The reviews that have been published in varying magazines and newspapers have been all over the place. Rolling Stone gave it five stars, Entertainment Weekly gave it an A, but The Chicago Sun-Times gave it one-and-a-half stars. When I was thinking about it today, I was thinking I was somewhere in the middle. I was thinking about how it's less of an album and more a collection of songs that aren't tied together in any theme.
However, I have already changed my mind. The theme is the way the songs are arranged and presented. This album is more about the music than the words. The lyrics are secondary, which is very different for Bruce. The only other album that you might be able to say that about is The Wild, The Innocent, and The E Street Shuffle, which was the only album that did not include lyrics in the album sleeve when relased.
So what ties this whole thing together is the sometimes over the top presentation. That said, here's a song by song breakdown.
1. Outlaw Pete - One of my immediate favorites. This song has received a lot of criticism in some cirlces for its length (over 8 minutes) and a similar riff to Kiss' I Was Made For Loving You. However, I really like the story. The story might have been better presented with The Seeger Sessions Band, but musically, there is a lot going on here. The message is simple; you can't escape your past...no matter how far you travel or how hard you try. With changes in tempo and storyteller, it makes for a great 8 minute movie unlike anything Bruce has written since the 70's.
2. My Lucky Day - How can you not like a straight ahead pop song with Little Steven singing back up vocals throughout? The world is cruel, but as long as I have you, I am a lucky guy. This is vintage Bruce.
3. Working on a Dream - Probably one of my least favorite tracks. There's not a lot here. However, the whistling is getting killed by most. I like it. It's symbolic. What's more American than someone whistling while they work? This probably would have fit better on Magic with its political undertone.
4. Queen of the Supermarket - One of the oddest songs in the catalog, but I LOVE IT! It's really a Roy Orbison song in many ways. It has a 60's theme with very a orchestral presentation. I connect with the story. For many reasons, the storyteller doesn't want to approach his dream girl. This happens! Do you think Bruce wrote this after playing Pretty Flamingo last summer?
5. What Love Can Do - One of the strongest tracks on the album, this was the first song written for this record. It has a Magic sound with layered vocals. "Darling I can't stop the rain, or turn your black sky blue, but let me show you what love can do." It's a straight ahead rocker with some nasty guitar work.
6. This Life - A 60's pop love song. It's a great vocal, but it hasn't grown on me yet, and I am not sure it will. Let's see if/how it's presented live.
7. Good Eye - This one has really grown on me once I figured out the lyrics. This one is straight from the swamp with Bruce using a reverb mic. "I had my good eye to the dark and my blind eye to the sun." I know what the right thing is to do, but I choose not to. This is the cousin of Your Own Worst Enemy from Magic.
8. Tomorrow Never Knows - A little blue grass, almost country tune. A sparse arrangement, so maybe this one doesn't fit, but it's fun nonetheless. "Tomorrow never knows..." Make today count.
9. Life Itself - I am really enjoying this song. It's about the struggles of life, connections, love, what's important and how maybe then it's not important. In the end, maybe only one thing is important.
10. Kingdom of Days - I read an article recently where Bruce spoke about how things are finite. With the passing of Danny Federici (more on that later), who can blame him. This song is about a couple growing old together. "We laugh beneath the covers and count the wrinkles and the grays." I like the lyrics more than I like the presentation on this one...which is atypical for me regarding this album. A love song for growing old...maybe I am not old enough to truly appreciate it yet.
11. Surprise Surprise - So much fun. It's a catchy pop song with a Byrds guitar jangle and very pop backing vocals at the end. I love a catchy pop song and this is a great one.
12. The Last Carnival - The tribute to Danny. The character in the song is named Billy and many think this connects to Wild Billy's Circus Story, which I immediately thought as well. Danny's song plays organ on this track. Bruce's vocal cracks twice...obviously this song means a lot. This is the second record in a row with a tribute to a fallen friend, and I hope we don't have another for a while. This one is truly touching.
13. The Wrestler - Written for the movie of the same name as a favor to his friend Mickey Rourke, this is part of the brilliance of Bruce. He captures the soul of the man in 3 minutes.
All things considered, I give it a B+ and can't wait to see the material presented live. See you on the road.
"It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive..."
JN
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