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![The Idea of You (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack / Deluxe Edition) [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rZrfgeHdL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
Yeah you heard it here first. After about 20 listen-throughs, I am still having a very visceral reaction to this album. With those 'voice of my generation' years ('73-'87) so far in the rear-view mirror, I sometimes forget what it felt like. This album does not belong to 2019, or (IMO) 1969 either, it just feels, well, timeless. At times clumsy, shlocky, poetic, perfect, vast, intimate, heartbreaking, so many things, but in the end- human. Right now I wish I could go see Bruce do this live at some theater with all the instrumentation that occurs on it (that's really when you know an album is truly good- when you want to see it performed.) Of course the critics will get it wrong; I did a little browsing of some of the 'professional' reviews, and no-one has even gotten close to the bottom of it yet (what a surprise!) What started with side two of 'The Wild, the Innocent, and the E St. Shuffle' has now come full-circle, and it's a great ride.
P.S.
On a side note, k.d. Lang should run, not walk, to the nearest studio and cover 'There Goes My Miracle.'
Some Further Thoughts (7-29-19)
OK, so after letting the album 'settle in' over the past few weeks (yes, I'm still listening to it way too much), I am quite happy with my initial knee-jerk review. Of course, it will take some time to decide if it truly is 'the best ever.' Without even getting into the gorgeously anachronistic soundscape of the thing (though why Bruce chose this particular 'feel' for it does, I think, connect with its message), there is one overarching theme that I haven't heard mentioned, and it is that it's not just about someone in the autumn of their life, but of an aging artist (albeit a hugely successful one) still grappling with the creative process- the self-doubt, the miraculous spark of creation that disappears all too quickly, and now, most importantly, the mortality of one's art ('miles to go are miles away'.) And let's face it, in his chosen field, pop music has the shelf-life of a gnat. It's right there, in the opener- the hitchhiker is a metaphor; it's his music he wants you to give a lift to. And of course in the incredible closing cut ('she was boarded up and gone like an old summer song'.) The stones/lies in his mouth, on his tongue- songs. In 'Somewhere North of Nashville', is he actually thinking about himself, and how long, in the grand scheme of things, 'his song' will last? He wants so much to believe those western stars will shine again, will be immortal (which, in a way, harkens all the way back to Atlantic City- 'everything that dies, some day comes back' ) On this level, it becomes something quite personal, and even more fascinating.
It's been interesting, also, to read other people's thoughts about it, though some of the ludicrously negative things written in regard to its authenticity (he's from Jersey!!!) are laughable; my favorite western is 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance', and I'm quite sure John Ford was never a cowboy.
I read recently that Bruce made a performance film of the album, which I suppose is the next best thing ( it really is a shame he's not going to tour this.) If he does an encore, does anyone have a guess? My choice, especially considering the presence of David Sancious on the album, is 'New York City Serenade' (listen to your junkman- he's still singin'.)
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Reviews with images
So Good! Music to move you!
I read the official reviews of this album on a couple major outlets and was disappointed. They were so desperate to display their intellectual genius with regard to interpreting the validity of music (real or imagined, not sure which) that I just couldn't finish reading them. A piece of music or an album either moves you or it doesn't. Just like other forms of art, for some the ultimate is the Mona Lisa, for others it's Elvis of velvet. I love this album! That's it.
