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By the mid-'70s, even Dylan's most ardent supporters began
taking his artistic decline for granted. Albums like NEW
MORNING and PLANET WAVES were fine works, but lacked the
visionary spark of his seminal '60s recordings. At 34 he
was already being written off as a has-been. That
presumption is what made BLOOD ON THE TRACKS such a
glorious sucker-punch of a record.
One of Dylan's most mournful efforts, this album, which
easily ranks among his best, is full of stories about lost
love and the struggle for peace of mind. With a simple,
country-flavored backing somewhat akin to NASHVILLE
SKYLINE, he recounts shattered love affairs in
heart-breaking detail on songs like "Simple Twist Of
Fate" and "If You See Her Say Hello." On
the vengeful "Idiot Wind" he rails mercilessly
against the ignorant and self-obsessed a la "Like A
Rolling Stone." The difference here, and the major
breakthrough for Dylan, is that by the end of the song,
he's lumping himself in with those he excoriates so
vehemently.
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