Bob Dylan - Together Through Life

There's quite literally no-one like Bob Dylan. In terms of his canonical stature, his stylistically ever-evolving career, and, to many, his seemingly blatant inability to write or carry a single decent tune.

To some he is God. To others, a pointless, nasally dullard whose back-catalogue looks about as appealing as a rusty spade in the prostate. These naysayers, however, are overlooking the fact that Dylan does indeed possess God-like qualities: during a brief period in the mid 80's he worked as a mind reading hypnotist for P&O Cruises; he's repeatedly claimed he possesses x-ray vision that allows him to see through walls and ladies outer clothing; and in some circles he is better known for his ability to fold the perfect paper aeroplane than he is for his musical achievements.

Despite what his critics say, Dylan's career has continued to bloom, even into later life. Now 68, Dylan is a well-known figure in his adopted hometown of Huddersfield, where he can regularly be seen out and about: checking a pair of filthy carrier bags loaded with thrillers out of his local library, drinking a pint of Green King in the Lindley Labour Club, or sharing his 'views' on immigration with the queue for the free bus to Morrisons.

And it is in Huddersfield - the shed on his allotment, specifically - that he has recorded Together Through Life, his first album since 2007's universally bum-kissed Modern Times.

The two records couldn't be more different. Whereas Modern Times was crafted from pre-rock-and-roll signatures, lyrics of an acerbically modern hue and an assured sense of self awareness, Together Through Life, right from its opening track, opts for what appears to be a less mature approach. The opening track is a rambling spoken word piece entitled 'Blob': "Hi, I'm Blob Dylan... heh heh heh... Blob Dylan... heh" It goes on like this for a further nineteen minutes. Boring and confusing though this might seem to the uninitiated, to the hardened Dylanologist this knowing play on the concept of persona is fascinating stuff. It's a theme which is repeated in later tracks where Dylan declares himself to be 'Floppity Tabbard', 'General Crotchsniff' and 'The Almighty Cheddar'.

The theme of identity is also evident in the presence of both unexpected cover versions and cameos by equally unexpected guest musicians that also dominate this record. Track two, a flamenco version of 'Ramp! (The Logical Song)' originally recorded by German techno outfit Scooter, features appearances from Chesney Hawkes, Kevin Kennedy and, perhaps most surprisingly, former Agriculture Minister John Gummer. This is followed by an oi-core take on 'The Impossible Dream' on which Dylan is backed solely by kazoo, spoons and a comb.

Further unusual instrumentation also leaves its mark: Adam Woodyatt (better known as Ian Beale from EastEnders) contributes sitar backing-drones to all but one track; Raekwon's half-hour Chinese mangtong improvisation dominates the second half of the record; and Scott Walker pops up on a version of the Blockbusters theme-tune for a lengthy meat-punching solo.

To those in the know, this is yet another white-knuckle joyride into the mind of a true maverick. However, like much of Dylan's output, to the unconverted this is merely a sad and upsetting recording, in this case documenting an elderly man's slow mental unhinging

Tour dates: June 18th -The Wealthy Yet Drunken Horse Inn, Halifax Road; 19th - The Goat's Goatee and Rhubarb-Lips Inn, Lidget Street; 20th - The Sickeningly Deformed Magician Inn, East Street.