Non-Album of the Year?
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There is a large community of us in the record-buying public (much larger, I would guess, than the readership of the fanzine Backstreets) who have been thankful for not having to be exposed to “The Boss” in every periodical we picked up the last four years.
Springsteen is the most overrated performer in rock music. When compared to true literary rockers like Elvis Costello, Sting and Lou Reed, Springsteen’s lyrics are adolescent. As for his “integrity” and “introspection,” Costello, Van Morrison and countless others have set standards Springsteen will never approach.
He is less a visionary rock poet than a shrewd rock businessman, manipulating a down-home image and working-class lyrics into an empire and a $14-million mansion.
Springsteen can keep his new album on hold as long as he likes. When I want a dose of working-class rock poetry, I’ll listen to Tom Waits.
SEAN COLGIN
Woodland Hills
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