Bob Dylan’s album catalogue has been the subject of much adoration, with one particular record now being hailed as “underrated” by music fans.
While Dylan’s backlog boasts iconic albums such as Blood on the Tracks, Blonde on Blonde, and Rough and Rowdy Ways, his output during the 1980s, including some divisive works, is often overlooked.
The decade saw Dylan embark on a series of polarising projects, starting with the religiously infused Slow Train Coming in 1979, through to the synth-rock experiments of Empire Burlesque.
However, an album once dismissed as Dylan’s nadir has experienced a resurgence of appreciation among fans who believe it to be an undiscovered treasure.
On the r/BobDylan Reddit page, enthusiasts extolled the virtues of the “underrated” Knocked Out Loaded, Dylan’s 1986 release.
The Reddit post declared: “Knocked Out Loaded is underrated. And if it’s not underrated it is definitely over hated.”
It went on to praise specific tracks: “Brownsville Girl is masterpiece and They Killed Him is a FANTASTIC cover of the Kris Kristofferson song.”
The post did concede one flaw, with the user adding: “The only bad part about that song is the children’s chorus part. Obviously there are a few duds on the album but in the most part a very good one in my opinion.”
This sentiment resonated with fellow fans, who concurred that Knocked Out Loaded had been unjustly erased from Dylan’s legacy by contemporary critics.
One user expressed mixed feelings, writing: “I mostly agree with you, but I’m really not a fan of They Killed Him.
“Highlights outside of Brownsville Girl for me include Driftin’ Too Far from Shore, Precious Memories, Maybe Someday, and Under Your Spell. Under Your Spell in particular is a really solid song.”
Another enthusiast shared: “Knocked Out Loaded is one of my very favourite Bob Dylan albums, along with Down in the Groove. I merged them into one super-album”.
A third fan offered a broader perspective, adding: “I think Dylan’s 1980s output is [underrated] overall to be honest. Yes, there are bad albums, e.g. Down In the Groove. Even Empire Burlesque has shining moments.
“Knocked Out Loaded was the last Dylan album I discovered and I was pleasantly surprised at how fine it is. It has a couple of great songs and the rest are mediocre, but they never step out of line and all fit to make one complete product.”
However, not all listeners were enamoured with the 1986 album, as some still consider it “bad.” A listener stated: “Nah, it really is just bad.
“I love just about anything he releases, but there really is nothing here. Probably the only album that I can’t find one song or a part of a song that is an objectively good song.”
Another dissatisfied listener added: “I don’t agree, Brownsville Girl is a masterpiece I will agree but everything else, aside from Precious Memories which has nice steel drums in it, is dire.”