(***) October 27, 1983. 22nd Studio Album.
After his so-called born-again trilogy of albums in the late 7’0s and early ’80s, Dylan returned to a mainstream rock sound with the excellent Infidels. One of the cleanest-sounding recordings Dylan has done, the album has a hypnotizing sound, no doubt in part to the guitar work and production of Mark Knopfler, and the Jamaican rhythm section Sly & Robbie on bass and drums. Ex-Rolling Stone Mick Taylor also added a blues-rock element to the mix. In both great lyrical and vocal form, Dylan switches from the reggae-tinged “Jokerman” and “I and I” to rockers including “Neighborhood Bully” and “Union Sundown,” and concludes with the heartfelt “Don’t Fall Apart on Me Tonight.” Although a bit plodding at times and suffering slightly from ‘80s digital production values, it’s nonetheless a strong album, even if there is no single killer cut.
One of his masterpieces! Nary a weak spot on the album.
Top 5 of his catalog.
1983 RMS Music Society Award Winner!
Have you heard Bettye Lavette’s version of “Don’t Fall Apart on Me Tonight?”
I believe she put out a Dylan covers album last year. Very nice.