[Published in The Student newspaper 04/12/12]
Wrecking Ball marks the more than satisfying return of the Boss. His 17th studio album, it puts Springsteen on a par with Elvis Presley in the U.S as third-most number one albums of all time, and it ultimately classes the New Jersey rocker amongst the very best.
It’s my chosen release of the year because, although a rock album in essence, it lends itself to a blend of surprisingly diverse musical influences, ranging from traditional Irish folk on ‘American Land’ to an interesting inclusion of hip-hop on ‘Rocky Ground’. It’s also a master class in songwriting.
Indeed Springsteen has built himself a reputation over the years for his poetic depictions of the struggling working class and the American dream. This album is no different. ‘We Take Care of Our Own’ bears distinct resemblances to the classic and ironic ‘Born In the USA’. Appealing guitar-riff, powerful chorus, it’s a song made to be performed in huge arenas, amongst frantically chanting fans. It’s rock n’ roll with an edge, cutting to the problem of “broken promises”, as states David Fricke of Rolling Stone. The slower-paced ‘Jack of all Trades’ epitomises the album, a condemnation of capitalism and greed, as Springsteen growls “The banker man grows fatter, the working man grows thin.”
‘Land of Hopes and Dreams’ feels like it could have been released about 10 years ago. Featuring stunning vocals from soul singers and a gospel choir, it’s a delightfully layered affair. It’s a melting pot of catchy synths, clattering of drums and a saxophone solo from late member of the E-Street band Clarence Clemmons. Springsteen’s booming, angry voice tops it all off.
What’s so good about Bruce Springsteen is that he is innovative in his approach to making music. Not content with resting on his laurels and putting out an average album that will undoubtedly sell very well, he attempts to broaden his musical genre and get a proper political message across. It’s almost like a musical manifesto: a blunt, intricate expression of everything that Springsteen stands for.
Cultural ponderings 