An older piece, available at http://tantmieux.squarespace.com/bob-dylan-articles-reviews-of/

Because Bob Dylan’s fans span generations, I appreciate the notion that “every fan has his or her own era of Dylan.” I am of the Time Out of Mind/ Love & Theft/ Modern Times generation. And Modern Times, it is comforting to note, connects us to the contemporary (as Rolling Stone magazine noted, his simple citing of Alicia Keys reminds us of where we stand in the here-and-now of music).

I have been a self-proclaimed Dylan fan for about three years now. In the 25-and-under crowd of Dylan supporters, we know an entirely different figure in American culture and respond very differently to his artistic offerings. After all, most people my age, that I know of, who listen to Bob Dylan have turned to him as an alternative to the status quo of radio sounds.

For me, the notion that music is constantly-changing is positive and exciting, but the direction in which it heads now is unsettling. I am a musician, and I would like to see popular music progress into further realms of technical sophistication. Unfortunately, as noted in Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, the majority (in this case, of radio listeners) may not always be “right” (there will always be disagreeing minorities), but they frequently control what we hear and see in the world around us, in a society where many aspects of life are mutedly democratic.

My musical tastes tend to appeal to that which is unique, edgy, and complex. I believe there are many musicians of my age whose preferences are similar because once one learns to play an instrument fairly well, it is ungratifying to listen attentively to a genre that lacks instrumental skill or deep-rooted musical influences. My appreciation for Bob Dylan stems partially from an admiration of his ability to lead his musical career in the direction of his personal ambitions. And, I have found that the results of his personal projects are so inspiring in themselves that I can enjoy any era of Dylan’s work. There is a certain honesty in the ability to draw art from one’s life muses without having to refer outside private aspirations. Dylan’s music is most inspiring to me as a musician because each period seems genuinely motivated by the spirit of a technically underestimated guitar-player. He delves head-first into appealing genres of musical complexity and creativity.

To any other Dylan fans-slash-musicians who do not share my reasoning: I don’t mean any offense to those talented folks really trying to make it in today’s music world. It is simply unfortunate that any young musician who emerges today with the energy and creativity of a young Dylan is likely to be written off for their lack of experience. This is especially the case in a climate of teenage punks whose images are based around shock value. And, sadly, this inexperience is often much too true. Even young Dylan himself based his music around his worship of another, Woody Guthrie. If examined from today’s point of view, early Dylan music might echo some aspects of youth music today that prevent our talented, college-aged musicians from being seen and heard. These include the musicians’ intentional superficial images, dedications to one artistic trend, and sometimes overconfident personalities. Dylan’s music, though, emerged in a time when all the young people were forced to take on the roles of experienced, responsible adults—even in their late teens and early twenties—because there were wars being fought in the US and overseas, and they were at the receiving end of reality. This allowed Dylan to rise out of his cowboy boots and into the role of “voice of a generation.”

Today we have a war, yes, but few musicians speak about it. And, when they do—when the artists come out and say what they have to say, is the message really met, and have they made a difference? Certainly times have changed, and it’s that voice of experience that we crave today. That is, of course, another reason why many of us youngsters have turned on to Dylan’s music. Whether or not he speaks directly about the atmosphere of these “Modern Times,” he is an experienced and accomplished musician who has marched through all his own ventures in a changing musical world. He allows his roots to show, and his skills to flourish, and his style is mature and accomplished. Often times, our hearts and our history books agree that he should be held in high esteem. In my opinion Dylan should have a great effect on the Modern Times generation for all who desire to hear his music. From his musicality and his wit we can learn to produce inspired sounds, trust our senses, and brave this (hopefully brief  ) period of musical stagnancy.