Magic

After several listens to The Boss's new effort, I have decided it is indeed worthy of the tags "universal" and "timeless". I have never been a huge Springsteen fan, but I have always appreciated his music.
The raucaus opening track "Radio Nowhere" and the mental-picture-painting "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" are standouts.
Glide Magazine's review of the 10/17 show at MSG hits the nail on the head:

"The ten-piece E Street Band is indeed a cast of characters, each one personally defined and worthy of their own charms. Guitarist Steven Van Zandt and saxophonist Clarence Clemons are Springsteen foils that hold it down from the wings while The Boss works his own magic over the crowd. From front to back, Springsteen hand-delivers a little piece of himself to every single person in the house. He lets you know that he knows you're there, and he appreciates it immensely. Springsteen's true gift is how he is able to speak his mind without condescension, without judgment of his fellow man, and with a true message of hope. It is reasons like these that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band remains timeless after all these years."

Bruce Springsteen truly is American Music History 35 years in the making. Several years ago, I was given tickets to see him play PNC Park in Pittsburgh. I gave them away because I had to work at 8:00 the next morning. Looking back on it, I should have given up sleep that night and braved the 6 hour round trip, because I may never get such a great opportunity (especially for free) again. And Max Weinberg rules.