January 19, 2012

Link

We already knew that a new Bruce Sprinsteen album was imminent, and now details on that release have been issued.

This will be his 17^th album, which is being previewed via a single titled “We Take Care of Our Own,” due out today (Jan. 19) and streaming below. The full-length record, Wrecking Ball, will surface on March 6.

The title track of the album has already surfaced in Springsteen’s live sets, and is thought to be a tribute to a venue he has played many times—“Wrecking Ball” is the nickname given to the former Giants Stadium in New Jersey.

The record was produced by Ron Aniello and includes a guest appearance by Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine.

Wrecking Ball track list:

1. "We Take Care of Our Own"
2. "Easy Money"
3. "Shackled and Down"
4. "Jack of All Trades"
5. "Death to My Hometown"
6. "The Depression"
7. "Wrecking Ball"
8. "You’ve Got It"
9. "Rocky Ground"
10. "Land of Hope and Dreams"
11. "We Are Live"
12. "Swallowed Up" (iTunes Bonus Track)
13. "American Land" (iTunes Bonus Track)

[Edited 2/10/12 15:37pm]

Sounds just like everything else he's done of late.

First album without Clarence?

Sounds like he's still in the pop-rock furrow that he got into with The Rising...which is no bad thing, but after three albums of it (Magic and Working On A Dream were poor man's Risings) I'd like to hear something different, see The Boss take a few risks again. I'll reserve judgment 'til the albums out.

I really love the new single! It sounds good.

xLiberiangirl said:

I really love the new single! It sounds good.

I agree. Not really a Boss fan, and this track isn't rocket science, but I must admit...this single was very good.

L.A. Times Music Blog

January 19, 2012

Bruce Springsteen released his new single, "We Take Care of Our Own," Thursday morning, and what's most striking about it on first listen is how much it sounds like ... The Boss. It's the first song from his forthcoming 11-track album, his 17th, "Wrecking Ball," which will be released on March 6.

Never one to stray too far from his core mission of crafting solidly structured rock songs built on a blueprint passed down from American generation to generation, "We Take Care of Our Own" -- except for one modern wash of guitar, a few echoed drum pops, and one (big) glaring absence -- sounds like a track that could have been on any his classic albums from 1975 to 1984, from "Born to Run" through "Born in the U.S.A." (excluding his acoustic "Nebraska"). These records are undeniably rock 'n' roll and constructed with the help of his E Street Band.

His first recording since the death of saxophonist Clarence Clemons, the new song is notable for what's not there -- the horn player's sonic bursts and furious tenor declarations. Absent too is an indication of whether the music is constructed by the E Street Band or whether, like his most recent studio album, "Working on a Dream," it is a solo record. The backing band suggests the former, as does the glockenspiel a la "She's the One," the hum of the organ and the piano melody, coupled with a Phil Spector-esque string section drifting above.

And then there are the lyrics, which offer an affirmation of national glory without ever uttering the word "America," suggest the economic struggles without calling them "economic struggles." Sings Springsteen in his husk of a voice: "I've been knocking on that door that holds the throne," and it's not clear whether the Boss is talking about death, desperation or desire -- or whether he's written a pointed response to Jay-Z and Kanye West's "Watch the Throne" (probably not, but it's fun to think about). "I've been looking for a map that leads me home/The road of good intentions has gone dry as a bone."

As the song unfolds, Springsteen clarifies his point: This is a song about the country and hardship, but also about community and pride: "We take care of our own/Wherever this flag is flown/We take care of our own."

Granted, the title phrase borders on jingoism, and in the wrong hands can be both used to justify actions noble and contemptible, from coming together as a family to help kin, to protecting territory from outsiders a la "Deliverance." "There ain't no help the cavalry stayed at home," he sings, "There ain't no one hearing the bugle blowing" (a veiled reference to Clemons?).

Is it classic Springsteen? Comments are open for your response. But mostly it depends on which Bruce you like: the one who sets out to be the Voice of the People and speak for the 99% a la Woody Guthrie, or the one who goes small and captures the voice of a single character a la "The Ghost of Tom Joad" and "State Trooper." The new song is much more the former than the latter; Springsteen obviously knows what time it is, and it's time to step up and say something big.

http://latimesblogs.latim...r-own.html

Meh. It's paint-by-numbers Boss. Engineered for an election year tour (Barack, do I hear a campaign song?).

