Lucky Town (140 Gram Vinyl, Download Insert)

Personnel: Bruce Springsteen (vocals, various instruments); Ian McLagen (Hammond organ); Roy Bittan (keyboards); Randy Jackson (bass); Gary Mallabar (drums); Patti Scialfa, Lisa Lowell, Soozie Tyrell (background vocals); Roy Bittan. Producers: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Roy Bittan. Recorded at Thrill Hill Recording, Los Angeles, California. After a five year recording hiatus following the emotionally eloquent TUNNEL OF LOVE (and a subsequent world tour), Springsteen returned in 1992 with the tandem release of HUMAN TOUCH and LUCKY TOWN. Though released separately, both albums signalled the singer's more mature preoccupation with introspective, complicated themes of desire, despair and regret. The albums were also Springsteen's first without the full E Street Band. HUMAN TOUCH and LUCKY TOWN marry Springsteen's popular persona of fist-waving, stadium rocker with the more reflective, rootsier sound the singer favored on NEBRASKA. LUCKY TOWN's "Better Days" is Springsteen's forthright contemplation of his contradictory status as a multi-millionaire, working class hero. The slight Nashville lilt of "If I Should Fall Behind" is reminiscent of the sentimental balladry on BORN IN THE USA and "Leap of Faith" is a keening, raspy return to the Springsteen of anthemic yore. HUMAN TOUCH and LUCKY TOWN may never be revered in same way as some of his other releases, but both albums are immensely satisfying as a double shot farewell to the raucous rebelliousness of Springsteen's youthful rock and roll years.