I've always been a Springsteen fan, I haven't bought every album he's ever made or anything, but everyone in the world has at least one Bruce track on the soundtrack to their lives. And I'm sure that at least 90% of the population owned a copy of the famous 'Born in the USA album'!
We all know the famous rock hits spanning over the last four decades, Dancin' in the Dark, Born in the USA, Thunder Road and of course Born to Run to name but a few, and of course Springsteen is up there with the top rock artists of all time. His energy and passion come through in his rock music, and even the lesser Bruce fan cannot help tapping a foot or shaking a head to his well known rock songs.
Devils and Dust is the latest album from the Boss, and it is a step away from the Springsteen that most people know and love. This album is the first in a while not to feature his famous E Street Band, although Patti (his wife) and his kids do lend a background hand to some of the songs.
The album is much slower and much more acoustic than the songs usually associated with mainstream Springsteen. I personally love this album. Its a look at people in various struggles or crossroads in their lives and loves, and he explores a different person in each of his songs.
His voice on the album
is truly amazing. Whilst some argue that Springsteen's voice is not the best ever heard, he can certainly put across a song. This album focuses on the hardships people go through, and the emotion Springsteen puts across with each is song makes it hard not be touched by some of the tracks. On some of the songs, he doesn't quite manage the high note, but this only adds to the emotion and truth within the song.
There are ten tracks in all, each of which tell their own story, or relate to a different experience each of us has gone through. These include:
Devils and Dust - The title track from the album, and very, very good. Starts slow, and builds as the song kicks in. Also features some of that powerful harmonica we all know and love!! A song about how easily the heart and soul can be quickly turned and broken, how sometimes you reach the point where you feel you have nothing left, where you're filled with nothing but dust. One of my favourite lines from this song; 'Fear's a powerful thing......it'll take you God filled heart, fill it with Devils and Dust'. Very though provoking, but quite uplifting when you reach that point. I love songs like this one, they remind you that you're not the only person to ever reach that point!!
Leah - My personal favourite from this album. Just Bruce, a guitar and some simple percussion. Very simple melody and lyrics, but a song which made an immediate impression when I first heard it. Its a song about taking that final step, about deciding what you want, admitting to the things you've done wrong, admitting what you're afraid of, and then just going for it. In this case, he sings about a relationship, all the things he wants to do in life, and how he has found someone with who he wants to do all this with, in this case, Leah. I'd love this song to go on a little longer than it does, its only 3 verses long, but then again, whats the repeat button for???!!! An example of some of the wonderful lyrics in this song; 'I got something in my heart, I been waiting to give, I gotta life I wanna start, yeah one I've been waiting to live. No more waitin, tonight I feel the light, I say a prayer, I open the door, I climb the stairs....' I personally find this a very uplifting and motivating song.
Long Time Comin' - A personal favourite of my other half. What he refers to as 'the truest love song ever written'. This is not a ballad as far as we know them. Its a lively song, drums kick in from the start, and a song guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and do a bit of strumming on the old acoustic air guitar :-) The lyrics in this song are amazing. It is a love song, but discusses the reality behind love too, it's not all roses and wine, and sometimes, we all cock up. Great lines from this song; 'Tonight I'm gonna get butt naked, bury my old soul, and dance on his grave' and the truly honest 'Reach beneath your shirt, lay my hands cross your belly, feel another one kicking inside, and I aint gonna f**k it up this time'.
The Hitter - A moving song about a guy who is sent away from home, and becomes a fighter to earn his money. Sung to his mother, this sounds like someone who has reached his limit, and can take no more, comes home to lay down and die. It tells his story through moving melody and lyrics, and Springsteen excels in putting through the desperation this character went through, and the despondency he now feels. Very good song, especially for those who like a song to tell a story. Main line from this song; 'There's nothin I want Ma, nothing that you need say, just let me lay down for a while and I'll be on my way.'
This album is filled with a complete mixture of styles, some sad, some lively, some foot tappers, but the album really works, due the theme that each song follows. 'Matamoros Banks' is a bit slow for my liking, and I wasn't that keen on 'Jesus Was An Only Child' until I listened to the lyrics and realised what the song was about. But overall, the album is fantastic and very thought provoking .
For those who are familar with Springsteen's work, this album is best likened to his earlier solo album, 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' although I would say that Devils and Dust is a little livelier, and contains more a few more positives!!
Bruces' unique singing voice and amazing song writing ability shine through in this album. Definitely worth a buy for those pondering!!!
This CD also comes with an extra bonus DVD, which features mini-interviews with Springsteen, and live accoustic perfomances of some of the tracks of the album. His talent is obvious on these, nothing but him and a guitar, even the biggest anti-Bruce sceptic cannot fail to be impressed by this!!!
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I'm not a fan of his (did see him at Wembley in 88 though) but a detailed review of this record.
highlyevolved88 15.08.2005 12:39
A nice review, I can see that alot of time went into it, just a bit too long though, a review should be easily digestable! It was rather daunting to start tucking into it. Keep up the good work!
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The last time Bruce Springsteen ventured West for inspiration, the result was the desolate ... more
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