Devils and Dust

Music fans of my generation (now in our mid-20s) have a difficult time with Bruce Springsteen. Whenever I mention that I’m a big fan, I get laughed at. People just think of the headband-wearing, fist pumping arena rocker accompanied by cheesy synthesizers, bad sax solos and cast members of Friends dancing on stage. And while there’s some truth to this image, it’s not what Springsteen is really about: great songs. This latest batch is a folksy, slightly overproduced affair that focuses on the oft-forgotten “W” of C&W to great effect. Local music fans should note the inclusion of “Reno,” a very graphically detailed account of an encounter with a prostitute that’s a nice addition to Reno’s reputation.