You know, I've got to hand it to the aging Boss for still trying. Taking the long view of his career, his classic period really ended in the mid-80's with Born in the USA. Since then, it has been more about great moments or great songs interspersed amongst mediocre ones. That trend continues here. After being lost in the wilderness in the 90's, Bruce found his footing again in 2002 with The Rising. But even though he has been solid since, he has only been solid. Not classic. The fact that Rolling Stone magazine gave its five star stamp to this is absurd. I'm a Bruce fan, but this album getting the highest possible rating? Come on. That is diminishing his actual classics, which stand as some of the all time great rock and roll records. This does not. But it's not bad.
As I said, Bruce is trying here. He dabbles with several styles, most prominently mixing his recent midtempo rock sound with elements of Celtic acoustic, a la his Seeger Sessions work from a few years ago. It can be sometimes an awkward mix, sometimes interesting. There are also dashes of gospel, country, folk...even some drum loops and an ill-advised rap (performed by Michelle Moore) in the middle of an otherwise nice number, "Rocky Ground." (Don't worry, it is not as bad as it sounds like it would be, but rap on a Springsteen album? No.) He's teamed with a new producer, Ron Aniello, and I admire their kitchen sink approach.
Lyrically, though, the record is somewhat vague in places. Bruce was inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement here, and he throws his usual populist/working man phrases around with vigor and apparent anger, but it is just not specific enough. I wish he could bring the lyrical detail of Nebraska or Ghost of Tom Joad to a full rock record. Now that would be something.
There is some great stuff here, though. Two real modernday Boss anthems, in fact. One is the wonderful title track (which is a tune that he's had laying around since 2007). It is a rousing, nostalgic, defiant tribute to Giants Stadium, where he played many times. Here he does have some great lines: "I was raised outta steel / Here in the swamps of Jersey / Some misty years ago / Through the mud and the beer / The blood and the cheers / I've seen champions come and go / So if you've got the guts, mister / Yeah, if you got the balls / If you think it's your time / Then step up to the line / And bring on your wrecking ball."
The second is a tune that he's had since about 2000 and which was released on a live record around that time. But here he really gives "Land of Hope and Dreams" a nuanced and interesting arrangement, mixing the rock of E Street with some banjos and fiddles pretty seemlessly. It is also appropriate that the track features the deceased Clarence Clemons's last sax solo on a Springsteen record. In fact, in the liner notes, part of Springsteen's wonderful eulogy that he gave at Clarence's funeral is reproduced as a tribute to the Big Man, and it is a better piece of writing than the lyrics in any of these songs.
*** out of *****
2 comments:
Nice review Dez. Completely agree that Bruce's high point was Born In The USA. For me I feel after that, all Bruce can do is just ramble on and on about politics (the leftist variety). I know he has a right to speak his mind, it's just that if you go to a concert of his, you could be hearing three or two more songs, instead of him rambling on about the state of affairs. To me, when I listen to music I want escapism and fun. If I want news I just read the paper or watch it.
Again just my own opinion. Make of it what you will.
P.S. I'm a libertarian (socially classic liberal and fiscally conservative-free markets)
Anon, I sympathize. My political leanings don't go Bruce's way either, and sometimes I get irritated when a high school dropout (which is what Bruce is) tries to lecture me on world affairs. But, great music can definitely do more than be "escapism and fun." Great music (or other art) can also comment on society, challenge social norms, and inspire people to think. It is not mere entertainment. Art can inspire and enrage, and contribute much more.
-Dez
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