Kevin Ryan - 7/18/2009

Perhaps the most eccentric and certainly the most upbeat record of Springsteen's career. A pop album inspired by the music of his youth - we get Beach Boys harmonies, Byrds guitars, Beatles choruses, even a Dylan shuffle. At first these songs seem lightweight but slowly the killer hooks and catchy melodies work their magic and the often simple lyrics resonate with themes of contentment, the simple joys of life, long-term love and lifelong friendship. As might be expected from an artist nearing 60 though, thoughts of time passing and mortality are not far away and the record is bookended by darker, lonelier, sadder tales - comic, epic, western 'Outlaw Pete', heartfelt goodbye 'The Last Carnival' and the bonus track title song for 'The Wrestler'. The lush, kitchen-sink production, lack of coherent, unifying mood or sound, simple (at times bordering banal) lyrics and general 'poppiness' will disappoint some fans but many more will see it as a welcome addition to the catalogue, fleshing out the Springsteen story with an optimistic, mature pop record. In times like these couldn't we all do with more of those?