The Boss is working on full speed again and they say one of the main reasons is his producer Brendan O’Brien, who encouraged him to record a new album so soon after “Magic” was released. And there’s an amazing difference between the two albums. While 2 years ago Springsteen sounded thoughtfully and even a little bit depressing because of Bush, who constantly abused the American values, today there are hints of optimism, love and sunshine in “Working On A Dream”. All these served with good taste, of course and the overall tone becoming clear yet with the opening Yankee saga “Outlaw Pete” is rather comic, but in a good way. It’s The Boss as we remember him from the 80’s. Some will accuse him of going softer with age and even falling into the trap of the everyday pop song (“This Life”, “Kingdom Of Days”), but he was always a great songwriter, who can easily turn the cheesiest tune into a downright masculine confession. Personally I miss the aggression and the edginess of the early stuff, but I wouldn’t call “Working On A Dream” a weak album. No. There are some clear influences although Bruce Springsteen always seemed like he didn’t need any. Some of them are obvious though. It looks like The Boss had turned back to The Beach Boys, The Byrds and Roy Orbison. Yet all of them are rather adopted than stolen. Professionally executed. 14 amazing songs to be listened in the imminent fresh spring breeze. And yes, “The Wrestler” song is also here, so buy this album as soon as possible.