An atypical (for Bob) year-long break followed the so-called “Christian trilogy”. When Infidels appeared, it was hailed as a return to form; however, it’s very close to Shot Of Love both thematically and musically. (The record company obviously liked what they heard; for some reason the inner sleeve advertised “other Dylan albums you might enjoy”.)The big difference this time was the production by Mark Knopfler, with support from fellow Dire Strait Alan Clark, onetime Stone Mick Taylor, and the reggae rhythm section of Sly & Robbie. This overall sound perhaps created a distraction at first listen, obscuring the lyrical content. It may not have been overtly Christian, but Bob was still very much concerned that we were approaching Armageddon.
“Jokerman” comes out of the gate strong, a lengthy portrait of a mysterious figure who deserves either our praise, sympathy or ire. We go even slower with the sneaky “Sweetheart Like You”, which starts out like a clichéd come-on but takes some sharp turns into Biblical imagery and proverbs. The Dire Straits sound is noticeable on “Neighborhood Bully”, which got a lot of attention for its seemingly pro-Israel stance (“He’s back to Judaism!” cried the critics). Whatever the message, it’s a tough one and a toe-tapper. “License To Kill” takes us down again, with a nice piece of moralizing.
Side two isn’t as strong, though it’s louder. He starts to yell in “Man Of Peace”, which is too bad because the words are pretty clever. The anger continues on “Union Sundown”, a diatribe against commercialism that also suffers from an annoying echo effect on the vocals. “I And I” features the rhythm section nicely through a sinewy tale (not his first) that begins by leaving a sleeping woman’s bed. It all comes home with “Don’t Fall Apart On Me Tonight”, following his tendency to end albums with love songs that include “night” in their titles.
Many will insist that Infidels is half-baked considering the quality of the tracks that were left off of it, but that gives short shrift to the eight that made it. Again, the production is one of the stars here, and one of the elements that still makes Infidels a very satisfying listen, and an album fans would go back to when underwhelmed by some of his less-than-stellar ‘80s releases. As time went on, that would be a very important thing indeed.
Bob Dylan Infidels (1983)—3½
I agree. Been trying to get my Dylanhead friends to re-listen as we speak. A surprisingly relevant-to-today CD. An interesting mixture of spirituality and politics. "...democracy don't rule the world, better get that through your head..." I dedicate the song to Blackwater and the CIA today! Peace. Maranatha. Jim M Maine/USA
ReplyDeleteRelevant to today? Is that a satirical comment or what? Lets tap our toes to 'Neighbouhood Bully' as we watch those Israeli tanks a-rollin'.
ReplyDeleteMy first and most beloved Dylan album.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad track on the album.
How much better would it have been if he didn't cut Blind Willie McTell?
Infidels stands out as an oasis in a desert. For my taste it's one of Dylan's finest albums, nearly every track is a gem - the lyrics bite deep and the accompanying musicians are superb. How it didn't make big waves back in '83 is beyond my comprehension. Union Sundown was prophetic given today's financial panorama and 'I And I' is a poetic rock epic only Dylan was able to conjure. Along with Blood On The Tracks it's a contemporary masterpiece never surpassed by the master himself.
ReplyDeleteNice review though I'd give the LP 4 or out of 5 myself... It's sad he left off so many great songs (like "Blind Willie McTell"); do try and get your hands on the 'Alternate Infidels' (HEN 054) bootleg; a pretty indispensable release... Also pretty boss -- though many disagree -- is Dylan's performance to "promote" the LP on Letterman.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, BTW.
That should've read "4 out of 5" -- sorry!
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous post #2 - those Israeli tanks a roll'in were in response to 8,000 rockets fired from Gaza into the Israeli bedroom community of Sderot.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, 'Neighborhood Bully' is directed at folks with your take on the situation.
When that album came out, my father basically lost his long time job working in the steel mills of Pittsburgh. When I was going to college (music school actually), he got me summertime steel mill gigs. I remember some steel mill cat admonishing me for going to school, saying how I could make 20 dollars an hour (this is early 1980's money) sweeping the floor at the mill. "Till greed got in the way" really hit home. Like I said, my dad eventually lost his job, but I saw that coming (and so did Bob). That song is mostly hated on this site (for God knows what reason), but it rings true.
ReplyDeleteInfidels was a great return to form, albeit in a different context. I love the way Sly & Robbie play Rock N Roll. Who else could've brought that out of them?
I great record that only becomes stronger after hearing all of the amazing outakes.
Neighborhood Bully can create some emotional ambivalence at first, but if you listen without preconceived ideas, there is much to learn here...about Isreal's long, hard history. I don't condone some of Isreal's military and political actions, but neither should the death wishes of the anti-Jewish state sthat surround her. Nor the countries "that pollute the moon and stars"...as others have mention Union Sundown very relevant ,if not, prescient. Dylan's natural and biblical(theological?) loyalties are with the Jewish people. There are no easy solutions. My point is even with Neighborhood Bully, the album is very relevant, and perhaps Neighborhood Bully the most. Do wish Blind Willie McTell hadn't been cut, but not sure it blends with the album as we have it. Glad we finally got to hear it.
ReplyDeleteJLM Maine (again)