The Rising by Bruce

[poorme]

Anyone picked this album up yet? I've read two reviews, two positive one negative (though not violently so). They've been playing the title track on the radio and I seem to like it well enough. Everyone (including me) has been waiting for another masterpiece -- it's been 15 years since Tunnell of Love. Kind of doubtful he'll ever make another one.

[johnny]

I'm gonna pick it up this weekend. I can't wait!!

[WiredTiger]

Although I am not a huge Bruce fan I have bought a lot of his albums in the past. I almost took the plunge yesterday because Best Buy had it for $9.99!

[poorme]

Originally posted by WiredTiger
Although I am not a huge Bruce fan I have bought a lot of his albums in the past. I almost took the plunge yesterday because Best Buy had it for $9.99!

ARGH! So close to a review!

[poorme]

anyone pick this up yet?

[spitball]

Nope. Jammed with him once though. We did " Fever".
It was John McEnroe's B-Day party.

[poorme]

Originally posted by spitball
Nope. Jammed with him once though. We did " Fever".
It was John McEnroe's B-Day party.

did he seem like a nice guy?

did mac take over the mic?

[spitball]

Bruce and Patty were both AWESOME.
We talked about kids.
McEnroe had me tune his pink guitar. He was a really cool guy.
Tatum was messed up on something though.

[poorme]

Originally posted by spitball
Bruce and Patty were both AWESOME.


he seems like a great guy. kind of short though.:D

[spitball]

I thought he was short too. He's not. I'm 6' 1" and we were eye to eye.

[Allard]

I bought it when it came out and must say that I am impressed. I was very squemish about him doing songs about 9/11 and being on the Today show, but after about 3 listens I got over all of that. The 9/11 songs are so vague in their subject matter that it doesn't seem pandering. Definitely not Toby Keith.

I would say that eventually I will put this album up there with his other masterpieces like Tunnel and Darkness. Bruce is aging gracefully, and this album sounds like a 52 year old guy who is happy with the way his music career has gone, but still wants to show off his chops. There are one or two misfires on the album, but what album doesn't have that? I really can't get into the song "Let's be Friends", which sounds just like John Mellencamp on Lonesome Jubilee (which isn't a bad album, its just not a good sound for Bruce).

This is the album that he could have had if he had consolidated the Lucky Town/Human Touch albums. Good mix of rockers and slow songs. Brenden O'Brian mixed the album, and it sounds incredible. There has been some backlash against the 5 star review by Rolling Stone, but after about 10 listens, I can't say that I disagree. I think that 10 years from now they will still consider it a 5 star album, when viewing it in the context of his entire career. My wife really liked it, and she is not a Bruce fan. Definitely worth your money.

[BuzzBuzzard]

I bought it the day it came out. Had a 5 hour drive to Cape Cod on 8/5 and listened to it 3 times on the way up. Love the album, but am a HUGE Bruce fan in the first place. Was in the Garden for the last night of the 2000 tour, on the floor to boot, which was the night HBO was there filming. That was a good day. Mets/Braves game in the afternoon, hopped over to the hotel for a shower, and then the concert.

Best track is Skin to Skin (#8).

[poorme]

well, i finally went by the CD store and picked it up. I am pleasantly surprised - this is definitely a great springsteen album. anyone who likes good rock and roll should buy it.

the whole 911 connection was overblown by the media. I probably wouldn't have even realized the connection had they not told me about it. the lyrics are vintage bruce. it's an instant classic.

[gyb13]

Originally posted by poorme
I've read two reviews, two positive one negative (though not violently so).
fuzzy math? ;)

[pathogan]

I really havent like anything since Tom Joad...this isnt jingoistic,its kind of as deep as this guy gets. Not great. Not Bad. what it is. Its certainly not cynical, he has more money than croseus, . I think it's okay. By the way, be prepared for 9/11 onslaughts by "artists". sigh

[Skip]

I've been a huge Bruce fan since the 70's. This album I enjoy and appreciate but it leaves me lukewarm. Missing a "rock" edge, IMO. I'm glad to have it but .... I agree with (Allard I think) that this is very close to the album that Lucky Town/Human Touch could've been if all the crap were removed. This is a good album. This is not a great album.

[poorme]

Originally posted by Skip
This is a good album. This is not a great album.

I think you may be comparing it to his best albums which are among the greatest albums in the whole genre of rock and roll. I was expecting more "human touch" so I am very pleased. If you are comparing it to The River or Darkness, then no, it's not that good. Certainly the best he's done since Tunnel of Love IMO.

[Skip]

Originally posted by poorme
Certainly the best he's done since Tunnel of Love IMO. I'll grant that. And you're right; good by Bruce beats the snot out of anything by most people. Heightened expectations, I guess.

[rcartman28]

Finally got around to listening to it after picking it up on sale a couple weeks ago at Target. I really liked it, but that may be because I like anything he puts out. It's not as good as "Born to Run", but it is still very good.....

[b-ball-lunachik]

Originally posted by Skip
And you're right; good by Bruce beats the snot out of anything by most people.

you can say that again Skip! :D bruce is by far my favorite artist, performer, group, etc and have been a huge fan since I was a kid...while the Rising isn't up there with Darkness, Greetings or Born to Run, I do think it's as good as Tunnel of Love, if not better...I love this album especially the spirit it's written...

my favorite track changes day to day but I was loving "Waitin' on a Sunny Day" and today I think it's "Countin' on a Miracle".

Someone on another board offered to make me a copy of the live bootleg CD he had from one of the two local shows in either Jersey or MSG -- I can't believe I missed both shows! Anyway, once I get it, if someone knows how to make a copy and wants to copy mine, let me know. :)

I'm going to see him in Cincinnati in November -- can't wait! :)

[Skip]

After numerous listenings, I'll even upgrade my review. Its a very good album, if not up to his absolute best. The main reason is the lack of enough "rockers" to provide balance. I mean, I really liked Nebraska, and even pretty much liked Tom Joad, but for a more mainstream album, this one just suffers from a bit too much sameness. Guess he's getting old too.

But again, a very good album, and a worthy addition to the catalog.