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 more you listen the more you love it Oct 14, 2009
Great cd, grows on you each time you hear it. Never get tired of Bruce one of the all time greats.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Still the Boss Sep 08, 2009
Although I did not like the first song, "Outlaw Pete" the rest of the album was terrific. Springsteen's voice has gotten better with age!
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
An Amazing Accomplishment Aug 14, 2009
...and a return to the old themes. First, the accomplishment. Bruce has put together a fresh and vibrant album, something that veteran artists are almost never able to do. Every song on this album is filled with richness and meaning. He's provided songs of hope (My Lucky Day and Working on a Dream), songs that display a profound love (Kingdom of Days, Surprise, Surprise), and as always, songs of deep thoughtfulness (Life Itself, The Last Carnival). Furthermore Bruce displays an amazing ability to mix and blend different musical styles from song to song. For example, he gives us Good Eye, a nearly pure Blues song.
Second, the old themes. Since The Rising, Bruce has put songs in each of his albums that have reflected our modern times (Into the Fire, Devils and Dust, Long Walk Home - to name a few). In Working on a Dream he has returned almost entirely to the old human themes - love, hope, loss, redemption. The themes that last through life - that is why signing about these themes strikes to the heart, no matter what year it is. I have been a Bruce fan since before Wild Billy's Circus Story - that is why I am so amazed at how rich and vibrant Working on a Dream is. After listening to it, I can describe it this way: When you listen to this album, and then listen to some of the other new albums out there - it is like going from reading classic literature to reading a children's book.
Lastly, this review could have also been titled A Study in Growth. Bruce and the band continue to grow and mature - Bruce's writing on this album displays an incredible emotional and philosophical progression. I think some of Bruce's old fans who are displeased with this album need to take a month off of work and try to keep up with his maturation as a human observer.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Not Quite A Masterpiece, But Definitely A Superb Album Jul 21, 2009
My WORKING ON A DREAM review has been a long time coming. I bought the album back at the end of January, but it is one of those albums that you "should've listened to" but you just didn't. For me, the hype that "The Boss" was getting for WORKING ON A DREAM was a bit much. Sure, I love Springsteen, but the 5-star endorsement by Rolling Stone, similar to the one given to U2's NO LINE ON THE HORIZON, is the slightest bit over-zealous, if I might be so bold to say so. No one can deny that Bruce Springsteen is an integral part of rock and roll music; this man is a legend. However, WORKING ON A DREAM is another solid album in his discography, not the masterpiece of say BORN IN THE U.S.A. in which the Boss was "Dancing In The Dark". I'll give him props that WORKING ON A DREAM is a fine album, though I wouldn't call it a clear-cut masterpiece, as some have over-praised. Still again, it deserves many accolades.
The album opens up brilliantly with The Boss's 8 minute saga, "Outlaw Pete", which would've been well at home of Springsteen's "Devils and Dust", one of Springsteen's best albums of late. Despite its gargantuan length, "Outlaw Pete" doesn't sound lengthy, but rather sounds authentic, hearkening back to the Bruce's glory days. "My Lucky Day" lays well, speeding up the tempo from "Outlaw Pete". The production work sounds like traditional Springsteen, intact with piano, traces of organ, and that traditional rock and roll feel, mixed with a folk edge. "My Lucky Day" is no game-changer, but it is certainly a well-valued listen from WORKING ON A DREAM.
The most moving track, "Working On A Dream" just might be a master class on songwriting. The words are poignant, and you can't help but feel that Springsteen is paralleling the lyrics of this song with the historic presidency of Obama and the notion of bettering "the American Dream" or at least trying to reclaim such ideals. This is easily my favorite song and it dispels the myth that title tracks usually suck. The use of a choir just further enhances the message and scope of "Working on a Dream."
"Queen of the Supermarket" is solid, if not as outstanding as "Outlaw Pete", "My Lucky Day", or "Working On A Dream". If it is a downgrade, it isn't much of one as The Boss sells it well. As always, Bruce's pen proves to be his strongest point. There he never falters the least bit. "What Love Can Do" finds the Boss contrasting the lengthy duration of "Outlaw Pete", clocking in at under 3:00. Despite the abrupt start (the slightest bit awkward and startling), "What Love Can Do" easily charms the listener. Not the best of the album, but strong anyways. The production is very folk-based with a twinge of country rumination. It kind of makes you wish it lasted longer.
"This Life" opens up with incredibly soul-based production. It makes you wonder if The Boss is going to barrel into R&B. Of course, he doesn't, but "This Life" proves to be another satisfactory listen. It grows a bit tiring, but never so much to call this song merely "average". "Good Eye" changes the sound of the album slightly, with an incredibly, roots-driven number. "Good Eye" with The Boss achieving incredible grit, it as enjoyable and "worth the listen" as everything else. The second coming? No, but overall great and certainly different than so much of the superficial rock and roll that pervades radio and CD shelves.
"Tomorrow Never Knows" lasts just slightly over 2 minutes. It is beautiful, though not life-changing. It doesn't stand out, but it does contribute to WORKING ON A DREAM. "Life Itself" is fine, though not nearly as noteworthy as the best here. Solid and worthwhile, though not revolutionary. "Kingdom of Days" finds The Boss in good voice once again. Solid, classic-sounding, and well written, the only problem (if it really is one) is much like "Life Itself", it most likely won't be remembered as a "classic". Even though it sounds like "classic" Springsteen, there is a difference between sounding "classic" and filling the role of "classic".
"Surprise, Surprise" redirects any lost momentum, proving to be a fun, enjoyable song. Here, Springsteen sounds amongst his best the entire album. The songwriting is spot-on, the chordal progression superb, and everything is "in-the-pocket" as they say. Similarly, "The Last Carnival" and the Golden Globe winning "The Wrestler" end the album nearly or as strongly as it began. "The Last Carnival" could've have appeared on DEVILS & DUST and would've been easily at home. "The Wrestler" should've been nominated for the Academy Award as well as the Golden Globe.
Essentially, the Boss has produced another great album. I can't overstate that this is by no way his master work. I also can't overstate that this album is superb, with only few, miniscule flaws holding it back from being even greater. I highly recommend this album to anyone who "slept on it" like I did for so long. Good work Bruce.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Disappointing Jul 15, 2009
Everyone Else's reviews cover the details, it has a few songs which are sort of Springsteen, but most of it runs flat and there is really no reason to play the album, so much of his stuff prior is SO GOOD, why would you listen to this one, sorry Bruce
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