This sophomore album of Bruce Springsteen’s lacks what his previous albums under the alias John Cougar Mellencamp had. Where are the Pink Houses? What about Jack and Diane?

Born in the U.S.A. is pure bilge coming from a native Canadian who’s claim to fame is a song about being born somewhere he wasn’t.

Musically, the album soars on the songs such as Good Eye and What Love Can Do, on which Mr “Springsteen’s” piano skills are showcased. Other than these breif bright spots the rest of the album lacks creativity. This release is all about America from a Canadian. “Springsteen” continues to align himself with the religious right and takes any opportunity he can to exploit the victims of 9/11. I’m still waiting for his “Oh Canada!” release.

Better luck next time, Bruce!

Rating: 1 / 5

I swear, this guy has got to be the most ANNOYING artist on the face of this planet today. His meddling in politics and the political overtones of his music is just ridiculous. Is he running for office or making music??? Give me a break, “Boss,” and hang up your jock.
Rating: 1 / 5

Bruce Springsteen & The E. Street Band-Working On A Dream ***

Working On A Dream, Bruce Springsteen’s third album with the E. Street Band since 2000 is one of those albums that is both fantastic in places and horribly disappointing in others. Though after hearing the title track on the radio some weeks back I told myself not to expect much from this release as it sounded as if Roy Orbison had inhabited the soul of Springsteen which on paper is great but not when witnessed in real time.

As witnessed on 2007 fantastic album Magic Springsteen was starting to trade some of his Bob Dylan/Van Morrison/Woody Guthrie rip off mysticism for melody, something he use to dominate with but had long since lost with the Born In The U.S.A. album of the mid 1980’s. Where this is good it causes that many issues elsewhere. The title track for example is brilliant songwriting but as previously stated sounds as if Orbison was in the studio vocalizing, this is very annoying when realized. This seems to be the case through out the album where the lyrics are among Springsteen’s best in years and where the E. Street Band is playing something fierce but Bruce presents a down right boring portrayal of the song.

But where the album is horrible it is that much better on tracks like the eight minute epic ‘Outlaw Pete’ full of crescendo after amazing crescendo, string arrangements for days, and some of the funnest lyrics good ‘ol Bruce has written in years. Things keep rolling with ‘My Lucky Day,’ possibly the albums highlight. The title track which is loved but revered in the same listen. ‘Queen Of The Supermarket’ which recalls and would have been welcome on any of his early 1970’s work. It’s the soft love story of a small town boy in love with the checkout girl at the local Piggly Wiggly. The last great song that is officially apart of the album is ‘The Last Carnival’ a tear jerking eulogy for the late Dan Federici who past last year. In the final lines of the song Springsteen gets chocked up and can hardly finish the take. It is a good thing they kept this take because that is either the most honest thing Springsteen has ever recorded or more of a case as to why he is increasing become more transparent.

‘The Wrestler’ is tagged as a bonus track. It takes it’s name from the movie of the same title which Springsteen lent it to this year staring Mickey Rourke. Why it wasn’t included on the album over some of the other tracks like ‘Kingdom Of Days’ is beyond me. The track is honestly the greatest thing Springsteen has ever recorded.

The rest of the album isn’t bad in retrospect but rather forgettable. This suffers much like his album The River did where nothing was actually bad but most of it failed to stand out or contain anything memorable. Over all very worth while for what is good as it is some of his best material in years though don’t expect anything breathtaking from the album as a whole.
Rating: 3 / 5