An album in the lengthy discography of Bob Dylan has been singled out as an “overrated” release which is “nowhere near as good” as other releases.
The veteran songwriter, who is currently carrying out the European leg of the Rough and Rowdy Ways tour, has dozens of studio albums, as well as live releases and compilations. But one stands out to fans for all the wrong reasons, as members of the r/BobDylan subreddit shared their thoughts on what they believe is an “overrated” piece from the legendary musician. In a thread posted to the forum, a fan asked what listeners believed was the most overrated album in his discography, and came out with Infidels as their choice. The 1983 album features classics like License to Kill and Jokerman but it doesn’t seem to have landed all too well for one fan.
They wrote: “I love Jokerman with all my heart, but I really don’t care for any other songs on Infidels. Very on the nose for my taste. Tom Petty’s live cover of License to Kill is great, though.” Some were in agreement with this appraisal of Infidels, with one listener even suggesting it’s more a precursor to Empire Burlesque than a worthy part of the post-religious trilogy of Slow Train Coming, Saved, and Shot of Love.
A listener wrote: “I agree with Infidels. I connect to Empire Burlesque from that era more.” Another fan agreed, adding: “I always thought that Infidels was a poor attempt to recreate from the ego mind that which had flowed from a higher place earlier on. There are really poor songs (Neighbourhood Bully) to hack social cultural statements. I never listen to it. Screechy and preachy. (Secularly, not religiously, thank God.)”
A third disagreed, replying: “Infidels has Mark Knopfler, so it has a special power and vibe to it, and Dylan is in a dark place, it’s awesome! The unreleased stuff, too, Blind Willie McTell and Foot of Pride are outstanding.”
Other listeners have suggested another of Dylan’s 1980s output is the most “overrated” in his discography. They wrote: “I think Oh Mercy gets too much praise because it represents a return to solid writing after a few years of real wilderness.
Also, I think Lanois’ production is very good. But I don’t think the lyrics rank among his best. The songs feel a little on the nose sometimes, and occasionally they even feel forced.”
Another agreed, adding: “That being said, an overrated album is Oh Mercy. The songs are, for the most part, repetitive and lazy. If it wasn’t for Lanois’ production building this brooding, dark feel, it would be Empire Burlesque.”
A third shared: “Oh Mercy isn’t that good. The songs are repetitive and if it wasn’t for Lanois, it would suck. Fight me.” Oh Mercy is regarded by many as a return to form for Dylan, who would follow the 1989 release up with two covers albums in the early ’90s, and then Time Out of Mind in 1997.
