Background and Relevance
Bruce Springsteen, the iconic American rock legend, has unveiled a new compilation titled “Tracks II: The Lost Albums” featuring 83 tracks, with 74 being previously unreleased. This release aims to dispel the notion that Springsteen’s 1990s were a period of creative dormancy.
Springsteen, known for his proletarian voice of America and legendary concerts, experienced a phase often perceived as dark before the millennium. During this time, he briefly parted ways with his historic band, the E Street Band. He explains in a recent YouTube video, “I sometimes read that the 1990s were lost for me. In reality, Patti (Scialfa, his wife and fellow musician) and I were raising very young children then, which affected some of our work.”
The Creation of “Tracks II”
Springsteen utilized the COVID-19 pandemic to finalize unreleased material that had been gathering dust. The result is an extensive collection of 83 songs, categorized into seven thematic albums spanning from 1983 to 2018.
“Tracks II,” as its name suggests, is a follow-up to the 1998 release “Tracks,” with “Tracks III” expected in the future.
Album Breakdown
The compilation comprises three distinct discs:
- Disc One: Based on Springsteen’s hit “Streets of Philadelphia”
- Disc Two: Titled “Somewhere North of Nashville,” delves into country music
- Disc Three: Pays tribute to California and its Mexican-American culture
Springsteen’s Career Milestones
Springsteen rose to prominence in the 1970s with “Born to Run” and achieved international fame in the following decade with albums like “Nebraska” and “Born in the USA.” After spending time away from his E Street Band, he returned with “The Rising” in 2002, a tribute to the September 11 attacks.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Why did Springsteen release “Tracks II: The Lost Albums”? A: To dispel the notion that his 1990s were a period of creative dormancy and to share previously unreleased material.
- Q: What does the compilation “Tracks II” consist of? A: It comprises three distinct discs, each with a unique theme, spanning from 1983 to 2018.
- Q: How has Springsteen’s career evolved over the decades? A: He gained prominence in the 1970s, achieved international fame in the 1980s, and paid tribute to significant events like the September 11 attacks in subsequent years.
