Bruce Springsteen
18 Tracks

THE REVIEW

On the occasion of his 25-year career, the Boss comes roaring back with the release of the monumental Tracks, the announcement of the Reunion with the E-Street Band, and finally with the decision, questionable only from a commercial standpoint, to release "18 Tracks", made appealing by 3 tracks not found on "Tracks".

The album begins with "Growin' Up", a song of great impact and a symbol of the early years of his career (also covered by David Bowie), which I believe is slightly preferable in this version compared to that on "Greetings". In "Seaside Bar Song" you can feel the great harmony of the Band just as in the splendid "Rendezvous", created precisely to be performed live. "Hearts of Stone", lent in unsuspecting times to friend Southside Johnny and present as an outtake of the legendary "Darkness On The Edge Of Town", is a moving piece that showcases Bruce's great versatility, while "Where The Bands Are" is the manifesto of the power of the "E-Street Band". At this point comes another song famous for its presence in bootlegs, "Loose Ends", which makes one think about what a triple "The River" would have been; in "I Wanna Be With You" the Boss's voice is engaging and supports the band's rock'n'roll desire, a r'n'r that disappears entirely in the chilling version of "Born In The Usa", spectral and solitary like the atmospheres of "Nebraska"; "My Love Will Not Let You Down" and "Lion's Den" are two very catchy and carefree songs that prelude the splendid "Pink Cadillac", teetering between "Nebraska" and "Born In The U.S.A." "Janey Don't You Lose Heart" fits perfectly into the spirit in which this collection was conceived, continuing with the beautiful vocal backing of "Sad Eyes" and the mastery of "The Professor" Roy Bittan. "Part Man, Part Monkey" is characteristic of the "Human Touch" period and would have a great place in that album (it was then resumed in the last tour concerning the American political situation...). At this point, there are the four tracks excluded from "Tracks": starting with "Trouble River", another HT style piece that also features Jeff Porcaro and continues with "Brothers Under The Bridge", a song that still references Saigon and Vietnam and is typical of the first phase of reconciliation with the Band. Concluding with two mythical tracks like "The Fever", also lent to "Southside Johnny", which could be described as a perfect dance between Organ and Saxophone, and the sumptuous and immortal "The Promise", which alone is worth an entire career.

In conclusion, an album where other wonderful songs from "Tracks" could have found space (for example "Roulette", "Thundercrack"...) but where it wasn't necessary, being a summary of everything, a forced concept. At this point, I can only wish you a good listen and advise not to snub the only true rock'n'roller on the scene.