I remember when this 2-record vinyl album came out in 1980.  I was still in college and thought it was just an awesome progression from Darkness On the Edge of Town and Born to Run.  But listening to The River today, some 27 years later, I've got more mixed feelings.

Bear with me while we go down memory lane, track by track!

Ties That Bind -- It's a pretty good song for an album opener. Clarence (remember him?) gets off a swell sax solo.

Sherry Darling -- a kinda fun tune; frat rock indeed.

Jackson Cage -- Yeah, Boss, being in jail sucks.  Weak choice for your #3 song.  Danny's (Farfisa?) organ makes a big appearance here, 1 of MANY...

Two Hearts -- Starts out promising.  Max's drumming almost saves this fun albeit commercial tune.  "Two hearts are better than one/Two hearts girl get the job done."  Okay...what about 3 hearts?

Independence Day -- Not bad; a classic Bruce lament.

Hungry Heart -- Bruce celebrates leaving "a wife and kids in Baltimore..." and going "out for a ride and I never went back."  Okay, it's just a story.  Clarence gets to blow again here.  Cut from the same cloth as Two Hearts.  Another of many organ-dominated tunes here.  Yawn.

Out In the Street -- The first 5-star tune on this album imho.  Classic Bruceian imagery.  Looks back; moves forward to the next level.

Crush On You -- another Sherry Darling-type of "party" tune.  Clarence gets to make an appearance, but can't bring the tune out from beyond it's numbing repetitiveness.

You Can Look -- Fun Bruce at his best.  Why didn't Chuck Berry get a co-writing credit here?

I Wanna Marry You -- No, Bruce, no you don't!  But since you will record the amazing divorce album,  Tunnel Of Love some 7 years after this, go ahead, get married!  Forgetable dreck here.  Cheesy organ.

The River -- The 2nd amazing 5-star song on this record.  Bruce refines his vivid storytelling taking it to the next level.

Point Blank -- Now he's talking.  Bruce played this at Winterland in 1978 right after the Moscone and Milk assassinations.  Still chilling.

Cadillac Ranch -- You gotta have a Car Song on any 2 record set and this 1 is still kinda fun.

I'm a Rocker -- Nice beat, Max, but forgetable lyrics, Boss...

Fade Away -- Typically uber-Sincere Bruce lament about not wanting his woman to ditch him.  Yawn. Move on, Bruce.  Sorry, Boss.  Danny's damn organ playing is getting to me.

Stolen Car -- Nebraska-like, but in a boring contrived way.  Where's Clarence?

Ramrod -- Another Car = Sex song.  Cadillac Ranch was enough.  Oh here's BIG MAN... And that damn organ again, droning on...

The Price You Pay -- Sounds like Bruce can use some No-Doz on this one.  Or this listener.

Drive All Night -- This was actually a pretty good song, but at 8:33 probably 4 minutes too long.

Bruce sounds so sincere...um, you can end the song now..."through the wind, through the rain, through the snow, the wind, the rain..."  Just like your friendly US Postal Delivery Man.

Wreck On the Highway -- Strange Bummer choice to end the album.  Another tune that didn't make it on Nebraska.  Zzzzz.

Conclusion: With a few exceptions, The River today simply sounds tired and dated.  There's more life in the Seeger Sessions, which I don't get totally, but I can tell Bruce was having fun there.  But here?  He was in another time and space, and for that matter, so am I.
I remember when this 2-record vinyl album came out in 1980. I was still in college and thought it was just an awesome progression from Darkness On the Edge of Town and Born to Run. But listening to The River today, some 27 years later, I've got more mixed feelings. Bear with me while we go down memory lane, track by track! Ties That Bind -- It's a pretty good song for an album opener. Clarence (remember him? ) gets off a swell sax solo. Sherry Darling -- a kinda fun tune; frat rock indeed. Jackson Cage -- Yeah, Boss, being in jail sucks. Weak choice for your #3 song. Danny's (Farfisa? ) organ makes a big appearance here, 1 of MANY... Two Hearts -- Starts out promising. Max's drumming almost saves this fun albeit commercial tune. "Two hearts are better than one/Two hearts girl get the job done. "  Okay... what about 3 hearts? Independence Day -- Not bad; a classic Bruce lament. Hungry Heart -- Bruce celebrates leaving "a wife and kids in Baltimore... " and going "out for a ride and I never went back. "  Okay, it's just a story. Clarence gets to blow again here. Cut from the same cloth as Two Hearts. Another of many organ-dominated tunes here. Yawn. Out In the Street -- The first 5-star tune on this album imho. Classic Bruceian imagery. Looks back; moves forward to the next level. Crush On You -- another Sherry Darling-type of "party" tune. Clarence gets to make an appearance, but can't bring the tune out from beyond it's numbing repetitiveness. You Can Look -- Fun Bruce at his best. Why didn't Chuck Berry get a co-writing credit here? I Wanna Marry You -- No, Bruce, no you don't! But since you will record the amazing divorce album,  Tunnel Of Love some 7 years after this, go ahead, get married! Forgetable dreck here. Cheesy organ. The River -- The 2nd amazing 5-star song on this record. Bruce refines his vivid storytelling taking it to the next level. Point Blank -- Now he's talking. Bruce played this at Winterland in 1978 right after the Moscone and Milk assassinations. Still chilling. Cadillac Ranch -- You gotta have a Car Song on any 2 record set and this 1 is still kinda fun. I'm a Rocker -- Nice beat, Max, but forgetable lyrics, Boss... Fade Away -- Typically uber-Sincere Bruce lament about not wanting his woman to ditch him. Yawn. Move on, Bruce. Sorry, Boss. Danny's damn organ playing is getting to me. Stolen Car -- Nebraska-like, but in a boring contrived way. Where's Clarence? Ramrod -- Another Car = Sex song. Cadillac Ranch was enough. Oh here's BIG MAN... And that damn organ again, droning on... The Price You Pay -- Sounds like Bruce can use some No-Doz on this one. Or this listener. Drive All Night -- This was actually a pretty good song, but at 8:33 probably 4 minutes too long. Bruce sounds so sincere... um, you can end the song now... "through the wind, through the rain, through the snow, the wind, the rain... "  Just like your friendly US Postal Delivery Man. Wreck On the Highway -- Strange Bummer choice to end the album. Another tune that didn't make it on Nebraska. Zzzzz. Conclusion: With a few exceptions, The River today simply sounds tired and dated. There's more life in the Seeger Sessions, which I don't get totally, but I can tell Bruce was having fun there. But here? He was in another time and space, and for that matter, so am I.