. Corrina Corrina and Honey Just Allow Me One More Chance. Not much to say about these other than Corrina Corrina features an electric bass and a drum (I forgot the mention that this album's is fully acoustic didn't I?) and Honey Just.. is very enjoyable albeit very lightweight.

And there you have it. An amazing album especially considering that it came out in 1963. One thing I forgot to mention is how well it's aged. This album to me, hasn't aged a day. The fact that it's just a guy with an acoustic guitar (still common these days) and the fact that many of the songs messages still apply in modern times. Take Master's Of War for example. Consider this a high 13.