Reviews (page 2 of 8)
Most emotion evoking album on the list, especially if you’ve recently lost someone you love. Possibly his best work that is often overlooked. Big words from someone who isn’t much of a Bruce fan.
First listen
That’s the real deal-love it. Definitely one of his best albums
Бодрый рокешник с фолком (и даже немного арабским), местами. Взбодрил меня, слушал первый раз и понравилось сразу.
There are very few albums by an upwards-of-a-decade past their prime artist that 1000% deserve a spot on this list, but The Rising absolutely qualifies. For anyone too young to remember 9/11 (a group to which I’d imagine 80% of the haters here belong - anybody who refers to this album as ‘patriotic’ probably thinks “Born in the USA” is patriotic, too, and has zero memory of the masturbatory “America, fuck yeah!” crap that had come out around then), it’s hard to state what a crazy time that was. People weren’t sure if they were ever allowed to feel joy again. I was a little young, but had I been the age I am now back then, I’m almost certain I would have lost friends or family members that day. It was a Herculean task for anyone to truly articulate what we were all feeling, but Bruce handled it with aplomb. I haven’t thought about 9/11 much recently, but listening to “You’re Missing” really hit a nerve. On a personal note, my first concert was seeing Springsteen in support of this album. I didn’t expect the nostalgia to get me like this, but it certainly did. I could recite this album almost word for word.
Bruce is pretty much an auto 5 star for me, but this is a fantastic later career offering.
Perfect album!
I’m at a 4.5 that I'll bump up to a 5. It’s not Bruce Springsteen’s best production, given how much this thing bites from the rock trends he missed out on between 1995 and 2002. It’s not Bruce Springsteen’s sharpest writing, but with the wounds of 9/11 pretty fresh, I can’t blame him for not digging into them too deeply, even for as much as he touches on it. It’s not Bruce Springsteen’s strongest album on the list. It is, however, the perfect album for the moment, by a guy whose voice & thoughts seemed especially needed. The Wikipedia article for this album says that “Springsteen felt compelled to record The Rising when, in the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001, a stranger in an adjacent vehicle rolled down his window and said: ‘We need you now’.” I can’t say that guy in the car was wrong – these tracks do feel needed. Yes, by 2025’s vision of the world, the sense of hope & perseverance present on a lot of these tracks are a bit washed away by the bitter taste of the U.S. military’s intervention in 2003 and beyond… but for July of 2002, these work, and they work rather well. They’re capturing emotions in broad enough strokes, yet just malleable enough to fit the situations of a lot of people who lost loved ones in the WTC, Pentagon, or Flight 93. Even without the context of the attacks casting a shadow on this album, most of them are written in such a way that they just work, saying the thoughts that some people might’ve been unable to express in light of any grief or tragedy. I obviously have my complaints on the album – I think a number of tracks here are a little too “poppy” for Bruce’s general style & sensibilities (“Waitin’ on a Sunny Day” & “The Rising” come to mind). I think there’s a handful of tracks where going more acoustic would create a better sense of intimacy, pulling more emotions out of them, giving them a better impact (“Countin’ on a Miracle” & “You’re Missing”, in this case). Past that, I do think Bruce’s vocal twangs lean a little too much into the Toby Keith-esque style of country that was dominating the charts at the time, and while his vocals are never once bad, they just leave a weird taste in my mouth, yearning for some of the grittier tones of his 70s/80s stuff. I will say, though, for as much as I’m sort of ragging on the production, I genuinely did enjoy a lot of these tracks. There’s certainly something cheesy to late 90s / early 2000s rock now, but hearing Bruce unabashedly go for it just worked in my brain. Don’t get me wrong, I think I would’ve preferred more of an updated yet familiar sound, ala David Bowie’s “The Next Day”, but going full throttle into the 21st century like this just feels fun. I won’t blame anyone for going for a 3 or lower on this, because it is rather long, and it’s WAY different from anything I’m used to from Bruce Springsteen. However, it just clicked for me, and ultimately, I think it does what any good Bruce Springsteen album is supposed to do: evoke the imagery of the very best aspects of the country. Yes, that’s normally bookended with “whilst acknowledging the criticisms that come with it, and what we should be doing to fix it”, but for 2002, I’m not necessarily sure people needed to hear those criticisms. They just wanted a sense of togetherness, and Bruce provides it here without being overly patriotic. Never once is the flag held up high in the lyrics, nor is America portrayed as a bright shining beacon. It’s all based in a sense of community, like on the back to back tracks of “Worlds Apart” & “Let’s Be Friends (Skin to Skin)”. It’s extremely apparent on “My City of Ruins”, which works as a great closer. I guess I’m at a 5 because this just clicked for me like that. It does feel weird, though, as it’s far from the highest of highs that is “Born to Run”, and while I think I still personally prefer “Born in the U.S.A.” over this, it probably does pass “Darkness on the Edge of Town” for me, for having a more contemporary / familiar sound, like the music I grew up on. It's definitely got a chance to go down in the future, but for now, I'm OK with the bump up to a 5.
I grew up listening to bruce springsteen, but generally his older stuff - I was surprised to see an album so late into his career get enough attention to end up on this list. I shouldn't have doubted him though - this album is full of wistfulness and melancholically hopeful bangers. feels like daydreaming looking out the window - today is a rainy day which just made it fit the vibe even more. I know springsteen isn't for everyone - most of the top reviews for this are 1-3 - but this hit me right today. favorite song: "waitin' on a sunny day" totally a vibe overall: 9/10
It's The Boss. End of story.
I Love Springsteen and this album, while it doesn't have any of my favorite songs, is great. Exactly what I expect and want from him.
Good call here. I own this, and love it. Contains none of his iconic tracks, but as a total work, one of his best albums.
Perfection.
Der Boss liefert. Auch hier wieder.
I had to write a friend to ask why we thought "The Rising" as a song was so funny. Because we did. I remember laughing at it every time it was played, but I didn't recall the reason. As it turns out, it was because we related it to "rise and grind", and by grind we meant weed. After listening to the whole record today. I feel a bit ashamed of this. The Rising, as an album is pretty wonderful. It's like a series of contemporary hymns, songs that address a longing for community, for safety. Given that it came out only months after 9/11, the context for this seems particularly significant. From the perspective of 2025, my flippant dismissal of this record seems to be an example of the ironic resistance to earnest emotion that plagued most of my 20s. There are, perhaps, reasons for this, but the effect is that now, listening to Springsteen, I understand why people love him so much.
Co
The Boss
Springsteen's post 9/11 album, written and recorded, with the E Street Band, in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The album is a tribute to those who died, those who tried to save them, an attempt to make sense of what happened. The lyrics are a mixture of hope, doubt, fear; they never become maudlin and the songs are among the best and most emotional of Springsteen's career, certainly since the late '70s or early '80s. It retains the power to move the listener after almost a quarter century, rooted as it is in the human experience rather than the political world. Would that some of the war-mongers had similarly concentrated on the people.
Great album!
Exactly what we needed when this was released. Peace and comfort and courage.
I’ve loved Bruce Springsteen since I was a kid, but aside from “Streets of Philadelphia,” I haven’t listened to anything of his that came out after Born In The USA. When it comes to artists that I loved as a kid, I’m always hesitant about their later work, and I typically shy away from it. I think there’s a part of me that’s afraid that their new work might replace my love for the music that’s been a part of my life for so long, and I don’t want to risk losing those memories that I associate with that music. My childhood was pretty rough, but music always made me happy, and I think that clinging to Born In The USA is how I cling to those few moments of innocence that my childhood had. But enough trauma dumping. I know this album is supposed to be really good, so I’m excited to listen to it today! This was a great album, and it definitely exceeded my expectations. There’s just something about listening to Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band that I really love. I love Springsteen’s vocals, and The E Street Band just brings his lyrics to life in a beautiful and incredibly enjoyable way. This album was true to the sound that I expected, but the songwriting was wonderfully representative of a post 9/11 America. We were all full of fear and devastation after 9/11, and this album captures that feeling really well. Additionally, there’s a lot of reflection and optimism present in these lyrics, which is a thousand times better than the jingoistic garbage that was pumped out of Nashville at the same time. Springsteen’s music has always had a ‘heartland’ feel to it, and The Rising was no different. The arrangements were outstanding, and there was a great blend of instruments used, which the E Street Band played to perfection. As far as the individual songs go, I really loved the first five songs. “Lonesome Day” really grabbed my attention from the start, and it made me really excited for the rest of the album. The guitars, keyboards, mellotron, and synthesizers were all fantastic. “Nothing Man” was really beautiful too, and I loved the horn and string arrangements (I think they were done with synthesizers, or maybe they weren’t horns and strings at all, who knows, but I loved what I heard). This was just a very enjoyable and beautiful album to listen to, and listening to this has made me want to check out more of Springsteen’s later albums.
So, the biggest on land attack has happened on the U.S. mainland. (Let’s just put aside that it was less than a daily occurrence in the Middle East or Africa. Still pretty horrific.) How does the biggest rock star out of New Jersey deal with it? With this. It’s actually really good and Springsteen’s eye for imagery and his lyrical strengths shine through on this album. The image of the boots by the door is powerful and shows Springsteen affinity for working people. As he’s aged he’s moved to the personal and more abstract - it’s hard for someone worth 300 million to relate to working people but Springsteen knows the limits. He hasn’t forgotten his roots and his heart is with those who lost everything. One of the three or four essential Springsteen albums.
I think the main reason why this album is still important and enjoyable is because even though it was a response to the terrorist attacks, the lyrics are not overtly political or even specifically addressing any of the events of the attacks or the aftermath. The songs are about individuals and are spiritual forming a kind of wall between them and the events and politics of the day. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-rising-by-bruce?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I like so much about this album. Lyrically it's fantastic, I love a lot of the music, I love the production from BO'B. The negative is, it's too long. I'd cut 20 mins, but at the same time, I would find it hard because I legitimately love so many of the songs. You have the obvious; lonesome day, waiting on a sunny day, city of ruins, the rising. But then you have these underrated tracks like Into the Fire, You're missing, Nothing Man, Mary's Place, paradise. I am so on the fence on pulling the trigger on a 5... we will see
Not one of his best, but it’s Bruce!
