Working on a Dream

Working on a Dream
Bruce Springsteen
Release date January 27, 2009
Lakin Report

Outlaw Pete
The record starts with a rousing romp through the badlands, while Pete ages. Born into a life of crime. Runs and then is caught by the river. A bit repetitive then slows and hits the point where Pete really goes down the path, shooting the lawman dead. Forty days and nights reference ties to religious themes. Wall-of-sound goes into nothing except a lonesome harp and "strings"???? Can You Hear Me?? Yes but not sure what you are asking me to feel or to think. Pity for the outlaw, uuhhmm OK.

My Lucky Day
Happy Bruce? Decent riff but I'm not really being moved.

Working on a Dream
Happy Bruce II? kind of boring

Queen of the Supermarket
Huh? Happy again? Guess domestic bliss is catching up with him. Although he has better looking checkout girls at his store than I have at mine.

What Love Can Do
More interesting track has a snarling sort of vibe, with the guitar snaking in and out. 'Can't stop the train when it comes crashing through' - like that visual describing when love hits. Short and sweet.

This Life
Brian Wilson meets awkward lyrics - banal. This life and then the next, I have been blessed, what more can you expect???? Yikes.

Good Eye
Nice start, syncopated, lyrics are forced out but seem real and heartfelt. Sort of bluesy and western sounding at the same time. Voice coming through some kind of old time speaker - much more interesting than the previous track. Great harp. Minimalist instruments. Not much Clarence on any of it so far.

Tomorrow Never Knows
Creedence rhythm to start. Seems like "less is more" is coming through. Wall-of-sound is gone? Nice track.

Life Itself
Nice story, talking about someone I'd like to know more about. Production sounds kind of rushed, like they could have done better with more time. But I sort of like the rougher, more unpolished tone.

Kingdom of Days
Same voice, as previous - happy again. This guy is really in love. I love you, I love you, I love you, I do. Let's see, does he really love her? I'm guessing yes. (I really love my lady, wanna hear me tell you over and over?)

Surprise, Surprise
Happy number -- sorry lost count. Happy Birthday song. Surprise, surprise, surprise...... over and over. Get it??!!

Last Carnival
Simple, acoustic start. Seems heartfelt memory of the days at the carnival. Nice bridge, 'moonlight was in your eyes, daybreak you made me ache'.
The best song so far. Takes me to a place I can feel. Very nice images. He still has it.

Wrestler [*]
Streets of Philadelphia vibe - sorry no Oscar this time. Nice images - one-legged dog. Leave with less than I had before.

Last two songs are the best of the album. Cannot understand where Rolling Stone gave it 5 stars. To be clear, Bruce has more talent in his little pinky than I can dream of having. In some respects it doesn't feel right to comment on his work. On the other hand, why not. Writing about records helps me to "hear" it in a different, more substantial way than if it is just playing.

I am very happy Bruce is happy. He deserves it. He has given me and many people I know immense pleasure. It is nice to be in Love. Just not sure what it does for this record. More songs like Last Carnival and Wrestler would have been welcome. But hey, it's just my take on it.