A marked improvement over 99% of Working on a Dream and 90% of Magic (Buh-bye, Brendan O'Brien! Don't let the door hit ya in the ass on the way out!), but it's melodically bland and lyrically middle-tier Bruce.

Doesn't mean I won't be there when he swings through my burgh, though.

Doesn't he release albums every political year? It's like a trend with his ass.

Timmy84 said:

Doesn't he release albums every political year? It's like a trend with his ass.

Very astute of you to notice, Timmy. It ain't no coincidence.

Ace said:

Timmy84 said:

Doesn't he release albums every political year? It's like a trend with his ass.

Very astute of you to notice, Timmy. It ain't no coincidence.

I mean it's like clockwork. I mean I ain't knocking his hustle but it's getting quite redundant. But you know what that means? With every Springsteen album, there'll come a U2 record around the same time. JUST WATCH!

Timmy84 said:

Ace said:

Very astute of you to notice, Timmy. It ain't no coincidence.

I mean it's like clockwork. I mean I ain't knocking his hustle but it's getting quite redundant.

It's his thing.

But you know what that means? With every Springsteen album, there'll come a U2 record around the same time. JUST WATCH!

Despite liking a U2 tune here and there, I can't stand Bono.

Ace said:

Timmy84 said:

It's his thing.

But you know what that means? With every Springsteen album, there'll come a U2 record around the same time. JUST WATCH!

Despite liking a U2 tune here and there, I can't stand Bono.

Hah yeah I know.

I like it - yes its classic Springsteen and that is a good thing.

Only thing missing is Clarence blowing his horn at the end of the song...would've been great.

i like it...this song speaks for alot of people in this country at the mo. it sounds especially good on headphones.

but, yeah, clarence sure is missed.

does anybody know if this is a solo effort or an e street band release?

not excited, the song is ok, NOT a new classic

on paper the album looks like the third part of Magic-Working on a Dream, murky and repetitive albums

and the E Street without Clarence is pointless

then again, the last Springsteen album that I liked was The Rising...

and Land of Hope and Dreams??? again? is it the studio version?

and btw I'M TIRED of the BOSS tryin' to speak for the whole country (world) everytime he releases a new album, he has been doing the same thing since the Ghost of Tom Joad (95), I mean, it's predictable and pointless: Magic (these are dark, nasty times, fuck yo Bush), WOAD (We can do it people, Obama you rock), WB (ahhh the country is still a mess, but pain will make us stronger, and screw the rotten souls who ignited the crisis to begin with).

It sounds forced, really, and it kinda erases the power of the music...the Boss used to find the perfect balance between rock power, fun, personal lyrics, drama, anger and political stuff...NOT ANYMORE

[Edited 1/20/12 9:55am]

peedub said:

i like it...this song speaks for alot of people in this country at the mo. it sounds especially good on headphones.

but, yeah, clarence sure is missed.

does anybody know if this is a solo effort or an e street band release?

I heard it's with the E street band.. not sure about that.

I agree, Clarence is truly missed...

I love the Boss as much as the next cat but it's not the same without the Big Man.

I think the E Street Band will break up after this. I can't see how they can carry on without Clarence. Sure Bruce is the band's leader but Clarence was the heart and soul of that band. Just...no.

JoeTyler said:

not excited, the song is ok, NOT a new classic

on paper the album looks like the third part of Magic-Working on a Dream, murky and repetitive albums

and the E Street without Clarence is pointless

then again, the last Springsteen album that I liked was The Rising...

and Land of Hope and Dreams??? again? is it the studio version?

and btw I'M TIRED of the BOSS tryin' to speak for the whole country (world) everytime he releases a new album, he has been doing the same thing since the Ghost of Tom Joad (95), I mean, it's predictable and pointless: Magic (these are dark, nasty times, fuck yo Bush), WOAD (We can do it people, Obama you rock), WB (ahhh the country is still a mess, but pain will make us stronger, and screw the rotten souls who ignited the crisis to begin with).

It sounds forced, really, and it kinda erases the power of the music...the Boss used to find the perfect balance between rock power, fun, personal lyrics, drama, anger and political stuff...NOT ANYMORE

[Edited 1/20/12 9:55am]

I agree with this. But I thought The Rising was a great, near classic album.

