I have never been a fanatical Bruce Springsteen fan. However, he is one of those artists (like Bob Dylan) where it's easy to understand why he inspires such devotion. I guess that's my way of saying while I don't own all his records, I do have a tremendous level of respect for him and more importantly his music.
Working On A Dream is Springsteen's new album. Mega-producer Brendan O'Brien is behind the board and the E-Street Band is once again ably backing.
The album's opening track, the epic "Outlaw Pete", sets the tone for much of the record. It's a lush and polished number, indicating a less gritty and roadworn production from Springsteen.
Tracks like "What Love Can Do", "Life Itself", and the title track are hopeful, symphonic and extremely absorbing. The blue collar hero is definitely goes upscale on the album.
There are a handful of songs, such as "My Lucky Day" and "Surprise, Surprise", that will have you brushing the dust and gravel off your faded blue jeans in vintage Springsteen fashion.
The most intriguing song on Working On A Dream is probably "Good Eye". The track is an experimental bluegrass romp which wouldn't sound out of place on a Drive-By Truckers record.
Add on the Golden Globe winning theme song for The Wrestler as a bonus track, and Working On A Dream truly does have something for everyone.
Long live rock n' roll and long live Bruce Springsteen.
Bruce Springsteen plays the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on May 7th.
Best tracks: "Queen of the Supermarket", "Surprise, Surprise"
Track listing for Working On A Dream:
- Outlaw Pete
- My Lucky Day
- Working On A Dream
- Queen of the Supermarket
- What Love Can Do
- This Life
- Good Eye
- Tomorrow Never Knows
- Life Itself
- Kingdom Of Days
- Surprise, Surprise
- The Last Carnival
- The Wrestler (bonus track)
7.5
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