Springsteen's 'Dream' packed with positive tunes

We've got new music to fix what ails you, starting with a super set from The Boss.

: What the world needs now is hope and comfort and good vibrations, suggests Bruce Springsteen. That's why he's "Working on a Dream" (Columbia, A), uplifting tunes so true to the anthemic Bruce code that you may find yourself singing along the first time you hear the likes of the title song and the supremely joyous "My Lucky Day."

Sure to be the core, too of Springsteen's just announced shows April 28-29 at the Wachovia Spectrum, the album is dedicated to fallen E Street Band keyboard man Danny Federici. He's most obviously honored in "The Last Carnival" (featuring son Jason Federici on accordion), which celebrates what a sonic scene painter Danny was with his old-timey, Fourth of July boardwalk sounds.

But that jolt of life-snatched reality also cues the set's count-every-day-as-a-blessing theme. Or, in the case of another fave, the rock hymn "King of Days," count and even honor even every gray hair and wrinkle.

A positive message likewise prevails when Springsteen's laying on the story songs. The protagonist in "Outlaw Pete" renounces violence, only to be undone by a bounty hunter who can't forgive and forget. And there's nobility in "Queen of the Supermarket."

I recommend you pick up the deluxe version of the album for the bonus DVD. Its prime joy is a making-of documentary, with insights into Springsteen's communication skills and full renderings of five songs remixed in stunning surround sound. The disc also packs the high-budget video for the fire and brimstone blues howl "A Night With the Jersey Devil," which Springsteen first served up as a Halloween 2008 treat.

: The Scottish rockers really let their libidos out to prowl on "Tonight: Franz Ferdinand" (Domino/Epic, B+).

Craving piano rock? Peter Cincotti aims to fill the bill with "East of Angel Town" (Warner Bros., B-), evoking Billy Joel's ways with the wise counsel "Make It Out Alive" and Elton John with "Lay Your Body Down (Goodbye Philadelphia)." Is that one about freedom? A girl from Philadelphia? Or about leaving our town for the wilds of Manhattan? Yup.

Toni Childs evokes the "you've got a friend" warmth and vocal tone of a Carole King on "Keep the Faith" (429, B).

Devotees of Tom Waits, John Prine and early electric Bob Dylan should get a charge out of the wild wordplay and aggressively twangy tones of "Weary Things" by Andy Friedman & The Other Failures" (City Salvage, B+).

Americana music vets Mark Olson and Gary Louris pair like a country version of Simon and Garfunkel on the rustic yet refined "Ready for the Road" (New West, B+).

"Pat Dinizio/Buddy Holly" (Koch, B) finds the Smithereens front guy faithfully serving up Holly originals with an especially rich string section.

: While aiming for instant cult status a la "Rocky Horror Picture Show," "Repo! The Genetic Opera" (Lionsgate Home Video, C-) is sadly lacking in humor and memorable tunes. In this goth-horror tale from the near future, all of mankind is gravely ill, and a replacement body parts company fills the bill. But GeneCo. gruesomely repossesses the organs if you miss a payment.

The composers suffer too, from Andrew Lloyd Webber wannabe fever, even employing his former leading lady and ex-wife Sarah Brightman in the part of a operatic star. But the only stuff that sticks is all those icky body parts and (believe it or not) Paris Hilton as surgery-obsessed heir to the evil throne.

Definitely worth a look, though, is the 25th anniversary DVD re-release of local filmmaker Robert Mugge's "Gospel According to Al Green" (Acorn Media, A-). Documenting Green's transformation from secular to spiritual soul music, it's full of great performances and rare insights.

: As breezy and buoyant as their name suggests, the samba-tronic pop duo The Bird and The Bee add new, buzzed-out sonic accents to "Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future" (Blue Note, A-) that are positively paisley, dude. And so true to female singer Inara George's California hippie roots.

Boasting snappy, up-tempo Latin tunes as well as her achingly mournful Fado refrains, Portuguese legend Mariza is destined to win new converts with "Terra" (World Connection, B+). She visits the Kimmel Center March 1.

Cantorial airs get swept into a techno and Afro-pop maelstrom that's the Sway Machinery on "Hidden Melodies Revealed" (JDUB Records, B). The brass-tuned collective includes members of Antibalas, Balkan Beat Box and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. *

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