Mixed reviews for Bob Dylan's new Christmas album

[Mr. Sparkle]

Early reviews are pouring in for Bob Dylan's new Christmas album and the verdict is anything but unanimous.

Customer reviews of "Christmas in the Heart" on the iTunes Music Store are averaging 3.5 stars, but the vast majority of the reviews are in the extreme. It's either a five-star stroke of genius, or a one-star abomination.

"Bob Dylan stands for a generation, now for a holiday," writes An M. Gardam. Five stars.

"Christmas has indeed come early!" exclaims Blitzen, Dasher and Prancer. "O come all ye Dylan faithful and partake in what may be the master's most important album since Blood on the Tracks. If you've been nice this year, this gem may just show up in your stocking." Five Stars.

"Ah, what were they thinking?" asks Gray Matter, Inc. "This is bad. Really, really bad and I pretty much love any holiday song." One Star.

Forces of Gravity is "Speechless" -- "Never thought that I<'d> live to hear Bob doing a Christmas album! It is certainly not what I thought it would be... but it is still strangely interesting and exciting." Five Stars.

Vesuvio Cat agrees. "This is more than just a Christmas album... It is very sincere, very poignant, and will absolutely go down as one of his biggest successes and yes, biggest surprises." Five stars. Why Bob? writes: "There is no God -- I'm killing myself. NOW." One Star.

The album gave RC6699 bloody thoughts as well. "This would make any kid or adult scream in pain... I'm saving it for Halloween." One Star.

But in the eyes of some fans, Dylan can simply do no wrong. "I'd be happy listening to him sing the dictionary," says Joe from California. Five Stars.

"It's Bob," agrees Stumbles Four Twenty, "Got to love it!" Five Stars.

Dylan, then called Bobby Zimmerman, grew up Jewish on Minnesota's Iron Range. In the late 1970's he openly embraced Christianity in his life and music. But this is his first full-fledged Christmas album. Perhaps it will also be his last.

You can hear some outtakes of the songs on mpr ... at the top of the page.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/10/14/mixed-reviews-for-bob-dylans-new-christmas-album/

I dunno what to say, except that the jury is still out for me.

[rug]

1. Arggh, he's beccome Leon Redbone.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/tools/media_player/popup.php?name=minnesota/news/features/2009/10/14/dylanchristmas_20091014_64

[graywarrior]

2. It sucks

And I mean it SUCKS!!!!

[brendan120678]

3. It's Okay...

not spectacular, not horrible - just okay.
A mediocre Christmas album.
Kinda like Elvis' Christmas album (the original one).

[kimmerspixelated]

4. Give DYLAN a break!

I thought the main reason for doing the cd was to generate profits directly to charity. I thought it was all going to charity. So maybe, even if it's shit-it's still all good!

[SteppingRazor]

5. Hmm. I kinda fall in the middle.

That person who wrote a five star review and said it's Dylan's best work since Blood on the Tracks has apparently not listened to all of Dylan's work since Time Out of Mind. ("Love and Theft" is easily the man's best work since Blood on the Tracks, for the record.)

That said, I don't think this is a horrible album. I was certainly expecting the worst when I heard he was doing it, but upon hearing the album, I was actually pleasantly surprised. I think 3.5 stars sounds about right.