JoeTyler said:

not excited, the song is ok, NOT a new classic

on paper the album looks like the third part of Magic-Working on a Dream, murky and repetitive albums

and the E Street without Clarence is pointless

then again, the last Springsteen album that I liked was The Rising...

and Land of Hope and Dreams??? again? is it the studio version?

and btw I'M TIRED of the BOSS tryin' to speak for the whole country (world) everytime he releases a new album, he has been doing the same thing since the Ghost of Tom Joad (95), I mean, it's predictable and pointless: Magic (these are dark, nasty times, fuck yo Bush), WOAD (We can do it people, Obama you rock), WB (ahhh the country is still a mess, but pain will make us stronger, and screw the rotten souls who ignited the crisis to begin with).

It sounds forced, really, and it kinda erases the power of the music...the Boss used to find the perfect balance between rock power, fun, personal lyrics, drama, anger and political stuff...NOT ANYMORE

[Edited 1/20/12 9:55am]

I got tired of Stevie Wonder's new music for the same shit.

Timmy84 said:

JoeTyler said:

not excited, the song is ok, NOT a new classic

on paper the album looks like the third part of Magic-Working on a Dream, murky and repetitive albums

and the E Street without Clarence is pointless

then again, the last Springsteen album that I liked was The Rising...

and Land of Hope and Dreams??? again? is it the studio version?

and btw I'M TIRED of the BOSS tryin' to speak for the whole country (world) everytime he releases a new album, he has been doing the same thing since the Ghost of Tom Joad (95), I mean, it's predictable and pointless: Magic (these are dark, nasty times, fuck yo Bush), WOAD (We can do it people, Obama you rock), WB (ahhh the country is still a mess, but pain will make us stronger, and screw the rotten souls who ignited the crisis to begin with).

It sounds forced, really, and it kinda erases the power of the music...the Boss used to find the perfect balance between rock power, fun, personal lyrics, drama, anger and political stuff...NOT ANYMORE

[Edited 1/20/12 9:55am]

I got tired of Stevie Wonder's new music for the same shit.

I loved A Time to Love so I don't agree , lol

Bruce has been writing "state of the world/straighforward/third person/non-personal" lyrics since 1995, it's boring already, like a predictable observer/repetitive narrator...

at least Devils & Dust and The Seeger Sessions offered something different...

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

I got tired of Stevie Wonder's new music for the same shit.

I loved A Time to Love so I don't agree , lol

Bruce has been writing "state of the world/straighforward/third person/non-personal" lyrics since 1995, it's boring already, like a predictable observer/repetitive narrator...

at least Devils & Dust and The Seeger Sessions offered something different...

I meant post-A Time to Love.

But I agree, Joe, his music seemed to have stale after "The Streets of Philadelphia". I'm guessing this is what happens with some of these rock legends once they get to a point that if they were selling shit on a stick, people will blindly buy it.

Timmy84 said:

JoeTyler said:

I loved A Time to Love so I don't agree , lol

Bruce has been writing "state of the world/straighforward/third person/non-personal" lyrics since 1995, it's boring already, like a predictable observer/repetitive narrator...

at least Devils & Dust and The Seeger Sessions offered something different...

I meant post-A Time to Love.

frankly, I can't even remember the titles of the post-ATTL songs

don¡t throw stones, people!,lol

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

I meant post-A Time to Love.

frankly, I can't even remember the titles of the post-ATTL songs

don¡t throw stones, people!,lol

I won't. They're that forgettable.

I want another album like "The River."

Timmy84 said:

But I agree, Joe, his music seemed to have stale after "The Streets of Philadelphia". I'm guessing this is what happens with some of these rock legends once they get to a point that if they were selling shit on a stick, people will blindly buy it.

yeah :s , but hey, I like the fact that someone like the Boss is still releasing new albums, but it bugs me when these "decent, ok" new albums get A+/4,5 stars reviews,

I mean, I'd rate the Rising with a solid A, but the rest of his E Street 00s albums with a B or even a B-

JoeTyler said:

Timmy84 said:

But I agree, Joe, his music seemed to have stale after "The Streets of Philadelphia". I'm guessing this is what happens with some of these rock legends once they get to a point that if they were selling shit on a stick, people will blindly buy it.

yeah :s , but hey, I like the fact that someone like the Boss is still releasing new albums, but it bugs me when these "decent, ok" new albums get A+/4,5 stars reviews,

I mean, I'd rate the Rising with a solid A, but the rest of his E Street 00s albums with a B or even a B-

They give any rock legend that. Especially U2. It's like once you reach legend/elder statesman status, anything you put out will be above a B by critics but they undervalued these same legends when their music was still hot lol well I doubt that was a case with Bruce though because in the '70s and '80s he actually delivered but now, nah lol