Bruce Springsteen: Human Touch - 1992

 

"I tried writing happy songs in the early '90s and it didn't work; the public didn't like it"  - Bruce Springsteen 

Released, oddly, as two separate albums on the same day, this and Lucky Town really should have been a double album, or else one quality single album. There are some hidden gems on here but I find myself agreeing with the assessment that it was something of a disappointment.                               

There is definitely some filler on there, particularly on Human Touch and tracks like Gloria’s Eyes, Soul Driver, Cross My Heart, Human Touch itself and The Long Goodbye, which are sort of “average rock band by numbers” tracks, which brings us neatly to the fact that the band used on these albums is not the E St Band (apart from pianist Roy Bittan). 

Looking for a change and hoping that working with new musicians would re-invigorate his muse, Springsteen dispensed with all bar one of his iconic band and employed a new bunch of journeymen-women musicians. The result is a competently played collection of material, but it always sounds as if something is missing. The E St. Band have subsequently played some of this material live and it does indeed improve upon them. I read a quote recently that said that seeing Springsteen work with these session musicians was like watching your dad turn up with a new girlfriend and wearing an earring - yes, you're happy for him, because you love him - but something just ain't right, is it? 

Having said that, tracks like the wonderfully guitar solo-enhanced I Wish I Were Blind, the evocative and nostalgic With Every Wish, the solid grind of All Or Nothin' At All and the bar-room rock of the E Street-y Roll Of The Dice are all pretty good. I also have to admit a real weakness for the cheesy Man’s Job. Also ok is the brooding, cynical 57 Channels (And Nothin' On) but tracks like the synth rock of Real Man, Real World and the throwaway kid's rhyme of Pony Boy don't really cut the mustard for me.

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