Non-Stop Springsteen

Be wary of artists who say their recent stuff is on a par with their classic material. I usually cringe when I see interviews with people who say their newer albums can match their older ones. It's pride, alright. And ego, and the lack of people who are willing to tell them that their new stuff is okay but not great. Bruce Springsteen is one of those. His 3rd studio album of new material since 2005. Or 5th album since then (counting the Seeger studio and a live album), has Bruce feeling that these recent ones will match his past triumphs. Stating that his recent 3 can match any of his previous 3 in his catalog. Working On A Dream, coming just a year and a half after Magic, sounds like typical latter day Bruce. Lots of acoustic stuff, mumbled vocals and the occasional pop sunshiny song. Oddly, even though the album is getting some of the worst reviews of his career, I find it better than the downbeat Magic, but missing the lyrical insight of 2005's Devil and Dust. But it's no great one, and like Magic I don't hear anything hear that Bruce hasn't done before, and now his lyrics are really sounding tired.
Springsteen is on a recording roll, so it's possible that he'll drop a great one in the next few years. But this one isn't one of them.