Personnel: Bruce Springsteen (vocals, guitar, bass); Sam Moore, Bobby King, Bobby Hatfield (vocals); Tim Pierce (guitar); Mark Isham (trumpet); Ian McLagen (piano); David Sancious (organ); Roy Bittan (keyboards); Randy Jackson (bass); Jeff Porcaro (drums, percussion); Kurt Wortman (drums); Michael Fisher (percussion); Patti Scialfa (background vocals). Producers: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Roy Bittan. Recorded at A&M Studios, 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. Of the two albums, HUMAN TOUCH is the more successful in this endeavor; songs like "Roll of the Dice" and "Real Man" are vintage, hell-raising Springsteen whereas the haunting "With Every Wish" and the roiling undercurrent of "57 Channels (And Nothin' On)" travel more uncertain avenues. "Human Touch" is pretty melodic pop and "Cross My Heart" generates pure sexual heat, gyrating with a bluesy guitar groove. 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. Format: Vinyl Genre: Rock
