New Springsteen album and E Street Band tour coming in 2012

Just the other day, a perhaps prophetic Springsteen fan asked me: "So where's the Bruce album about the recession?" Good question. Maybe right here, coming out in early 2012, still untitled, to be followed by the first E Street Band tour of the post-Clarence Clemons era, beginning in Europe before coming stateside. On Sunday night, the Boss wrote this on his web site:

"Well, things are starting to heat up down on E Street.

A lot of you have been hearing that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be on tour in 2012. That is absolutely correct. The European dates run from the middle of May until end of July and are being announced this week. Info on the US dates and the World tour dates will coming up shortly.

In addition, we want you to know that the music is almost done (but still untitled), we have almost settled on the release date (but not quite yet), and that we are all incredibly excited about everything that we're planning for 2012. That's all the info we have for right now, but we'll get back to you--real soon."

Dates for four UK shows have been announced, including the Isle of Wight Festival on June 24 and Hard Rock Calling at Hyde Park in London on July 14. Below, Springsteen does The Clash's "London Calling" at the Spectrum in Philadelphia in 2009.

Previously: Jessica Lea Mayfield with Drive By Truckers Follow In The Mix on Twitter here