Wrecking Ball is the audience split into at least two camps: one camp will be disappointed that there was once again no second mainstream album á la Born in the USA (and no E-Street classics such as Born to Run and Darkness on is the Edge of Town) become. The other camp, and to whom I count myself, will be excited because it Bruce Springsteen has managed with Wrecking Ball once again, something new, something totally unexpected to make. Never before has so Springsteen set to electronic sounds - of drum loops on hip-hop sounds to a small rap part (in Rocky Ground), which may at first seem a bit disturbing for the classic Springsteen fan. The new tight sound has little to do with the Heartland Rocker, including Bruce Springsteen has long been not counted wrongly, and who coined the genre decisively. No harmonica, no Piano by Roy Bittan and certainly (with one exception) no saxophone, so no E Street Sound. Ever, the new sound, produced by Ron Aniello, who has Brendan O'Brien replaced, one dares Bruce Springsteen first not to. This is definitely a solo album, similar to 1987, the Tunnel of Love album, members of the E Street Band are only very sporadically, if at all listening to Wrecking Ball. Probably when it comes to sound, Bruce Springsteen Wrecking Ball with never so bold and innovative in his ongoing for 40 years career. Lange he wrote not as good, deep and raging lyrics - it's in most songs to America in the financial and economic crisis, and of course to the American dream - but above all has sounded his voice no longer as good and distinctive as on this album.
Overall combines Bruce Springsteen Wrecking Ball on all styles of his albums since The Rising. Stands out above all the 2006 album The Seeger Sessions, many songs, especially in the first half of the album are very heavy folk, what do not like to please everyone. At the same time, there are also songs that would have fit well on Devils and Dust and The Rising and even on Born in the USA. But then there's the song Rocky Ground, with Springsteen enters completely new territory: hip-hop sounds, rap and gospel choirs are included in it, but backed by a wonderful catchy melody. Even the rap - and normally I hate rap and hip-hop - fits in here.
If you can criticize something, then, that in my view in some places is too often set to electronic sounds. A percussion you do not necessarily replace drum loops (Land of Hope and Dreams), even if it thereby possibly may sound a bit heavier. Here would in some places m. E. been somewhat less.
For me Wrecking Ball is so far the album of the fledgling 2012, because Bruce Springsteen proves once again that you can also be a so-called old rocker still innovative. Bruce Springsteen is also with Wrecking Ball nowhere near the mass succeed as it did with Born in the USA (expected and needs no one), but he has proven that he relevant and certainly is the most important rock musicians this time remains and the can not be said of many musicians who still tour the world and live the glory of the old days mainly. There is hardly any other musician who not only me as a fan of his music so touching, but the whole nation respectful listening, because Americans know - even if it often does not like to admit the Conservatives / Republicans - that Springsteen finger in the wound sets and like Bruce Springsteen recently explained in an interview that the discrepancy between the American dream and the American reality clearly shows. Much denounces Springsteen should not be reduced to the United States also, the problems and grievances in Germany or elsewhere in the world are quite similar to what.