I have a report to make. I woke up a little sick this morning, but I still decided to play today's album. The album finished a few seconds ago and now I feel much better. I don't know if this has anything to do with the songs, but one thing is a fact: Bruce Springsteen's songs have a very special way of touching the heart. I had little contact with Bruce's work (everything I heard from him was thanks to this site) and even then they were albums from the 70s. Listening now to an album from 2002, I can see that his voice and melodies have aged like wine. My type of music: 5 stars (out of curiosity, today I discovered the term Heartland Rock. Apparently the type of music I like most, it had that name all the time hahaha)
il voto meno imparziale di sempre, ma Bruce per me è tra i mostri sacri più inarrivabili, e sentire the rising live è stata un'esperienza che non mi dimenticherò mai. fantastico.
I really like this one more than I expected it to. The songs are perhaps a bit poppy but really seem to capture the post 9/11 American zeitgeist. Much better than I expected from an artist over 3 decades into his career, Bruce's voice still sounds amazing too. There are some beautiful songs in there like Paradise and Into the fire, mixed with a bunch of more upbeat songs.
This album captures the full range of experiences for Americans post-9/11. It's not the Toby Keith stong-man trope, nor a sad sack collection of grief songs. The album follows real emotions of real people grappling with an event that would shape life going forward. A man form New Jersey called survivors and those who lost family members, made connections, and got his iconic band back together to work through it. As someone who remembers that time and place, this was an interesting reflective experience. Bruce did it right. Saved Songs: - lonesome day - nothing man - empty sky - worlds apart - Mary's place - you're missing
Discazo de punta a punta. Me encanta como canta cada una de las canciones, rock, cambios de ritmo, baladas, de todo. Redondito
Ist halt ein Klassiker.
Wo Springsteen draufsteht ist Springsteen drin. Klasse Album wie so viele davor und danach. Volle Punktzahl!
Great
Awesome collection of easy to listen to songs
Surprisingly enjoyed
Vinilo del jefe.
An absolutely perfect album. Every single song made me feel something
The Boss
Forget how good
Mega
Great album. Particularly like Mary’s Place.
Phenomenal album.
This was a great album at an important time in this world
I listened to about 30 seconds. Not sure if that’s long enough to qualify for a vote but I’m submitting it anyways
Wow, Bruce gets another album listed, pretty impressive.
far more range than i anticipated. And totally bad ass.
This album captures perfect the themes and feelings we all had post the events of 9/11 - the tracks that mean most to me are Mary's Place and My City In Ruins and of course the title track The Rising
I am not really a huge Springsteen fan after the Tunnel of Love albums since it got into stuff that I don't really listen to as much. Nonetheless, I love this album and listening to it realised how many of the songs I remember. A fantastic return to form for the Boss and two decades later, still sounds good.
10/10 Bruce Springsteen, whatever that means
This is one that I have a favorable impression of due to the time it came out. It was 2002 and it was Bruce's response to the September 11th, terrorist attacks. It was also the first Bruce Springsteen album I ever really got into. Moving to NYC in 2002, the album felt poignant to the angst and uncertainty that people felt during that first year after the attacks. I remember visiting NYC for the first time in May 2002 staying in a hotel downtown on Wall Street and waking up with a bloody nose because of the grit and pollution still in the air. Then I remember moving there in November 2002 and it wasn't that people had moved on, but it had become a joyous time in NYC because people seemed to just embrace that it could all go away. So when I listen to this album, I think of all of this. On a scale of 0-100. This is around an 89 for me. But do to everything I reviewed, I'll probably give it 5 stars for the combo music and emotional context.
solid, melancholy and driven.
Vinilo del jefe.
great album, just great songs
Not an album I was familiar with. So Boss!
One of my favourite Springsteen records
This is an album Bruce Springsteen had to make. It's probably one of the first albums made in the wake of 9-11 that grappled with the events of that day. It's also Bruce's first real full-length album of new material since 1995's The Ghost of Tom Joad. As Jersey's favorite son and an artist whose collective work is bound inextricably to New York, there was a weight on him to put his thoughts on record, a feat he accomplishes admirably. He could be talking about any tragedy, which is probably what makes this album work. 9-11 was brutal, and something I certainly don’t like to think about at all. But The Rising takes all the confusion and grief of living through a traumatic event and allows us to process and work through it with these songs. It's not linear either as you can see. There are bright moments and grim moments and moments of questioning and anger, and they all live together in you at the same time. That's a very real way of thinking about loss. I still have a bit of a fraught relationship with The Rising. I listen to Springsteen a lot, every day in fact. Several of the songs on this album are among my favorites and there are other songs I actively avoid. This isn't an album I listen to straight through often at all. So I was struck today what a good album this is as a whole. Bruce's more recent works sometimes can be a little hit and miss, but this one is really tight musically. The band is in top form and each song flows beautifully into the next. The themes of love and faith weave elegantly through the songs and he lands in a place of hope. We really needed this in 2002, but the songs still resonate deeply, 20 years on. I wasn't initially inclined to give this a 5, but this is really a testament of what you do with music, and it's one of Springsteen’s finest. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): The Rising, Further On (Up the Road), Into the Fire, Nothing Man, Waitin' on a Sunny Day, My City of Ruins, You're Missing, Countin' on a Miracle, Mary's Place, Lonesome Day, The Fuse, Empty Sky, Worlds Apart, Paradise, Let's Be Friends (Skin to Skin)
The master of making a simple song so good. Teeters on the edge of cheese a few times, but forgivable knowing the time frame. I wouldn’t say powerful, or cathartic, but maybe soothing. Or empathetic, speaking for a nation in pain.
+ into the fire +empty sky
Quan feia més falta. El disc post 11S definitiu. Diria que no només a USA, sinó a tot el món occidental. Cal haver viscut aquell temps per valorar-ho de forma completa. Ho fa amb l'E Street Band, per primer cop plegats des del 1984 a 'Born in the USA', un altre disc que va marcar la seva década. I ho fa amb un to conciliador, d'esperança i solidaritat, tan allunyat dels crits clamant revenja de l'época. I ho fa amb un grapat de cançons de primer nivell, que plegades formen un dels discos essencials dels 00's
One of my favorite Bruce albums. Powerful without feeling too on the nose.
Just jovial
Discazo
Even though not every song here was written in the aftermath of 9/11, this is Springsteen's 9/11 album. It was also his first great album in about 15 years (since 1987's "Tunnel of Love") and as of now his last truly great album of original material. I've liked his stuff since then (and I liked the a lot of the stuff between "Tunnel" and this album) but "The Rising" is a whole other level.
Predivno, ovaj album + šetnja na suncu liječi sve!!
I can excuse a little of Springsteen's cheese because of this one's timing and sentiment.
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Lonesome day, Into the fire, Worlds apart, Mary’s place, The rising, Paradise
Great album
Good listen
One of my all time fave albums ❤️
Gotta say, there's not a great excuse for have a 72 minute Springsteen Album. But this album is an okay one, though there are several songs that are longer than they need to be, and have a bit of a dull premise that gets drawn out. Also not a huge fan of the use of backup singers, and I feel like his earlier albums have more emotion in the singing. Worlds Apart was interesting, but didn't quite work, which was disappointing. All that said, I listened to a lot of these songs growing up which has made me rather fond of them, and Mary's Place and The Rising were great, I especially liked how the latter tied back in with Empty Sky a bit. Overall scrapes a five, from me, though I doubt I'll give it another close listen.
Liked it
I don't think it would be easy to make an "enjoyable" album about 9/11 but The Boss managed to pull it off. The album focuses much more on hope than it does on anger and maybe that's why it still resonates today. 3.75* rounded up to 4*
I'll be honest I came in with not the highest of expectations. While he does have some hits, I wouldn't say I'm the biggest Bruce fan and this is by far the lowest rated of his albums on here. But I actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would! Something about the more mellow 2000's production really fit here. You could tell he was experimenting here. 7/10
#170/1001 🇺🇸 Patti Smith yesterday and her old partner in crime Bruce today. First time listen other than the title track and I've played it twice through today, sounding great in the sunshine. Best tracks: Into the Fire, Nothing Man, Worlds Apart, The Rising.
Solid, timely and a comeback for its time.
Wasn’t expecting to enjoy this but dang it’s actually pretty good. If this was a killers album it’d be one of their best
Very high highs and a couple generic rock songs. Really good album.
This is a massively important record in the Bruce Cannon. Sure, it’s overproduced, there are 2-3 songs that could be cut, and it’s a little too reliant on the string section. But who really cares? Bruce basically sat out the 1990s and was heading towards the state fair circuit playing greatest hits for the rest of his life. But the Rising gave him and his career an incredible third act; a wave of adoration that he still rides to this day. The last 25 years of Bruce as a beloved mentor and icon of don’t happen without the Rising. It wasn’t luck, the album had to be fantastic to bring The Boss back. Most of the songs are cool. He handles 9/11 with tact and it never feels forced or cheesy. Sometimes the hero you need is the one that’s been there all along.
J'ai beaucoup apprécié même si je comprends pas trop l'intérêt de mettre son 1000ème album dans la liste
One if the things about doing these reviews the way that I am (cold, no pre-review of the list, no reading the itunes blurb about the album or the band, etc) is that you come across an album by an artist you know well and think, is this the only one on the list and if sowhy did they choose that one over Nebraska. It starts just like any Bruce album. Solid, as expected. Them suddenly i thought my phone had switched to another artist. It gets dancey. Weird beat for Bruce. Songs are OK, band great as isual, but weaird sound for him i feel. Then comes a grunge sound song. I need more time with this album to really understand it. I wasnt paying close attention to the lyrics which is a disservice to a Bruce album as there is always a story or overarching theme to hos songs/albums. As i cant go back and re-rate i am giving this 4 stars up from 3 as i suspect that is where i will settle in future listenings.
bit of a slow burn, but I was really enjoying it a lot by the end. 4/5
A really enjoyable listen. This album goes beyond the associations of Springsteen as the all American rocker. It's blues, soul, rock, traditional, with hints of diasporic African sounds and rhythms.
