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The members of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band have been dreading the day when the Boss will finally realize that his solo recordings don’t need to consist exclusively of brooding, introspective tunes strummed on an acoustic guitar, that he could also include some uptempo, even joyful numbers. Well, with the release of Devils & Dust, that day has come. That’s not to say Springsteen has stopped moaning the blues (few celebrity multi-millionaires can), but he’s shrewdly thrown in some upbeat swingers with swooping fiddle parts, Hammond fills and light percussion to brighten up the otherwise dark solemnity of the disc. Lyrically, he’s drawing on memories of the distant past – when was the last time he walked anybody home? – but the broader sonic palette and variety of tones and tempos should ensure Devils & Dust stands up to repeat spins.
