The Rising
by Bruce Springsteen

In the late nineties and early 2000's, Bruce Springsteen was at a bit of a loss. He had recently reformed the E street band for a successful tour, but Springsteen hadn't released an album of new material since, the ghost of Tom Joad, in 1995. Springsteen was also at his best when he had something to say, when he was inspired, when there was 'something to push against', as he would later say. That inspiration came on 11th September 2001, when terrorists attacked the United States of America, in the worst U.S. tragedy since pearl harbour 60 years before. Soon after 9/11, Springsteen was in a parking lot when a voice called out to him. 'We need you now', the voice said. Springsteen heard. In July the following year, Bruce Springsteen was back. The rising, was a fantastic collection of songs, concerning the events of 9/11. From devastated family members, to the courageous emergency services, even to the thoughts of a suicide bomber. It was moving stuff. The rising, is easily springsteen's best E street album since, born to run. Working with producer Brendan O'Brien who had previously recorded pearl jam, the band sounded bigger and better than ever. Lonesome day, is a fantastic opener, followed by the moving, into the fire. Other 9/11 inspired tracks were, empty sky, world's apart, paradise, and the title track itself, all brilliant. There are lighter moments, waitin'on a sunny day, and the wonderful Motown pastiche, Mary's place, are great fun. Other standouts are, the contemplative, nothing man, the rocking, further on up the road, and the excellent, you're missing. If there are any lightweight moments, it's the throwaway, let's be friends. Elsewhere though, it's brilliant, ending with the uplifting, my city of ruins. The rising, Is a fantastic record, that goes down as one of Bruce's best. It's a moving album that only someone with the stature of Bruce Springsteen could have pulled off. Marvellous.

From jhuik TOP 100 COMMENTER 12/15/2012 04:04 | #57948 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

In spite of what I said earlier, I must say how much I love this album and how much it deserves a hallowed spot in the pantheon of great Springsteen albums. Many, many great songs include Sunny Day, Further On, and four heartbreaking epics: You're Missing, Into the Fire, City of Ruins and Empty Sky. A lot of these songs are epic, as you might expect from Bruce, who is especially inspired here, by the immense pain and pride of September 11th victims' families.

From micah88800 03/23/2018 02:41 | #211527 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

I'm a Springsteen fan. His 70s and 80s output is some of the best music ever made. Still I'm not totally sure I like this record. There's just something about it that isnt clicking. For one thing, its way too long. There is at least 5 songs that coudlve(shouldve) been cut. I would do away with Into the Fire, Countin on a Miracle, Empty Sky, The Fuse, and Further on Up the Road. None of those songs are bad, I just dont really see them as living up to the Boss's very high standard. Even with those cuts, I would still rank this below any of his classic albums. I understand the significance of the album in 2002 post 9/11, I just dont believe it has transcended that. All that being said, there are some amazing moments. Lonesome Day is as good a Springsteen as any. Nothingman is a totally epic slow-burner. Lets Be Friends and Mary's Place are both good fun, not exactly groundbreaking though. The closer, My City of Ruins, is a fine song (except for the cringe-worthy chorus). Overall, fine for a Springsteen fan but I dont expect this record will win over any holdouts (Edited)

Bruce gets his groove back here. The start of a career renaissance. Almost no one has such a strong second act. Because rock died on popular radio, you can't judge post 90's rock albums by hits. Yes most of his big hits were pre 1990. But a lot of songs recorded starting here and through today rank with his finest. I don't believe Empty Sky gets the love it should. The 9/11 inspired lyrics are crushing here.
"I woke up this morning
I could barely breathe
Just an empty impression
In the bed where you used to be"

This is the album that turned me into a Springsteen fan, I was always aware of him through my parents but when he released this album it just clicked with me. It's a masterpiece that came at time when people needed something uplifting yet it still covers a such broad range of topics surrounding September 11