Bruce Springsteen – Devils & Dust

Artist: Bruce Springsteen

Title: Devils & Dust

Label: Columbia

Rating: 8/10

CORPORATE LINE: Bruce Springsteen’s new album, Devils & Dust (Columbia Records) will be released exclusively in DualDisc format on April 26 in the US, with the full album on CD on one side of the disc and DVD content on the other side.

The DVD side will feature the first live performances of Devils & Dust material. Filmmaker/photographer Danny Clinch captured new, acoustic renditions of “Devils & Dust,” “Long Time Comin’,” “Reno,” All I’m Thinkin’ About,” and “Matamoras Banks,” each with Springsteen’s extensive, personal introductions. The performances were filmed in New Jersey in February 2005. The DVD side will also contain the entire album mixed in 5.1 channel surround sound and in stereo.

Springsteen closed shows from ‘The Rising’ tour by showing Clinch’s black and white, super 8mm film of the performer singing a country blues version of “Countin’ on a Miracle,” a track from ‘The Rising.’ Danny Clinch has directed several music films, including “Ben Harper: Pleasure and Pain,” and has authored two books of photography.

THE GREAT:
“Devils & Dust” – If you didn’t know this was about death and faith tangled in a war you’d still enjoy its beautiful simplicity.
“The Hitter” – “The Hitter” is a very dramatic and poignant song about a man who beats men for his enjoyment and then confesses to his mother.
“Reno” – If you’d heard this without reference you might think it was a younger Dylan singing about prostitution: (“Two hundred dollars straight in/Two-fifty up the ass”).
“All I’m Thinkin’ About” – Springsteen sounds as though he could be sitting in your living room with a guitar and singing for friends.
“Long Time Comin’ ” – Nashville might feel more comfortable with Springsteen’s style than Kid Rock. Mistakes are made by all and Springsteen hopes and prays our mistakes will be our own—and we don’t live the mistakes of others.

THE AVERAGE:
“All The Way Home” – Anyone that dug Springsteen’s past single “Dancing in the Dark” will love this.
“Silver Palomino” – Simple, sweet and rooted in his past records like Nebraska.

THE BAD:
Nothing.

FRANKLY: Devils & Dust is more laidback than The Rising and harkens back to his origins as a singer/songwriter. Springsteen summons the Dylan deep inside and spit out one fine release. Again, Springsteen takes the weight of the world on his shoulders and hopes he can make even a small difference.

+ Rae Gun