Bob Dylan

So what does this thorough, comprehensive, chronologically sequenced Dylan comp offer that others don't? Fifty-two songs and a Mark Ronson remix of "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)." His replacing of the song's original snare drum with a bionic bass-thumping backbeat gives this 1966 classic a 1992 warehouse rave sensibility. Purists needn't worry much, though -- the rest of Dylan is pretty sweet. It flows with the predictable picks that made Dylan an icon, as well as less obvious numbers like "Blood in My Eyes" and the Roger McGuinn-bashing version of "You Ain't Going Nowhere."

Listening to this set of rejects from what used to be Dylan's worst album does have its morbid fascination--if you'll forgive the esoteric reference, it's like watching Ryne Duren pitch without glasses. Not only are the timbre and melody off--he was always wild--but he also doesn't phrase cogently, and the songs just hit the dirt. All of which is CBS's punishment after Bobby had the bad manners to sign with another label. I wonder how he could imagine that Columbia is less than benevolent. (Grade - E)