Posted by
PoliCzar on Saturday, January 31, 2009 12:00:00 AM
I got my copy of Bruce Springsteens
new album, Working on a Dream today. No it has nothing to do with Barack Obama,
thank God, but what the dream is I’m confused. Bruce is late in his career and
I think he realized his dreams already, but then again there’s always room for
another one. The album isn’t as bad as many critics claim. Those same critics
thought Magic was decent, and I thought its concept was over the top but the
music was decent. On this release Bruce seems rushed. I realized this album
was done quickly like Magic (I thought that was rushed also) but it doesn’t seem
like he took the time to listen to his mix and didn’t do many lyric rewrites
like he used to in his Glory Days. Brenden O’Brien loves strings way too much.
I love strings in my music too, but the over production is a bit much. The
funny thing about this album is that it doesn’t really sound like Bruce. It
sounds like the Beach Boys, the Byrds even Roy Orbison. The funny thing is that
Bruce’s guitars on many songs are very similar to the style I admire from Marty
Willson-Piper of the Church, who loves the 12 string, the Rickenbacker guitar,
the Beach Boys and the Byrds. I just feel the production is a bit much.
Although I think this album is better than Magic, it lacks Bruce’s keen writing
ability via his lyrics. It seems like his masterpiece The Rising has never been
duplicated and may never be. I have liked pretty much every album he has
released until Magic and this album I can say I enjoy listening to, but its not
really Bruce. Maybe another tribute album would have been a good idea but I
digress.
The
songs:
Many critics blast The Queen of the
Supermarket. The song isn’t that bad. There’s much worse on Magic in my
opinion, but the concept of the song I don’t understand. Musically its fine,
but its not Bruce.
Outlaw Pete’s string line is almost
an identical copy to the song I Was Made for Loving You by Kiss. Listen to it
and you will probably agree. But like that or not the song sticks in your
head. 8 minutes to open an album is a bit much.
Working On a Dream, the song itself,
if it’s the single, which I guess it is, isn’t worth a single status. Its not
bad again musically, but the lyrics are so basic, I would expect maybe a brand
new 15 year old songwriter to write these. Not very deep, not very
Brucelike.
This Life is the Beach Boys ala
Bruce – never heard Bruce use harmonies like this, not bad, and the band sounds
like E-street. It’s a pretty song.
What Love Can Do sounds like it
should be on Magic, same style of many songs on that record. Poptastic.
Nothing wrong with it. Would like to listen to it a bit more. More of the
2000s Bruce Springsteen -- nothing awesome, nothing
bad.
My Lucky Day is your typical Bruce
Springsteen song. The drums, keys, guitars are very E-Street and the reverb on
Bruce’s voice matches Bruce’s songs from years past. Not a bad song at all,
like this one. Good one for the concerts.
Good Eye – I was not aware Bruce was
a blues singer. Interesting concept here, but I think I will be leaving this
one to Muddy Waters or even Led Zeppelin.
Tomorrow Never Knows – Very short
little country song here. I like the beat, like Nils’ steel guitar. Nothing
wrong with a simple song. Good for middle of the album, good placement, no
crazy production thrown at this.
****Life Itself – Probably my
favorite song on this album, the problem with this one is that the chords remind
me of a sped up version of My City of Ruins from the Rising. Listen to the
lyrics, slow them down and put My City over them and see if you think the same.
Or even very similar to Paradise as well from
The Rising. I guess it’s the minor chords. The guitar distortion is a bit
strange to me, not sure I would have used that one.
**Kingdom of Days – This ballad is very similar to
songs from The River, one of my favorite Springsteen albums, and this song does
not disappoint. Another good one. But I wonder what some of the lyrics mean
and again Brenden Obrien’s Strings are a bit much, he could learn something from
Brian Eno. Brenden, check out Coldplay’s latest album buddy. I still like the
song.
Surprise, Surprise - It’s the
BYRDS! No wait, its Marty Willson-Piper from The Church! Oh man, when I heard
this and Marty was talking to me. I was waiting for his voice to sing this.
Wow. I cant hate this song, I really don’t hate much of Bruce’s work at all,
even though the lyrics are basic. The chords are almost exact as a few tunes
penned by Marty. For those of you who don’t know him, check out The Church and
then link to his Myspace page. www.thechurchband.com
The Last Carnival – This song is for
Danny, and I can see why. I loved Danny very much, growing up listening to his
keyboards, he was definitely an influence on my music. The way he can just add
parts at just the right spot, amazing. Great keyboard player.
***The Wrestler – BRUCE!!! Yeah
this is Bruce’s Oscar Song. Good one. I like it, but then again who doesn’t.
Its typical Bruce and probably one of the better songs on
here.
All In All I Give this 3 out of
5 stars. Its not bad and its not great. I think I gave Magic 2 of 5 simply on
the music from the E-Street band alone even though the tone of the album didn’t
sit well with me. This album has some production problems, perhaps Bruce should
seek out another producer, but I doubt it. Where was Clarence’s Sax? This album
is missing the Big Man! I thought the whole thing seemed rushed. The songs
were written too quick, not typical of Bruce. Its almost like he wants to
release as much as he can these days. Sometimes its best to wait several years
and come out with another The Rising. I do not agree with Rolling Stone this is
not 5 stars and its not a classic, sorry guys. Bruce is slipping back to the
90s when his albums were tolerable and had several decent songs with a hit or 2,
but as whole they were average. Same with this
one.
This is worth listening to and
enjoying though.
Songs to download – Life Itself,
Kingdom of
Days and The
Wrestler