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Now, I admit to the fact that I was barely born in 1973 when Springsteen released his first two albums. "Born to Run" was experienced second hand, much later. "Darkness on the Edge of Town", "The River" and "Nebraska" virtually unknown to me. However, for better or worse, no matter what you might think, it was 1984's "Born in the U.S.A." that put Springsteen in to my consciousness as an 11 year old kid. There was something about "Dancing in the Dark" that resonated with me, and seeing the video brought Springsteen up close and personal whereas previously he had been an enigma, an unknown. "Cover Me", "Born in the U.S.A.", "I'm on Fire", "Glory Days", "I'm Going Down" and "My Hometown"--I liked them all, and there was no escaping Springsteen in 1984/1985.
Still, it really wasn't until 1987's "Tunnel of Love" that I actually bought a Springsteen album. That album became a part of my daily existence at age 14/15. The dissolution of his marriage resonated with my first real relationship dissolution, plus it echoed back to me my parents' divorce a decade earlier. It was at that point that I consciously decided to hop on the Springsteen wagon for better or worse.
Springsteen re-married and suddenly, it seemed to me, his music became washed out. I mean, 1992's "Human Touch" and "Lucky Town" were weak. 1995's "The Ghost of Tom Joad" fell completely flat for me. 2002's "The Rising" felt forced and overrated to me. 2005's "Devils & Dust" seemed average. 2007's "Magic" seemed to recapture a little of that Springsteen mojo, but not entirely. 2009's "Working on a Dream" felt ham-fisted and overblown.
Then I began to hear rumor of "Wrecking Ball". The rumors were that Springsteen was angry, he was vital again, and then the preliminary rumors of a great piece of work began creeping in. I was ready, and Springsteen has not disappointed.
"Wrecking Ball" for me, is Springsteen at his near best. He has something to sing and write about finally. I thought that might have happened with "The Rising", but for some strange reason that album dodged all the hard issues for me. But "Wrecking Ball", Springsteen charges full steam ahead. Most of the songs are about the shambles our country is in due to greedy bankers and politicians (which is the truth people). But it also addresses us, the working people who keep this country operational whilst we get the short end of the financial rewards stick (which is also the truth). Of course the irony of millionaire wealthy Springsteen telling me about my country is not lost on me. Yet, what I know of Springsteen is that he did not start from millionaire roots, and he was not an overnight millionaire (a la Justin Bieber). No, Springsteen had to work hard for his fans, he had to tour, tour, tour and build a fanbase unlike today's artists who instantly get YouTube/Twitter/Facebook cult followers in an instant.
So, when Springsteen says "We Take Care of Our Own", there's an element of patriotism that rings true. When he says he feels "Shackled and Drawn", I could identify with the sentiment that I, along with many others, are not financially well off. When Springsteen sings about the "Death to My Hometown" it feels like a sequel to "My Hometown"--a continuation of what happened later. When Springsteen sings about "My Depression" this is as direct as an artist can get about the current climate in America. "Wrecking Ball" is Springsteen's gauntlet thrown down--show me what you got. Bring it. "Rocky Ground" is a somber reflection upon post-bubble bursting America and the need to persevere (with a rap embedded in it!) "Land of Hope and Dreams" and "We Are Alive" are two more inspiring "Born to Run" type tracks that offer reassurance, plus revisit dead and gone leaders who pushed this country forward. The two bonus tracks add to the album rather than subtract from it. I personally liked "American Land" the best of the two with its sentiments about immigrants and outsiders dying for this country and how we seem to always forget this fact.
Generally speaking, "Wrecking Ball" is Springsteen in his element, that artist who gave us "Born to Run", "Nebraska" and "Born in the U.S.A.", those reflective, hopeful, patriotic songs are here again. And musically speaking, this is Springsteen's strongest work since, dare I say it, "Tunnel of Love".
I seldom award five stars to any album I listen to, and each year I listen to more than anyone I know who isn't getting paid to listen to music. I honestly debated all week long as I listened to "Wrecking Ball" whether it deserved five stars or not. I saw Rolling Stone gave it five stars (something uncommon for them), but I still debated with myself. In the end, after repeated listening, I decided "Wrecking Ball" is, in fact, a five star album, and I hope Springsteen gets a ton of Grammy awards and end of year accolades for this fine piece of work. This seems unexpected to me as Springsteen will turn 62 this year, and most people are retiring rather than stoking their fires and recharging their batteries, something Springsteen has simply done here. A late career jewel. I almost have trouble deleting it from my song rotation to move on to the next two albums in my queue. That's rare that I want to keep listening to an album after I've finished reviewing it.
Here's how "Wrecking Ball" compares to Springsteen's other works:
1973 Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.: Three Stars
1973 The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle: Three and a Half Stars
1975 Born To Run: Four Stars
1978 Darkness on the Edge of Town: Four Stars
1980 The River: Four and a Half Stars
1982 Nebraska: Five Stars
1984 Born in the U.S.A.: Five Stars
1987 Tunnel of Love: Four Stars
1992 Human Touch: Two and a Half Stars
1992 Lucky Town: Two and a Half Stars
1995 The Ghost of Tom Joad: Three Stars
2002 The Rising: Three and a Half Stars
2005 Devils & Dust: Three Stars
2006 We Shall Overcome: Four Stars
2007 Magic: Four Stars
2009 Working on a Dream: Three Stars
2012 Wrecking Ball: Five Stars
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Bruce Springsteen discusses 'Wrecking Ball'
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'We Take Care Of Our Own'
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