The Passage of Time - Working on a Dream Review

In 1988, when Springsteen released Tunnel of Love, one line from that deeply personal album stood out. At the end of the bittersweet Brilliant Disguise, Springsteen sang ' God have Mercy on a Man who doubts what he's sure of'.

The Tunnel of Love album was shrouded in regret, remorse, and in truth was the writing of a failed man, not through his career, but in his personal life. Fast forward 21 years, and Springsteen nearing 60, is somewhat of a reborn individual. The last decade has been good to him, his records still carry resonance, and the name on a concert ticket still excites, even at this late stage of his career.

The key to the themes of time passing, the joys of life, and the feeling of it all been worth it, are summed up perhaps best, not in any of the songs contained on WOAD, but in the eulogy that is written for Danny Federici, 'Life does not separate you, Time Does not separate you, animosities do not separate you, Death does not separate you'

With this album, the central theme of time, relationships, and love, are consistent throughout the album, whether it be the sheer luck of it all (My Lucky Day) or the passing of a friend (The Last Carnival, there is a warmth to these songs, upbeat as they are, and entirely written in a pop genre, that Springsteen has to the most part steered away from since 1992's Human Touch.

Working on a Dream is as diverse an album that Springsteen has ever recorded, and is heavilly influenced by Springsteen's introduction to Music in the 1960's. There are moments here when Roy Orbison, The Byrds and the Beach Boys all mingle, and the acoustic introduction to The Last Carnival, wouldnt seem out of place on those acoustic numbers that Led Zeppelin wrote in the 1970's.

Springsteen offers insight into the album ' its about the past always been the present'. And this album does indeed reflect the passing of time. The album has glorious dedications all over it, My Lucky Day a blistering up tempo rock number, and perhaps most poignantly on 'This Life' where Springsteen beams 'this life, this life and the next, with you I have been blessed'.


There's room for a touch of country (Tomorrow Never Knows) some Bluses on the heaviily influened by Reason to Belive (Good Eye) and an 8 minute somewhat drawn out rocker Outlaw Pete.

The title track is pure Pop, and its damn well catchy, and acts as a reminder to those who forget the Pop Classics in Springsteen's repertoire. For Working on a Dream, think Hungry Heart, Dancing in the Dark, and Waiting on a Sunny Day.

Lyrically there are moments of simplicity, sun shining, cold winds blowing, black elms and tree's. However on The Last Carnival, Bruce takes us back to the fairground, and the circus, in a glowing farewell to long time band member, Danny Federici. Its here that loss, and the passing of time resonate the most. This is poignant, sad, and is nothing short of brilliant.

Elsehwere there is a clear dedication to his wife Patti Scialfa, Kingdom of Days, is about getting through, and getting to the finish line, beautifully performed, with rich arrangements, Springsteen has never sounded as happy and content as this, he sings 'and i count my blessings that your mine for always, we laugh beneath the covers and count the wrinkles and the grays'

As a bonus track, Springsteen has added the song 'The Wrestler' the Golden Globe winning theme to the much heralded Mickey Rourke film of the same name. Its a touch out of place, but is a bruising tale of fragility in the human form, its touching refrain of 'tell me friend, can you ask for anything more' detailing brilliantly the sacrifices that the character has made.

The songs were largely written around the same time as Springsteen's previous release 'Magic' (2007), and once again Brendan O Brien has been trusted with production.

Working on a Dream 8/10.

Standout Tracks - The Last Carnival, Kingdom of Days, This Life, Queen of the Supermarket.

Press

'these 13 songs offer not even the most oblique of references to public affairs. The best of them concentrate on states of the heart, but with an openness and an optimism that seem unclouded by wider doubts and fears, as if in recognition of a need for consolation'

Richard Williams The Guardian