Things I found out through hard times and good I wrote 'em all out in ink and blood, dug deep in my soul and signed my name true, and sent it in my letter to you.

I called this album the only thing that can save 2020 and I was right. I knew he's the only one where I can have high hopes (see what I did there?) and he will not disappoint. First of all Rob DeMartin, can I just say if jealousy would burn, the world would go up in flames. Those B&W photos taken of the man himself in the studio? Brilliant. Amazing. Perfect. Masterpiece. Think I would explode into uniorns and rainbows and glitter if I ever got the chance to set foot in Bosses studio, never mind photograph him. 

Before I even get into this brilliant perfection of an album, can I just say that this is the absolute worse time to release it? It deserves to be celebrated on each and every one of the world stages, arenas, stadiums and fields. There is literally nothing that would uplift the world more than that would right now. For me anyways. i didn't even realise how badly I needed new music from him till I listened to this and counted all my damn lucky stars to have him in my life. To somehow exist the same time as he does, to have him still make music that matters and music that is every bit as amazing as it was in the begining. Yes, I'm looking at you Jon. 

This is the Bosses 20th album and he hasn't lost his magic. Not even a tiny bit of it. And if anything he brought even more magic with this piece. I didn't think it was even possible, I didn't imagine he can do something like he did this time, but he proved me wrong, he proved me what a brilliant mind he really is. (Not that I ever doubted you love.) Imagine a dark room, nothing but this vinyl on, you get lost in the music, lost in some sort of bubble of happiness and a world which seemed to all but disappear outside your front door. The sound on here is something else, it's so pure, so real, it will make you feel like your breaking quarantine rules. I swear with eyes closed and full volume on, I almost felt it, the excitment, the tingle of the live show, heart racing, the emotions. It's everything I wanted and needed. If you're blessed enough to have seen the Boss and E Street live, you'll know what I'm talking about, if not…shit you're missing out on life.

 

What makes this album so special and different is the fact that although Boss and the band have been playing together since 1972, this is the first time the whole thing is recorded, live, together in the same room. Can you imagine that? I mean yeah that's how albums used to be made, no recording bit by bit and then mashing them together, but actually sitting down and playing and what happens happens. Amazing. And god it makes my hair stand up thinking ''oh to be in that room and see history unfold''. There's not a thing I wouldn't give for that to happen. 

Aparently it was Stevie Van Zandt who asked for no demos but instead just sit the band down and play. Can I literally give him a huge hug for that one? Like for real. Dad and I talked once that maybe the months of demos and going back and forth is what takes it out of the songs, it takes a tiny bit of that magic that songs might have had. And it could possbly be true, because recording these albums with all the demos all the adjustments and so on used to take the band months but this one, the ''lets sit down and play and see what gives'' this album took exactly four days to record. Aparently on the fifth day, they sat down and just listened through. Sounds a bit Biblical doesn't it? ''And on the eight day god created…'' (Harley Davidson and Rock'N'Roll if you must know. Lol.) but not far off anyways, I keep telling people if I had a god, it would most definatelly be The Boss.

Do y'all know how this album came to be in the first place? Bruce was preforming the ''Springsteen on Broadway'' which is btw, something I will never forgive myself, my life, Satan and God himself for not seeing. Yes, Broadway is not exactly close I get it, but I mean…if you love something…anyways he was doing that while his friend ''George Theiss'' was battling cancer. He was the only one besides Bruce that remained from a band that existed way before E Street. That band was called Castile and when George passed away that inspired a song, a song that is now on this album called ''The last man standing''.  What actually matters more is the fact that an ''Italian kid'' gave him a guitar, at the back door of the theatre one night which inspired other songs. Can.you.just.imagine.that? To be the person to say ''I gave Boss this guitar that inspired all of the songs on his new album''? Or vice versa really, being given a guitar by the Boss, a guitar that God himself has touched. Excuse me while I die over here or sob for the entire week. 

The album starts with ''One minute you're here'' and it's a line, just one line, the first line he sings, that's enough to have me crying. Sobbing. Bawling. I love this man so much y'all have no idea.  the voice. Holy hell. It's like…a feeling you know. That feeling of a crisp cold autumn morning. When everything around you is frozen, covered in frost, creating unique and beautiful patterns. The air smells fresh and clear and you're wrapped in your favourite leather jacket, worn but comforting. That's what his voice is like, fresh, clear, beautiful, comforting, like warmth surrounding you on a cold morning. 

