Album: The River

Introduction
"The River" is the 5th studio album by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, launched on October 17, 1980. Spanning two LPs, the double album includes a mix of rock, pop, and folk designs that display Bruce's growth as an artist, lyricist, and storyteller. The 20-track collection is a reflection on Springsteen's early life, relationships, and experiences growing up in working-class New Jersey.

Background and Recording
Following the success of his previous albums - "Born to Run" (1975) and "Darkness on the Edge of Town" (1978) - Springsteen started composing new product in 1979. Originally, he meant to develop a single-disc album entitled "The Ties That Bind", but after recording several tracks, he felt the requirement to broaden the task and check out a more varied range of themes and noises.

Therefore, the initial tracks from "The Ties That Bind" laid the groundwork for "The River", and tape-recording sessions continued at The Power Station in New York City throughout 1979 and 1980. Springsteen co-produced the album together with Jon Landau and Steven Van Zandt. The sessions included contributions from Springsteen's support band, the E Street Band, who supplied vocals, instrumentals, and harmonies throughout the album.

Music and Themes
"The River" showcases Springsteen's flexibility as a songwriter, as the album incorporates a number of different musical designs. It contains upbeat rock songs like "The Ties That Bind", "Two Hearts", and "Out in the Street", along with mournful ballads such as "Independence Day", "Stolen Car", and "Drive All Night". There are likewise prominent folk music influences on tracks like "The River" and "Wreck on the Highway".

Lyrically, Springsteen delves into the lives and struggles of blue-collar, working-class Americans, which would become a repeating style in his later works. He resolves concerns like love, family, hardship, and determination throughout the album. The title track, "The River", states the story of a young couple having a hard time after an unintended pregnancy, utilizing the river as a metaphor for life's journey and their lost dreams.

Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, "The River" got crucial praise and business success. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and produced 2 top-ten hits, "Hungry Heart" and "Fade Away". The album also got three Grammy elections, including Best Rock Vocal Performance for Springsteen.

In the years that followed, "The River" has been applauded for its storytelling, relatable styles, and ambitious scope. In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it number 253 on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The album has also been certified multi-platinum, more cementing its status as one of Springsteen's many significant works.

The River Tour
To support the release of the album, Springsteen and the E Street Band started "The River Tour", which began in October 1980 and concluded in September 1981. The shows featured performances of many tracks from the album, in addition to choices from Springsteen's earlier work. The trip was extremely successful, additional strengthening Springsteen's credibility as a captivating live entertainer.

In 2016, Springsteen commemorated the 35th anniversary of "The River" by launching a special tour, "The River Tour 2016", including the album performed in its whole, along with other timeless hits. The anniversary tour as soon as again showcased the long lasting effect and significance of "The River" within Springsteen's profession and discography.