Pomo ei tunnetusti huonoja levyjä tee. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mieluisa kuuntelu!
Very good- great production and nostalgic and variety
muy bueno
Did not think I would like a Springsteen album from 2002 but I actually enjoyed it
I'm not a massive fan but this is excellent stuff
Beautiful album. comforting like only Bruce knows how
Just get out of the way and let the man cook. After a decade of wandering the man's got something to say. With a clear of the throat we are off. If the goal is to find some sense in the senseless. To feel a little more connected, let a little light in and start the healing process - Bruce is the man for the job. Far from perfect - we have some CD era bloat here - but there's a lot more great than filler. Hooks abound. Emotions run high but there are enough rockers it never feels maudlin. More hymns than songs. And the moments of catharsis make what could have been a slog feel like maybe just maybe we're gonna make it.
Hadn't listened to this in a long time and I forgot how good it is. It's Bruce's 9/11 album and his first back with the E Street Band in almost 20 years. The themes of duty, sacrifice, and, yes, rising from the ashes are resonant and powerful. It starts off great with "Lonesome Day" but then begins to show its diversity with "Into the Fire," a countryish ode to a fire fighter running up the stairs of the burning World Trade Center. There's world music ("Worlds Apart" and "Paradise") that shows his empathy with people who were considered "the enemy" after 9/11. And there's the gospel feel of "The Rising" and, especially, "My City of Ruins," One of his best album closers ever. We even get a throwback to the early days of the band with "Mary's Place." It does get a little ling but it's a very solid effort all around if not quite up to the standards of his 70's and 80's releases.
It sometimes suffers a bit from overproduction and it's a little bloated at 72 minutes. Those are my only real critiques for this very very good late career Springsteen album. There are vintage Bruce songs here, like Mary's Place, but hes not afraid to experiment, like on Worlds Apart - thought I'd switched to a Paul Simon record for a second. Crazy to me the same guy who made State Trooper made Skin to Skin (which is corny and kind of a banger.) The title track is the perfect stadium rocker that's great live, and I love the gospelly City of Ruins to wrap it up, organ solo and all.
Rv
I have an odd relationship with Bruce Springsteen. I respect his music yet I’m always disappointed by it too. Is it me? I just generally can’t get traction. Well, until now. “The Rising” succeeded for me where other Springsteen albums have not. I enjoyed the sound and the heart of this album, pretty much all the way through. One caveat: I don’t prefer the faux country accent that slips in here and there. A little bit of old time patriotism run amok or something? Maybe one day I’ll be able to move from respecting his classic albums to actually enjoying them. But at least I’ve got this one, and I see myself returning to it.
4 de 5 Un álbum creado bajo el contexto del 09/11, en el cual, busca equilibrar el dolor de la pérdida con esperanza y redención. Regresa la E Street Band, dando un sonido de rock maduro y optimista que aborda la tragedia, la fe, la esperanza y la necesidad de seguir adelante, convirtiéndose en un himno de sanación nacional y personal. A destacar: Track 1 - Lonesome Day Track 4 - Nothing Man Track 8 - Let’s Be Friends (Skin to Skin) Track 11 - Mary’s Place Track 12 - You’re Missing
Good stuff, boss.
Wunderbarer Song mit guten Lieder
live laugh love springsteen. me gustaron varias canciones, pero por momentos lo sentí monótono.
Such a solid album, now one song really stands out but it is excellent as a whole
This is the best Springsteen album I have heard yet.
A few memorable singles, good message
I’ve said before that I prefer shorter albums in general. Despite that, the songs on The Rising are skillfully written, performed, and produced, which I find is typical of Springsteen’s catalog. There are some great tracks here, although nothing can compare to the earlier eras of Born To Run, Darkness On The Edge Of Town, and The River. That’s to be expected. The Rising has a more mature sound than those records; it makes sense because Springsteen and his band have been through a lot since those early years. Worth the listen, but I think I will stick to the Seventies for now. 4 stars
Lots of great songs but overall not as strong and specific as I wish it had been, though its a beautiful evocation of American grief at 9/11 and the Bruce gospel of renewal. Any of his first four albums goes farther and deeper into life just by singing about girls, cars, and the streets.
A little slow moving, but still a solid Bruce Springsteen album. There's something a bit meditative about this one for me.
Bruuuuuceeeeee, you rock my world dude. Such a consistent sound across this album and born to run (although I think I liked Born to Run more). The tunes are great, although some of the more filler-y songs I find get a bit formulaic, sing the song title for the chorus with some grandios chords, maybe some strings and brass in there too for extra flavor. Again not bad, just repetetive. However, sprinkled throughout his albums are these absolute flavor bombs that break away from his regular mold. Songs like Worlds Apart, The Rising, and Paradise. Without these gems, I think the album wouldn't be nearly as good. 8/10
Not in my top three Bruce albums, but still excellent.
One of my favorite albums of 2002 but man is it long.
Springsteen's best record of the 21st century, it evokes 9/11 while not becoming too patriotic. Great album from a master.
I love Springsteen but haven't heard this album. This could have been a surprise 5 based solely off of how good Countin' On A Miracle, You're Missing and Waitin' On A Sunny Day are. But the annoying mess that is Mary's Place is unfortunately in the way of that, knocking it down a star
This project gave me a different perspective on Bruce and E-Street. A big part might be me getting older but I really kind of dig this album. Its about working hard but having fun, life is good and bad and anything in between but thats life. It can get you down (thats okay) but you can also find simple happiness. He is also way more open and progressive in his lyrics then I realized. E-Street are just a fun band sensation with a little bit of everything making a really rocking sound.
We've got this moment now to live, then it's all just dust and dark. Such a great line. This was a pretty rockin' album. I love how much the E Street Band creates a multi-dimensional experience. Such great instrumentation and backing vocals. His lyrics are so good too. This might reach 5 status after a couple more listens, but on first pass, it's a solid 4. Biggest complaint is length, it could've been edited down a bit.
Not as good as some of his earlier stuff but still a highly enjoyable album
I like Bruce Springsteen a lot and this is an impressive album for anyone 30 years into their career. (Also, fair play to the Boss for including Middle Eastern influences on his 9/11 album.) Still, if you’ve heard his other albums on the list, you probably don’t need to hear this before you die.
Decent
4.5?
4/5
Classic mix of rock and ballads
Tan hermoso de verdad!!!! Creo que jamás le había dedicado tanto tiempo a Bruce Springsteen y esto me dio mucha luz de por qué tanto pedo, bellísimo
late era bruce 😮💨
i'm a springsteen fan but not a superfan. there are several of his albums that i love, but this is not one of them. there are definitely some classic tracks on here, but although it never gets truly dull, there are some tracks here i would probably have nixed. just as an entire album, it's not my favorite track listing. i still think ultimately it is a good album, just not one i come back to very often.
Bruce does “working class troubadour” better than almost anyone, even if the themes are somewhat formulaic. I don’t care for his “pop rock” tracks, though…catchy but a little dull. Overall, this isn’t as good as his earlier stuff. But there are moments worthy an artist of his stature.
Interesting to hear this in the context of 9/11. Gone are the lengthy lyrics of his normal storytelling; this is terse and to the point, often capturing a single emotion or message. As the title implies, this is prominently positive.
I’m happy to be listening to something more modern today! By more modern, I mean it still came out two years before I was born. Lonesome day starts off the album with a good vibe. It had a great pace to it and the instrumental break/guitar solo punctuated the track in a way I enjoyed. It also had such an uplifting feel to it which really added to my enjoyment. Moving forward in the album, into the fire was good, and Waitin on a sunny day just made me happy. Nothing Man gave me the ballad that always makes an album for me. The subtle horns were awesome! Countin on a miracle was exactly my thing. The way it swelled into the chorus, ugh, I loved it. Empty Sky was also so musically sound. There is a lot to like about this album. I appreciate Worlds Apart incorporating some different styles of music. It did go back to the style of the rest of the album, but I still liked those influences. Let’s be friends had a lot of jazz influences which I thought was cool. From here, the next track that stood out to me was Mary’s Place. I thought it was just pure fun! You’re missing was unfortunately kind of boring for me, but it’s also getting to that point in the album where I’m waiting for it to move on. The Rising brought back my attention a bit, but the country vocals weren’t my favourite. My city of ruins closed it nicely. 3.5/5 ⭐️ 54/1089
I love The Boss but why is this album here? See also: Music by Madonna. There's just no need for these late-career albums from known greats.
I like Bruce Springsteen's sound, especially when he slows down. But a lot of his stuff sounds the same so I don't particularly like to listen to a full album in one sitting -- I get bored. Yet in smaller doses, I'm always to hear anything he does.
Conflicted on 3 or 4 stars. Stacked up against Bruce's own discography it is clearly at the lower end. Also not very consistent, bur a couple of gems (you're missing, city in ruins, skin to skin and worlds apart) push it towards a 3.5 which I will round up
Very good both musically and lyrically. I'm enjoying listening to these albums from the Boss.
I had to stop and think about this one. I love Bruce Springsteen, but he really draw a line after Devils and Dust for albums that I’ll give too much credit. At the time this album came out, I really didn’t have the love for The Boss that I do now. So I might have assumed this was in the same camp as Wrecking Ball. But I actually really liked it. I might have to extend my threshold.
