Tunnel vision (Tunnel Of Love - Bruce Springsteen)

Member Name: cswann

Product:	Tunnel Of Love - Bruce Springsteen
Date:	27/08/00 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Grown up themes

Disadvantages: no E Street Band

When it came out, it represented a change in direction for Springsteen. For a start, it was credited to Bruce Springsteen, not to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Some of the members feature, but no gutsy saxophone from Clarence Clemons, (although he does provide some vocals) and no Steve Van Zandt.
The band was joined by Nils Lofgren, who I have always rated highly, but he doesn't get much chance to make his mark.

Listening to it now, "Tunnel of Love" still sounds similar in some ways to the 'older' material that preceded it, just a bit calmer, the music of a rocker who's grown up. Lyrically, the themes are now love and relationships, rather than racing on the street and dating.
I still like the title track. Back in 1987 the song "Tunnel of Love" reminded me of Dire Straits, which unsettled me, but I enjoy listening to it nonetheless. "Brilliant disguise" (also released as a single) always seemed a bit feeble somehow, not quite redeemed by the inclusion of "in the wee wee hours" lyric!
"Walk like a man" is one-man-in-a-recording studio a la the "Nebraska" album.

Stand out tracks are "Tougher than the rest", the title track and the wistful "Valentine's Day", but there's nothing really awful on here.

Summary: