Bruce Springsteen, Western Stars | Album Review

After a five-year hiatus, American rock icon Bruce Springsteen returns with ‘Western Stars,’ easily his best album of the 2010s.  

Five years.  We had to wait five years for a new album from the legendary Bruce Springsteen.  At least the wait was well worth it.  After releasing more of a ‘compilation studio album’ of sorts with High Hopes in 2014, Springsteen comes in with some awesome, brand-new material on Western Stars.  He doesn’t reinvent the wheel on this Western-tinged conceptual affair, but he certainly reminds us why he’s among the greatest rock musicians to ever grace the earth.

“Hitch Hikin’”

Bruce Springsteen launches Western proficiently with ✓ “Hitch Hikin’,” a relatively relaxed, beautiful rock singer/songwriter ballad.  The sound stands out with a palette that includes guitars, keyboards, and strings accompanying the Boss’ rich, nuanced lead vocals.  As always, the songwriting stands out with Springsteen perfectly setting the tone of the album by capturing that western sensibility. He has more tempo and groove to work with on follow-up ✓ “The Wayfarer” while maintaining the excellence that began with the opener.  Something that “The Wayfarer” adds that was missing on “Hitch Hikin’” is a clearly defined, memorable chorus:

“I’m a wayfarer, baby, I roam from town to town

When everyone’s asleep and the midnight bells sound

My wheels are hissin’ up the highway, spinning ‘round.”

Things keep going strong on ✓ “Tucson Train,” which lacks a standalone chorus.  Even so, “Tucson Train” has a key lyric that sums up and unites it at the end of each section: “…My baby’s coming in on the Tucson Train.” Even without that big, anthemic chorus, “Tucson Train” is well-rounded regarding production, songwriting, and of course, vocals.  As Springsteen approaches 70 he continues to impress

“Western Stars”

“On the set, the makeup girl brings me two raw eggs and a shot of gin / Then I give it all up for that little blue pill / That promises to bring it all back to you again.” Ah, ✓ “Western Stars” was released as an advance single. That’s not surprising – it’s the set’s title track after all. In the context of Western Stars, expectedly, it continues the western aesthetic without a hitch.  Springsteen references canyons, the desert, Oklahoma, cowboys, and all things associated with the west.  Has The Boss done this before? Yes, of course, but he remains potent.  Also, worth noting, regarding the songwriting, it’s interesting how he uses varying choruses each time; I like how he doesn’t stick to just one form.

 Bruce Springsteen flaunts his robust vocals on “Sleepy Joe’s Café.” He sufficiently narrativizes a tale of a place “Where the truckers and bikers gather every night at the same time.” It continues to fit into the concept of the album.  Furthermore, Springsteen keeps it interesting not only with fine lyrics, but also a thrilling arrangement/production including horns. A compelling narrative blending reminiscent lyrics (“At nineteen, I was the king of the dirt down at the Remington Draw”), and the desire for love (“Drive fast, fall hard, keep me in your heart”) fuels the fire on the lovely ✓ “Drive Fast (The Stuntman).” Like much of Western Stars, the listener is in awe of how awesome the iconic rocker sounds, in addition to the backdrop he paints upon vocally.

“Chasin’ Wild Horses” 

“Chasin’ Wild Horses” is the lengthiest song on Western Stars, the sole record that extends beyond five minutes. Regardless, The Boss continues to flex as any boss should, backed by the likes of pedal steel and breathtaking, soaring strings.  Nothing ‘brand-new’ comes of “Chasin’ Wild Horses,” but honestly, did anything new need to come? “Sundown” follows, nearly two minutes shorter with a moderate pace. Something that stands out is the energy level, which continually increases up until the close of the track.  

Getting even shorter, “Somewhere North of Nashville” falls short of the two-minute-mark.  It doesn’t matter, with the aesthetic clearly locked-in, and singer/songwriter Springsteen consistently on-point. The biggest rub is not getting more of this sweet little joint.  The longer “Stones” maintains consistency, and benefits from its sound form which includes verses, pre-choruses, choruses, ‘refrain,’ and an outro.  The chorus is arguably the crowning achievement for The Boss:

“I woke up this morning with stones in my mouth

You said those are only the lies you’ve told me

Those are only the lies you’ve told me.”

“There Goes My Miracle” 

Springsteen limits the number of lyrics while keeping them relatively simple on ✓ “There Goes My Miracle.”  It’s highly effective, as he serves up one of the loveliest melodies of Western Stars, particularly on the ultra-memorable chorus: “There goes my miracle / Walking away, walking away.”  As has been the case throughout the album, the production only strengthens the case for Springsteen – it’s got to be the strings.  Still, more so on “There Goes My Miracle,” there are some added sounds, including the use of timpani, which only adds to the orchestral sensibilities.

“You know I always liked my walking shoes / But you can get a little too fond of the blues.” The penultimate number ✓ “Hello Sunshine” should be familiar to anyone who followed the promo campaign for Western Stars – it was the promo single.  Like the aforementioned “Tucson Train,” there is no dedicated chorus section, but the song is united by the closing line of each verse: “Hello sunshine, won’t you stay?” Clearly, The Boss wants us to think good thoughts and good vibes, and I’m onboard with that.  Western Stars concludes enjoyably and fittingly with another narratively-driven number, “Moonlight Motel.” “I poured a bottle of Jack out of a paper bag,” The Boss sings, continuing, “Pour one for me and one for you as well / Then it was one more shot poured out onto the parking lot / To the Moonlight Motel.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, Western Stars gives Bruce Springsteen another fantastic addition to his illustrious discography.  No, The Boss doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but he doesn’t need to.  Western Stars presents Springsteen as the ‘well-oiled machine’ of a musician that he is, still killing it as he celebrates his 70^th year on earth. 

✓ Gems: “Hitch Hikin’,” “The Wayfarer,” “Tucson Train,” “Western Stars,” “Drive Fast (The Stuntman),” “There Goes My Miracle” & “Hello Sunshine”

Bruce Springsteen • Western Stars • Columbia • Release: 6.14.19

Photo Credit: Columbia