Bruce is well-plugged into today where he portends a distressed and misshapen (though determined) America and his hit-writing ability reaches its height on this record. He's also achieved a live-in-the-studio feel. The ensemble sound of the E Street Band is enormous, resulting in an arena-rock classic while they still retain that early rock and roll earthiness that they love. The heavy production title number is as precise and memorable as a protest statement gets. The stark "I'm On Fire" is fearsome desire and the synth work here adds very appreciably to its eeriness. Buddy Holly gets updated brilliantly on Bruce's struggle-ridden "Working On the Highway". My fave, the agitating duo on "Darlington County" whose escapades don't pay off, is set to hard-driving R&B that reaches fever pitch. You also get a substantial triumvirate that finishes the record, reflecting the good old glory days that won't return, self-scrutiny and a once bustling town that has withered away in industrial burnout. Bruce has impressively harnessed his vocals for each song's purpose and has put forth an honest effort that is never overreaching. This great album attests to the promise that rock and roll is alive indeed and to the responsibility that it should never stop even when rock gets into an artistic recession.