Starting with the amazing 8 minutes long "Outlaw Pete" you let your self go to the magic. "My Lucky Day" already known for promo purposes by both the official site and the myspace profile, is a classic piece of Springsteen made with the known formula of rock 'n 'roll as he only knows. The homonymous song of the record which follows is another hymn to love and how it is worth investing in it - very beautiful melody in total and Chorus. Same taste and feelings derive from "Queen of the Supermarket" and "What Love Can Do" with distinct touches. In "This Life" I confess that I was moved by the power of verse (This Life and then the next - with you i have been blessed - what more can you expect). "Good Eye" with the known influences of Blues and "Tomorrow Never Knows" with their respective country follow.
"Life Itself" is an excellent piece in modern style (eg guitar issues in reverse recording) and strong performance in vocals - maybe the best part of the record along with "Outlaw Pete" in my humble opinion. The "Kingdom of Days" is moving to serene and beautiful melodic lines as in "Surprise, surprise" and eventually ends up in a beautiful ballad, like the ones he only knows to compose and to interpret, by the title "The Last Carnival" .
However, a ballad is never enough and gives us one more for bonus track, the "The Wrestler" written for the wellknown film (2008) starring Mickey Rourke where we sing: "Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and wheat? If you've ever seen that scarecrow then you've seen me " and finally " Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more ?". Exactly. What else can you ask for from an ageless artist of decades of music, mythical concerts and beautiful melodies , loyal to Rock music and to original music-lovers all around the world ? Perhaps only one thing -a complaint: "Bruce, when will you finally honor us with a legendary concert in Greece ?"
Bruce Springsteen - The Wrestler