BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

(UNITED STATES)

THE RIVER

(1980)
LABEL:

COLUMBIA

GENRE:

ROCK

TAGS:
Easy-Listening, Folk, Rasping vocals
"In spite of its format, "The River" proves to be captivating from start to finish by varying the themes tackled, and the tempi and ambiances to treat them."
LOLOCELTIC (16.11.2016)  
4/5
(0) opinions (0) comment(s)
Due to contractual issues, the delivery of 'Darkness On The Edge Of The Town' (1978) was a painful ordeal for Bruce Springsteen. Fair enough, the writing sessions have allowed the production of about 70 tracks and the album was well acclaimed, both critically and in terms of sales, the overall mood of the album was affected. With a more optimistic mood, the Boss is about to release his new album, which is to be called "The Ties That Bind" and is intended to be in a more upbeat general mood. However, the artist couldn't help but go back to the tracks written for the previous album and finally decided that some of them had absolutely to be released. This decision is also the result of an awareness that life is an adventure made up of more or less positive moments and that one must learn to live with the good ones as well as the sad ones. It is therefore in the format of a double album that "The River", the new opus of the man from New Jersey, is finally released.

With the support of a band as stable as ever, in which Steve Van Zandt has now taken his place, Bruce Springsteen  is buckling down to shift from cheerful, even festive tracks to more intimate and/or melancholic compositions. The Ties That Bind', with its haunting chorus and wobbly drums,  is launching the first record in a light-hearted folk mood. It is accompanied in this style by tracks such as 'Sherry Darling' with its molten saxophone, the energetic 'Out In The Street' with Steve Van Zandt's trademark vocal harmonies, and the simple and catchy 'Crush On You'. It's also difficult not to mention the scathing 'Jackson Cage', which reflects the irreversible mark that society can put on us according to our past actions. Hungry Heart' is a lighter track and Bruce Springsteen's first hit single. It's funny to note that this track was originally intended for the Ramones, and that it was Jon Landau who had the good idea to convince the Boss to keep it.

In the midst of the mostly dynamic tracks, some more delicate  songs deal with real life stories ('Independence Day' about the departure of a son from his parents' home) or more profound social issues (the eponymous track inspired by the couple of the artist's sister hit by the economic crisis and having to face unemployment).

As a form of counterbalance, the second album gives more space to melancholic tracks. A few more cheerful moments manage to bring a bit of freshness, such as the unforgettable and haunting 'Cadillac Ranch', or the catchy 'I'm A Rocker' and 'Ramrod' with their funny-sounding keyboards. Not used to dealing with this subject, the Boss regularly dwells on wounded love. The mid-tempo 'Point Blank' and 'Fade Away' regret love stories that have ended on the former, or struggle desperately to prevent their end on the latter. Sleeker, 'Stolen Car' observes the failure of a marriage, while 'Drive All Night' is about a lost but enduring love for over 8 minutes. More classic in subject matter, 'The Price You Pay' and 'Wreck On The Highway' keep the emotional level at its highest.

In the end, despite its imposing format, 'The River' is captivating all say long. The different themes, tempi and atmospheres keeps the attention on the spot without any dead time. The lightness is a plus, especially as it is not  a proof of bad taste, while the more melancholic tracks are further proofs of Bruce Springsteen's talent for storytelling. Whether the subject is about love or social issues, the singer is always able to touch the listener's deepest feelings.
- Official website

TRACK LISTING:
01. The Ties That Bind - 3:34
02. Sherry Darling - 4:03
03. Jackson Cage - 3:04
04. Two Hearts - 2:45
05. Independence Day - 4:50
06. Hungry Heart - 3:19
07. Out In The Street - 4:18
08. Crush On You - 3:10
09. You Can Look (but You Better Not Touch) - 2:37
10. I Wanna Marry You - 3:30
11. The River - 5:01
21. Point Blank - 6:06
22. Cadillac Ranch - 3:03
23. I'm A Rocker - 3:36
24. Fade Away - 4:46
25. Stolen Car - 3:54
26. Ramrod - 4:05
27. The Price You Pay - 5:29
28. Drive All Night - 8:33
29. Wreck On The Highway - 3:54

LINEUP:
Bruce Springsteen: Chant / Guitares / Claviers / Batterie / Harmonica
Clarence Clemmons: Saxophone
Danny Federici: Claviers / Glockenspiel
Gary Tallent: Basse
Max Weinberg: Batterie
Roy Bittan: Claviers
Steve Van Zandt: Chant / Guitares
   
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