Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band probably faced the toughest challenge of their hugely distinguished careers when getting together in the studio again to concoct their first album since the sad death of the E Street's legendary saxophonist Clarence Clemons. 'Wrecking Ball' may be the 17th studio album of Springsteen's career but it'll be one of the most memorable for him no doubt, and the good news for him and the group is that it seems to have found a resonance with critics as it approaches its release date of March 6th 2012.
"[Wrecking Ball is] unquestionably his most potent album so far this century," trumpeted the UK's Independent newspaper, with The Guardian following suit in saying "At its best, Wrecking Ball defies you not to be swept along with it." The Daily Telegraph meanwhile focused on the fiercely political side of the new record, commenting "Wrecking Ball may be his angriest and most overtly political collection, yet the fury is contained in some of his most uplifting and celebratory music, so you can never be quite sure if he has come to raise the flag or to burn it."