Springsteen, Bruce: The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle (Vinyl LP)

On Springsteen's second album, the Dylanesque wordplay is there, but with more narrative detail, as on '4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)', 'Kitty's Back', and 'Rosalita', each of which became instant Springsteen classics and were demanded by his concert crowds for years.

But even on this record, the music isn't allowed to take a back seat to the words - the latter two, at least, are full-tilt rock and roll numbers, with abrupt tempo shifts, soaring instrumental parts, and production that's just chaotic enough to make you wonder if the whole thing is going to blow apart and then smile in appreciation when it doesn't.

The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle was the first time Springsteen scaled the heights of rock and roll greatness - but it wouldn't be the last.

1. The E Street Shuffle
2. 4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)
3. Kitty's Back
4. Wild Billy's Circus Story
5. Incident On 57th Street
6. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
7. New York City Serenade