We've been told over and over that it's been over a decade since Bruce
Springsteen recorded an album with the E Street Band. Is
that important? Not really. Because with Bruce, it's all about the
songs and the lyrics. Sure his band is good, but finally we have a
collection of (mostly) interesting songs that rock a bit. While this
doesn't reach the level of Born in the USA or his earlier seminal
work, it is certainly his best album since that time.
The album is a
somber tribute to the everyday heroes that worked and died on September
11, but the music does stand on its own. I think that's important,
because otherwise this would be a depressing album, not an uplifting
one. As it is, there are some songs that I probably won't play more
than once or twice and then discard. But overall, finally we have
some new Bruce. Welcome back!
— marty
