Album Reviews I Wrote As A Teenager: Billy Joel's "River Of Dreams"

Yes, I have always been like this

When I was 15, I started writing a biweekly column for my local newspaper, the Appleton Post-Crescent. Most of the time, I wrote album reviews. I saved many of them in a blue binder I now keep in my office. I am now sharing them with you. Here is my review of Billy Joel’s River Of Dreams, from Sept. 29, 1993, published when I was 16 (with occasional commentary by present-day me.)

Since he hit superstardom with The Stranger in 1977, Billy Joel has enjoyed great success. Despite being called shallow by critics, millions of fans continue to be attracted to his romantic lyrics and strong, piano-based melodies.

Those fans should not be disappointed by River Of Dreams, Billy Joel’s 15th album. The 10 songs are sturdily constructed, catchy, and radio friendly. In other words, it’s vintage Joel.

["Vintage Joel” is pure poetry. Put that blurb on the 30th anniversary edition when it drops in 2023!]

River Of Dreams debuted at number one and the album’s success must be gratifying to Joel after what he has been through the past four years. He has been embroiled in highly publicized legal and financial problems the last four years. They have involved his manager and accountants, whom Joel has accused of laundering money.

Joel has said in interviews that his experiences in the courtroom hurt him deeply. He has talked about a loss of faith and feelings of betrayal toward the world. Those attitudes are reflected on some of the songs on River Of Dreams.

[I am trying to remember the last time I heard River Of Dreams. I don’t remember the back story being this dramatic? I gotta hand it to 16-year-old me: He’s sort of talking me into revisiting this album!]

One needs to look no further than the opening song to witness Joel’s disillusionment. It’s an intense, angry song called “No Man’s Land.” The song is about the area Joel grew up in and how it is being industrialized. Joel bitterly sings about “the blue suits and bankers” who sacrifice homes to quench their greedy needs and then sarcastically proclaim that “everybody is all excited about it.”

[The level of seriousness that 16-year-old me applied to this album is staggering! I wonder how many other 16-year-olds cared about a new Billy Joel album in 1993. For context: In Utero came out the week before this review was published!]

Long time Joel fans may find themselves disillusioned after such a bitter opening. But as the album continues, Joel shows that he hasn’t completely given up what he is best at — the romantic piano song. A simple yet powerful melody powers “Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel),” a song written for his 7-year-old daughter. The same can be said of “Two Thousand Years,” a great song that can stand alongside the best Joel ballads.

[I just put on “Two Thousand Years.” It’s just okay.]

Other highlights of River Of Dreams include “Famous Last Words,” which recalls an earlier Joel hit, “Uptown Girl,” and “Blonde Over Blue,” which shows Joel playing with a rock-Latin groove.

[Weirdly, I do remember the chorus of “Blonde Over Blue,” even though I have not played this album in at least 25 years. Must be that catchy “rock-Latin groove.”]

At 44, Billy Joel continues to go strong by writing melodies as good as any he has ever written. Any listener who decides to travel down “The River Of Dreams” is sure to be rewarded.

[I am now one year older than Billy Joel when he released River Of Dreams.]

Grade: B+