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Bob Dylans latest album, his 33rd studio produced effort, is a folksy, bluesy, country rock collection thats a worthy successor to the Billboard topping album Modern Times, from 2006. Even though most of the songs dwell on the pain and despair of modern life, the albums somewhat hopeful title, Together Through Life, seems oddly appropriate. The relaxed, occasionally swingy arrangements, impart were in this together feel, and subtly indicate that down doesnt necessarily have to mean out.

The album has been met with acclaim from both critics and fans. Dylan, at age 66, is at least as relevant as he was decades ago. It matters not when he misses a note here and there, as it has never mattered, when the message resonates as it does. He hasn’t lost any of his voice – nor his passion or ability to sing the truth. It’s hard to think of any of today’s flash-in-the-pan pop artists who will still be relevant in fifty years.

Dylan produced “Together Through Life,” as he did his two prior releases. He actually had gone into the studio with his road band just to record one track for the soundtrack to the film “My Own Love Song.” That track was “Life Is Hard,” and the session was so effortless that it ended up providing the material for this entire new album.

While the material is serious – despair, pain, loneliness – you can read the casual, natural, somewhat playful mood of the session. It doesn’t detract from the importance of the message, but lightens the mood just enough to keep it from being too dark.

Dylan had some help on this album. Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter co-wrote many of the tracks, although Dylan composed the music himself. Adding to his regular band were David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, whose accordion added a south of the border flair, and Mike Campbell of the Heartbreakers on guitar. This makes for a full album with no filler, and a clear value to the fans.

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