The 'Boss' Is Back!
With Cher announcing a new tour, Engelbert Humperdinck representing the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest and Lionel Richie back in the top ten, it seems highly fitting that the ‘Boss of 80s rocking’, Bruce Springsteen, should be back at the top of the charts.
Springsteen’s new album ‘Wrecking Ball’ has gone straight to the top of the UK album chart, beating ‘In My Dreams’ from the Military Wives by 18,000 copies. ‘Wrecking Ball’ is the Boss’ 17th studio album and 9th No.1 album, others include 1984’s ‘Born In The USA’, 2007’s ‘Magic’ and ‘Working On A Dream’ from 2009.
The new album features contributions from late saxophone player Clarence Clemons and prominent guitar solos from Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello. This is Springsteen’s first album that includes a new co-producer Ron Aniello whose more pop-oriented CV includes a 2007 solo album by Springsteen's wife and E Street vocalist, Patti Scialfa. ‘Wrecking Ball’ is notably darker than his previous releases and Springsteen himself has said that the album was “As direct a record as I have ever made”. He deals with issues such as politics, religion and, on the track ‘Easy Money’, he even touches on the economic climate, “When your whole world comes tumbling down… all them fat cats, they’ll just think it’s funny”.
The album has already gained critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone magazine giving it 5 out of 5 and NME labelling it “A Triumph”. The ‘Wrecking Ball’ tour, in support of the new album, has already kicked off and will see Bruce and the E Street Band performing worldwide throughout the year, including a headline slot at the Isle of White Festival in July.