Monday 10 December 2012

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2012: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - WRECKING BALL

#6: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - WRECKING BALL



Bruce Springsteen’s latest release (his 17th studio album )shows there is still life, passion and spirit in the old dog yet. Now in his 60’s, The Boss shows no signs of letting up and on Wrecking Ball he’s bigger, better and angrier than he’s been in a long time. From the financial crisis to Hurricane Katrina and the War On Terror , Bruce lets out his feelings, backed by members of The E-Street Band, in support of the Everyman as he always has. The albums opening three tracks set the tone and I’d defy anyone to not be stomping their feet by the end of Shackled and Drawn ....even you JZ! (JZ[editor]: Maybe I could bring myself to listen to some Springsteen JB!). Opening track, We Take Care Of Our Own is very much in the vein of Born In The USA.  Fist pumping Americans will sing this at the top of their lungs without stopping to listen to the lyrics which, much like the aforementioned track, aren’t as patriotic as they first seem. Jack Of All Trades and This Depression slow the tempo down and, although they aren’t bad songs, this record is really about those tracks which can, and should, be sung as loud as you can. Clarence Clemons, the iconic Saxophonist with the E-Street Band, passed away before recording began and the album is dedicated to him. It’s his Sax solo (taken from a previous live recording) you can hear on Land Of Hope And Dreams and this fantastic collection of songs is a fitting tribute to the Big Man.

Favourite Track: Shackled & Drawn

No comments:

Post a Comment