Bruce Springsteen's 'Wrecking Ball'

Bruce Springsteen talks about how he wrote his album "The Rising" after a fan stopped him on the street after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and begged for new music, saying, "We need you now."

You can almost imagine that a similar plea inspired his new album, "Wrecking Ball" (Columbia), as Springsteen takes the shocks caused by America's economic crisis as seriously as he took the losses at the World Trade Center. And, once again, he answered the call with one of the best albums of his career.

"Wrecking Ball" acknowledges the struggle of everyday Americans, offering the 99 percent their own personalized soundtrack and confirmation that their worries have been heard. Springsteen then goes the extra mile and also provides uplifting anthems to help get us through.

There are moments of darkness here. "This Depression" sounds desperate and fitful, while "Swallowed Up (in the Belly of the Whale)" is wrenching with its hauntingly empty arrangement. Perhaps even more upsetting is "Jack of All Trades," where Springsteen repeatedly sings "I'm a jack of all trades, honey, we'll be all right" in a wavering voice that suggests he might not actually believe his comforting words. He sounds far more certain, though, once the mournful piano switches to a raucous guitar solo and he thinks about taking revenge on those responsible for his troubles.

Springsteen's inspirational declarations are even more effective. "Land of Hope and Dreams," which has been part of his live show since the '90s when he reunited with the E Street Band, finally found a home on a studio album, and its surroundings couldn't be more complementary. (The song also marks one of the final sax solos from the late Clarence Clemons, and it is fittingly powerful and poignant.)

The title track from "Wrecking Ball" has also been a fan favorite from recent E Street Band tours. However, its studio version, with the help of producer Ron Aniello, has been honed to a much sharper point, the epic sprawl corralled to provide far more potent kicks. Springsteen punctuates nearly every defiant chorus of "Bring on your wrecking ball, come on and take your best shot, let me see what you got" with a frenzied Irish-folk-punk celebration that calls to mind both The Pogues and The Gaslight Anthem. He follows a chant of "Hard times come, hard times go" with a gospel-inspired, horn-filled climax that is overflowing with joy. It's practically a victory dance that taunts all comers with "You thought that would stop us?"

"Wrecking Ball" (the song) will eventually stand next to "Born to Run" as one of the defining songs of both Springsteen and his fans. "Wrecking Ball" (the album) will show that the 62-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer still has some amazing surprises left in him.

SEE PHOTOSBruce Springsteen through the years