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Rating:
THE REVIEW
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.
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Summary by Bot
Bruce Springsteen's Human Touch is viewed as a divisive album. For fans of his classic works like Born to Run, it falls short. However, listeners familiar only with Human Touch or Lucky Town may find it enjoyable. The absence of the E-Street Band influences the album's feel, with slower tracks standing out positively. The album lacks innovation in parts but has a few notable songs that keep it afloat.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen (born 1949 in Freehold, New Jersey) is an American singer-songwriter and bandleader best known for his work with the E Street Band. His career spans from the 1960s/1970s to the present, with landmark albums such as Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town, Nebraska and Born in the U.S.A.90 Reviews
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.