For Player Ratings:
We Take Care Of Our Own: It's going to rock drums in the style of American Slang by The Gaslight Anthem, a catchy tune. The text can be similarly misunderstood as it did that of Born in the USA and is controversial in all the American media (imagine the time in Germany that will be talked about a rock song so). Obama has recorded the song in his playlist for the election campaign, although the text is quite furious directed against him. The song is actually pretty easy knit, it is the same melody repeated constantly (which also did not hurt Born in the USA is well known). Annoying in my view, is that the song disappears much too early and too long (once again). But is expected to live to be a Mitgröhlkracher. Solid, somewhat monotonous album opener: 4/5
Easy Money: One of my favorite songs. The strings are very reminiscent of Into the Fire from the album The Rising. Otherwise, a rocking folky (Celtic) song, where it comes to how to take on others regardless, can quickly make big money. Nice end with the violin of Soozie Tyrell. 5/5
Shackled and Drawn: In the style of Easy Money, it goes on, so folky-rock. Another brutal catchy. Great guitars and powerful drums. Lyrically it's about how other enrich under the financial crisis on your costs. 4.5 / 5
Jack of all trades: A touching Springsteen ballad, a waltz, very slowly, accompanied by a piano and a guitar solo by Tom Morello. Class, something rippling melody, but only in combination with the text, it becomes a very beautiful song, especially if the middle of the song a trumpet (no saxophone) begins. The song ends instrumental with many wind instruments, a guitar solo by Tom Morello and is reminiscent of a cemetery march. 4.5 / 5
Death to My Hometown: Irish-influenced rockers in the vein of American country. Sounds sharply after the Pogues or the Dropkick Murphys. Melody is carried by the penny whistle, otherwise contain Gospel. The content is back to the evil's bankers, who hurt the economy, the workers only their jobs and then take away their homes. 4.5 / 5
This depression: Gloomy ballad that would fit well on Devils and Dust or The Rising. Guitar solo from Tom Morello. Text in turn very seriously: This is my confession / I need your heart in this depression, which depression can be interpreted quite double. Musically for me the weakest song: 3/5
Wrecking Ball: The title track was actually written on the occasion of the demolition of Giants Stadium in New Jersey, where Bruce has played many legendary concerts. Although the text has remained unchanged, the wrecking ball is now as a metaphor for the decline of the global economy. Many Winds and Strings, otherwise as we know it from the Tour 2009 already. Killer track, probably the best track and the one who reminds most closely to the old E Street Sound: 5/5
You've got it: The song falls both lyrically and musically completely out of the frame, but is no less outstanding. Could also from the sessions of Born in the USA originate, at least from her voice that sounds here much younger. Some want it even recognize similarities to Sugar Land (from those same sessions). For me, a highlight of the album, comes out with the fewest electronic additions, but unfortunately again disappears much too early, so only 4.5 /. 5
Rocky Ground: A song, as one would never have expected it of Springsteen. At a similar beat like Philadelphia, ie drum loops, Bruce and Michelle Moore sings in the background the irresistibly catchy melodic chorus with absolute quality. Finally, there is a short, but quite appropriate rap, a gospel choir and many wind instruments. After having overcome the initial shock, the fact is another highlight of the album developed for me. Lyrically the album is more optimistic from here. 5/5, but could not be for everyone.
Land of Hope and Dreams: Hmmm! The song is actually from the reunion tour in 1999 and belongs to the live version known to date to the best songs that m. E. Bruce ever wrote. Now he has turned it into an under painted with drum loops, atmospherically dense song that particularly stand out clearly the gospel elements. Such a good song you can basically do not produce completely broken, but if I had to choose, I would not hesitate to rock the live version prefer, although this very well, but is just totally different. After all, this is the only song on the saxophone of the late Big Man can be heard, which makes the song even more emotional. Let's see how the song is presented on the tour. In this version: 4/5
We're Alive: Finally, a religiously tinged, upbeat song with acoustic guitars and a reminiscent of the Ring of Fire trumpets riff. The sung melody recalls at least at the beginning of My Best Was Never Good Enough From the album The Ghost of Tom Joad. Very nice and the perfect conclusion for an (almost) perfect album. 4.5 / 5
Bonus Track Swallowed Up: A reminiscent of Tom Waits song, can dispense with acoustic guitars, which I would, however, very bleak. In the overall context of the album but then very good, as a single song less. Lyrically again very appealing. Do you have to hear repeatedly. 3/5
Bonus Track American Country: Also long known, comes from the Seeger Sessions, Irish folk song in the Pogues-style, was played on the last two three tours almost every evening with the E Street Band. Here is slightly different from the known version, some drum loops at the beginning, the end with stronger Rhytmusbetonung, cooler drunken voice (which in the song just fits), otherwise as usual a great song that I can not get enough. 5/5
A wonderful, surprising, varied folk-rock album with a modern sound, not to be compared with other Springsteen albums, especially the albums by Springsteen m. E. eh not be compared with each other, because each album is completely different.
Playing time of the CD: almost 62 minutes Sound: Excellent (not the mushy as with Magic)
Booklet: beautifully designed, with all lyrics and a very touching tribute to Clarence Clemons.
The Boss is back! A hell of an album! Whether it is a masterpiece needs, yet to be seen.
Another little tip: The Album necessarily loud, deliberately and hear the piece. Only then it works properly.
