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CD CHOICE:BRUCE SPRINGSTEENWorking on a dreamSONYBMG****Cometh the hour cometh the man. With his Boss safely in the White House, how does Bruce Springsteen reflect upon the world at this monumental crossroads in time? The answer is a return to basics; to the simple values and virtues of love and friendship; to a slew of great melodies, fine playing and powerful production rooted in the great American pop/rock tradition of Brian Wilson, Phil Spector and, of course, Springsteen himself.

Many of the songs on Working on Dreamreference earlier work and themes, but the album lays down a mark for a new era of hope, realism and solidarity while openly celebrating the sense of change with a striking bounce in the playing and the music. It’s no accident that it goes on release during Inauguration week.