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Track Listing
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· Lonesome Day (1)
· Into The Fire
· Waitin' On A Sunny Day (4)
· Nothing Man (5)
· Countin' On A Miracle (3)
· Empty Sky
· World's Apart
· Let's Be Friends
· Further On
· The Fuse
· Mary's Place (6)
· You're Missing
· The Rising (2)
· Paradise
· My City Of Ruins
(*) Best Tracks
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Album Details
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· Produced By: Brendan O'Brien
· Running Time: 72.50
· Release Date: Out Now
· Released: WORLD
· Genre: Rock
· WebLink: Bruce Springsteen
· LabelLink: Columbia
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Recent Discography
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· Born In The USA
· Tunnel Of Love
· Lucky Town
· Human Touch
· Ghost Of Tom Joad
· The Rising
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Discography / Compilations
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· Greatest Hits Volume 1
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Review
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Bruce Springsteen is an American national treasure – there is no denying that.
He also has a body of work unparalleled by the majority of his contemporaries.
His records have moved from rock to pop to folk and back again and with every new release there is always going to be several opinions on the result and the importance of that release in relation to his previous albums.
The Rising is essentially a return to a more commercial field for one of modern time's best song writers.
While this album is certainly uplifting, I wouldn't call it overly uptempo.
This album to me is closest to his 1987 album Tunnel Of Love. Like that album, The Rising is a very personal album, with lyrics inspired by events directly effecting Bruce or those around him. It is of no surprise then, to hear several songs indirectly pay tribute to the residents of New York City and the events of September 11, 2001.
It actually surprised me how simple this album is.
Bruce makes it look complicated with intense and personal lyrics, layered production and varied song styles, but essentially, this is a very commercial pop rock album.
It rocks in places and has a few songs that will translate to stadium anthems with ease, but it is essentially a mature mid-tempo rock album.
Personally, of the recent era albums, I loved Born In The USA and especially Tunnel Of Love.
I thought Human Touch and Lucky Town had some killer songs and a few fillers and I hated Tom Joad.
Yeah, I know it was good – but it wasn't for me.
I am finding The Rising to be much like Human Touch – some fantastic tunes that make my hair stand up on end, but also a few others I could possibly live without.
But as a big Bruce fan, I love the record.
I would have liked to have seen a few more anthems, or stadium rockers, over a few of the softer, more introspective songs included.
Rocking tracks like Lonesome Day, The Rising, Mary's Place, Countin' On A Miracle and Waitin' On A Sunny Day are utterly essential.
So too are the ballads Into The Fire, Nothing Man, Empty Sky and My City Of Ruins.
It's always great to hear that someone of Bruce's stature isn't past a great la la - la la lal la la - la chorus. He does it better than anyone!
A great album that makes for a great listen, improved more so if I am in the right nood for the pace of the tracks.
A little more laid back than I hoped for, but still an engaging set of songs.
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Points Summary - The Bottom Line
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The songwriting is flawless. The performance isn't far behind - as long as you realise this is Bruce 2002, not 1972 or 1982.
The running time and sequence could have been tightened by the removal of one, possibly 2 tracks.
Just my opinion on that.
Another opinion - sequencing - I have never been a huge fan of the rocker / ballad / rocker / ballad running order.
Artwork is brilliant and the production from Brendan O'Brien tight and crisp.
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Recommended For
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All Bruce fans!
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Line Up
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· Bruce Springsteen: Vocals, Guitar
· Roy Bittan: Keys, Piano
· Clarence Clemons: Sax
· Danny Federici: Organ
· Nils Lofgren: Guitar
· Patti Scialfa: Vocals
· Gary Talent: Bass
· Steven Van Zant: Guitar
· Max Weinberg: Drums
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Available
Points
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Songwriting:
40
Performance:
25
Production:
20
Sequencing:
5
Running Time:
5
Artwork:
5
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