To be honest, before I heard Devil’s & Dust I thought Bruce was a cheesy 80s stadium rocker. Each song was dripping with annoying horns and god-awful production from that decade. I can just see him now pumping his fist while he sings “Glory Days†or “Born in the U-S-A.†He seemed like an 80s rock demagogue who only wanted to appeal to the undereducated working class. This was the image of Bruce from my formative years.
But after Devils & Dust, everything changed. My nascent roots music affection dovetailed with the Boss’ late-stage primitive music fascination. I’ve since discovered his catalogue and managed to forgive him for his cheesier moments in favor of the more harrowing (see Nebraska & Ghost of Tom Joad). I’d never heard a voice so forlorn.
Even though he’s pushing 60, the boss seems truly like a fine wine. His super bowl performance truly electrified the crowd and his last few records have each had their own unique charms, even for someone so groundbreaking. Devils & Dust deepened the Boss’ exploration of country-folk music. We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions gave Seeger’s old songs a new life and a new audience. Finally, Magic brought the Boss back to his E Street roots. Enter Working on a Dream as truly a second, more diverse helping of Magic.
While Magic seemed a bit of a rougher jump into radio friendly territory, Working on a Dream balances Springsteen’s diverse styles much more naturally and puts his vocals where they should be: right out front. The lead single and title-track whose populist lyrics somehow ring true in his capable hands: “I’m working on a dream / Though it can feel so far away / I’m working on a dream / Our love will make it real someday.†No one else could pull this off.
With its brushed percussion and strings, “Tomorrow Never Knows†comes together as an epic country-road song. The narrator travels on and on and seems to never find his place “Where the river flows / Tomorrow never knows.†Another strong country-tinged song, “The Last Carnival†begins with a gentle James Tayloresque introduction. Bruce’s rougher vocals bring out the edge of the song. Not to mention the brilliant bonus track “The Wrestler†whose omission from the Oscar nominations is truly unbelievable.
Now the album has some confusing, weaker material. But the best albums have some great singles and some growers and this is a very balanced set of songs. It’s not Devil’s & Dust and it’s not Nebraska either, but it’s a solid record for Bruce’s standards and that’s definitely saying a lot.
About the author: Jeff is a teacher in the Boston area. When not buried correcting papers, Jeff can be found plucking various stringed instruments and listening to all types of americana music.