Bruce Springsteen – ‘Wrecking Ball’
Bruce Springsteen’s latest effort embodies a new vitality surging through the purposeful arrangements detailing struggle, perseverance and survival. “Wrecking Ball” serves as a symbol of our damaged economy and the millions of Americans struggling to feel the healing from the deepening scars. The Boss was “Working on a Dream” with his last album.
Now, he’s attempting to shorten the distance between American reality and the American Dream. Billed as his Occupy Wall Street protest album, Springsteen’s poignant message thrives on a blending of musical styles that touch on Irish folk, gospel, hip-hop, rock, blues and bluegrass. It’s an election year and Springsteen once again becomes the voice of the common man as he speaks of the economic injustices initiated by years of corporate greed and failed practices and policies.
“Wrecking Ball” follows the desperate actions of the struggling working class which Springsteen examined on “Darkness on the Edge of Town” and continued with “The River” and “Nebraska.” Just as “The Rising” brought hope and healing after the events of 9/11, “Wrecking Ball” plays out in two equally powerful and stirring parts. Springsteen first navigates us down a dark and desperate path, only to methodically offer deliverance and salvation as spirits are strengthened and prepared to take the next step. From the anthemic opener “We Take Care of Our Own” to the fitting close of the inspiring “We Are Alive,” Springsteen paints an engrossingly vivid portrait of today’s social, economic and political shortcomings. “Wrecking Ball” is a long, long way from the youthful energy of 1973’s “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.”
After nearly 40 years of making music, the 62-year-old Springsteen still proves he has the grit and gusto to steadfastly fight the good fight as he confidently sings on the title track, “C’mon take your best shot/Let me see what you got/Bring on your wrecking ball.”