Bruce Springsteen is the Boss!
Everyone knows who Springsteen is, don't they? Or perhaps it's just I'm married to one of his biggest fans!

Springsteen is an American singer-songwriter who also records and tours with the E-Street Band. Born back in September 1949, now aged 62 and still rocking like no other. Most people will know Springsteen for his albums Born in the U.S.A, or Born to Run, or recognize some of the tracks from these albums. Alot of people also know him for the song, Streets of Philadelphia featured in the amazing film Philadelphia. After an initial struggle for success, he is now one of the most influential artists and songwriters on the planet. He has gained much respect in the industry and has received a great number of awards. Springsteens fans cover many generations including my father, my husband, myself and my 3 year old son, who loves to jump around on the bed as my husband plays this album.

Wreaking Ball is the latest studio album from Springsteen, being his 17th studio album. The album features singles 'We take care of our own', 'Rocky Ground' and 'Death to my hometown'. The album also includes 3 track sthat had previously been released as live versions, these tracks are 'Wreaking Ball', 'American Land' and 'Land of hope and dreams'. The album went strraight to number one in the Uk and many other countries across the world. The album features 11 tracks, and there are also two bonus tracks on a specail edition.

Track Listing
1- We take care of our own
2- Easy money
3-Shakled and drawn
4-Jack of all trades
5-Death to my hometown
6-This Depression
7-Wreaking Ball
8-You're got it
9-Rocky Ground
10-Land of hope and dreams
11- We are alive

Bonus Tracks- Swallowed up (in the belly of the whale)
- American Land

This album is said to be Springsteen at his angriest, and I tend to agree. This for me isn't a bad thing, it provides real emotion and passionate lyrics. Springsteens vocals are unique, powerful and gritty. They only seem to get better with age. I feel this album is Springsteen back at his best. Wreaking Ball is a return to some of his earlier works, and is a bit darker than the previous few studio albums.
Wreaking Ball appears to me to be a response to the current state of the economy. Springsteens lyrics are powerful,and thought provoking, as he has dared to write/sing about things most artists wouldn't dare. It's a very rock and roll album but it has lots of twists in there as, the album covers every style from rock, folk-rock to even an almost gospel feel. A huge variety of instruments are also featured on the album, everything from guitars and drums to saxophones and trumpets.

Michelle Moore features on vocals on a couple of tracks, and it is these tracks that have that more gospel/church feel to them. Don't get me wrong though they still have that great Springsteen edge to them.

Tom Morello (Rage against the machine) features on tracks Jack of all trades, and This Depression. These tracks are a bit harder hitting, the have strong lyrics and are on the darker side of the album.

Throughout the album and the lyrics Springsteen does well to relate to the working class person, and doesn't give off his actual wealth and success. Its almost a protest album for the everyday man/woman.

One of my favourite lyrics from the album is from the track Jack of all trades, I feel it puts across quite well what has been happening in the economy lately. " The banker man grows fat, working man grows thin"

Although I loved the whole album, stand out tracks for me are,
Death of My Hometown- said to be a follow up to an older track My Hometown
Wreaking Ball- Album title track and one that you can't help but love as it gets stuck in your head, also love Springsteens vocal on this track.
This Depression- A dark yet fantastic written track, has Tom Morello on guitar.
Jack of All Trade- great lyrics

The album comes in a cardboard slipcase rather than plastic cd case. One side has the cd and the other a great booklet. The booklet has all the lyrics, some great pictures of Springsteen (I might add he doesn't look in his sixties), thanks yous, writing, production and musician credits. The book also features a tribute to late E-Street band memeber Clarence Clemons. The tribute is a must read. The tribute ends with "Clarence doesn't leave the E street band when he dies, he leaves when we do". I thought this was hard hitting yet had a sense of hope.

Overall this is another fantastic album from Springsteen and well worth a listen, not only for Springsteen fans but for new ones too.