Misunderstanding the Boss

Regarding Tim Page’s review of Marc Dolan’s biography of Bruce Springsteen [“Even if the kids tune him out, the Boss still rocks,” Sunday Style, June 24]:

It’s obvious early on that Page has no intention of reviewing the book; readers learn almost nothing about it. Instead, Page seemed to use the review as a platform to offer his thoughts on Springsteen. Too bad he seemed to know almost nothing about Springsteen, unquestionably the most important figure in rock over the past 35 years.

Page began his review by saying that Springsteen was overvalued for so long that a reaction set in and he is on the verge of becoming undervalued.

Say what? While Page might have underappreciated Springsteen during the height of the musician’s career in the ’70s and ’80s, rest assured that the rest of us, including seemingly the majority of pop music critics, have fully appreciated the greatness of Springsteen over the years. And to say he is undervalued makes no sense in light of the fact that Springsteen recently received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, released a hit album and continues to play to jam-packed stadiums around the world. Doesn’t sound like an undervalued artist to me.

Page referred to Springsteen’s albums released between 1975 and 1984 as “over-produced, pseudo-operatic behemoths.” This period includes the album “Nebraska,” which was released in 1982. Presumably Page has never heard this quiet, dark folk album. The description doesn’t fit the other albums of the period either.

Page goes on to say that “fans come to hear the oldies, and antiquated but no less passionate cries of ‘BRUUUCE!’ may be heard once more throughout the land.” Has Page seen Springsteen in concert lately? While there is no doubt that some fans come just to hear the oldies and relive their youth, most of Springsteen’s die-hard fans come to hear the new material and “deep cuts” that were not hits.

It is one thing if Page just doesn’t like Springsteen. That is acceptable. But to write a self-centered “review” of a book that he barely mentions is not acceptable.

Jeffrey J. Reddig, Silver Spring