This has been an amazingly productive decade for Bruce. After breaking up the E Street band in the 90s and making albums that seems like a parody of himself, he came roaring back in 2002 with one of the essential post-9/11 rock records with The Rising. Then after two convincing genres exercises without his band, he gave us Magic - probably his most complete, exciting album since Darkness on the Edge of Town. Now he's back to complete the trilogy a week before performing at the Super Bowl. Here's a track-by-track:
"Outlaw Pete": This is the track Rolling Stone compared to "Jungleland"? Really? It's an eight minute theme song to a corny 50s western. I can't imaging why he would open a record with this. Let's pretend this song didn't happen.
"My Lucky Day": OK, we're back on track. An outstanding barroom anthem that could be off The River. Catchy chorus, loud guitars - an album highlight. It doesn't make up for that first track though.
"Working On A Dream": A light mid-tempo ballad that seems like an answer to U2's "Beautiful Day". This one had to grow on me, but I like the light harmonies and the background vocals. Not bad - oh wait, is that a whistling solo?
"Queen Of The Supermarket": This is a symphonic ballad about grocery shopping. It contains lyrics about "miles and miles of dreams that await you". No, I'm not kidding. This is worse than the first track, which is hard to believe. Every time he sings the chorus, it gets louder and more painful. This is the worse thing Bruce has ever recorded.
"What Love Can Do": Yes! Hard-rocking, dark, amazing guitar solo... I love this song. The inconsistency of this album is staggering. Put it on your iPod and delete about half of it.
"This Life": Bruce takes another stab at the Beach Boys sound to make a less convincing version of "Girls In Their Summer Clothes". It has nice moments, but it doesn't hold together well and seems a little fragmented.
"Good Eye": What is going on here? His vocals are distorted beyond recognition on this one - it might be a good song, but the production ruins it. Bruce, please leave your studio experiments off future records. Thanks.
"Tomorrow Never Knows": A country ballad with max Weinberg shockingly playing Johnny Cash-style rhythms. It works surprisingly well. This song is the rare moment on this album where new ideas actually work.
"Life Itself": This song sounds bitter, but it drives pretty hard and has a great chorus. Great song. Does this guy have to be pissed to be happy? Yes!
"Kingdom Of Days": Another pop epic complete with backing vocals, violins, dramatic tempo shifts, a great guitar solo - and it all hold together great. This might be the best song on the album. That means there are three listenable songs in a row on this album now! Yes we can!
"Surprise, Surprise": ...and the streak ends at three. Here we have a jangle-rock song that is trying to replace "Happy Birthday". This song is a joke that is only funny once.
"Last Carnival": An outstanding acoustic ballad written for Danny Federici. Thank you. He saved his good songwriting for Danny. I love the choir at the end.
"The Wrestler": Another great solo acoustic song that won his a Golden Globe. These last two tracks really make you wish he took a more stripped-down approach to his other material.
Bottom line: this album is the worst thing the E-Street band ever recorded. I'm sorry. Somebody had to say it. There are great moments and it is worth buying if you are a Bruce enthusiast, but be sure not to transfer tracks 1, 4, 6, 7, or 11 onto your iPod. For an E Street album, that's a lot of failed attempts.
Oh well, I'll get over this one. I still have that Animal Collective album....
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