Bruce Springsteen Launches ‘Wrecking Ball’ in Paris

'Wrecking Ball' is Bruce Springsteen's 17th album and is being touted as his most political statement to date. Seems a bit odd that he'd launch it in Paris, France instead of the good old U.S. of A -- but then again, the French do know a thing or two about revolutions.

“You can never go wrong in rock n' roll when you’re pissed off!” Bruce told the crowd at the media launch for the new disc. "My work has always been about judging the distance between American reality and the American Dream," he said, "[and] how far [apart they are] at any given moment."

The 11-track album, due out March 6, is Bruce's first new album since 2009's 'Working On A Dream.' So in what state of mind does the fresh work find the blue collar messiah?

"The genesis for the record was after 2008," he says. "There was really no accountability for years and years. Wrecking ball was something that sort of seemed like a metaphor for what had occurred. It's an image where something's destroyed, you build something new. [Like] some fundamental American values and ideas that occurred over the past 30 years."

Speaking of politics, while The Boss says he still supports President Obama, he added it's unlikely he'll become actively involved in Obama's re-election campaign. "As an artist, it's better to maintain a certain distance from the seat of power,” he mused. But he expressed admiration for the president's vocal stylings, saying, “Obama can sing! He’s better than me!”

On a more personal note, 'Wrecking Ball' marks legendary saxophonist Clarence Clemons' final appearance on a Springsteen album.

"Losing Clarence was like losing something elemental, the air or the rain," Bruce said about his late friend. "There’s just something missing. We were lucky to get him on 'Land of Hope and Dreams.' When the sax solo comes up, its a lovely moment for me.”

Watch Bruce Springsteen's Paris Press Conference: