Tempest – Columbia – 2012

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The Doors of Perception have been cleansed in blood. The blood of who? Everyone. Why was this blood spilled? That’s none of your damn business. This record is as tough, rusted and worn as they come. It’s also from the creaking and weathervane sound of it been rode hard in the High-Noon-Golgotha-Sun and hung up waterboarded from greasy head to despicable toe.

Preparing oneself before listening to this record is a fool’s errand because the tempest coming is through playing it safe and Bob Dylan has clearly had enough. Enough of what you may ask? Of everything still breathing or not quite dead yet. Of people, places and things shot full of light and killed for absolutely no good reason.

This is a dance record even the King of Kings would be proud of. And this is a record of wheelbarrow proportions that refuses to back down and isn’t afraid to twist and shout.

Charles Cicirella