cool, The Wrestler was a great closer for an amazing movie. I'll listen to this in a little while, I just ordered Nebraska so I want to get into that first.

also, a bunch of my friends were singing in the inaugural concert yesterday and got to meet him, i'm really goddamn jealous

this is a fantastic album that takes a few listens to "get." i haven't stopped listening to it since the record company sent me a high quality digital advanced copy a few days ago

>_>

and yeah this is nothing like Nebraska, of course. its like Magic but also like older BTR stuff. sort of grand. its lush, has choral elements, keyboard orchestration, nice vocal harmonies, and Phil Spector, Beatles, and Beach Boys influences are all over it. love songs, mostly. but like Bruce has described it, "love in troubled times"

its an album full of hope and dreams, really

This Message Edited On 01.19.09

damn good stuff.

I think this young fella has been influenced by The Gaslight Anthem.
;-)

well w/e it is he needs to keep at it. he has never released work this quickly b4 and has perhaps been too precious about it in the past. in interview he says he has been inspired by his collaborations with Brendon 'O Brien and it has spurred him on. i appreciate the fact he is going outside the box a bit but is also going back to his early days and early influences to come up with something that for him sounds new and fresh. this album is "pop" in a Spector / Byrds / Orbison / Beach Boys sort of way. and it just works. throw in some bruce circa the BTR album and its a great listening experience

i figure the dude is doing something right because if you look at the BTX message board (the holy grail of Bruce message boards) this album has many detractors who would love to see bruce do BITUSA 2 or go back to The River or just make "rock" anthems. those days are gone for him it would seem. and good thing. he isn't trying to please anyone but himself it would seem. and that pleases me just fine

this is a fine, fine recording. not perfect or without flaws. but what it does it does very well imo

This Message Edited On 01.19.09

This is pretty good.

Lets see if The Boss makes a brand new album come Obama's first fuck-up!