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48 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bruce & E Street Rise Again, August 1, 2002
The Rising is the first full length studio album that Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band have released in eighteen years. The album is also the first by major artist to have the core of its songs directly address September 11th. The songs take on the events from the views of firemen, widowers, a man who lost his life and terrorists. "Lonesome Day" opens the album up and is somber in tone yet uplifting in melody. "Into The Fire" is a brilliant song about a fireman going into the towers. Mr. Springsteen prays that their hope gives us hope and their love gives us love. "Waitin' On A Sunny Day" has a classic E Street sound with a rippling Clarence Clemons sax. "Nothing Man" speaks from the point of view of a man who has lost his life. It is a sobering look at the fragility of life. "Empty Sky" details the NYC skyline minus the Twin Towers. This might be the most personal song on the album as Mr. Springsteen himself drove to a bridge near his New Jersey and witnessed the destruction a day after the attacks. "Let's Be Friends (Skin To Skin)" is a jaunty number that has a bouncy beat and reminds one of War's classic "Why Can't We Be Friends" in its call for understanding among different people. "Further On (Up The Road)" is a buzz saw rocker that first appeared on his 1999-2000 World Tour. "Mary's Place" is a nod to the E Street Band's halcyon days. Going back to "Thunder Road", Mr. Springsteen calls all his friends to meet him at Mary's place in front of a Born To Run era musical background. "Paradise" is a chilling acoustic base number that speaks from the point of view of a terrorist. "My City Of Ruins" was first played at his Christmas shows in Asbury Park a couple of years ago. The song was originally an ode to his adopted hometown, but it was transformed into a song about New York City after he opened up the America: A Tribute To Heroes concert. Unlike that stark version of the song, the album version has a bright, uplifting gospel feel to. The album's title track maybe the best song on the album. Powerful, evocative and anthmatic, the song has all the classic qualities of a rock anthem for these times much as his "Born In The U.S.A." was an anthem for the disillusioned of the baby boomer generation. "The Fuse" is a solid rocker with a pulsating beat. His only misstep is "Worlds Apart" which is about love between a white man and an Islamic woman. The song combines middle-eastern music and mimics the sounds of Sting's "Desert Rose". Mr. Springsteen employs producer Brendan O'Brien to helm the album and he updates the E Street sound beautifully. He helps retain the band's power, while adding a shine and gloss that gives the music a new and fresh dimension. He adds quite of bit a strings to the album, mostly in the form of fiddles. The Rising reminds us of the terrible tragedy of September 11th, but is full of hope. Mr. Springsteen shows that he still can get inside the skin of the common man and reveal his hopes, dreams, fears, losses and love of his country and fellow man.
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26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grown up songs for a grown up world, August 2, 2002
If you're chronologically or musically fifteen years old, don't bother buying this CD since you won't connect with either the sound or the messages. However, if you are a musically and emotionally mature listener, then buy the CD, give it a few listens, read the lyrics and you will be happy that you did. Showing a musical range that Springsteen rarely displays while still retaining that classic "Springsteen Sound," the Boss has put together a terrific collection of emotional and musically engrossing songs. No, you won't find any sampling (we used to call it stealing) of other peoples' music, no hip-hop beats, no electronically altered sounds, no rap crap about "poppin' a cap in some fool's head," just straight-up rock-and-roll from one of the all-time best. Though its unlikely that Springsteen will gain many new fans with this effort (though he deserves to), long-time Bruce fans will love this CD. It is certainly his best effort in a long long time, both in the lyrics and the music. The E-Street Band gets to strut its stuff (though not as much as I would like) and the few musically guests add interesting texture and depth to the recording. Bruce has always written songs with beautiful and emotional lyrics, but often the musical effort was lacking, or at least too predictable. That is certainly not the case with this CD. Excellent lyrics and finely-tuned music on virtually all the tracks, each with its own deeply emotional story to tell. You can argue that this CD does not deserve five stars, but it certainly does not deserve a one-star rating.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Faith Has Been Rewarded, August 12, 2002
The cd gets better with each listen. The E Street Band has never sounded better. One of the most passionate albums in their long career. Worth the wait. The cd was meant to be listened to in its entirety. To get the best out of it, I recommend listening to it when you have an hour to spare, put it on the cd player and get swept away. There is no better companion than Bruce.
He will take you to another level.
While only time will tell if this has the lasting power of Born To Run (27 years), it is a work reflecting the times with hope and gentleness.
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~ Bruce Springsteen
~ Bruce Springsteen
~ Bruce Springsteen
~ Bruce Springsteen
~ Bruce Springsteen
by Bruce Springsteen 
