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Rating: HUMAN TOUCH is unique: for fans who have already known (and appreciated) albums like BORN TO RUN or DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (peaks of Springsteen's discography reached only with TOM JOAD), HT doesn't even reach sufficiency; while those who know Springsteen only for LUCKY TOWN or indeed HT, the aforementioned album is quite enjoyable.
The work alternates snappy tracks with slower ones, and in my opinion, it is with the latter that Bruce keeps the entire album afloat; one must consider the aggravating (or mitigating?) factor given by the absence of the E-Street Band, justifiable at most in acoustic albums such as NEBRASKA or TOM JOAD. I now proceed to a brief examination of the individual tracks: "Human Touch" opens the album, the most "muscular" song of the album, and which leaves hope for what's to follow. Unfortunately, dreams are shattered with the following tracks: "Soul Driver," "57 Channels," "Cross My Heart," "Gloria's Eyes" turn out to be "exhausted" and flow by without leaving a mark. We get to the first gem of the album with the slow "With Every Wish," interesting in melodies and lyrics; the atmosphere is awakened by the energetic piano of Roy Bittan that accompanies Bruce's guitar strumming to frame a fairly pleasant song: "Roll Of The Dice." Skipping, for mercy, pieces like "Real World" and "Real Man" ("real-ly" disappointing!), we reach the rockish "All Or Nothin' At All," entertaining but not very original. "Man's Job" is enjoyable even if not excellent. "I Wish I Were Blind" is the slow ballad that raises the album's average, the best of HUMAN TOUCH. Again, a rock piece, "The Long Goodbye," practically the same as "All Or Nothin' At All." Closing the album, but it could have done without, "Pony Boy": a traditional song sung by Bruce with Patti Scialfa.
To express an overall judgment, HUMAN TOUCH -save 2 or 3 songs- is an album a bit deflated and in many parts quite unoriginal, which can be appreciated and enjoyed by those who decide to approach Bruce's music precisely with this album.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Human Touch (06:31)
You and me we were the pretenders
we let it all slip away
in the end what you dont surrender
well the world just strips away
girl aint no kindness in the face of strangers
aint gonna find no miracles here
well you can wait on your blessings my darlin'
but i got a deal for you right here
i aint looking for prayers or pity
i aint coming round searchin' for a crutch
i just want someone to talk to
and a lil' of that human touch
just a lil' of that human touch
aint no mercy on the streets of this town
aint no bread from heavenly skies
aint nobody drawin' wine from this blood
its just you and me tonight
tell me in a world without pity
do you think that what im askin's too much
i just want something to hold on to
and a lil' of that human touch
just a lil' of that human touch
oh girl that feelin' of safety you prize
well it comes with a hard price
you cant shut off the risk and the pain
without losin' the love that remains
we're all riders on this train
so you been broken and you been hurt
show me somebody who aint
yeah i know i aint nobody's bargain
but hell a lil' touch up
and a lil' paint
you might need something to hold on to
when all the answers they dont amount to much
somebody that you just can talk to
and a lil' of that human touch
baby in a world without pity
do you think what im askin's too much?
i jut want to feel you in my arms
and share a lil' of that human touch....
03 57 Channels (and Nothin' On) (02:28)
I bought a bourgeois house in the Hollywood hills
With a truckload of hundred thousand dollar bills
Man came by to hook up my cable TV
We settled in for the night my baby and me
We switched 'round and 'round 'til half-past dawn
There was fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Well now home entertainment was my baby's wish
So I hopped into town for a satellite dish
I tied it to the top of my Japanese car
I came home and I pointed it out into the stars
A message came back from the great beyond
There's fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
Well we might'a made some friends with some billionaires
We might'a got all nice and friendly
If we'd made it upstairs
All I got was a note that said "Bye-bye John
Our love is fifty-seven channels and nothin' on"
So I bought a .44 magnum it was solid steel cast
And in the blessed name of Elvis well I just let it blast
'Til my TV lay in pieces there at my feet
And they busted me for disturbin' the almighty peace
Judge said "What you got in your defense son?"
"Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on"
I can see by your eyes friend you're just about gone
Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on...
Fifty-seven channels and nothin'
07 Roll of the Dice (04:17)
Well I've been a losin' gambler
Just throwin' snake eyes
Love ain't got me downhearted
I know up around the corner lies
My fool's paradise
In just another roll of the dice
All my elevens and sevens been comin' up
Sixes and nines
But since I fell for you baby
Been comin' on changin' times
They're just waitin' over the rise
Just another roll of the dice
I've stumbled and I know I made my mistakes
But tonight I'm gonna be playin' for all of the stakes
Well it's never too late so come on girl
The tables are waiting
You and me and lady luck well tonight
We'll be celebrating
Drinkin' champagne on ice
In just another roll of the dice
High-rollers lay down your bets and I'll raise 'em
Well I know the odds ain't in my favor
Maybe I'm just a clown throwin' down
Lookin' to come up busted
I'm a thief in the house of love
And I can't be trusted
Well I'll be making my heist
In just another roll of the dice
Move on up
Come on seven
Roll me baby
In this fool's heaven
10 Man's Job (04:37)
Well you can go out with him
Play with all of his toys
But takin' care of you darlin'
Ain't for one of the boys
Oh there's somethin' in your soul
That he's gonna rob
And lovin' you baby lovin' you darlin'
Lovin' you woman is a man's man's job
Lovin' you's a man's job baby
Lovin' you's a man's job
Lovin' you's a man's job baby
Lovin' you's a man's job
Well now his kisses may thrill
Those other girls that he likes
But when it comes to treatin'
A real woman right
Well of all of his tricks
No they won't be enough
'Cause lovin' you baby lovin' you woman
Lovin' you darlin' is a man's man's job
Lovin' you's a man's job baby
Lovin' you's a man's job
Lovin' you's a man's job baby
Lovin' you's a man's job
You're dancin' with him he's holding you tight
I'm standing here waitin' to catch your eye
Your hand's on his neck as the music sways
All my illusions slip away
Now if you're lookin' for a hero
Someone to save the day
Well darlin' my feet
They're made of clay
But I've got something in my soul
And I wanna give it up
But gettin' up the nerve
Gettin' up the nerve
Gettin' up the nerve is a man's man's job
Lovin' you's a man's job baby
Lovin' you's a man's job
Lovin' you's a man's job woman
Lovin' you's a man's job
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Other reviews
By Night87
If the album ended here, you could save 60% of it, let’s say.
Another artist in a period of creative crisis would have done worse, and surely from this point, Bruce’s revival began.
By KillerJoe
If you love him, however, you’ll wrinkle your nose.
The title track remains the most inspired track of the album, and the absence of the E Street Band is not necessarily felt.