The song itself talks about loss, well I suppose that's obvious from the title of the song but, loss itself is sort of a red line flowing though the entire album. Not just loss of people, loss of loved ones but loss of hope as well. I mean, it's not that surprising is it? 2020 being as it is. It's relatable. We all lost someone we cared about at one point or another. Bruce has always been the one talking about sadness, grief, tragedy. I think he found his comfort in the thematics, letting it out on paper, letting it out in music instead of letting it consume him. Brilliant really. I think that's what it is, that's what I love so much about him. Life is terrible, and everything sucks but I can count on him to be there to say it will all be okay in the end. Maybe it isn't. Maybe it wont be, but it's a hell of a lot easier with him around. 

Second song is ''Letter to you'' the title track. I doubt I could find the words to describe how in love with this song I am. The voice on that ''I took all the sunshine and rain, all my happiness and all my pain''. Can I just melt into space? Please? Holy perfection. It's a classic Springsteen song, music and lyrics being exactly what you'd expect from him. Old school rock anthem, a stadium hit. With the best music, that rambling, groovy, rock melody we know and love and the perfect raspy voice with a message of hope. You know, shit's fucked up but hell it's worth trying and it's worth holding on. And I just love how I can feel both Roy Orbison and Bob Dylan in this song. Which is more of a Deja vu if anything. Boss himself said that they as well as  Phil Spector influenced his album ''Born to run''. 

Things go on with ''Burnin' Train''. The drumming in the begining! That beat. I love it so much. That's the real fire here. Have you noticed how often there's things on fire in his songs? Things burning? ''I'm on fire'' the less known ''Fire'' which I love so much more actually. He played it live in Milano on the River tour due to a fan sign request. If you're that fan and reading this now, I love you and I wish you nothing but good things. 

''Janey needs a shooter'' . Lots of Janeys no? I'm not jealous shut up. This is not a new song mind you, it's been recorded and re recorded a couple of times. I think it was actually written in 1973. I'm not sure about that though. I know though it was supposed to be on several albums through the 70's but it never made the cut. I wonder why now. Maybe it was just the right time. It's a very Bob Dylan kinda song.  Maybe that's what made Columbia see him as the ''new Dylan''. Yeah no thank you. I mean I love Dylan but seriously no. 

I heard some reviews saying that ''Letter to you'' due to the song ''Last man standing'' could be a goodbye note. Who ever said that…no, I shouldn't. I will censor myself to ''I hope you spill your coffee every Monday morning''. I don't even want to think about such a thing, much less imagine it happen. Listen I get it, nobody lives forever, and some artists should retire a long while ago coughBonJovicough but just don't. As I wrote above ''Last man standing'' is about being the only remaining member of the old band.  It must weigh heavily on his mind sometimes. I mean he's so open and outspoken about his depression and his songs as well are so open and honest. Despite him being 71 now and lets be honest more fit than I am, I know it makes you stop and think, shit I'm the only one left. Must be rough at times. This song is also the first one we hear the amazing little Clemons on the saxophone. Any Boss fan will know how missed Clarence is, by us and mostly by the man himself. Jake Clemons had real big shoes to fill and I think he did just that brilliantly. It's impressing and amazing how hauntingly alike the sound is to Clarence. 

''Power of prayer'' comes next. While my first thought would be that yes people probably do find the power in their prayers. Or comfort at least. This song seems quite nostalgic to me and I do love that we get to hear more of Clemons in it. It aint easy you know. Playing the saxophone. My dad did it. And quite brilliantly may I add. I tried several times. Holy hell. Nearly blew my lungs out, nothing but mad respect for those who do it for ''a few'' hours on stage. Wild. Did you hear how Jake came to the band anyway? He didn't get in just because he's a Clemons mind you, he had to audition just like anyone else would and he has the balls to come in saying ''I only sorta know a few songs''. Oh my god. You got balls of steel kid. I'd never had the nerve to say that to the Boss, also, hm I kinda only know all of the songs by heart. 

