Among those `shelved’, `Because the Night’ was a hit for co-writer Patti Smith, the Pointer Sisters’ cover of `Fire’ had even greater success, and both compositions became Springsteen concert staples. While ‘The Promise’ occasionally echoes the mood of ‘Darkness’, it’s predominantly a celebration of rock greats such as Roy Orbison, Phil Spector’s production and the doo-wop era. Perhaps not quite a classic Springsteen album, but pretty damn good by anyone else’s standards.

MIKE DALY is a Melbourne journalist and music reviewer.