Yes, The Rising suffers from some gloopy production and probably could have left four of five songs on the cutting room floor, but the sheer humanity exhibited by Springsteen here as he tries to explore our post 9-11 grief elevates this to classic status. There are few collections that give us a batch of songs that can match the poignancy of the title track, "My City of Ruins", "Into The Fire", "Empty Sky" and the heart-stopping "You're Missing". But's it's not all downbeat, and Springsteen never lets us fail to see the light at the edge of town, as hope springs eternal through the sadness on "Waitin' On A Sunny Day" and "Mary's Place" is call-to-arms to let the healing begin. This was the right record, by the right guy, at the right time.