It's Top 10 time, that arbitrary line of demarkation between good and great. Since form dictates that being #10 is more special than being #11 (which isn't that much more special than #12 for some reason), I'm going to switch it up a bit and go one at a time here. Also, it's easier for me. And that's pretty much been my mantra of the decade: What's easier for me?
#10. The Rising - Bruce Springsteen
No point in beating around the Bush, we know what inspired about half this album: The 9/11 attacks. Does that make it more important when you put it in perspective? Less important? Nah, neither. This is just a damn good album from a damn good singer/songwriter.
Tragedy has inspired song since the beginning of both tragedy and song, so that's nothing new. But what was fresh on "The Rising" was the perspective. Yeah, there was some tracks on there for the metaphorically-challenged like Into the Fire and Empty Sky - and those of us in the area remember My City of Ruins being the lead-in on what seemed like every local news broadcast.
For the most part, however, Springsteen tapped into the local - if not necessarily the bloodthirsty national - mood and the result was practically medicinal. Take the title track for instance, or Worlds Apart, or even the more uplifting tempo of Waiting on a Sunny Day. Exponentially more reassuring and mature than say, shitbag Toby Keith saying "We'll stick a boot in your ass, it's the American Way". And they say folks from NJ lack class (and we can't discount his geographical heritage in the brilliance of this album either).
As the years start to roll on by and perspective sharpens, it's easy to forget that as a country, we jumped straight from tragedy into war - we had about 3 weeks to mourn while our systems were still in shock. Then we were told to shop. Then we were told to buy magnetic ribbons. Then we were told to fall in line. Then we were told to steamroll Dixie Chicks albums. We never got the chance to grieve and we didn't make the time to ask questions or more importantly, seek out the gray areas. We didn't get a chance to seek out solace. But "The Rising" did. It didn't diminish the loss, but it didn't accept the notion that peace would come only from vengeance. Or from shopping.
Bruce is never, ever, going to be confused with Bob Dylan or John Lennon or even Eddie Vedder when it comes to songwriting. He's always been rather transparent - though certainly not "dumb" or oversimplified. But in confusing times, clarity can be a good thing.
Tragedy has inspired song since the beginning of both tragedy and song, so that's nothing new. But what was fresh on "The Rising" was the perspective. Yeah, there was some tracks on there for the metaphorically-challenged like Into the Fire and Empty Sky - and those of us in the area remember My City of Ruins being the lead-in on what seemed like every local news broadcast.
For the most part, however, Springsteen tapped into the local - if not necessarily the bloodthirsty national - mood and the result was practically medicinal. Take the title track for instance, or Worlds Apart, or even the more uplifting tempo of Waiting on a Sunny Day. Exponentially more reassuring and mature than say, shitbag Toby Keith saying "We'll stick a boot in your ass, it's the American Way". And they say folks from NJ lack class (and we can't discount his geographical heritage in the brilliance of this album either).
As the years start to roll on by and perspective sharpens, it's easy to forget that as a country, we jumped straight from tragedy into war - we had about 3 weeks to mourn while our systems were still in shock. Then we were told to shop. Then we were told to buy magnetic ribbons. Then we were told to fall in line. Then we were told to steamroll Dixie Chicks albums. We never got the chance to grieve and we didn't make the time to ask questions or more importantly, seek out the gray areas. We didn't get a chance to seek out solace. But "The Rising" did. It didn't diminish the loss, but it didn't accept the notion that peace would come only from vengeance. Or from shopping.
Bruce is never, ever, going to be confused with Bob Dylan or John Lennon or even Eddie Vedder when it comes to songwriting. He's always been rather transparent - though certainly not "dumb" or oversimplified. But in confusing times, clarity can be a good thing.
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