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Devils and Dust does not
scale the heights of Bruce’s very best work, but it
is a good effort, full of interest
as Springsteen adds new layers to what we’ve come to expect from him.
As
has been noted elsewhere, two Bruces have emerged over the years: the
Jersey rocker,
strutting in front of the E-Street Band, brandishing his guitar
like a weapon; and
the solo artist, his plaintive laments accompanied by
acoustic guitar and harmonica,
most notably on the Nebraska album.
Initially the pared-down guitar and vocals
sound is to the fore and the songs struggle to stand out from each other. However,
after a few plays, the subtleties of each track emerge and the listener’s perseverance is
rewarded.
Indeed, other reviews have observed the similarities between
this record and
Nebraska. There is a richer diversity of sound on this
record, though there are elements of both Bruces here. The real beauty lies in how the
artist adds to his repertoire: the country strings; the gospel backing vocals; and his
experimentation with different vocal tones.
As always, Bruce creates a
rich cast of desperate characters, this time, set
against the vast landscape of
America’s southwest. The understated vocals
and subdued instrumentation add
poignancy to songs that deal with sex,
violence, death and the Iraq war.
The intensity of the more disturbing offerings is nicely interspersed by
lighter material. The uplifting and hopeful “Long Time Comin’” induces the
image
of Soozie Tyrell sitting on a bale of hay in a barn with her violin,
overlooking a
happily strumming Bruce, toes tapping irresistibly in the dust.
The bluegrass twang
of the opening stretch of “Maria’s Bed” evokes the soundtrack to
O Brother, Where
Art Thou? before rising into a joyous, upbeat sing-along.
Other
standout tracks are the title track, “All the Way Home.” and “All I’m
Thinkin’
About.” There are no real duds and, overall, this is a record worth
persevering with
as it reveals its unexpected gems gradually.
Devils and Dust is
probably not going to attract a new audience. And fans
who were delighted with
Bruce’s reunion with the E-Street band on The Rising
may be disappointed. But
credit is due to an artist who continues to dig deep into America’s musical heritage,
exploring his musical roots and reflecting it all in his own work. This is an
adventurous and surprising work. After a few listens, it all seems worth the effort.
