In interviews, Springsteen has referenced his Nebraska when comparing his older album to his latest. Madonna? Like A Prayer,
Both reference points are way off base everywhere but in the musicians minds. In their minds, they are returning, albeit sideways, to an earlier period in their career when they were at the peak of their powers.
After floundering for a long, long time. Bruce since The Rising, Madonna since Music, these tracks are seen as mighty return to forms. Well, yes and no. Both are at least very very good albums. And both fail in similar ways.
Musically, they are more hit than miss, and are summation, Springsteen of his folk rock arrogance, Madonna of her dance oriented pop: Springsteen stands alone , Madonna with producer William Orbitt, Springsteen looks inward by looking inward, Madonna looks outward by looking inward.
Both are such angry albums, they are brittle, unbending, and self-righteous. Both snap at you all the way through. Neither are much fun for all their efforts. One whines, the other shouts, one accuses You, the other accuses "you", neither has the lightest self awareness.
They both have terrible lyrics. The worst thing about both albums by a long shot.
They are both old peoples albums, they are like the bad temper
Neither are as commercial as they think they are.
Neither are their best work.
Both are better than they have any right to be.
Wrecking Ball: A-
MDNA: A-