Bruce Springsteen – Rain in the River Review

Seven unreleased albums are set to be kicked out from the vault and into our hands. Strap on a solid pair of headphones, mix another coffee, and prepare. Bruce Springsteen appears to have had a clear-out over lockdown, and with the final selections made, Tracks II: The Lost Albums, is well on its way. Lead single, Rain in the River, has a major role. It is not just a tease of the album it is part of, but the project. Tracks is a wonderfully well-received piece of work because it profiles Springsteen as an artist whose burning potential continued away from public view. These are the tracks and moments which did not make the cut, for one reason or another. They are still of a brilliant quality. Turn to The Promise for further proof of this sensational studio cut selection. Rain in the River sets the scene. 

What a scene Rain in the River sets. There is a grand, regal tone to the instrumentals which open this archival track. Springsteen digs deep in finishing these pieces, and the lead single for Perfect World is, as the title would suggest, perfect indeed. A song to highlight the Tracks II: The Lost Albums project not just as recollections of projects which never made the final cut, but for a new direction using leftover material. Perfect World is the one album pulled from singles and other pieces, rather than a concept which was abandoned. Gruff vocal work, a little vibration to Springsteen’s vocals, and an ultimately simple, effective message is what makes Rain in the River so special. A genuine standout piece of work which, as many of the songs to come from this collection will do, asks the question of why it was sidelined. A sweet fade-out after such instrumental and vocal quality is a short and sweet first taste of what may be the final great Springsteen project. 

His care for the music, ultimately, is what is maintained by a release like Rain in the River. Those electric guitar strums, the build towards an effective, titular repetition, is nothing short of glorious. Once more Springsteen takes to the freedom of the open road, the liberation that comes from boots, jackets and rides with a story behind it. Another encounter with an old friend, a new journey ahead. It is the contrast, so simple and so effective, which guides Rain in the River. Despite Rain in the River being part of an archival release, it sounds as though Springsteen is trying something new. A higher octave towards the end, the overlap of booming percussion and the thrills of a new direction, that last ride, are clear.  

Drops in the ocean, rain in the river, those small grievances which surge through the larger body of trouble is what this single finds. Springsteen has always been a class act when it comes to positivity in the face of problems. Rain in the River hears The Boss in fine form, instrumentally and vocally astounding. His lyrical direction does not take us to the road, but prepares us for the journey. An outstanding choice of lead single for Tracks II: The Lost Albums. Many artists have an archive of songs just waiting to be released, and once they get there, it feels more like a nod to hardcore fans than a piece anyone can pick up. Not Springsteen, though. Rain in the River is a wonderfully intimate time with The Boss, as expected, but it also serves as a song balancing the core of his music, that knowable sound, with the thrills of unique discoveries, those daring moments where a fresh sound can be made.