Bruce Springsteen Releases Western Stars [Album Review]

For the first time in a long time, I put on a Bruce Springsteen album, played it front to back, and played it again. It's never been that I didn't enjoy the music or understand the importance and love for the man's career. But Western Stars caught me, grabbed me, and I'm really glad it did.

The 13-song album is Springsteen's 19th studio offering, and the first since 2014 ( High Hopes), the first album of new original material since 2012 ( Wrecking Ball), and his first solo album since 2005 ( Devils & Dust). It's a reminder that The Boss still knows how to connect, tell stories, and share himself with the world. The album is more Americana than classic rock. It's more western than you're likely to think when you hear his name. It's more California country than New Jersey boardwalk rock. But most of all, it's really good.

Over the past few years, we've asked dozens of artists to tell us what albums they'd choose to listen to on a long drive or road trip, and while I know what my top pick is (Fleetwood Mac's Rumors), this new music from Bruce Springsteen is perfect for that occasion. I can picture myself (or you) on a two-lane highway, long, straight, flat and wide open. I can hear the songs playing over the car stereo speakers as I put miles between wherever I started and wherever I'm going. And I can imagine myself giving these songs the cinematic daydreaming they deserve in my mind as I drive.

The title track sits at number four on the album, and by the time I got to it, I was already pulled all the way in. This isn't Born To Run, Dancing In The Dark, or Glory Days. It's more like The River. And if you can get behind the idea of more of that Springsteen from the early 80s, you'll be ready for Western Stars.

For 50 minutes, 69-year-old Bruce Springsteen shines as an icon. In a press release announcing the album, Springsteen said, "the 13 tracks of Western Stars encompass a sweeping range of American themes, of highways and desert spaces, of isolation and community and the permanence of home and hope.". And as I listened and let the music wash over me, I heard every one of those themes.

Note: The first time I heard There Goes My Miracle, I let myself imagine it being sung by the late great David Bowie. I don't know what it would be like with Bowie singing instead of Springsteen, but in my mind, it would have been a great fit.

The word is that there's more new Springsteen music coming with the E-Street Band. But until then, we have Western Stars, and it's very good and I am ready to listen to it again right now.

Hit play on the stream, watch the lyric videos for There Goes My Miracle and Hello Sunshine, and enjoy!

Bruce Springsteen, Wester Stars Tracklist