‘Springsteen as Soundtrack’ author to read and show clips online

Caroline Madden’s book, “Springsteen as Soundtrack: The Sound of The Boss in Film and Television.”

Caroline Madden, the author of the new book “Springsteen as Soundtrack: The Sound of The Boss in Film and Television,” will read from it and show clips, April 25 at 1 p.m., on her Facebook page, facebook.com/crolins. Those who watch will have a chance to win a signed copy of the book.

This is the first book-length examination of a side of Springsteen’s career that, arguably, hasn’t previously received the kind of critical attention it deserves. The Asbury Park Press called it the “definitive book on Bruce Springsteen music in the movies and TV.”

Madden, who is from Toms River, looks at the way movies have affected Springsteen’s music and, for most of the book, closely examines the ways in which his music has enhanced movies and TV series, including “Philadelphia,” “Dead Man Walking,” “The Sopranos,” “High Fidelity,” “Prozac Nation” and “The Wrestler.”

“Although many critics examine Springsteen’s corpus through literary frameworks … I contend that he is primarily a cinematic writer,” Madden writes. “While Springsteen often cites musicians and authors as inspirations (such as Woody Guthrie, Elvis Presley, Jim Thompson, and James M. Cain), movies and filmmakers remain some of his most formative influences, particularly the western and road genres. Springsteen’s love of cinema shapes his songwriting style and musicality … Directors are drawn to his music as soundtrack because of its uniquely cinematic aesthetic.”

For more on Madden and the book, visit carolinemaddenwriter.com.