This album took awhile to arrive but was well worth the wait as it has several very memorable songs. "Lonesome Day" is a favorite as is "Waitn' On a Sunny Day". 15 songs is a lot to absorb though and most don't linger in the mind all that long. I saw Bruce live during this period and it was an awe inspiring show. He played a lot of older stuff as well but the new songs were very compelling along with the use of a cello in addition to electric guitars. I recommend setting aside some time to listen to this album in it's entirety!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
If I had to choose one record or artist that summed up America post 9/11, it would be The Rising by Bruce Springsteen. America and Americans experienced a wide range of emotions, anger, fear, astonishment, fear and eventually hope. Bruce manages to capture all with this album. He reaches a bit to the past and clings to the hope of the future. 1. The album open with Lonesome Day which echos the simple and direct wisdom of Born in the U.S.A. 2. Into the Fire with lines like "The sky was falling in the streets like blood" make a clear connection to 9/11 and the hope and pride we all felt after 9/11 and all the "heros" who rose up to reach out to those in need. 3. Waiting on a Sunny Day a song about hope brings the tempo up and sounds like a summer song which preceeds the darker 4. Nothing Man a more introspective song dealing with the average man becoming a reluctant hero. 5. Counting on a Miracle is self explanitory. Who doesn't pray for a miracle now and then? 6. Empty Sky deals with anger and loss and and the hollow feeling of looking at the space where the towers used to be. 7. Worlds apart starts with, dare I say an Arabic beat and chant. What do we really know about the attackers and the hate they feel toward the US and its policies? A haunting song questioning what we don't know. 8. As we pass the midway point Skin to Skin echos a yearning to become friends, no time like the present. 9. Further On is about just that. This may not be the time.....maybe later. 10. The Fuse, again a darker and deliberate song declares we should be ready, something is going to happen. We anticipate it, maybe it is the songs he just wrote, bittersweet and with purpose, or maybe a metaphore. Either way Bruce knows that the post 9/11 world is or will be bitter sweet for some time as is with all loss. 11. However reaching for faith can be a rocky road. Buddah, God, Mother Mary. Meet me at Mary's Place is where Bruce runs, to be with the people he loves. Don't we all need a Mary's Place? 12. Yet the morning after the party we find they are still gone and You're Missing a brooding and sad song is about all the things that don't change after some one has left us. More specifically all the things that become extra-ordinary when someone is gone. The whole of the world is the same except those who are left behind. 13. The Rising brings us full circle to the hope we all need to "rise up" and move on. Perfect timing as even now we need a bit of "rising". 14. The interesting thing about "Paradise" the albums second to last song is its placement. Sandwiched between the albums two most hopeful songs. Paradise is haunting, acoustic, moody and is almost a prayer. Solem, lonely and dreamlike. 15. And finally My City Of Ruins. Arguablly the albums most hopeful song. Gospel, folk, soul roll out like a velvet invitation, a call to arms asking us all to "Rise Up" and rebuild our City Of Ruins. This song exemplifies the optimism of Bruce and the way he has choose to deal with 9/11. As you listen to the album you find yourself relating with the honest and direct message. Exactly what Bruce does best. Everyone can relate with what Bruce has gone through, we just aren't as eloquent. Bruce challenges us to move past the anger and onto hope and forgiveness. Many people may find the album a bit too raw after 9/11, too fresh from the wound. Yet with time, the album can be a source of healing. At least is was for meRead full review
Springsteen has written personal songs that have a darker side if not in lyrics then in the musical sound. Creative and staying within a limited boundary. Would have liked to have heard some of the songs stripped down in arangement. Would have liked more up tempo rocking on a few. His voice is good and strong. I write Christian/rock and use several artist to compare what i am doing with writing and the tracking and the mix. See UR1 ............
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great cd
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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