Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Devils & Dust
2. All The Way Home
3. Reno
4. Long Time Comin'
5. Black Cowboys
6. Maria's Bed
7. Silver Palomino
8. Jesus Was An Only Son
9. Leah
10. The Hitter
11. All I'm Thinkin' About
12. Matamoros Banks

Disc 2:

1. Devils + Dust (live acoustic)
2. Long Time Comin' (live acoustic)
3. Reno (live acoustic)
4. All I'm Thinkin' About (live acoustic)
5. Matamoros Banks (live acoustic)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9679 in Music
• Released on: 2005-04-25
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: CD+DVD

Amazon.co.uk Review
The last time Bruce Springsteen ventured West for inspiration, the result was the desolate Nebraska and its tales of serial killers and used cars. On his first record in three years, Springsteen navigates barren deserts and Old West war fields for a dozen forlorn songs that co-star the artist and his acoustic guitar. Though he's always had a knack for carving out the hooks and melodies that make each journey memorable, this time around Springsteen relies on the lyrics to carry the tune-desperate tales of tragedy, heartbreak, and lust with a Latino twist, like the boxer coming home ("The Hitter"), a distressing border-crossing incident ("Matamoros Banks"), and the Nevada hooker with good intentions ("Reno," which led to the warning sticker Adult Imagery). With no E Street Band in the mix, the album is decorated with horns and strings and Springsteen’s novel falsetto on two his best efforts: "Maria’s Bed," where the narrator comes home to his woman after 40 nights on the road, and the fast-picking "All I’m Thinkin’ About," where he has more than Carolina on his mind. A decade from now this will be an underrated record in the Springsteen chronicles. (Includes bonus live DVD). --Scott Holter

Album Description
Bruce Springsteen's nineteenth album, Devils & Dust, features both a CD of twelve brand-new Springsteen songs and a bonus DVD. It was produced by Brendan O'Brien, who first worked with Springsteen on the acclaimed album, The Rising. The seeds for the new album were sown nearly a decade ago, when the singer-songwriter launched his first-ever solo acoustic tour (1995--96). Two of the new album's songs, "The Hitter" and "Long Time Comin'," were actually written and performed on The Ghost of Tom Joad tour. But not all the material dates back that far; the title track was written around the start of the war in Iraq, Springsteen said. "It works as a metaphor for all the music underneath it, the individual stories of people wrestling with their demons," he said of the title track. Springsteen opted to record without the E Street Band for Devils & Dust. The core group was Springsteen on guitar and other instruments, producer Brendan O'Brien on bass and drummer Steve Jordan. In keeping with his pattern of recording, the new album is a quieter, more acoustic affair than The Rising. Springsteen, now 55, has alternated between large-scale rock records followed by more introspective material since 1982's Nebraska was released two years after The River. Pedal steel guitar, harmonica and violin fill in the sparse, rootsy arrangements. The bonus DVD includes a special Devils & Dust film by noted photographer and film maker Danny Clinch, including rare, never-before-seen acoustic performances of "Devils & Dust," "Long Time Comin'," "Reno," All I'm Thinkin' About" and "Matamoras Banks" plus Bruce's personal introductions to the tracks.

CD Description
Thirteenth studio album from The Boss follows 2002's epic, 9/11-inspired 'The Rising'. Continuing his trend of following a hard rocking record with a quiet, introspective one, this album is a more rootsy, acoustic affair, with pedal steel,harmonica and mandolin in the mix, and has a dark, forbidding streak running through the lyrics. Produced once more by Brendan O'Brien (Neil Young, Incubus, Pearl Jam).

Customer Reviews

Can't hear this often enough at the moment
I bought this on the day of it's release eagerly anticipating new material from the "Boss" man. After the first couple of plays, I thought another "Nebraska" - dark, introspective but sometimes a little dull if you are in the wrong mood. Suddenly, having played it again and read the lyric booklet - I can't take it off my cd player for very long. It grows and grows on you. If you are a fan of the stadium rocker Brucie, then this might not appeal, although "All The Way Home" and "Long Time Comin'" would fit right in to that sort of setting. The rest of the album takes you through some deep lyrics, and different moods. I much prefer it to "Nebraska". There are shades of Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, the album has a distinct country feel to it, and it's delivered with effortless cool. Stand outs for me are the moody "Devils and Dust", and "All I'm Thinking About is You" which is a light countryish song that becomes very catchy after a few plays. Plus you get a bonus acoustic dvd. Happy listening.......

A fine introduction
Much to my shame this is the first album I've bought of Bruce's. A wonderful introduction to my now slowly growing collection. For the folks who reviewed slating I'd suggest buying the VH1 Storytellers DVD. Perhaps you'll be enlightened as to whats behind Jesus Was an Only Son... other than the obvious. The guy is simply a genius. I also was fortunate enough to see him in Atlantic City, NJ November last year whilst on holiday. Any man who's 55 and can still rock like that well deserves his alias... The Boss. Don't delay, buy the album, it wasn't No1 for nothing. A breath of fresh air in today's hazy pop-ravaged nonsense.

like fine claret
Bruce's writings have matured, like fine wine, over the years. This album continues the process of developing excellence, equalling the brilliance of "The Rising". Springsteen is a man's man, I'd like to talk with him over a bottle of bourbon in some deserted redneck bar, sun setting on the scrubland outside. The imagery in the album is Bruce's own Desolation Row. I especially loved "Reno", it makes my stomach tighten. The arrangements are sparse, minimalist, acoustic guitar-led, with subtle strings and other instruments here and there, never overpowering the passion in the voice and words. Just watch him playing these songs on the accompanying DVD, the way he almost blows the reeds out of the harmonica; the setting for the DVD is also suitably minimalist and downcast. I've had the CD on my car hifi for the last few days as I've been driving through the wintry Scottish Highlands, and it suits the landscape and my mood prefectly.