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