Happiness Is Just a Thing Called Bruce

Regarding “How Bruce Got a Life,” Robert Hilburn’s interview with Bruce Springsteen (June 7):

Until the release of “Human Touch” and “Lucky Town,” I had been a big fan of Springsteen’s. But when I heard the first few songs on the radio, I thought something sounded wrong: The songs were barely melodic, the production indistinct, his voice hoarse and overbearing.

Where his last record had beautiful little pieces like “One Step Up” and “All That Heaven Would Allow,” the new ones sound more like someone doing a bad imitation.

When Springsteen talks about faith in the music, I think that’s what it must be--a great little piece of music, with a specific point of view and attention to detail, with emotions colored in more than a couple of shades.

Seeing him on “Saturday Night Live” recently confirmed it: For me, there seems to be something both desperate and archaic about him now. Where before he really seemed to stand on his own, apart from mediocrity, now he seems to be up to his waist in it. Am I the only one who feels this?

ROBBIE CORWIN

Pasadena