Bob Dylan ‎– Rough And Rowdy Ways

This is the only interview he gave which tells a little about the songs:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/arts/music/bob-dylan-rough-and-rowdy-ways.html

11/12

This album has no reason being as good as it is. I didn't think Bob Dylan had it in him for a new album. It's surprisingly fantastic. Each song is pleasantly dark and powerful and the lyrics are masterfully written for every track. No songs stand out right now, but I think upon re-listening, I'll really grow to love it. But that's also because each song seems so good on its own and I'd probably want to listen to each one at any random point.
I don't believe it's a concept album, but to me it sounds like each track is a cowboy travelling through the desert at night. He sings about loneliness, goes to a saloon to dance and drink, and ruminating under the stars.
The last track was an experience though. "Murder Most Foul" is a nearly 17-minute song that essentially homages media throughout the years while memorializing the murder of JFK. It mentions some of my favorites like "Tommy" by The Who, Buster Keaton, and "Tom Dooley". Also, Fiona Apple plays piano on it. It's a beautiful example of Bob Dylan keeping you on the string and showing his dominance. He's gonna sing an extremely long and emotional song and just poetically list off different songs and movies. It's trememdnous.

ALBUM ARTWORK: The cover is interesting. To me, it looks like the intro to "Mulholland Drive" with people dancing in front of a green screen. It clearly has a country-western feel to it but it looks too much like the cover to some cheap late 80's country album that no one listened to or liked. Plus, the goofy western font makes it look even cheaper. I would like the cover much more and it would compliment the album if it was mostly black or dark gray and featured a western figure close-up hiding in the shadows. Similar to "Panther" by Pain of Salvation. Otherwise, the cover just doesn't work and doesn't show the listener what they're really about to hear. The only good thing is that I can easily picture this soundtrack being played at the bar in the picture. But, at the same time, that bar doesn't represent the album very well.
Artwork rating: 5/12

Posting here to add to the negative reviews being written. My copy was filthy upon opening. Surface noise present throughout, even after three thorough cleanings with an RCM. Low end sibilance on multiple tracks. This pressing unfortunately does not serve justice for such an incredible album.

Furious. Gold vinyl is tepid carmelo-yellow, $54, and the first track, I Contain Multitudes skips and pops on the first play. Infuriating.

Opened my copy today and like others who've commented, mine is a poor pressing with warp present on LP1. Overall I did not find it to be as pleasant of an experience as it ought to have been. Will keep my eye out for an import version in the marketplace since the reviews seem more positive, if I am understanding correctly.

After returning two copies from Amazon, I tried ordering one from bobdylan.com based on others saying they had no issues with their copies ordered from there. Mine had the same flaws as the Amazon copies. Both discs were warped, and it was audible on track C1. Loose vinyl debris present inside the sleeves. Non-fill on side D. I'm beginning to doubt that there are really any good US copies out there...

Returned this yesterday for the same reasons as everyone else: noisy and warped. Such a great album and the sleeve/packaging is well done, but hands down one of the worst pressings I've ever purchased. Have an EU version coming in the mail.

This pressing sounds great to my ears. Absolutely no noise. However, like many records pressed today it is slightly warped. Luckily it doesn’t seem to affect the sound at all.

Incredible album! Surely one of his best.