Great review Jonathan. I have enjoyed the level of detail and the considered analysis in your track by track reviews as well. Thanks for the inspiring words.
Very nice review, thanks. Honestly, I was somewhat disappointed in the tracks when listened to individually over the past few weeks. However, this morning I listened to the album in its entirety from front to back and gained a whole new perspective. I think that this is Bruce at his artistic best. The layers of commentary in the music and lyrics are manifold. It is definitely meant to be viewed as a single piece of work which leads the listener through a wonderfully diverse and wild experience...similar to life. Very well done.
Really enjoyed the track by track analysis. Was just curious, have you done this with any of his previous albums? This is the first I have stumbled upon your work. I would be interested in previous takes if they were written at time of release that is, not with the benefit of hindsight!
Thanks for all the comments, guys! This is actually the first time I've written about a single Springsteen album at all, so I sadly do not have any other track-by-track analysis to link to. On the plus side, I'm planning on doing more Springsteen content for the site in the future (not nearly as much as there's been lately, of course), so stay tuned....
This is Springsteen's Great Recession Record in the vein of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. Just as we "needed" a Springsteen record after 9/11 (The Rising), we need a Springsteen record that speaks to this great economic injustice. Typically of Springsteen, his lyrics are in stark contrast to his music. These are songs that you want to play loud and even dance to (albeit an Irish Jig) but his lyrics speak of a much darker time for the people struggling in this great recession. What I felt was a throw away song (the title track - Wrecking Ball) when it was written just before Giants Stadium was knocked down - has now become what I believe is the most defiant song on the record. I can see many fans singing the verse "Hard Time Come & Hard Times Go, C'mon and take your best shot/Let me see what you got, Bring on your wrecking ball." And as is Springsteen's way - no matter how bad things get - he ends the record with songs of hope and inspiration. As ticked off as he is - he never fails to find the goodness in people, the strength of our nation's community and that there is HOPE.
Great review Jonathan. I have enjoyed the level of detail and the considered analysis in your track by track reviews as well. Thanks for the inspiring words.
ReplyDeleteGREAT review, the best i've read so far,,,Thanks
ReplyDeleteVery nice review, thanks. Honestly, I was somewhat disappointed in the tracks when listened to individually over the past few weeks. However, this morning I listened to the album in its entirety from front to back and gained a whole new perspective. I think that this is Bruce at his artistic best. The layers of commentary in the music and lyrics are manifold. It is definitely meant to be viewed as a single piece of work which leads the listener through a wonderfully diverse and wild experience...similar to life. Very well done.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the track by track analysis. Was just curious, have you done this with any of his previous albums? This is the first I have stumbled upon your work. I would be interested in previous takes if they were written at time of release that is, not with the benefit of hindsight!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments, guys! This is actually the first time I've written about a single Springsteen album at all, so I sadly do not have any other track-by-track analysis to link to. On the plus side, I'm planning on doing more Springsteen content for the site in the future (not nearly as much as there's been lately, of course), so stay tuned....
ReplyDeleteThis is Springsteen's Great Recession Record in the vein of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.
ReplyDeleteJust as we "needed" a Springsteen record after 9/11 (The Rising), we need a Springsteen record that speaks to this great economic injustice. Typically of Springsteen, his lyrics are in stark contrast to his music. These are songs that you want to play loud and even dance to (albeit an Irish Jig) but his lyrics speak of a much darker time for the people struggling in this great recession. What I felt was a throw away song (the title track - Wrecking Ball) when it was written just before Giants Stadium was knocked down - has now become what I believe is the most defiant song on the record. I can see many fans singing the verse "Hard Time Come & Hard Times Go, C'mon and take your best shot/Let me see what you got, Bring on your wrecking ball." And as is Springsteen's way - no matter how bad things get - he ends the record with songs of hope and inspiration. As ticked off as he is - he never fails to find the goodness in people, the strength of our nation's community and that there is HOPE.
I could not resist commenting. Perfectly written!
ReplyDelete