BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - "AMERICAN SKIN (41 SHOTS)"

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so, at last i've heard the song that's causing a firestorm of controversy. is it anti-cop? no. should the nypd be bothered? yes, probably

is bruce springsteen anti-cop? no. as has been mentioned time and again, springsteen is very pro-cop, right down to headlining a benefit in southern new jersey for a cop slain in the line of duty. so what's his problem? well, apparently, he doesn't like bad cops.

what is all of this even about? if you live in the new york metropolitan, you know all about amidou diallo. if not, go here and read up. the "41 shots" referred to in the title are the number of times the police shot at diallo, and the "wallet" mentioned in the chorus is what diallo had in his hand -- not a weapon as the cops had thought.

so is it any good as a song? yes and no. the lyrics are textbook springsteen, the story of a mother instructing her young son to be polite to officers and, if he should get in trouble, to always keep his hands where they can see so that he doesn't end up like diallo. the lesson? you could end up a victim of the police based on your skin color. frustratingly enough, though, the song never goes beyond just shining a light on the problem: he doesn't examine the root of the problem (which may or may not be doing the cops a disservice) and he doesn't offer any solutions.

as far as the song goes, it's as anthemic and epic as you would imagine, building to a crescendo at about the six-minute mark with the boss raspily shouting out the chorus. there's a definite mood to it -- defiant, indignant, mournful -- but it feels half-finished, like the product of a jam session. by the time he finishes his ten-night stand in new york, i imagine it'll be more fleshed out. the streets of this city gave birth to the song and if he can't find the right inspiration here, i'll bet that you see this one on another tracks set 10-15 years down the line.