POP/ROCK - Aug. 14, 1987

Bruce Springsteen’s first studio album since his 1984 commercial breakthrough “Born in the U.S.A.” will be released in “early fall,” according to Columbia Records, which released no further details beyond the LP’s title: “Tunnel of Love” (if you’re counting, fall begins Sept. 23). No official word as to content, but a strong country flavor could be divined by Springsteen’s consistent use of Nashville studio musicians during recording. In any case, “Tunnel of Love” should provide some interesting competition for Michael Jackson’s “Bad,” which is due in the stores Aug. 31.