Search - Bruce Springsteen :: The Rising (Special Packaging)

The Glory Days are Back

Max White | 07/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The glory days of the Boss may have seemed lost in the flood for the past few years, but Springsteen is back, big time. The Rising is one of his finest albums, and stands alongside Born to Run and Born in the USA as a true rock classic. Bruce takes listeners on a musical journey dealing with the events of and life after September 11, 2001. While some of the songs were written before the tragedy, they all seemingly aply to the subject, and those songs that were written on it are simply incredible. From the roots-rock opening track of Lonsesome Day and the heartfelt Into the Fire to the ripping sounds of Worlds Apart and Further On Up the Road, The Rising manages to make us cry, exalt, and think, all while treating us to some of the finest music heard in recent years. If you like Springsteen, get The Rising. If you don't like Springsteen, get The Rising. This album will doubtlessly go down in time as a cultural landmark created in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11 and be a symbol for American life after the tragedy."

The Boss is Back...With a Powerful Message

James Crouch | Nashville, TN United States | 08/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Rising, Bruce Springsteen's first album with the E Street Band since the 1984 landmark album Born in the USA, is a blazing return to form. His vocals are pure, intense, and emotional, sounding better than they have in years. The E streeters have fallen directly back in step with Bruce seeming to have not skipped a beat in their decade and a half away from Mr. Springsteen. It is easy to see the added maturity of the band, as they have evolved their sound for a new musical climate without forgetting the elements that defined their sound when they first got together over 25 years ago. The album showcases very solid guitar work, including some incredibly roaring solos and leads from Bruce himself, wailing away on his Telecaster. There are a wide variety of songs represented here, as well as many different musical styles. There are straight up rockers, more laid back songs, some excellent slide guitars, and even some middle eastern sounds reminiscent of recent work by Sting. Some of my personal favorites are Lonesome Day, Let's Be Friends (Skin to Skin), Further on up the Road, and The Rising. The album is filled with songs of loss and redemption, friendships and hardships. This skillful blending of emotions fills the music with added sense of reality which makes it that much more meaningful. This is a real man with real emotions that people can relate to. While watching VH1 recently, a Michael Jackson fan said that there were two types of rock stars: those like Springsteen who are very approachable people that often go out to local clubs and meet with everyday people, and those like Jackson, who seem like untouchable people that lead very guarded lives, on a completely different level than you and me. He said that this "untouchable" status was what drew him to Jackson. Springsteen's approachable nature, t-shirt and jeans appearance, and abilty to relate to the feeling of everyday people are what draw myself and many others to listen to his music. Give this album a try. It is one of the most powerful statements in this post 9/11 world (not to sound too cliched, but I really do think it's a powerful album from a man who realizes that our world has changed). A quick note about the limited edition: It comes in a bound cardboard booklet with about 45 pages of pictures and handwritten lyrics for every song. It's not absolutely essential, but if you're a Springsteen fan having the handwritten lyrics is a very nice touch. Hope you enjoy listening to this album as much as I do."

Profound and haunting...a masterpiece

James Crouch | 08/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my favorite Springsteen album, but for a different reason. Once I heard this,it became more than just music. It's not just about Sept.11- it's about love and loss in general. I lost the love of my life to a surprise heart attack, and this cd articulates so much the feelings,the profound sadness, the coldness of life going on unimpeded."I wake from Paradise, and I wait for Paradise". He nailed that one. This music may not heal, but it has comforted me in ways I can't express. If you're hurting, give this one a try. Thanks, Boss."