Are we going to guess who the ''House of a thousand guitars'' refers with the ''the criminal clown has stolen the throne, he steals what he can never own''. Yeah I think we all know. He understands the search of inspiration or say the lack of it ''here the bitter and the bored, wake in search of the lost chord''. I doubt he ever struggled with writers block, I doubt he ever came to a point where he had nothing to say or didn't know how to say it but the solidarity with the writers who do is just heartwarming and exactly the kinda thing Bruce would do. What I really love about this song is that line ''so wake and shake off your troubles my friend, we'll go where the music never ends, from the stadiums to the small town bars, we'll light up the house of a thousand guitars''. It's comforting. It almost feels as if he's standing next to you with a hand on your shoulder or a nice warm hug. Hell, maybe this hell will end and we'll smile looking back at it one day when everything is okay again. You know what I mean? No matter how fucked up the world is, you need to remain hopeful. I'm the last person to say that I know but hell I aint losing hope of hearing these songs live someday soon. Or better sob to these songs someday soon. Let's be serious I'll turn into a freaking fountain at the first chord of ''One minute you're here''. 

This album is made to make you forget the troubles for a little bit. It's a little bubble of perfect happiness. And though I expected a more political album from the Boss, kinda a second coming to ''Wrecking ball'' you know? I didn't know this was actually exactly what I needed. Politics is mentioned only briefly in the song ''Rainmaker''. It's an obvious anti Trump song without saying so. It's not a cheap ridiculous line as direct as a ''fuck Trump'' (even if that would of been just fine too) but ''sometimes folks need to believe in something so bad, so bad, so bad''. No need to guess what or who this is about. Boss is not like that, he will not tell you what to do or how to think, he's telling you TO think. To open your eyes and your mind. I love this song, not only the message but jesus the way it starts slow and slowly builds up and that little growl you hear, amazing. 

''If I was the priest''…you best believe I'd be in church every damn day. Sorry. Couldn't help myself. Close your eyes and listen to this song. You can just hear a western movie, he's the priest, Jesus is a sheriff. I think the song is far deeper then it seems in the first listen through. It's about lines being slightly blurry between good and bad, failure and success. If you listen to the begining ''there's a light on younder mountain and it's calling me to shine, there's a girl over by the water fountain asking to be mine.'' (jesus, always, all you gotta do is ask. Lol) to me, that suggests that happiness is near, all you have to do is reach out and grab it but life will always pull you down. You know what I mean? The song ends where it starts which symbolises the ballance between good and bad that much more and come to think of it what you're saying here is giving up happiness for some familiar comfort and have you ever thought how the very things that define happiness are the things a priest must give up? And a priest giving those things up is considered good. Giving up good things in life is considered good. So what is good anyways? Point is. Bruce is not a fan of religion and he makes this very clear once again in this song where he pretty much described the hypocrisy that is the Catholic church. 

How about them ''Ghosts'' you guys? A love letter to rock'n'roll. And I tell you now, when the world is normal again, and concerts are a thing, this is going to be a stadium anthem and no doubt a fan favourite live. Obviously the song is also about those we lost, as I said loss is a prominent key on this album. No doubt Clarence was strongly on his mind when writing this one. He said that this song is about ''beauty and joy of being in a band and the pain of losing one another to illness and time. Ghosts tries to speak to the spirit of the music itself, something none of us owns but can only discover and share together''.  A true genius ladies and gentlemen.  It starts on these classic E Street band melodies we know and love like again in ''Born to run'' or say ''Darkness on the edge of town'' but then it builds up with this new different kind of harmony, one that you would for sure sing along no scream along on a life show. It gives me goosebumps all over you guys. Yes ALL over. 

''Song for orphans'' is another one that was revived so to say. It's been written in the 70's and actually he preformed it in 2005. I'm not sure if it's the same version as it is right now but the one on this album is pretty much perfect. It has a Dylanish vibe and also a tiny bit of Tom Petty. What's not to love obviously. 

