The Boss is ready to do some serious damage on the charts and on the road—but without his beloved Big Man.
Bruce Springsteen has confirmed on his official website that his 17th studio album (and first since 2009's Working On a Dream) will be titled Wrecking Ball. It hits stores March 6 and will be followed by a massive world tour starting in May. The lead-off track "We Take Care of Our Own" is the record's first single, the music video for which is now up on YouTube.
It's also the first new tune from New Jersey's native son following the death last year of saxophonist Clarence Clemons.
Wrecking Ball features 11 songs that, according to Springsteen's longtime manager, Jon Landau, showcases the American troubadour at his emotional and insightful best.
"Bruce has dug down as deep as he can to come up with this vision of modern life," said Landau. "The lyrics tell a story you can't hear anywhere else and the music is his most innovative in recent years. The writing is some of the best of his career and both veteran fans and those who are new to Bruce will find much to love on Wrecking Ball."
While the album cover gracing Springsteen's website doesn't mention the E Street Band, his longtime bandmates will be joining him on the new jaunt, which is scheduled to get under way in Europe with a May 13 concert in Sevilla, Spain.
One notable absence will be Clemons, who died last June from complications due to a stroke. The late sideman is said to be making his final appearance on Wrecking Ball, which Bruce has dedicated in his memory.
After the European leg—which also includes stops in Barcelona on May 18, Lisbon where they'll headline Rock in Rio Lisboa on June 3, as well as shows in Zurich, Prague, London, Dublin, and Oslo, Norway, in July—Springsteen and company will head home for a U.S. trek. Those dates are currently being ironed out.
A special edition of Wrecking Ball will also be released and include two bonus tracks along with exclusive artwork and photography.