Bruce Springsteen

This second volume in the Bruce Springsteen Collection (wherein Sony repackages three albums in one box) is rather troubling given its selections. There is the sublime Nebraska, Springsteen's first solo album, and a recording of stripped-down haunting tracks. But also included are Lucky Town (why it wasn't packaged with its simultaneously released partner Human Touch is a mystery), and the utterly forgettable Springsteen In Concert from the Human Touch/Lucky Town tour (which admittedly does have a few good moments in performances of older material like "Thunder Road" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town"). Why not have put those three related records in one set? Sony knows why: because they are all inferior to the rest of his catalog. Nebraska, as fine as it is, is the only reason for purchasing this, but why do so when you can go out and buy it on its own for around $10.00? Lucky Town has its moments, but doesn't hold together as an album, and In Concert was an utterly unnecessary move to begin with. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide