Steve, thanks for the interesting perspective. I hadn't realized that Dylan had just gone through a major break-up; in fact I think part of my negative response to the album was based on a subconscious disbelief in the situations and emotions he was writing about. So much for my sensitivity and intuition. . . I think I will hear the album somewhat differently now. I should have mentioned that "Not Dark Yet" and "Cold Irons Bound" (and the way the one follows the other) are the highlights of the album for me. "Blood on the Tracks " is my favorite, too (though I'm sentimentally attached to "Desire" because it was the first record I ever bought, when I was about twelve years old. . . ). By the way, speaking of Dylan and breaking up, I'm with you all the way on your response to JenEllen's break-up thread. "I can't even touch the books you've read". . . boy, have I ever been there. Thanks again. Margaret