A little more on Modern Times

...to be released Aug. 29, features 10 original songs recorded by the singer-songwriter and his touring band.

Song titles include “Thunder on the Mountain,” “Spirit on the Water,” “Workingman’s Blues” and “When the Deal Goes Down.” Dylan plays keyboard, guitar and harmonica on the album, and sings the vocals.

In a statement Monday, Columbia Records Chairman Steve Barnett characterized “Modern Times” as the third in a trilogy that includes 1997’s “Time Out of Mind” and 2001’s “Love and Theft.”

...A number of hand-picked journalists were given a playback of the album in New York City last week but were required to sign legal undertakings not to talk about what they heard. One record company source described the album as similar in style to 2001's 'Love & Theft'. Another source claimed the dozen songs include "at least three masterpieces".

6/12/06, 10:39 am EST

Bob Dylan’s “Modern Times” Coming This August

We just got a sneak preview of his upcoming album, Modern Times, due out on August 29th. Times, which Dylan produced himself, mixes elements of 2001’s Love and Theft -– blues variations (think “Cry A While”) and whimsical ballads (think “Floater”) -– with the darker, swampier vibe of the Daniel Lanois-produced classics Time Out of Mind and Oh Mercy. Only Dylan’s current touring band plays on the new one: ringing in our ears was the bone-chilling vamp “Ain’t Talkin’”, which may be Dylan’s most powerful album-closing epic ever. Other song titles include “Thunder on the Mountain,” “Spirit on the Water,” “Workingman’s Blues,” “When the Deal Goes Down” and “Neddy Moore.” Before the release of Modern Times, Dylan will be doing another summer tour of minor league ballparks.