Olen ollut Brucen fani lapsesta saakka, mutta näitä miehen "uusia" levyjä en ole kauheasti kuullut. Mutta The Rising oli mielestäni jopa yllättävän hyvä, vaikka pituutta onkin hieman liikaa. Kyllä tälle voi antaa varovaiset neljä tähteä.
A safe pair of hands
A strong outing for Bruce. Probably a double album in old money but doesn’t feel overly long. 4
Good album just not for me
The Boss' first album after 911 is almost too much of a good thing and would be too much by just about anyone else but they don't call him The Boss for nothing. Nothing flat out fails on The Rising but well over an hour of songs about resilience and hope starts fucking with you at around the 40-minute mark (and by you I of course mean I) but to Bruce Springsteen's credit there isn't a single second on The Rising that is anything less than sincere and at times achingly beautiful. Even the filler and there sure as hell is some filler on here never goes below that 3/5 mark. So, if you need some inspiration during this scary, uncertain & difficult time in our country's history grab a copy of The Rising along with a Woody Guthrie record, one by Pete Seeger and help abolish ICE because as terrifying as foreign terrorists are it's a lot more terrifying when it gets to the point that no matter how sheltered you are (I'm very sheltered) , how willfully in the dark you are (long have I avoided the news) you simply can't but see that in 2026 the most dangerous terrorists, our biggest threat are not from some exotic sounding country but from the next town over or even from next door.
I had no idea what to expect from this album and I tentatively assumed it would be a really sad example of someone past their prime trying to recapture the old magic in the wake of a national tragedy. VERY PLEASED to say that is not the case! The Boss still has the sauce here. He inhabits many different personas on this album and his storytelling is just as good as ever. He takes such a thoughtful, nuanced position when that was certainly not the thing to do at the time. While it does dip into cornball territory occasionally, it's really clear that he means what he says.
Against all odds, actually lowkey pretty great.
Nobody channels the national mood better than The Boss. America needed him after 9/11 and he delivered with an album that’s uplifting, honest and imperfect. Too many songs, but after a seven-year layoff, Bruce had a lot to say
I've never been a big Springsteen guy but I actually liked this a lot better than most of his more famous stuff.
Very dad rock sounding but was surprised how good I was for being released later in his career
Not up there with early Springsteen like Born to Run and Nebraska but leagues ahead of some of the 90’s stuff. Great album. Throughly enjoyed it.
Not the usual Bruce type of music, but I did really like this one! I was expecting saxophones and drums but these songs were actually so different. Took me by surprise! Wouldn't say its his best album, but it doesn't deserve all the 1 and 2 star ratings 4 ⭐️
There were multiple times during Paradise that I thought it was a Sound of Silence cover; there were multiple other songs I liked too. Went back and forth between 3 and 4 here, but decided on a 4.
Wow, I was ready to totally bash this like the other 15 Springsteen albums to which we've been subjected. But this one really caught me off-guard. It wasn't boring, it didn't drone, there was some unexpected sonic and instrumentation choices, and honestly I really thought it was quite good. No higher than a 4, but a 3 undercuts how surprised I am at the quality of the album.
Solid, consistent album. Great accompaniment to sitting in the airport lounge I was in on the way to Tokyo.
Loved some of this, thought quite a few tracks were a bit basic, and a few bordering on... worship music vibe? Not my fav, but it's still Springsteen, so it's a head and shoulders above half the contenders here.
I was surprised on how much I like this. Didn’t sound much like a Springsteen album and I mean that in a good way.
Vaikka Bruce-diggari oonkin, ei ollut tullut tätä levyä ikinä kokonaan kuunneltua. Nyt tein niin ja aika valjuhan tämä oli. Ei jäänyt oikeastaan mikään biisi mieleen. E Street Band soittaa kyllä komeasti. Brucen ääni kuullostaa tällä vanhan miehen laululta.
I really enjoyed this album. There were a couple of tracks that sounded pretty weird (almost out of place) in amongst the standard Springsteen fare - but on the whole it was well worth listening to.
Bruce Springsteen’s reflections after 9/11. Unlike many other artists at the time, Bruce’s “9/11” music isn’t propaganda, it is simply a reflection and response of that time. Not Bruce’s best album, but still an essential.
I guess I'll have to use this as my 1,089th and final review of this project to defend this album - and I can't believe I actually have to defend it but here goes: While, yes this is Bruce's weaker album on the list looking at the context of where we were six months after 9/11. Also some years ago Springsteen replaced his long time collaborators and brothers in arms - the E-Street band with some 'lesser' musicians heretofore referred to as the B-Street band for his 'solo' career. Bruce fans wanted Clarence. They wanted to see Stevie pretend to blush during Bobby Jean. While the Twin Towers burned and Bruce watched, he was asked by a fan / stranger - 'What do you have to say about this? We need you to help us heal' and that's when he took his brothers who he came off of a reunion tour with into the studio and started laying down new tracks. Some of them were long standing songs he wrote and others addressed the tragedies of 9/11. Maybe it's because I'm too close to this album. I think of my family that barely escaped those towers, my Uncle's partner who did not. There are too many to name and I think of them still every time I hear this album. There are few songs that can bring a tear to my eye but this is the one. Yes, not his best but this album is worthy of this list because of how Bruce turned the tragedy into art, spoke of the times and shared his grief. 4/5
Good old BRRRUCE
This band seems to have a signature sound, and I really appreciate the addition of backing choir vocals
I thought this was pretty good, and I liked how it felt like "I love America" rather than "Everybody else is worse than America" Favorite track(s): "Further On (Up the Road)," "The Fuse"
I understand why others here don’t like it but I’m biased because I grew up with this CD in the car
Decent - not his best but a great listen
Probably three songs too long, but overall a good listen from a definitely difficult period in US history.
El Jefe es el Jefe, y la mayoría de tracks en este álbum son un trancazo. Muy disfrutable, tal vez un poco largo, pero en general Springsteen no tiene desperdicio.
Know what, this was a decent one considering how overexposed to Springsteen I feel at this point. No stand out bangers, but still a competent album overall, if a bit long in the tooth.
I normally expect albums released decades after an artist’s prime to be worse than their older work, but I still greatly enjoyed this one
It’s Thanksgiving, and this seems like the right music to listen to on this day - one of my favorite days of the year. It’s the keys and saxophone that does it for me. I’m thankful today. And I’m thankful for Bruce today as well.
Some songs were a bit too somber for my taste, but I really enjoyed Mary’s House.
Not top tier Springsteen but close. Listened many times.
chill
I've been reading the reviews of people who are meh on this album and just can't see it. I can see it not being your favorite Springsteen album or not making your top 100, but I can't see not responding with it at all. Even when he's not at the top of his have as a songwriter, Springsteen is very good at tapping into fundamental hopes and desires of the American psyche -- in a way that makes me realize I'm more American than I sometimes want to believe. Here he's wrestling with the questions of national identity, character, and patriotism that strained us as a nation after 9/11, and like so many of his best earlier songs, many of the songs here put us in a place of disappointment, critique, and sadness while still inviting us to hope that we can be better than we have been. If anything, it feels almost quaint in our current context when it doesn't feel like many of our fellow citizens harbor the same dreams anymore, so one wonders if this version of America really ever existed or can exist again. There are few artists able to confront us with these questions in rich ways that speak to as wide a swath of the American spirit as does Springsteen.
Very solid Springsteen with a return of the E Street band. A bit over produced for my taste and it's not a stone cold classic like many of the other old albums, but the songs are really good. The singles from this album kind of put me off, so I didn't hear it in full until a couple of years ago. Late to the whole Bruce party honestly. Might be a 3.5 for me, but bumping.
some crackers on here but can't give it 5* simply because there are even better albums by the boss man
One of Bruce's better latter-day efforts
Pretty good.
it was fine, classics.
Set in the context of a post-9/11 New York, which gives a lot more meaning to the lyrics of the songs. This adds historic depth to the album but there are also plenty of good tunes as well.
Decent album
Okay this is a good album but why is it on this list? Popularity of the album? Guy has made many albums.
Springsteen's comeback album after a 7-year hiatus and it's a pleasant listen. I love The Boss although consulting my copy of the book, I am a little surprised that The Rising makes it in as of his 5 - I'd probably have gone for The River rather than this. Anyway it was an attempt at a feel-good record post 9/11, and the writing and music both do a good job of bringing an uplifting feel. He's a great lyricist albeit maybe this doesn't contain any of his most iconic tracks. I think it starts strong and is a tiny bit MOR at times, maybe sagging in the middle, e.g. Worlds Apart is a track that goes on a bit. The fact that he was working with the E-Street band again is a plus though, especially the sax parts give it the feel of being Bruce as much as any other element. Not quite 5* but it's good
Enjoyed-should watch the Jeremy Allen white biopic
The man just keeps winning and delivering decade after decade.
Very good albums Amazing guitar
Wonderful album. Honestly the run time was a little long for me - I think this is cause there was a lot of songs near the end that sounded like they'd be a good end point.
This has been as high as my fourth favorite Bruce album before. It’s fallen ever so slightly because I think there’s a slight dip in the middle of it. Nothing I dislike, but I think the beginning and end of this record are much stronger. This record is often called Bruce’s answer to the September 11 terrorist attacks, and you certainly hear that in some songs, including two of my favorites that start the album, “Lonesome Day” and “Into the Fire”. Just really, really emotional songs. Also very emotional is the closer - by the way, Bruce almost always opens and closes his records really well, and almost always has incredible title tracks, just something I’ve noticed recently - but the closer here, “My City of Ruins”, loosely based around “People Get Ready”, is also extremely emotional and beautiful. There’s a nice big sound on this record; I think this is the first album that features Stevie Van Zandt and Nils Lofgren, so a lot of nice, big soundscapes, “Mary’s Place” is another one that the band really kicks ass on. But he also brings it down for the unbelievably stark and harrowing “Paradise”, which might be a top 5 song on the record for me. I think “The Fuse” is a really great experimental number, “You’re Missing” is beautiful…there are just so many great performances on this album, Bruce’s passion on this album is very palpable. After the early 90’s albums and Ghost of Tom Joad, I think this is a pretty fantastic comeback. Really strong 4 star record in my book, a little overlong, but very excellent for the most part. 4/5
Solid album. I enjoy the energy that Springsteen generally brings to the table.
