Bruce Springsteen's newest album Working On A Dream came out today. The reviews are in and most of them are better than good. Rolling Stone gives it five stars out of five here. Entertainment Weekly gives it an A here. Not all the reviews are positive, but even the ones that aren't quite as glowing about the album seem to like it.
This album is more of a departure from his last few that dealt more with politics and their effects on our lives. Overall I liked this album a lot. There are a few misses, but the majority of the album holds together very well. I love the opening "Outlaw Pete" which is one of Bruce's longest songs to date, clocking in at over eight minutes. The album does fall light on creating new characters to inhabit his songs, Bruce pulls out the I and you in these songs.
To my ears the weakest song on the album is "Surprise, Surprise". Usually with a new Springsteen album I have to listen to it a few times before it sinks in on me. When I first listened to The Rising I wasn't that impressed. I now think of that album as one of my favorites and the title song which I initially didn't care for has become one of my favorite songs by him. But with just one listen I'm liking this album a lot.
My biggest complaint with the album is the cover. I think it's terrible. The picture of Springsteen in the gatefold would have made a much better cover. The cover of his Walmart Greatest Hits exclusive would have been a better cover. As far as I'm concerned anything would have been better. I really don't like the cover.
This is the first album of the year by a major artist so I expect it to be a big seller. And after Bruce's SuperBowl appearance it should really jump up there. This could be one of Bruce's biggest sellers.
But to repeat one more time I really do like this album and it's worth your money.
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2 comments:
I got my promo copy yesterday and actually hit play on my computer as I opened your blog.
I almost did not read your review as i have promised to do one tomorrow on The Couch.
Interesting comment on the cover photo because when I opened the package yesterday, my first thought was "now that is strange"
See I like the cover! Good album from what I have heard of it.
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