The Rising
by Bruce Springsteen
From an emotional standpoint, I appreciate Springsteen’s willingness to give voice to the “small” protagonists of the September 11 tragedy. Musically speaking, however, I believe this album is less successful than some of his others, even though I formally admire the desire to experiment beyond his usual spare style—adding orchestrations and choral elements that open the work to a broader expanse. Favorite tracks: Empty Sky, The Fuse, Paradise.