Liked this a lot more than I expected, one of the Boss' best. Very post-9/11 but far more interesting than some of the more jingoistic nonsense that came out of that era from others
3.5 stars A little sappy, but good and doesn’t feel overlong despite the fact that it probably is. It’s effective and holds up to his classic stuff.
I respect what he was trying to do here. It’s not my favorite Springsteen album, but it’s a thoughtful one. I found myself torn. I’ve always connected more with Bruce’s earlier work, but I didn’t feel that same gut-level connection I get from his older stuff.
2002 Springsteen is just 2025 Bon Jovi. Two New Jersey dudes gettin old and getting more tame. It's very calm listening, good for a morning commute to work and coffee. I can definitely see the post-9/11 vibes here about uniting and coming together. Overall, it's not a bad album. A few skippable tracks. It's tame, but that works for a lot of people.
Surprising. I had only heard a few of these before this.
Musically, I loved this. The album was about 30 minutes too long, but I never disliked any part of it. It had almost a showtunes vibe for a rock album. While I might not be as religious as I once was, I can still appreciate some religious themes in music. This isn't my favorite album by any means. It isn't even music I would even normally listen to. That said, it was a nice listen. I knew I wouldn't be able to focus through the whole album, so I used it as background music for a game or two, so I might have rated it slightly higher than I would have if I was giving it my undivided attention.
Sometimes it's almost like he's talking but in a singing tone. Idk what that means, but it's true. It's one of the best albums that is listed under one person's name I've listened to yet. It's the perfect mix of many genres in my opinion. It runs on the longer side and a couple songs early on got boring quick, but most of these songs are some that I'd absolutely come back to. Many great themes are explored in this album that any can relate to. Honestly didnt expect to enjoy this album as much as I did.
Solid brúsi. Sum lögin voru frábær og annað ekki eins gott, enda löng plata. Sé ekki vandamálið í textunum sem hipsterarnir á síðunni vilja benda á. Þetta er flott lagasmíði og góðir textar.
I liked this more than I thought I would. Some of Springsteen's work just doesn't seem that interesting to me but I do like this album.
The Boss doing Boss things. If you’re a fan, you’ll like this. 'The Rising’ reunites the E-Street Band for the first time in years. The result feels familiar, but different. The album serves as a meditation on grief and resilience in the wake of 9/11, with Springsteen channelling national trauma into personal, often spiritual, reflections. I’m not a massive Springsteen fan myself, but I respect what he’s aiming for here—and for the most part, he succeeds. Often these types of records can feel earnest, cloying and inauthentic. Not here, this is genuinely a powerful effort with real emotional weight.
I've been listening to the Boss all week so this is a welcome surprise. I just bought this album at the GW:)
it a vibe
Off the cuff remark: my battle to love Springsteen continues. This is a step in the right direction, good strong lyrics as always but something slightly less anthemic overall, perhaps that's something I prefer? Standout track: Countin' on a Miracle is a lovely slice of pop, as is Waitin' on a Sunny Day Revisit?: yes. One to return to for sure.
A nice album, but for some reason, some songs felt like christmas songs. i really liked "worlds apart". 4
I’m so hit and miss with Bruce. And this was a hit overall. Song writing absolutely top notch and having read the wiki notes about the album I understand why. Great guitar work and the band flawless. Stand out track for me ‘Nothing Man’. Why not a 5 then? A few songs did grate a bit. ‘Skin in Skin’ and ‘The Fuse’ especially.
The folks On Here saying that Springsteen was "profiting" from 9/11 have really no idea what they're talking about. I get it, it was 24 years ago. I imagine a lot of these folks were barely 10 or younger when it happened. This album was a salve. We were drowning in shit like Toby Keith "We'lll put a boot in your ass/It's the American way" and plenty of music getting censored. Look up the Dixie Chicks sometime. In any case, Bruce comes out with this very heartfelt piece of music -- hopeful, loving, full of longing and loss -- and it was beautiful. It's not his best work overall, maybe not even top 5. But for a country that felt every bit as crazy as it does today, it was a necessary listen.
kolejny weteran listowy, to chyba piata pozycja od pana springsteena, tym razem nie bede marudzil, bo raczej pozytywne odczucia po poprzednich albumikach od niego mialem, the rising to krazek z 2k02, chyba konczy najdluzszy haitus jaki mial od miedzy krazkami, bo poprzedni mial w 95, wiec rising jest tutaj wielowymiarowe, bo nawiazuje nie tylko do oczywistego z punktu hamerykanskiego sluchacza podnoszenia sie po wtc, ale tez pewien restart muzyczny po przerwie u pana brusa, restart udany, bo albumik ponad 70 minutowy, wiec kazdy znajdzie tam cos dla siebie, a najwiecej smutni i strapieni w duchu, oraz ludzie niepogodzeni ze strata, czy zagubieni, bo album stara sie byc tytulowym podniesieniem na duchu dla sluchajacego, muzycznie jest stary dobry e street band, wiec klasyczne rokowanie bez udziwnien, chociaz wiecej niz zwykle slychac chorkowania, co to dobrze pasuje do pozytywnego wajbu jaki ma plyta, ktory czuc w tym przyjemnym graniu, na plejke wrzucam nothing mana, empty sky, tytulowy the rising oraz zamykajacy my city in ruins, to sie nazywa wrzesniowy pik jak akurat czlowiek na swiezo po memach rocznicowych, ale jesli pomyslec, ze mozna by sobie sluchac tego 23 lata temu w hameryce, to naprawde trzeba przyznac, ze mocny krazek pan springsteen zmontowal
I listened to this once without knowing the context behind the album and then, once after learning what the context was, and then again now. I can say I definitely appreciate the album more with each re listen. It’s absolutely in the Boss’s top ten. The lyrics, while obviously discussing 9/11, can also be attributed to his personal life, as well as the feelings and situations of most people, before and after the attacks. It’s a phantastic concept album and incredibly versatile. Love it. 4/5
Some powerful tracks on here, and it was a great return to recording for Bruce and the E Street band. Not quite in his top tier of work, though.
Would you guess that Lonesome Day was a song my 14-year-old self listened to a lot after my first breakup?
Springsteen at less than his best is still very good.
4/5. In a similar to The Suburbs by Arcade Fire, this is a collection of songs that all sound pretty similar with a constant theme. The main difference is that these songs are definitely more universal in feeling, but also much simpler. We have all experienced tragedy, whether it be the direct influence of most of these songs, or for anything really. These songs have simple lyrics mixed with simple instrumentation to really drive home the message without any subtly. I think in some songs it works well but I would have liked a little less on-the-nose vocals at times, especially since I know Bruce can do it. Plus some choruses are very repetitive. Now, it's still a great album and a meaningful one, and I do think a lot of it had to do with Bruce's emotions getting the better of him, so finding subtle ways to express oneself might be a little hard as a Jersey boy. It just hurt the album in the long run from being perfect since it almost sounds like a lot of these songs could be taken ironically. Which could be powerful but it seems he felt he had to match it with other positive songs to make sure his very positive message got across properly. Best Song: My City of Ruins, The Rising, Further On (Up The Road), Mary's Place
A few years ago, I’d never have expected to have heard so many Bruce albums, but having so many in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die will result in more doofuses like me finding them. He’s been fairly hit and miss for me. Some albums have been pretty banging, but then a handful have been a bit naff. This one, fortunately, had plenty of earworms and seemingly lots of fun. I listened to it while working, so I’ll admire that I wasn’t particularly tuned in to the lyrical content, but it definitely still made for a nice listen.
I love Bruce Springsteen and yes i have this album.
Important post 9/11 album. Sounds a bit dated and there are a couple skips but still a solid record.
4/5
8/10 pretty good! far from his best work, and the more country-oriented tracks annoyed me a bit, but this was overall fairly good
My expectations weren't high given we started with Bruce's masterpiece, Nebraska, eventually got to Born in the USA, and most recently ended up with Darkness on the Edge of Town, the most mediocre of the bunch. But while this is ultimately too long, and 'Worlds Apart' is undeniably world music-wannabe wankery, the rest of the album is largely strong. Added a few songs to playlists and came away thinking, 'This is what Ryan Adams wishes he was.' Might be a high 3, low 4 kind of situation, but grading up for today.
Totally different from his earlier records, dig it much more
It's BS, can't be lower than a 4.
🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍💙🤍💙
I realized listening to this album that I really like later Bruce. He isn’t the young, vocally fortissimo in-your-face idealist, but instead a storyteller who has been around the block a few times. This album is a strong reflection of a man’s self-reflection in the post-9/11 world. I think we all went through the same thing, which would be curious to see if this album resonates with a generation that didn’t directly experience this. Empty Skies and Counting On a Miracle were particularly resonant for me as it brought up memories of seeing Denver in silence on 9/12 and having that feeling of absolute uncertainty. I am going to dig further into this album and this era of the boss.
Random thoughts: * I really enjoyed this one. * this one was better than I anticipated. It brought back memories of 9/11 but I also remember how much this album felt like a big come back for NYC. * This really captured a moment in time and was able to lift up a city and country. * The music still holds up and this was an album I will revisit.
