April 27, 2005
Bruce Springsteen has released a new album, Devils & Dust.
This is not your father's Springsteen.
Of the 12 songs on the album, 10 are spare, dreary, and depressing. Mostly just Bruce on unaccompanied acoustic guitar, trying to sound country. Like Willie Nelson after an overdose of tequila and 'ludes but without Willie's tremendous voice.
At least he's no longer having his cake and eating it, too. For years, he released songs with downbeat, "socially conscious" lyrics set to catchy, upbeat music. The classic, of course, is "Born in the USA" about a Vietnam vet, unemployed and desperate, but sung to as rousing and anthemic music as there is in modern pop.
And two songs are O.K. I give "Leah" a B+ and "All I'm Thinkin' About" a B.
But overall, a thumbs down, not worth $22.50 or even half that.