Bob Dylan hasn’t released an original song in four years. Instead, on last years Shadows In The Night and now Fallen Angels, he’s paid tribute to American standards made famous by Frank Sinatra. Though these dozen tracks continue the lush, stately and intimate treatment of Shadows In The Night, the album feels like a lesser sequel, diminished by the the listener’s curiosity having already been satiated by its predecessor. If anything the pacing lags on some songs here, the weary tone that previously conveyed hushed beauty and grace now at times drags the mood down. Dylan is still in fine vocal form, any criticism is directed more at the decision to release this second set when a new album of originals or change of pace would better serve Dylan and his fans.

Chris Familton