Next Sunday Bruce Springsteen will perform during halftime at the Super Bowl.\u00c2\u00a0 Fans will fawn, the press will recite hosannas, the new album’s sales will spike and tickets will fly.\u00c2\u00a0 But will it be a success?<\/p>\n
Back in ’75, when Bruce appeared simultaneously on the covers of both "Time" and "Newsweek", it was seen as a disaster. Bruised by the perception of overhype, Springsteen retreated and didn’t release another album until three years later.\u00c2\u00a0 The dark, brooding "Darkness At The Edge Of Town", which many consider his best.\u00c2\u00a0 "Darkness" may not have contained "Born To Run", it certainly didn’t feature "Hungry Heart", but Bruce went back on the road and won fans over one by one, via his live shows.\u00c2\u00a0 There was an intimate connection between Springsteen and his fans, that bonded them to him.\u00c2\u00a0 Bruce became an icon.\u00c2\u00a0 It took the mainstream another half decade to realize it, with "Born In The U.S.A.", but in the world of rock, Bruce was a God, if not THE God.\u00c2\u00a0 And isn’t that all that matters?<\/p>\n
Somehow we’ve equated ubiquity with success.\u00c2\u00a0 Sure, I can understand wanting enough fans and fame to pay your bills and give up your day job, but if you’re always swinging for the fences, playing to the press and the lowest common denominator, does this increase your cred, even your bank account on a long term basis?<\/p>\n
Bruce has got a new album.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s been available online for weeks.\u00c2\u00a0 It sounds terrible.<\/p>\n
Literally.\u00c2\u00a0 By time it’s been compressed for radio and squeezed down further as files it bounces right off of you.\u00c2\u00a0 It sounds lousy on satellite radio.\u00c2\u00a0 It doesn’t sound like music.\u00c2\u00a0 You’d think the Boss would take a stand.\u00c2\u00a0 If Tom Petty releases an audiophile EQ’ed CD, can’t Bruce?<\/p>\n
No.\u00c2\u00a0 Because Bruce is so busy playing in the stadium, so worried about money, that music has become secondary.<\/p>\n
This is a problem facing all recording artists, sound quality.\u00c2\u00a0 But we usually count on the leaders to break ground.\u00c2\u00a0 But not Springsteen.<\/p>\n
Speaking of breaking ground, I’d like to tell you "Working On A Dream" tests limits, that it’s a new Bruce.\u00c2\u00a0 But it’s Bob Dylan that does that.\u00c2\u00a0 This new album sounds just like the same old guy.\u00c2\u00a0 With the big band.\u00c2\u00a0 It does not demand listening.<\/p>\n
And then there’s the press.\u00c2\u00a0 Mostly fawning.\u00c2\u00a0 I was reading an article by the editor of the "Guardian" in the "New York Review Of Books".\u00c2\u00a0 He spoke of the press’ responsibility.\u00c2\u00a0 I can understand the financial community missing the mortgage crisis, but where were the writers?<\/p>\n
Sucking at the tit.\u00c2\u00a0 Trying to become famous themselves.\u00c2\u00a0 Kissing the asses of the players.\u00c2\u00a0 Like Maria Bartiromo, flying on Citigroup’s private jet.\u00c2\u00a0 The journalists are just like Springsteen.\u00c2\u00a0 More concerned with the trappings than the essence.\u00c2\u00a0 They need to write good things about the Boss so they can be friends with him.\u00c2\u00a0 And his management.\u00c2\u00a0 So they can get perks.<\/p>\n
The only negative review I’ve read is by the usually sunny Ann Powers in the "Los Angeles Times" <\/p>\n
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