The album ends with ''I'll see you in my dreams'' and let me just say something first. There has never been a better ending to any album ever. Ever. That drawl. Those lyrics. Those feelings. I can't breathe. Maybe that much more because there's someone who I can only see in my dreams too. Maybe once you understand the songs pass enjoying the melody, maybe thats when they hit harder, hurt more, maybe that's when you love them more. ''I'll see you in my dreams'' is a beautiful perfectly written and structured song, sang with so much emotion, sincerity and mostly depth. It's comforting like the rest of the album is, but comforting in a different way, as in death is not the end and maybe you do get to see those you love and lost in your dreams.  What matters more is that the Church of E street is strong and is going to go strong. This is not the end you guys. Boss made it clear this time is the time of reflection not conclusion and there's so much more music to come. Sometimes I swear when life gets so hard that's the only reason to keep going. For me I mean. The only reason to have more hope and to be strong and just get through the day, week, month. 

Honestly ''Letter to you'' is exactly what we needed right now, hope and uplift instead of doom and gloom (yes Bon Jovi looking at you again). It's the Boss and it's the E street at it's rawest and actually most perfect state. I love every single second of this album. Like I predicted that it's going to be perfect and that it's going to be the only highlight of 2020, I was right. I feel blessed to have him to fall back on. I know putting my hopes into him wont disappoint like so many others did. (no not looking at Bon Jovi this time. Well partly, but others as well). Can we also take a moment for that album cover, front and back. I mean I hate snow but I might start liking it now. And the booklet with those few transparent pages? Don't even get me started on that etched vinyl, no I aint never seen that before, or actually knew it can be done and holy shit is it perfect? Yes. All of it. Together. Perfection. A true nod to the perfection that is music. A beautiful and carefully put together package. 

You've obviously noticed through this love letter that I am absolutely in love with the man. And several other posts, which through the years there's been plenty of. The Boss is like Batman, he comes when called upon, he comes when we need him most. Take a look over the past 20 years, him and the E Street came together each time we needed them most. Each time their voice, their music gave us more purpose. ''The Rising'' as a reaction to 9/11. ''Wrecking ball'' still one of the best and practically the angriest albums I own and love, a reaction to the people and the ''bastards'' responsible for the financial crisis in 2007. Bruce's music is driven by passion for the music but also by the passion to stir up something in his fans. His audience. Food for thought I'd say. Let's be honest, ''Letter to you'' and it's release is no accident or coincident. Y'all heard that Boss is moving to Australia if Trump gets a second term (babe, should you ever read this, how about Europe instead? I mean I don't want the ginger psycho to win, but should the worst happen…think about Italy aye?), and given how you don't need to think too hard who the ''Rainmaker'' is about…as an addition this album has a black and white movie companion available on Apple TV. It shows his home studio as a museum of sorts, old guitars and old faded pictures littering the walls. All I can think about though is ''heaven''. Heaven right there. I could get lost in the studio for hours. I'd feel blessed just to stroke the strings that gave us so many amazing melodies…sigh. Let a girl dream okay?

I believe ''Letter to you'' is a love letter to fans, love letter to all of us. A letter connecting the past and present. A letter connecting us. A beautiful ode from a beautiful poet. And every second is a magical experience. Do yourself a favor, turn down the lights, put it on loud, and just enjoy. 

I didn't need another version of 2020 to hate but here we are.

It's record release day today! That's right people, Bruce Springsteens ''Letter to you'' comes out today. Well came out today. It's evening here. And though I don't have it yet, (living in a country where tap water and color tv are a bloody miracle) I am beyond excited. Only heard one song and I am completely and totally in love. I know the rest of the record is going to be amazing, though I refuse to listen to it before I hold it in my hands. Internet and streaming completely destroys the pleasure of listening to the record for the first time when you actually get it. I envy everyone in the 80's that had that full effect. Vinyl on, playing an album from start to finish. Fucking amazing. I only listened to the title track ''Letter to you'' and those lyrics you guys, that voice, the emotions which the song is sang in. Holy hell. If the rest of the album is anything like it (and I'm sure it is) it's going to be a fucking masterpiece. Not that he can do a bad album to be honest. Well. I wasn't a big fan of the ''Devils & Dust'' but that's a topic for another day. Make sure you come back for an album review. Soon. To be honest, I already know this, for me, is the only thing that's going to save 2020.

