The Boss is Back!



He may be an underrated musicians, but folks on this very day, Bruce Springsteen has dropped his 20th overall album, Letter to You. His 20th overall album, and the 16th with his long-time band, the E Street Band, the album was released to critical acclaim. 

And there was a letter

Even though The Boss never intended to do so, he decided to make a movie about the making of the album. Long-timer, Thom Zimmy, who worked with Springsteen since the new millenium, once proposed to Springsteen that the recording of the album be made into a movie.

And lo and behold folks, the movie did come to fruition. Like the album itself, the movie received positive review - especially from IndieWires David Ehrlich, and Time's Stephanie Zacherack. Timing was also perfect as the documentary itself was released on Apple TV+ the same day as the album.

The making of a rockstar

The majority of the themes on Letter to You deal with the aging of rockstars and express how their careers can make them weary. The Boss went on to say that this album' subject is "on the music itself."

The whole band plays

Unlike Springsteen's previous work, Letter to You actually features the whole band playing at the same time. The Boss explained that all the instrumentals and vocals were recorded live at the same time so as to make the recording process smoother.

No tour until 20....22?

Let's be honest, the COVID-19 pandemic really blew a hole in the lives of fans and rockstars alike. Although the E Street Band made original plans to tour starting in early 2021, going as far as to even rehearse following the recording, 

Springsteen has stated that the band's inability to tour is something he considers "very pianful," as he had been looking forward to presenting the new material in a live context. Despite not touring, however, Springsteen did several things to promote the album. Nine days before its release, on October 14, a Twitter emoji in the shape of Springsteen was released. In addition, Apple Music hosted Letter to You Radio, an online radio show where Springsteen interviews fellow musicians such as Dave Grohl and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. 

Not entirely "original"

As a final note, it should be noted that a quarter of these songs were actually recorded prior to Springsteen's 1973 debut LP, Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ. In particular the songs: If I Was The Priest, Janey Needs a Shooter, and Song for Orphans. Allan Clarke of The Hollies fame had originally recorded Priest, while Janey Needs a Shooter was recorded by Warren Zevon on his 1980 LP Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School.

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