Album: Infidels

Album Overview
"Infidels" is the 22nd studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on October 27, 1983, by Columbia Records. The album significant Dylan's return to secular music after a three-album stint exploring Christianity and gospel music and featured a more modern pop-rock sound. The production responsibilities were shared by Dylan himself and Mark Knopfler of the British rock band Dire Straits. Many critics regard "Infidels" as one of Dylan's best works from the 1980s, applauding the songwriting, musicianship, and production.

Collaboration with Mark Knopfler
For the "Infidels" album, Bob Dylan teamed up with Mark Knopfler, the lead guitar player and singer of the British rock band Dire Straits. Knopfler had formerly captured Dylan's attention with his work on Dire Straits' self-titled debut album and 1980's "Making Movies". The cooperation in between the 2 artists resulted in a more refined and modern-day sound for Dylan's music. Knopfler also recruited his bandmate Alan Clark on keyboards and Dire Straits' engineer, Neil Dorfsman, to deal with the album.

Recording and Production
"Infidels" was recorded from April to May 1983 at Power Station Studio in New York City. The album's core band consisted of Dylan on guitar and harmonica, Mark Knopfler on lead guitar, Alan Clark on keyboards, Robbie Shakespeare on bass, and Sly Dunbar on drums. Other musicians, such as Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones) and Ronnie Wood (The Faces), made guest looks on the album.

Among the noteworthy elements of the album's production was the editing and rearrangement of some tunes. For example, "Jokerman", the album's opening track, went through several modifications before being finalized for the album.

Thematic Elements
"Infidels" significant Bob Dylan's return to secular music after his "born-again" Christian stage. While there are still some spiritual undertones in the lyrics, the album mainly handles themes like politics, love, and human rights. The tune "Jokerman" is typically translated as a critique of political figures, while "License to Kill" addresses ecological problems and the damaging nature of humanity. "Man of Peace" confronts the uncertainty of good and wicked, and "I and I" explores introspection, identity, and relationships.

Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, "Infidels" received typically positive evaluations from music critics. They considered the album a strong return to form for Dylan, applauding his songwriting and the efficiencies of the artists. Commercially, the album was a moderate success, peaking at No. 20 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and No. 9 on the UK Albums Chart.

In retrospective reviews, "Infidels" continues to be praised for its songwriting and the imaginative collaboration in between Dylan and Knopfler. Numerous fans and critics consider it one of Dylan's greatest releases from the 1980s, and songs like "Jokerman" and "I and I" are still kept in high regard within his substantial brochure of work.