/image%2F0642338%2FobpicZTxqCr.jpeg)
(9/10) I think, that I don't have to introduce The Boss on this side. You might have the question, why there is a review from the new Bruce Springsteen record on Markus' Heavy Music Blog. The answer is, that The Boss is just cool and rocking. I listened to his new album and I want to share my impression on this blog.
Actually I'm a latestarter when it comes to Springsteen. Smash hits like "Born in the USA" and "Streets of Philadelphia" have been doubtless a must. But I re-dicovered Bruce Springsteen in the beginning of 2002 with "The Rising" and even more with the more folk oriented "The Seeger Session". The live show for this album was just amazing and one of the best concerts I have seen.
In these days The Boss publishs his 18th studio record "High hopes"- what a discography. Springsteen releases songs on this album which he has wrote 10-12 years ago, which means that they are mainly out of the "The rising" period. The disc starts with the title track. The song is a great start into the album. A cool rhythm meets a cool melody meets a cool horn section. "Harry's place" has a bit of the same approach. With a heartbeat rhythm the song goes right into your mind and feet. You want to move. Funny enough the songs reminded me in certain parts in the chorus to Genesis and in some other to Pink Floyd, esp. in the bridge. "American skin (41 shots)" is a song Springsteen performed already in 200 for the first time. The lyrics are inspired by the death of Amadou Diallo. Diallo was an immigrant who was shot 19 times (police was shooting 41 times) in New York since the police thought that his wallet would be a gun. The song led to a lot of contrivers discussions. Musically the songs spreads a feeling of sadness and hope. "Just like fire would" is a typical Springsteen rocker while "Down in the hole" comes with an interesting intro. The start with some 'industrial' beats mixed with a female voice and slightly distorted vocals from The Boss leads into a relaxed tune which could be compared with the smash hit "Streets of Philadelphia". Furthermore the album contains typical Springsteen rock songs like "Heaven's wall", "This is your sword" and the seven minutes long "The ghost of Tom Joad", the title track from Springsteen's eleventh disc with the same name. The Boss also shares the vocals for this song with Tom Morello, which some of you might know from the Crossover Metal band Rage Against The Machine. Talking about Morello; he is not only supporting with vocals on this track - actually he contributes to eight songs with his excellent way of playing guitar. It fits surprisingly good to the sound of the band and adds something extra to the songs.
High hopes - that's what you have when Bruce Springsteen releases a new album. And also with this album he fulfills those hopes and expectations. A cool guy with a cool band and a cool new record. Timeless rock music with intelligent and emotional lyrics.
(9/10)
Tracklist:
- High hopes
- Harry's place
- American skin (431 shots)
- Just like fire would
- Down in the hole
- Heaven's wall
- Frankie fell in love
- This is your sword
- Hunter of invisible game
- The ghost of Tom Joad
- The wall
- Dream Baby dream
Label: Sony Music
Genre: Rock
Photo: Duncan Louw, Mobile Media