Mr Springsteen's past odes to blue-collar America were as bleak as rock music gets.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

The dirge is the latest attack on the New York Police Department (New York's finest promptly organised a rally against Mr Springsteen's lyrics).

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But Mr Springsteen is an unusual mixture of patriot and critic.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

Mr Springsteen has captured the basic emotion: a combination of grief for the lives lost with a resolute (if sometimes corny) sense that America will conquer adversity.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

Until then, Mr Springsteen will do nicely.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

For all his despair at the state of the world, Mr. Springsteen doesn't lose faith.

WSJ: Bruce Springsteen | Wrecking Ball | The Working Man's Voice | By Jim Fusilli

Throughout the album, Mr. Springsteen is in a feisty mood.

WSJ: Bruce Springsteen | Wrecking Ball | The Working Man's Voice | By Jim Fusilli

But for its urgency, the breadth of the music performed admirably by the ad-hoc group of musicians, and how Mr. Springsteen is determined to inspire brotherhood with what he perceives as traditional American and Christian ideals, "Wrecking Ball" is a triumph.

WSJ: Bruce Springsteen | Wrecking Ball | The Working Man's Voice | By Jim Fusilli

Mr. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: (Singing) Come on up for the rising.

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Mr. Cue is an avid music listener like Mr. Jobs and likes artists including Bruce Springsteen.

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"You never know where life is going, " said Mr. Christie, with a mix of Bruce Springsteen and classic rock playing in the background in his office.

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