Album Review: Bruce Springsteen - Collection 1973-2012

If you're a Springsteen fan, you'll be pleased to see that all of his favourites are on this album; songs that don't even need mentioning. This 'Collection' is every Springsteen song you could want in one place for, say, entertaining guests, or anthems to singalong to on a road trip. I'm sure plenty of people will be jumping at the chance to hear the latest from The Boss, but before you run off to buy the CD, might I just point out a few things?

Our mate Bruce has put out a 'Best Of' collection before, hasn't he? In fact, he has put two compilation albums out under the title Greatest Hits. Pair that with an Essential Bruce Springsteen, and it's no wonder why they've simply named this one Collection. They've used up all the other options! This seminal collection has been released to coincide with the Australian leg of Springsteen's world tour, so I've no doubt that this record will sell tremendously well. But another 'Hits' album to boost record sales is not going to fool this reviewer – don't let it fool you either. If you're itching for some Springsteen, Born In The USA is still a best seller at almost any music store around the country. Head to your nearest and start from there. Alternatively, wait until the next album of new material comes out. He's still writing good stuff.

Bruce Springsteen competes this week with David Bowie, Hendrix and a bunch of deserving Australian bands who are putting out up-to-date material. Let's focus on that, shall we?