I respect his abilities as a songwriter. It's just that I'd much rather listen to Jimi Hendrix's version of "All Along the Watchtower," Nina Simone's cover of "The Times They Are A-Changin'," or even "Ballad of a Thin Man" as done by jazz pianist Jamie Saft with Faith No More vocalist Mike Patton. Why? It should be obvious. Dylan's voice. It's atrocious.

This isn't easy to write. I feel like a philistine typing these words. Dylan is God to many people - to many of my friends. Oh, I've tried - Lord knows I've tried. A few years ago I gave it my all. At a friend's suggestion - "demand" is more like it - I got myself a fresh copy of "Blood on the Tracks" and listened to it over and over. It just wouldn't take. That nasally delivery, those ascending and descending vowels. Somebody make it stop!

-- Steve Greenlee

Discuss: Agree with these picks? What gods of rock do you dislike?