Today Bruce Springsteen finally(!) announced Tracks II: The Lost Albums box set, the long awaited sequel to 1998’s excellent box of outtakes and leftovers, Tracks. The announcement was accompanied by the release of a single, “Rain In The River.” You can stream the track on your preferred “streamer” as a teaser while we wait until June 27th when the box comes out.

The “Lost Albums” in the title are all complete records Bruce recorded during the time period of 1983 all the way up to 2018. There are 7 albums in total – and you can buy a 7 CD box or a 9 LP box – but be forewarned, early indicators on the price tag of this thing are steep. This one might be for diehards like me in terms of purchase. This is like a party I used to know of, “Christmas in July” – only in this case it’s June but you probably get my drift.

Springsteen talks about the 90s where he seemingly disappeared, but he actually kept working on albums that he inexplicably never released. His muse is indeed fickle. The seven albums in the box are listed as: LA Garage Sessions ’83 – described as an essential link between Nebraska and Born In The U.S.A.; Streets Of Philadelphia Sessions – tracks recorded around the time of “Streets Of Philadelphia,” expect drum loops and synths; Faithless – the soundtrack of a movie that was never released; Somewhere North Of Nashville – a country precursor to Western Stars; Inyo – your guess is as good as mine; Twilight Hours – again, not sure what this one is about; Perfect World – a burst or rock n roll to complete the package. You can also buy a 2-CD sampler from the box if the price tag is too hefty on the box.

I just loved the 1998 box Tracks that was chock full of outtakes and unreleased music. Yes, Bruce had gone back in and re recorded a lot of the vocals which irritated the purists, but it didn’t bug me. Since then he’s released deluxe versions of his classic albums Darkness On The Edge Of Town and The River with a large number of songs recorded during those sessions but that didn’t make the final record. He’s mined those 70’s records so now he’s turning his attention to ’83 to ’18 which should be fascinating although I hear one of these discs might be a, gads, gospel album. Only Elvis and Aretha can pull me in on gospel stuff… I don’t mind gospel tinged songs with secular lyrics, but that’s just me.

The “new” single is from the Perfect World disc and is entitled “Rain In The River.” I have to admit, Springsteen painfully wails the first few words but then his voice settles down. This track kinda grabbed me right from the first listen. It’s all big guitar chords. It’s got that epic, arena rock vibe that Springsteen can do in his sleep. It’s nice to hear him pin his ears back and rock. I don’t know yet whose playing on this song, but I suspect there will be little E Street Band presence in this box. This track has the feel of a man whose rising up against the pain that life can throw at you and showing a resilience perhaps maybe even he didn’t know he had. Here’s the track:

If anything, I wish it was a little longer. It certainly makes me look forward to at least hearing the Perfect World album. This box set has been rumored for so long. Originally it was going to be just like the original Tracks, then there were rumors it morphed into the Electric Nebraska (E Street Band versions of the songs from Nebraska) that seems to be the Holy Grail of Springsteen’s fan base, then for about 5 years now it’s been rumored to be a collection of “lost albums.” Turns out the last rumor was the right one. I just know that this box will delight and frustrate his die hard fans in equal measure. Everyone can grouse about what’s included and what’s not… as Seger sang, “What to leave in, what to leave out…” I for one, am just happy to get any unreleased Springsteen I can get my hands on…

Whether it’s vault releases from Bob Dylan, Neil Young or the Beatles, I’m always good for a chance to hear the stuff that just didn’t quite make it to release. It shows us an inside glimpse at an artist’s creative process. I’ll be waiting by the mail box for this one. Until then, crank up “Rain In The River” and enjoy!

Cheers!