Just a quick note: Marc actually sent this in the DAY the Springsteen disc came out. I was however too much of a dumbass to pay attention to my Email, and totally forgot about it. My apologies.
-Steve
He's Back. Finally. After a long hiatus from the studio, New Jersey's
favorite son returns with the stunning "The Rising". This is by far his best
work in over a decade and stands up along such milestone albums like "Born
To Run", "Darkness on the Edge of Town", and "Born In The USA". Springsteen
has made the best move of his career by reuniting his famed E Street Band
after their last tour over a year ago and producing the classic style and
sound his longtime
fans have come to expect.
The album is varied in many ways and there are moments of absolute greatness
throughout the entire disc, from the standout opener "Lonesome Day" and the
instant radio classic title track which I personally can't get out of my
head. But there is a sadness that permeates this disc as well. After the
tragic events of 9/11, Bruce came out with the haunting "My City In Ruins"
(which gets the full band treatment on this disc), and his lyrics are
clearly evident of those sad days that so many of us still think about
daily. "You're Missing" is absolutely stunning and delicate at the same
time, where Springsteen states "Your T.V.'s in the den/Your House is
waiting/For you to walk in/But you're missing", simply brilliant and
poignent all in the same breath. Other standouts include "Nothing Man", "The
Fuse" and the dark and haunting "Paradise" where Springsteen captures some
of his "Nebraska" era moments of sadness, loneliness and depression. There
is something so brutally honest with Springsteen's music that comes through
in each song. This man lives what he writes about and tells the story of the
everyday man who does the best he or she can to make a living and survive in
this country. Springsteen has become the spokesperson, or embassador of
middle America and this album in particular salutes those who have worked,
struggled and survived while trying to keep their heads up. There is a
beauty to the way Springsteen salutes and honors those who were lost on 9/11
and a sadness in his voice that can only come from a seasoned veteran. This
album clearly states that the Boss is back, but he is so much older and
wiser than his peers and his music is as honest as the message it states,
America shall rise up from these dark days. This album will put a smile on
your face and hope in your heart. Simply wonderful music from one of the
greatest artists of our times.
