Springsteen May Now Have Twins in Mind : * Pop music: The pop singer may release two albums simultaneously in March. A concert tour would presumably follow.

The question is no longer: When will the first Bruce Springsteen album in more than four years be released?

Now, the question appears to be: When will the new Springsteen albums be out?

Though neither Springsteen’s New York publicist nor Columbia Records would comment Wednesday on Springsteen’s plans, a source said that he will release two albums simultaneously.

The albums are expected to arrive in stores as early as March, with a tour presumably to follow.

Rumors about Springsteen’s follow-up to 1987’s “Tunnel of Love,” which sold an estimated 3 million copies, have been intensifying in recent weeks with reports that Springsteen, who has reportedly recorded more than 40 songs over the past four years, is satisfied with the new work.

Springsteen would be only the second major pop artist to release two albums at the same time. Last fall Guns N’ Roses became the first act to do so.

Though some observers at the time said that the move would backfire commercially because fans would be confused, the Guns N’ Roses albums entered the national pop charts at Nos. 1 and 2 and have continued to sell well. Both are now nearing the 2-million mark.

The expected new works, which reportedly will have totally different titles--unlike Guns N’ Roses’ “Use Your Illusion I” and “Use Your Illusion II”--take on a special importance in Springsteen’s career because they are his first recordings since dissolving the E Street Band and the births of his two children.