There are times where I can find it hard to take 9/11 seriously. Now, let me nip this in the bud right here: I mean nothing but respect for everyone who suffered on 9/11, from the victims to the first responders, to the families of both. I'm too young and too Canadian to have any kind of understanding of what this did to folks and what it still means to them. When I say I find it hard to take the event seriously, I mean nothing ill towards any of those people. It's more, y'know, a lot of what happened as a result of the tragedy that makes it hard, particularly the "war on terror" and the sharp increase in jingoism. Which, of course, being a too-young Canadian, as just mentioned, I lack the scope and insight to really comment on. So, instead, let's just narrow in on the one aspect I do know a thing or two about: the music. When I think of 9/11 music, besides tributes to the victims, I'm usually thinking of one of three things: the innumerous random songs on Clear Channel's memorandum, the spare few songs that commented negatively on Bush's "war on terror", or — and this the largest thing — country music. Goodness me, post-9/11 country music. If there was any sound to define post-9/11 in my mind, it's not even "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"; it's "N' WE'LL PUT A BOOT IN YER ASS; IT'S THE AMERICAN WAY." Jingoism distilled: all these country guys who were just so fuckin' gung ho to invade Iraq and fuck their shit up for DARIN' TO MESS WITH 'MURICA. FUCK YEAH! Not to mention putting the big silence on anyone who **dared** speak out against Bush in any way — hi, Natalie, Emily and Martie. It was a time, I tell yah. So, yeah, that sucks. Not a great sound to associate with an event like this. But, y'know, there's actually one more thing I think about when it comes to 9/11 music. It's kind of tribute-y, so that's maybe why I didn't include it as one of the big three categories, but... Yeah, it's "My City Of Ruins" and, by extension, the album it comes from, Bruce Springsteen's THE RISING. Y'know, this isn't my group's first album from The Boss. Far from it. In fact, we got one from him just at the top of the month with BORN TO RUN. And where before we've gotten his retrospective claims (DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN), his star maker (BORN IN THE U.S.A.), and his breakthrough (BORN TO RUN), now we've arrived at another step in his career: his comeback. This was his first proper studio album in seven years, his first with the E Street Band in two decades, and his first since TUNNEL OF LOVE to top the charts. It was critically acclaimed, enough so to be nominated for Album Of The Year, though it lost to Norah Jones and her soundtrack for hipster coffee shops. Indeed, this is Springsteen's 12th album. Yes, his twelfth, released nearly 30 years into his career. This is a **late**-period album we've got here. So, I suppose the question rises (pardon): should an album this late into someone's career be here? Does it hold up to the acclaim it got 23 years ago? And, of course, most importantly: how does it fare as Springsteen's reflection on 9/11 and its aftermath — and is it being that the only reason why it's here? I'll start with my biggest ding against the album: the length. This thing is 72 minutes, almost double the length of any Springsteen album we've gotten recently. Which, I mean, unlike some other albums where I've had this length complaint, I wasn't getting exhausted by the end of it — it did actually do a good job of holding my attention... But still, you can't tell me **every** song had to be here. I get having a big album in the face of a big event, but there had to have been some stuff that could've been cut. That's my biggest knock on this album. I suppose my smaller one, then, would just be kind of a squint at the sound of it. We are a ways removed from the Heartland rock he was doing on those earlier albums my group heard. It's not totally indistinguishable — Clarence's sax pops up every now and then — but it still strikes me as pretty modernized. Far from bad, though it's just not what I've come to expect from The Boss. Even his singing, which still roots everything in his sound, is way more understandable than usual. I know he's older than he was, but what is a Springsteen album if he's not singing so hard that he's nearly incomprehensible? (That said about the sound, though, I do appreciate that he had a song on here with a Middle Eastern influence. Given the shit that was about to go down, it's nice to hear that on an album so influenced by reflections on 9/11.) So let's get to those reflections, then. Let's talk about the lyrical content. As is typical of me, my darn AuDHD brain kept me from processing a lot of them — just how I be. Though if there's anything I can get out of what I was able to get into my head... It feels a lot more honest. This is far from an angry album; there's no hungry cry to "[light] up [their] world like the Fourth Of July." It's more about... Well, it's about what it's always been about for Springsteen: the people. It's about grief and loss and sadness in the face of the tragedy, but also about resilience and finding the strength in your community to get through it. "With these hands, I pray for the strength, Lord — come on, rise up!" Even with a few lighter songs in here, like "Mary's Place", that's still the vibe of the album. Honestly, it reminds me a bit of The Flaming Lips' THE SOFT BULLETIN, in that sense — an album about the inevitability of death and how heavy that is, but still finding the love and strength to carry on regardless. And if I'm making a comparison to THE SOFT BULLETIN... Ain't nothing but a good thing, that's all I'm saying. And briefly, I wanna address "My City Of Ruin". It is the best song on the album — no contest. If you ask me, the whole album is a build up to this as a climax. It's maybe my favorite song Springsteen has ever made. A beautiful gospel-hymn of communal hope that... Really, can be applied anywhere. Most people would use that to knock it for vagueness, but consider: this song wasn't even written as a response to 9/11. Originally it was an elegy for Asbury Park, New Jersey, but took on a whole new meaning once the attacks. In the years since, it's been applied to the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Hurricane Katrina... And so on. It can be reapplied for whatever people need it at the moment. If that's not the sign of an amazing song... I hafta tell you, on the whole, it's not my favorite Springsteen album. It's maybe a little longer than it needs to be, and it doesn't quite reach the highs of BORN TO RUN or IN THE U.S.A. — though I don't think it needed to. It's an album made for the times as they were then, and it more than well served its purpose. And even in the years beyond that, well separated from its original context, it holds up dang well. If nothing else, it gave us "My City Of Ruins", and that's the kind of song that would give an album high marks near regardless of how well the rest turned out. Thus, with these hands, I praise this album — a great latter day work from Springsteen. And seriously, how did Norah Jones beat this **and** THE EMINEM SHOW? Honestly, academy, pick the most boring option, why don't you...
Boy, whoever put this list together sure does love The Boss, eh? But in all seriousness, this is some nice rock, even if it can be a bit uninteresting. Solid 4 Stars.
This was once voted second catchiest album about 9/11. After Houmous & Chutneys fundraising album ((Watch Out) You Can’t Hide There (Were Coming To (Your Cave To) Get You)) 3.7 13/15 The Rising
This was a beautiful album. I could definitely listen to it again.
Some great songs…very emotional…don’t love every track
Never heard this one before but it's my new favorite of his.
Really enjoyed this and I am not a Bruce Springsteen fan. (Although it sounded nothing like Bruce Springsteen so that follows)
Waiting on a sunny day= good! Nothing man = very good Worlds Apart = very good! African rhythms actually work and the guitar rips. Some songs generic and overproduced
One of my personal favorite Springsteen albums.
Top tier divorced dad music. Goes the whole journey really with the rock music underlined by sadness into sadder songs into full depression confession. Love it. Also because this is a directly post 9/11 I like to imagine an alternate universe where the 9/11 butterfly effect leads to a country version of twilight. Specific rating -4.4 Fav song- waitin’ on a sunny day Least fav- paradise
Gotta love a bit of Springsteen! (Not to be American but...)
Niet zijn beste album, maar wel goed. Paar bangers, paar nummers die iets minder zijn, maar overall gewoon een solide 4
Parempaa modernia Springsteeniä. Hallittu kokonaisuus Pomolta.
I forgot about this album. It's that underrated. When I listented yesterday i was suprised how many songs I knew! Great stuff Boss
Springsteen, aber nicht „at his best“.
Mature classic
"The Rising" is the 12th studio album by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. For the most part, the songs are Springsteen's reflections of the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. It was his first album with the E Street Band since "Born in the USA" and first with producer Brendan O'Brian, who would go on to produce several more with Bruce. The album had wide-spread critical acclaim and, commercially, hit #1 in both the UK and US. "Lonesome Day" opens big with a very loud E Street Band. Strong and emotional vocals by Springsteen. A violin and synth ringing melody. High production, nice mix and anthemic. Springsteen tells the story of a firefighter going up the World Trade Center as survivors flee, rising up like angels with a "dream of life." "Waitin' on a Sunny Day" cranks up the Americana with driving drums and a violin. A nice happy melody and a sax solo. This is a song written in the 1990's. He's wanting to be happy again. Another song written before 9/11, is the subdued "Nothing Man." Ticking drums, an organ/synth and softer vocals. Gospel-like backing vocals. It's about surviving but not knowing how to do it since so many friends did not make it. One of the best songs on the album. Another great song is "Worlds Apart." Qawwali women singers and Middle Eastern music are fused with the music of the E Street Band. And it really works. A condemnation on stereotyping Muslims. A searing guitar solo. The album ends strong. The lead single "The Rising" opens with Springsteen lyrically struggling. The band kicks in and we get the "la la la" anthemic vocal chorus. A grand finish. A song of everyone dealing with struggles and, maybe, more specifically, firefighters going into the World Trade Center. "Paradise" slows it down as Springsteen takes the position of a suicide bomber. Acoustic guitar, soft vocals and strings. The bomber realizes the paradise promised is empty and false. What better way to end an album like this than to go soulful; "My City of Ruins" does just that with an organ and gospel-like backing vocals. Horns are added as the song crests to an end with Springsteen and the backing vocals. A song, he originally wrote for his native Ashbury Park but worked pretty well for the current situation. I don't know why I had never listened to this album before; it's a very good album. Of course, it's emotional and uplifting. I don't think the songs have lost anything since the near post-9/11 time-frame. The band and vocals sound great. I liked the use of different lead instruments. The production and mix are strong, loud and well-executed; impressive how he got the songs to not sound busy with all those instruments. Sure, there's the typical Bruce anthemic songs as noted but there are surprises: the subdued "Nothing Man," Middle Eastern fusion in "World's Apart" and fun songs like "Let's Be Friends." There's a lot to like here and it's a strong Springsteen album.
4+/5
Bruce's most diverse and intriguing album
I think this is a good album, but unlike his best work which doesn't waste a single second, this is too long to it's detriment. Cut off a few of the weaker tracks and this does stand with his 70's and 80's work. Favourite tracks were probably Lonesome Day, Waitin on a Sunny day, Let's Be Friends and The Rising. My City of Ruins is excellent as well. This is a good 4.
