I could not think of Jakob Dylan without thinking of Bob Dylan (I am sure that Jakob is sick and tired of being compared). However, Jakob’s first solo album “Seeing Things” proves that he is more than the son of Bob Dylan or the frontman of the Wallflowers. In fact, he is a darn good singer-songwriter. All of the 10 tracks are led by acoustic guitars, and this is a great album for those who enjoy folk, folk rock, country, country blues, and Americana music. Every song is beautiful, and I could imagine them being played at an evening campfire somewhere out in the woods. The songs are all very calm, although some are a bit faster, but it never gets hectic or aggressive. Simple yet imaginative lyrics, like telling stories, will probably make you close your eyes, and almost picture his words in your mind. Dylan’s voice and his guitar harmonize soothingly. Some tracks like “Everybody Pays As They Go” and “Something Good This Way Comes” feature background singers, but rather than overpowering, they accentuate Dylan’s mature voice, which is just so moving.

The whole album sounds like he spent some quality time thinking, observing nature, writing and composing carefully, far away from today’s hectic world. The album exceeds my expectations. Jakob Dylan definitely shows his talent on this album, reaching a new level of lyrical and musical artistry. Listening to this album is almost like reading good old American folktales. If you like relaxing and intimate acoustic guitar music, you will love this one. —Pat Trabi, shakefire.com

Jakob Dylan - Seeing Things, $11.99

Buy Now