Street Songs of Love (Bonus Track Version)

With Tony Visconti producing and Bob Clearmountain mixing, Alejandro Escovedo’s 2010 release, Streets Songs of Love, is one Escovedo’s toughest-sounding albums to date. The guitars punch, the drums kick, the back-up singers trace every step and Escovedo becomes a glam-rocker, or at least a well-heeled Bowery Bum from years past, walking the rain-slicked streets looking for love. Veteran rockers show their support. Bruce Springsteen shows up for a duet of “Faith.” Ian Hunter lends his vocals to the ballad “Down In the Bowery,” which could be a Willy DeVille or a Jesse Malin number, depending on which generation you recall. The title track sparks from a walking funk backbeat. “This Bed Is Getting Crowded,” “Tender Heart” and “Undesired” are amped-up anthems, co-written with Chuck Prophet, that suggest what the E Street Band might sound like with a few more watts. “After the Meteor Showers” recalls the heartbreaking balladry of John Hiatt. “Tula” adds a noirscape to its funky blues. “Man from Japan” ends things with Escovedo sounding like David Bowie rumbling through the Earth after the apocalypse.