Bruce Springsteen: Working on a Dream Review

New Jersey is cut up into four different segments - North Jersey, urban areas, the shore, and South Jersey. While all of these areas raise different breeds of people, there is one universal truth - they all love Bruce. Then there is me, I've lived in Jersey my entire life yet have always had an eh kind of feeling about Bruce. He's alright, nothing to go crazy over, but for some reason I had some sort of high optimism for Working on a Dream. Was my optimism warranted? Not exactly, in fact, after a number of listens I left with the same feeling I've always had about Bruce's music - Ehhh, it's pretty good.

There's a lot more good than bad on Working on a Dream, but the good rarely reaches anything beyond simply being just good. The album opens up with "Outlaw Pete" a dramatic eight minute epic western saga that drives home a thought provoking lyrical theme. It's one of the few moments where greatness is truly grasped. Another highlight of the album is "Tomorrow Never Knows", a short and quaint little ditty with some country twang and a great chorus to boot. Although not technically a part of the album, the bonus track, "The Wrestler" may be the strongest moment on Working on a Dream. With amazing chord changes and moving lyrics, "The Wrestler" delivers on every level.

The same cannot be said however for songs like, "Queen of the Supermarket" and "Kingdom of Days". "Queen of the Supermarket" is one of the most ridiculous songs I've heard in a long time, where Bruce tries to channel his love for a Supermarket Checkout girl. Not even the Boss can escape with lyrics as ridiculous as, "A dream awaits in aisle number two" and, "Each night I take my groceries and I drift away". And if the crazy lyrics weren't enough, the song features strong willed and passionate backup vocals declaring, "I'm in love with the queen of the supermarket". "Kingdom of Days" targets a dramatic touch with an orchestral backdrop but it never reaches the next level and matched with a dull chorus, is a complete bore.

The remainder of the album is pretty decent. "Surprise Surprise" is a fun and simple 60s pop-esque radio friendly tune. "Good Eye" is a rootsy blues track featuring distorted vocals that has potential but it never reaches the next level and feels a bit stagnant. The final song of the album "The Last Carnival" is a strong song that shows Bruce at his most vulnerable in this soft and poignant track led by Springsteen's haunting vocals.

Working on a Dream never obtains greatness, but at the same time it's not in any way shape or form bad. Even if the lackluster moments were cut out, it still wouldn't be a "Grade A" album. It has a ho-hum feeling which in essence sums up how I've felt about Springsteen throughout his entire career. Not great, but not bad either.

Grade: B-