Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Maggie’s Farm Start here — This track opens the album with a powerful declaration of independence from societal expectations, setting the tone for the rest of the record.
-
→
Lay, Lady, Lay — With its lush instrumentation and seductive melody, this song showcases Dylan's ability to blend poetic lyrics with accessible tunes, making it a standout hit.
-
→
Idiot Wind — 'Idiot Wind' serves as a raw exploration of betrayal and disillusionment, featuring some of Dylan's most biting lyrics that resonate deeply with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong lyrical content and varied pacing but lacks some cohesion in its flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving rhythm on 'Maggie’s Farm' and maintains a mid-tempo pace through the first half, before slowing down significantly in the latter tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- melancholic storytelling for reflection
- slow-paced introspection on journeys
- thoughtful lyrics for quiet moments
- emotional depth in every track
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat, fast-paced songs
- prefer standalone, catchy singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid entry in Dylan's catalog that showcases his introspective style but isn't widely recognized.
- Themes
- shelter from storms· personal disillusionment· mid-1970s introspection
- Career context
- When 'Hard Rain' was released in 1976, Bob Dylan was coming off the success of his previous album 'Desire' (1976), which had solidified his position as a key figure in American music. This album followed shortly after a tumultuous period in Dylan's life, including a divorce and intense public scrutiny, leading to a more somber, reflective tone that permeates the tracks.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leonard Cohen· Neil Young· Johnny Cash
Tracklist
- 1 Maggie’s Farm Start here 5:23
- 2 One Too Many Mornings 3:47
- 3 Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again 6:01
- 4 Oh, Sister 4:08
- 5 Lay, Lady, Lay 5:47
- 6 Shelter From the Storm 5:29
- 7 You’re a Big Girl Now 7:01
- 8 I Threw It All Away 3:18
- 9 Idiot Wind 10:22
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
On the Beach
Neil Young
Shares a similar introspective mood with themes of disillusionment and reflective storytelling.
Blue
Joni Mitchell
Features deeply personal lyrics and melancholic melodies that resonate with emotional vulnerability.
Songs of Love and Hate
Leonard Cohen
Explores profound themes of love and despair with a haunting, reflective atmosphere.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.