And for now I'll do something I've never done before. I'll write a review on an album I don't actually own. Why? Because I don't plan on buying it, yet I've been asked to share my opinion by a couple of my friends and also readers that are still not fed up with me. Cheers guys, I love you. So here's a few more lines other than just ''I hate it''. Spoiler alert? It's not going to be a nice opinion. It gives me no pleasure to write these lines believe me. It's a band I love, band I always loved, but hell lately? I can't stomach them. Yes we're here again, yes this is about Bon Jovi. Again. And yes I am sobbing over the vinyl I own (Slippery when wet, New Jersey, fucking selftitled album,…), thinking how the fuck did a band that was this good fall this low?

Are y'all following these recent rumors? Richie Sambora actually left because his kid needed him and Jon was a bitch who didn't understand that? Rumors are rumors yes but if there's even a tiny bit of truth in that? That really, really clouds my opinion on the man. And the plagiarism rumors? That would be…a really low hit for a big star. Omg don't even get me started on that recent ''I wish Richie Sambora had his life together'' and that ''inability to put his life together is the reason for ''This house is not for sale'' ''bullshit. Jon you egocentric son of a bitch. Is this some sort of a joke? Does the universe revolve only around you? Like are you trying to be funny? Are you fucking trying to undermine all he accomplished WITHOUT you? Are you trying to make him look like a low class ''has been'' while you're the one who really is turning into a ''has been''? Richie finally looks happy and healthy and more importantly sober. His music still sounds like music, which honestly can't be said for Bon Jovi no more. (Sorry Phil).

It seems to me that people forget that musicians after all are still musicians. And touring 18 plus months must be a nightmare. You know how much ''normal'' life you miss out on? We have this illusion it's all booze, drugs, women and parties, when in reality it's drugs to cope with a pretty lonely existance. It's beyond bizarre to me how come a musician doesn't understand a fellow musician then? Aren't they going through the same struggles? Or hey are your wife and kids that bad that you enjoy being away from them for so long? What? Someone had to ask. Here's the deal Richie knew when it's time to stand back, to take a break, to rethink about his life and career, which is something Bon Jovi should have done years back.

I guess this is on me…I was putting too much faith into this new album, I don't know why, I should know better. ''This house is not for sale'' was already a shitty album. And 2020 being a shitty year, why should an album wearing 2020 as a title be any better? I'm going to borrow a line I read online ''this aint your momma's Bon Jovi'' and it really isn't. Sigh. Long gone are the days of ''New Jersey''. Only thing I can really say is thank fuck that my preorder didn't go through when I wanted the album because that would of been money thrown out the fucking window.

It's not even that much about the voice. Even if all I can say is ''what the fuck is going on Jon?''. Y'all seen the youtube clips right? From the live shows (which I barely remember at this point) It sounds like him, but it doesn't sound like him, I swear I sound better in the shower while waxing my bikini areas. No joke. It's a nightmare. It's hard to listen to. More than my ears it hurts my heart. Seriously. I worry about him, about his voice permanently damaged, about not being able to sing at all at some point. The fuck? Why is everyone sticking their heads in the sand? Why won't someone tell him ''that's it get help''?  have y'all noticed how it all went downhill since Richie left? I'm sorry but like this is not the same band ever since HE walked out. It is what it is. Sometimes it feels like he just stopped trying after Sambora walked out. Stopped trying lyrically wise too. I'm sorry but ''This house is not for sale''? I have a hard time believing that after everything that followed concerning the band. Or am I wrong and the ''house'' aint the band and this was a clever way to tell us he's got a career in realestate? Well fucking get to it then, everything's better than recent music.

As a starter…what the fuck were you thinking calling the album 2020? Seriously. I don't get it. It makes absolutely zero sense. Album was set to be released in May and it was done by then obviously, only Corona held it back untill what 2 or so weeks ago. So during quarantine he wrote two songs that replaced two original songs on the album and thank fuck you guys because these two songs are the only good songs on the record. One about George Floyd, the protests, the black lives movment, a ballad. The other one a ''Corona anthem'' with this country vibe and sound? Perfect. I love everything about it. Music and lyrics, even the voice (when polished on the album) is not so bad. See these two songs, that weren't supposed to be on the album are the only thing that reflect the year 2020 and make the album title have a little sense. The rest? What the fuck?