It's about freakin' time! I can't believe I didn't get a single Springsteen album within my first half of the project, especially considering the man's got 5 of them on this list! That makes it all the funnier that I'm now getting my first album of his as album 555. Ha. Anyway, this album makes a pretty good first impression! I would've liked to start with an earlier album in the Boss's career, but what are you gonna do? The Rising is not an album I see discussed as a real contender for his best album. That discussion tends to lean more towards albums like Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town. However, that's not to say that The Rising doesn't have an important place in Springsteen's career. This album marked a revival of sorts for the guy. For all the Bob Dylan fans out there, this is kind of his Time Out of Mind. But you know what? I think I actually like this album more than Time Out of Mind. This album does have one of the big issues I had with that album though, that being the fact that it just kind of goes on for a bit too long. I don't think this needed to be 72 minutes. Whatever. At least it's 72 minutes of good music. I've said quite a few numbers in this review so far, so how about I say another? 9/11. Yeah, that's the other thing that really makes The Rising stand out. This is Springsteen's 9/11 album. Many of the songs here were written in the aftermath of the attacks and deal with emotions that I'm sure tons of Americans felt around that time. Fortunately, this songs manage to stand out from each other and not feel samey. This isn't an album of 15 variations of the same song. The songwriting is a large part of this. Springsteen's songwriting is pretty good! It's cool to know that, even after 20+ years of making music, the boss still has a talent for the craft. The instrumentation also does wonders for making this album feel fresh. Apparently this was the first album he had made in quite some time featuring his iconic E Street Band. It's good that they managed to get back together again. The sound is great. There's some solid variety here, with songs like "Worlds Apart" and "The Fuse" being pretty experimental for the guy. Of course, you still have some more standard heartland rock affairs, including some of the album's highlights like "Waitin' On A Sunny Day" and the title track. Overall, while I'm sure this isn't Springsteen's best album, it's still a strong showing of some serious talent. Also Springsteen is based as hell. 4/5.
I love the Boss. But I'm less aware of his later output than his earlier. I knew this was his 9/11 comeback album. And listening to it now, I can understand why it made such a mark. Just beautiful, soulful rock and roll. So much hope. Into the Fire is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a long time. I appreciate that where other artists took an opportunity to get vengeful after 9/11, Springsteen sought unity and hope.
Intimate, sentimental, and occasionally quite beautiful! This is only the second Bruce Springsteen album I’ve listened to all the way through. The standout tracks are: “Nothing Man” and “Worlds Apart”. Bruce needs to do more vague, mystical, Sting-esque world music.
I actually don’t remember this album when it came out other than recognizing the title song from the radio - lots going on in my life when this came out I guess! I found it a very good recording - but not Bruce’s top album for me though. Standouts for me were "Further On (Up the Road)", "Worlds Apart" and "The Rising” .
In my review of Darkness on the Edge of Town, I talked about how Bruce Springsteen is more or less omnipotent here in New Jersey and that I never really paid him too much attention because of that. Well, four Springsteen records in on this list, I’m no longer ambivalent. In fact, I’m on the verge of becoming an evangelist for the Boss. The Rising is great. It’s surprisingly rocking for a record that is about 9/11. It doesn’t necessarily work for me 100%, but I’m planning on revisiting it soon to dig a little deeper.
I respect what Bruce brings. Not a huge fan. I'll check out a track or two. I do know how much of a legend he is in his own right. This first track is actually pretty good. Crazy this album is inspired by the 9/11 attacks.
Phenomenal originals, remasters, and mixes.
The boss was bossin’…. BIG JERSEY!!!
Not a Springsteen fan, but I have to give props. This is good.
Fantastic stuff. Lonesome Day and The Rising are my definite standout tracks, both very powerful and stirring, but the album as a whole has a lot of strength. It's a step above Darkness on the Edge of Town which I had earlier. I'm a big Springsteen fan primarily due to his output from around this era.
Справжня американська музика
Ok, it's pretty clear that this isn't Springsteen's best album. He'd been away for 7 years and more than a decade past his most popular era. And frankly, there probably wasn't much pressure on him here. Much like the president's approval ratings immediately after those terrorist attacks, people were looking for comfort in an uncertain time. Springsteen ticked loads of boxes here as both a hero of the working class and a patroitic symbol of America (particularly among those who didn't attempt to understand his often critical lyrics). He could have released just about anything as his post-9/11 album and it would have sold in droves. All that being said, this is still a powerful album that really recalls a specific place and time. I could be biased here because I lived in New Jersey during those attacks, close enough to see the smoke from the World Trade Center out my window. My town was full of fliers for missing people who were all commuters working in the twin towers. There was an intense feeling of the shattered illusion of safety in America, the previously untouchable country and we suddenly realized how other parts of the world must feel when their cities came under attack. So I really do feel the context of that place and time when I listen to this album. It's somber and uncertain but often hopeful, as we all tried to be during that time. Springsteen has always been a gifted story teller and there were loads of stories from that time that deserved to be told. "My City in Ruins" is the emotional climax to this album about tragedy and has since been used to mark a sense of hope following other disasters as well.
at times it sounded kind of like tom petty, pearl jam, or bob dylan… depending on the song. also, in a couple of songs there was middle eastern style sounds and even hip hop beats. a pretty intense album, considering that it was released in response to the events of september 11, 2001. the emotional songs didn’t come across as being merely performative. in the song “paradise”, it actually sounds like he’s crying while singing the song, but it sounds genuine and heartfelt. ladies and gentlemen, it seems as if i have finally found a springsteen album that i like. this one is a keeper, folks.
After a topsy-turvy 90s that saw minimal success compared with preceding decades, The Boss roared back into public consciousness with The Rising, a musical balm that saw Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band mend fences and heal wounds alongside a hurting country in the wake of the September 11th attacks. While containing some of the indulgences of the time that dates the material, the fact of the matter was that Bruce had returned to fine form and that was as much of a needed win as anything. Favorites: Lonesome Day, Into the Fire, Waitin' on a Sunny Day, Countin' on a Miracle, Empty Sky, Further On (Up the Road), The Fuse, Mary's Place, You're Missing, The Rising.
I know the album, but was surprised to see it on the Top 1001 list. It's good, but the songs are wordy, a bit mellow and maybe not the top of catalog for Bruce. It has a few minor hit songs with "Lonesome Day", "Waitin' On A Sunny Day", "Mary's Place" & the title track. The album is enjoyable, there are no bad songs, it's just not anything earth shattering or influential that would justify being on this list. Far fewer listens than most of his popular albums. There are some really good glue songs like "Nothing Man", "Countin' On a Miracle", "Further On (Up The Road)" & "My City Of Ruin" that increase the value of this album. You do get a lot of bang for your buck with 15 songs and 72 minutes of music. I am glad I got reintroduced to this disc, if you're a fan it hits all the right buttons. After a full listen I can see the merit to having this on the list because there are no stinker songs, it's really a solid album, but it didn't reinvent or influence rock in any way.
Good anthems, catchy tunes, an overall melancholic but hopeful tone to the album in wake of one of our greatest disasters and eventual triumphs.
2000s Springsteen. Good rock album in wake of 9/11. Very middle of the road, very easy to listen to.
Always a mixed bag with dear old Brucey, love his more melancholy darker tunes and themes, the more upbeat stuff not so much (especially the songs with the 'rock sax' which instantly starts up 'Santa's Coming to Town' my head and is an instant turnoff). Landed at ⭐⭐⭐⭐, would seek a physical copy.
Pretty good.
Album 680 of 1001 Bruce Springsteen - The Rising (2002) Rating : 4 / 5 Widely regarded as a powerful and moving response to the events of September 11, 2001. this was his first album with the E Street Band in 2 decades. Praised for its emotional depth and its ability to address the grief and resilience of those affected by the tragedy, this blend of rock, gospel, and soul elements, along with Springsteen's evocative storytelling, makes it a standout in his discography
I'm not going to pretend I don't sometimes find Springsteen songs boring, or lacking in inspiration. The music on this album in particular might the most middle-of-the-road Americana I've heard from him (despite a couple of rare dalliances with syncopated drum rhythms), and it probably features his broadest, most on-the-nose lyrics too. Still, I find myself rooting for the guy and searching for something to like, and invariably I find it. In this case simplicity is probably the album's greatest strength, giving more power to the earnest, uplifting refrains. The slower numbers work too, for me. I ended up listening to this a few times and found it to be both quite enjoyable and gently moving in the end. 3.5
First half was a 5 star!! Then he got all sad and I didn't like it as much. Still probably the best one so far?
Surprisingly very nice. Won't be sharing this too widely, but one that mightI listen to privately.
I definitely like everything I've heard so far from Bruce (and I saw him live a couple of years ago thanks to some free tix from a friend - The Boss puts on quite a show). This is a really good album, but I find myself questioning whether they needed this along with 4 other Bruce albums. Doesn't change the fact that I really enjoyed this album. Lots of cool moments and stirring lyrics, interspersed with some basic rock tracks (probably the biggest "negative" - but even then all the songs are good). Favorite tracks: Into the Fire, Nothing Man, Empty Sky, Worlds Apart, The Fuse, You're Missing, The Rising.
This album was one of my proper introductions to Bruce's discography. I always liked it, but sometimes I find the first half a bit... conventional? Not hitting the right spot? Then it gets better and I still think that this album is pretty good. It's all about 9/11 but also universal enough to connect to other themes of hope and how to deal with a catastrophe. Further up on the road, The Fuse and My City In Ruins are the best track. If you like those, you can use this album indeed for a proper introduction into Bruce Springsteen and the E street band.
A reunion of the E-Street band with the Boss way overdue. And on an album made in the aftermath of tragedy. Music and lyrics much needed at the time.
This album reminds me of my Dad. It feels like Bruce is putting a reassuring arm around you and telling you everything is going to be alright. It's a bit flawed and not very nuanced but has some great highs (Empty Sky, Further on up the Road, Paradise).
