Wrecking Ball (Special Edition)

Bruce Springsteen Wrecking Ball as reviewed in Phantom TollboothHats off to a popular musician with the gravitas to share his spiritualism in his music.


Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Label:  Columbia
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Duration:  13 tracks, 1:01:23
 

Crossover in CCM talks to Christian artists writing / performing outside the Christian realm. For as long as this modern era has been with us, this crossover has gone both ways. Secular artists have long added Christian / faith-based values to their music. This is particularly true for artists reaching a maturity in their years and in their art. 

Bruce Springsteen’s latest release, Wrecking Ball, portrays this crossover well. This, his 17th release, boasts all of the classic ‘Boss’ his fans expect with songs of Americana shown in both folk and rock offerings. Wrecking Ball boasts both his early E-Street Band-like rockers and later solo folk-style offerings leaving the listener with a wide breath of Springsteen’s art. 

Like Bob Dylan and others, Springsteen offers reflections of faith in his lyrics. While songs “We Take Care Of Our Own”,  “Land Of Hope And Dreams” (complete with a tribute to Clarence Clemons with the signature classic sax which the ‘Big Man’ provided prior to his recent passing), “American Land”, “We Are Alive” display classic Springsteen national patriotism, his spiritual side also shines in the lyrics of others. 

“Jack Of All Trades”, a slow, sorrow-filled ballad of taking what live gives you and accepting your fate shares thoughts of compassion with: 

     ‘We’ll start caring for each other like Jesus said we might’ 

The lyrics of “Rocky Ground” lay the foundation of faith and hope with: 

    We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground (refrain)
    
    Rise up shepherd, rise up
    Your flock has roamed far from the hills
    The stars have faded, the sky is still
    The angels are shouting "Glory Hallelujah"

    We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground (refrain)

    Forty days and nights of rain have washed this land
    Jesus said the money changers in this temple will not stand
    Find your flock, get them to higher ground
    Flood waters rising and we're Canaan bound 

    We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground (refrain) 

    Tend to your flock or they will stray
    We'll be called for our service come Judgment Day
    Before we cross that river wide
    Blood on our hands will come back on us twice

    Rise up shepherd, rise up
    Your flock has roamed far from the hills
    Stars have faded, the sky is still
    Sun's in the heavens and a new day's rising

    You use your muscle and your mind and you pray your best
    That your best is good enough, the Lord will do the rest
    You raise your children and you teach 'them to walk straight and sure
    
    You pray that hard times, hard times, come no more
    You try to sleep, you toss and turn, the bottom's dropping out
    Where you once had faith now there's only doubt
    You pray for guidance, only silence now meets your prayers
    The morning breaks, you awake but no one's there

    We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground
    There's a new day coming

    We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground (refrain) 

“Swallowed Up (In The Belly Of The Whale)” is one of two bonus tracks on the Wrecking Ball special edition, telling a story similar to that of Jonah and the Whale with:

    I fell asleep
    on a dark and starry sea
    with nothing but the cloak
    of God's mercy over me 

    We've been swallowed up
    we've been swallowed up
    Disappeared from this world
    we've been swallowed up 

    Trust at our skills
    and our good sails
    put our faith back with God
    the righteous in this world prevail 

Wrecking Ball is classic Springsteen offering much to the listener. Raw and guttural American spirit, classic Springsteen rockers, his signature version of American folk music, and yes faith all are present here. Hats off to a popular musician with the gravitas to share his spiritualism in his music. 

http://brucespringsteen.net/


Scott S Mertens

4tocks

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