Record Rack

*** Little Steven, “Born Again Savage,” RenegadeNation. Though best known as a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and, nowadays, as part of the “Sopranos” mob, Steve Van Zandt has a considerable pop history of his own, including four socially charged solo albums and the stewardship of Artists United Against Apartheid’s hugely influential “Sun City” collection.

In his first solo effort in a decade, Van Zandt adds considerably to his legacy. Because “Savage” is so rooted in classic ‘60s and ‘70s rock influences, from the Who and Bob Dylan to the Clash, “Savage” is likely to be seen as something of a fish out of water in these mostly undemanding times in rock--which may be why the album is on Van Zandt’s own label and is available only through his Web site, https://www.RenegadeNation.com. For anyone with a strong sense of rock history, however, it’s a welcome dose of passion and power.

Van Zandt uses the familiar forms to underscore his feelings that little in society has changed despite all the idealism of the ‘60s. In “Guns, Drugs, and Gasoline,” for instance, he applies a Sex Pistols-like aggression to today’s corrupt institutions.

Despite unevenness near the end of the album, Van Zandt, exhibiting considerable new command as a singer, delivers an album that is both winning and inspiring.

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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent). The albums are already released unless otherwise noted.