First impression: Thankfully, it's not nearly as bad as expected. Springsteen released his first full-length pop album - and he makes it in my opinion very good. The 60's are greeting. Of course, the whole no milestone is Springsteen'schen oeuvre, but the songs are all catchy, go into the ear, causing a humming along. The lyrics are nice, catchy choruses, as befits pop songs, sometimes rather with depth.
And for those who then still waiting for more classic Springsteen songs, for example, there's "The Wrestler" and "Life itself". I found not even "Surprise Surprise" really bad (as I said, everything belongs 1x without text to read).
In short - the album is consistently good to hear some songs go one probably from the 5th time on your nerves, but overall I like it being too. If a rock album in the vein of Born to Run or The Rising expected, but also songs like "Tougher than the rest", "I'll work for your love" or "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" like is you here well served.
I am Springsteen fan for over 25 years and am always happy, if not an album like the other sounds, but Bruce tried something new again and again. This time he has his mainstream and poppy side unearthed and it pleases me exceptionally well. The man is with himself and the world at peace, currently seemingly cheerful and you can hear that on the album.
3 stars for the lyrics, melodies 5 for results, a total of 4. I can live with, even if I also like but again the rich E Street Sound would have on the next album ;-)