I listened through the songs on youtube. More like listened to under 30 seconds and pressed skip because it's just hard man. Hard to listen to. Freaking torture. ''American Reckoning'' which is the song about George Floyd and the racist violence in America is a great song. It's actually got this ''Springsteenish vibe'' , kinda reminds me of something you'd hear on Nebraska. It's not too surprising because we all know Jon looks up to him (who doesn't?). The thing is I really like the song, I do, no joke, but it's still, I don't know. It kinda doesn't sound like him, it doesn't sound ''honest''? Maybe that's closest to the emotion I feel. You know when Bon Jovi would write ''Always'' and ''Bed of roses'' and god damn ''I'll be there for you'', we all know they're about his wife, and these are honest, these are beautiful, they're packed with so much emotion, hell you fell in love with his wife too just listening to them and now? While ''American Reckoning'' is beautiful and I'm not going to deny that there are emotions in this song you can hear them, it feels sorta forced to me. Feels like trying to make a statement. Feels like wanting to be a stadium band when you're barely fit to fill up a bar. Am I making sense?  Something is not right. The song with the potential to pull at your heart strings, passes through as background noise.

The thing is that lyrically most of 2020 is great. I read through the lyrics not listen to them because that's just impossible. The lyrics are political, they paint a picture of so many things going on in the past couple of years, not just 2020 (except Limitless, jesus christ how many fucking times can you repeat limitless in one song, feels like a broken record to me at some point), but the problem is you can't listen to it. You just can't. I could just about understand that they went for this ''whiny'' type of music so the lyrics are more prominent ….but like…? No thank you. I can't. All I keep thinking about is the vibe and the feeling this album gives me. You know when Tommy and Gina were young ''living on a prayer'', living on love and life and promise. Everything was okay then and now? This album is the worst ending to that illusion. Tommy and Gina grew up. Their dreams died a painful death and all there's left is pain and sadness and tragedy that this album illustrates. And I'll be damned if I stay around for it. Sometimes holding on to some dreams, some fake illusions is much better. Happier.

Jon when talking about retirement said something along the lines ''no one loved the fat Elvis'', I'd punch his smug face for that. ''Fat'' Elvis could still sing. So this ''mockery''? Ridiculous. You're over there howling like a wounded moose making fun of Elvis? It's time. Time to retire. I'm not stuck in the 80's I'm all about experimenting and growth. I LOVED Springsteens ''Western stars'' that was completely different. But this is not growth, this is not experiment, and it's not trying out different things…this is just…a hot mess. Sometimes you don't go about fixing what doesn't need to be fixed. A good rock album was all that was needed, nobody asked for a wanna be pop rock fake ''uplifting'' bullshit, and in the end it's not uplifting at all but depressing and to be honest, I don't think anyone can handle any more depression in this already fucked up year.

And lastly…y'all are aware that aside from Bon Jovi there's also Jon's solo projects? So giving a Bon Jovi album the cover that he did with 2020…his fucking face like he's Blake Shelton or some shit like that and the band just happens to be there, bystanders, completely forgotten, same with the music video ''Do what you can'', where the hell is the band?…doesn't that speak, no actually doesn't that shout volumes of where his head is at?

Here's the deal Jon was worried about the tone of the album, receiving critisism because it's too political. Listen to me, political is good, the lyrics are good, it's everything else that's shit. I wonder how the rest of the band feels about this music. Not that I will find out, they feel like hired help at this point anyways.

That's that, it's like I said, I don't like it, I can't stomach it, I wont buy it, I won't listen to it. Now excuse me while I play a couple of videos from concerts, especially the one in Milano and cry. First of because I pretty much forgot what a concert is (fukn se na tilnik korona) and second because that thing in Milano, that, THAT was an out of body experience, just thinking about it makes me shiver all over. It's like ''sex is great you guys but have you seen Bon Jovi in Milano?''. It was the best Bon Jovi concert and honestly? I feel blessed that I saw it. I feel blessed that despite never going to a show again (I refuse to) at least this perfect memory remains. A memory in which, life was perfect and so were Bon Jovi.  

P.S. Chances are slim to none, but Jon, should you ever read this, I apologize for the rude words, name calling, swearing but not album opinion and please for the love of everything holy get your shit together because I don't really like a world in which I hate one of my favorite bands.