I first listened to The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan in 2005, which was 43 years after is was released. I can’t help thinking that “you had to be there” to appreciate this music, because I just don’t see why this is considered a classic album. While it may be a landmark album that launched Bob Dylan’s fame, the music itself is unspectacular. “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” are great songs – but that’s it for the entire album. “Girl from the North Country” and “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” are pleasant enough songs to listen to, but are by no means all-time classics. Those are the only songs even worth mentioning because there is nothing good to remark about any of the others.

I don’t relate to the songs that are meant to be political and I fail to find anything funny about the songs that are meant to be humorous. Part of my feelings may have to do with knowing in advance that this album is considered a classic, but an album as highly regarded as this should have more than two good songs on it.

Rating: 3 out of 10.