The Boss sounds so similar across all of these tracks. It's an easily enjoyable and lovely listen but it also didn't drive me crazy. 4.5
Really the best album post Tunnel of Love he ever released.
my first interaction with this album was being asked to analyse Paradise at the age of about ten in school. looking back the themes of suicide, loss, and terrorism may have been a little intense for a class of 9-10 year olds. love bruce though xxx
Quite a good album. Very soothing. A bit generic, but overall pleasant.
pretty nice tune
CD
Huge Springsteen fan, for me his work in the 70s and 80s are the best. This album is good and probably the best since that era but not as good as his first 7-8 records. Having said that there are some excellent tracks on this record, could probably be a bit shorter overall.
Some of these tracks are next world amazing. A few drag it down it back to earth.
Solid album.
Overall really enjoyed this. I think I like it more than Born in the USA (a previous listen on this list). It’s possible that exposure is giving me a deeper appreciation for the artist. Worlds apart is a song I really liked.
Favorite tracks: Let's Be Friends, The Fuse, You're Missing I thought this was really pretty! And weirder than I expected (in a good way). 3.5 stars, bumping up to 4.
Perhaps not the best of the best of Bruce Springsteen, but still a very worthy album. One cannot doubt his sincerity and depiction of Americana in this post-9/11 album.
This sounded like a really bad idea of an album until I listened to it. Lots of good songs, actually. Kinda cheesy though.
Very hard to judge this independent from my history with it (formative album, one of my first concerts). Felt a tad bloated this run through so I’ll leave it at four.
This was way too long, but they can never make me hate you, Bruce Springsteen.
79/100. The first three-quarters of this album are a standout, offering a surprisingly chill and enjoyable vibe that exceeds expectations. However, the final quarter sees a noticeable drop in quality.
This may be heretical, but I think this may be Bruce’s best album.
I can sing along almost every song. Some strong numbers like the titletrack or "Waiting On A Sunny Day". A few weaker numbers cost him the ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars for me🤷♂️.
As an irrational Bruce non-enjoyer who put this off for a while it was actually good
King
I'm not a regular listener to the Boss, but i do really enjoy his stuff.
8/10. Great album. Not as good as the first two I heard by him: Born in the USA and Nebraska. But still consistently good throughout.
One remembers this sounding a suspiciously upbeat on first hearing (considering the circumstances) and it still feels that way to some degree. (“Can’t We Be Friends” and “Mary’s Place” sound like they belong on another record.) And the return of the ESB seems also sort of obvious – big, solid and damn near perfect sounding; their return was perhaps necessary to produce this much quantity at such a high degree of quality, and to take on such rich but difficult subject matter at such a sensitive time. It's probably safe to say that this is what the country needed at the time (and Bruce doing what he could do), but only limited bonus points for that now. Musically, it’s solid all the way around and the band sounds fine and big. Still, I prefer lighter-weight and more minimalist Bruce. There’s a too-muchness on several cuts that are sad at the core and would be better stripped down – on “Nothing Man,” there are synths and strings and horns and repetitive backing vocals (“duh-duh-duh-da-doo” nine times in a row). Repetition is a problem throughout (“let it rain” x 4 and “strength/faith/hope/love” again and again on “Into the Fire”). Some cuts feel more forced (“Counting on a Miracle”, “Further On”) than felt (“My City of Ruins,” “The Rising”). Still, as ever with Bruce, there’s a great deal to like – opener and closer are both great – and even the few misfits are enjoyable. Still, enjoyability may be the wrong metric. As with all late Bruce, the actual music making and production are first-rate, unimpeachable really, with its heart in the right place and a high degree of thoughtfulness, even if it's a little broad and so damn near to sentimental (though the good kind, mostly).
Surprisingly good! I thought Bruce Springsteen was a bit lame (biassed), but it's actually really nice and wholesome music
my springsteen bias shining through 4/5
I am a little surprised this album is on the list. It's probably not Springsteen's best late-era record and putting this in over The River is certainly a choice. I really enjoyed this album when it came out and I still do enjoy it. Not sure it needs to be heard before I die, though I have heard this one a lot. Having not put an album out for 7 years I can see why Springsteen wanted to put 15 tracks on, but there is an 11-12 track album that is much stronger. The Fuse, Paradise, Let's Be Friends and Mary's Place could probably have been left off. Since Springsteen likes his albums to have themes, all of the songs except for Paradise, wouldn't be missed. They aren't really about 9/11 nor could they be tangentially related to 9/11. Many of the songs on here are very emotional, such as "You're Missing," "Into the Fire," "The Rising" and "Empty Sky" are directly tied to 9/11 and are brilliant depictions of the devastation (emotional and physical). To put this album in over The River, Tunnel of Love or even Magic isn't something I would necessarily do.
Lonesome Day - 4/10 Into the Fire - 3/10 Waitin' on a Sunny Day - 4.5/10 Nothing Man - 5/10 Cigarettes after Sex if they were country and lost their dreamy sound Countin' on a Miracle - 4.5/10 Empty Sky - 4/10 Worlds Apart - 2/10 the intro was giving at the barbershop in Bollywood. Interesting but it sounds kinda messy. the rhythm did not match the instrumental at all. was not expecting it to go this route Let's be Friends (Skin to Skin) - 5/10 was giving like early 2000's teenage movie Further on (up the Road) - 3.5/10 The Fuse - 4/10 Mary's Place - 2/10 not a big fan of country/folk You're Missing - 3/10 The Rising - 3.5/10 Paradise - 2/10 My City of Ruins - 3/10 overall: 3.5/10
Pretty solid album. Was my first Bruce album I bought in real time. Probably swayed by glowing Rolling Stone reviews. 3.5/5
Great
A pleasant surprise.
Enjoyed more than I thought I would.
Bruce at his most political written in the wake of 9/11 this proved to be Springsteen's comeback album after a slightly lacklustre 90's (save for a few excellent singles). I've always loved Bruce Springsteen since I was a kid my dad was a fan and had everything from Greetings through to Human Touch. This is a really good album with the title track as the highlight but Waitin' on a Sunny Day, My City of Ruins & Lonesome Day are great as well.
In-Depth Review of "The Rising" by Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen's album The Rising, released in 2002, is a profound exploration of grief, hope, and the search for redemption in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. As a return to form for "The Boss" after a lengthy hiatus from his E Street Band collaborators, the album stands as a compelling artistic statement. This review will delve into the lyrical themes, musical composition, production quality, and the album's broader influence, highlighting its strengths and potential weaknesses. Lyrics Themes of Loss, Resilience, and Renewal: The lyrics of The Rising are deeply rooted in the emotional landscape following 9/11, navigating themes of loss, resilience, and renewal. Springsteen takes on the role of a storyteller, providing intimate portraits of people affected by the tragedy. In the title track, "The Rising," Springsteen embodies a firefighter ascending the stairs of a burning building, using vivid imagery like "left the house this morning, bells were ringing, filled the air" to capture the urgency and heroism of the moment. The refrain "Come on up for the rising" serves as both a call to spiritual ascension and a plea for communal healing. Other tracks like "You're Missing" delve into the personal impact of loss. With lines such as "pictures on the nightstand, TV's on in the den," Springsteen uses simple yet evocative language to paint a picture of the void left in the wake of a loved one's absence. The use of ordinary objects and settings amplifies the stark reality of sudden grief. "Mary's Place," meanwhile, is a song of reconciliation, combining themes of mourning with a yearning for celebration. The lyric "Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain" hints at a cathartic release, and its gospel-like structure suggests a move toward communal joy even amid sorrow. Personal Reflections and Universal Appeals: Springsteen's lyrics also explore broader themes of faith, uncertainty, and the human condition. In "My City of Ruins," originally written for Asbury Park, New Jersey, and later repurposed for New York City post-9/11, the line "Come on, rise up!" becomes a spiritual rallying cry. Springsteen weaves a narrative that simultaneously grieves the losses and calls for unity and renewal. However, the album's lyrics sometimes lean toward sentimentality. Tracks like "Let's Be Friends (Skin to Skin)" are lyrically weaker, with overly simplistic phrases that don't match the emotional weight of the other songs. The track feels out of place and disrupts the album's flow with its overly saccharine tone. Music and Composition Diverse Musical Styles: Musically, The Rising is an eclectic mix of styles, demonstrating Springsteen's versatility and willingness to experiment. The album incorporates rock, folk, gospel, blues, and even hints of Middle Eastern music. This diversity enhances the emotional range of the songs, making the album feel dynamic and varied. Songs like "Lonesome Day" and "Further On (Up the Road)" feature driving rock rhythms with anthemic choruses that evoke Springsteen's earlier work with the E Street Band. The use of fiddle and pedal steel guitar on "Nothing Man" and "Paradise" introduces a folk flavor, while "Worlds Apart" stands out with its unique incorporation of Qawwali music, a form of Sufi devotional music, complete with tablas and an Eastern-inspired vocal chorus. This blending of genres speaks to the global impact of the 9/11 tragedy and adds a layer of complexity to the album's sound. Melodic Strengths and Weaknesses: The album shines in its melodic construction, particularly on tracks like "The Rising" and "My City of Ruins." Both songs build gradually, layering instruments and voices to create a rich, textured sound that mirrors the emotional escalation of the lyrics. The use of organ, piano, and choral backing vocals in "My City of Ruins" creates a soulful, almost hymn-like atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive. However, not all tracks are equally compelling. "Waitin' on a Sunny Day," while catchy, borders on being overly repetitive and lacks the depth of the other compositions. Its light, almost pop-rock style feels incongruent with the heavier themes that dominate the album, creating a jarring shift in tone. Production Return to Classic E Street Sound with Modern Touches: Produced by Brendan O'Brien, The Rising combines the classic E Street Band sound with contemporary production techniques. O'Brien's approach is clean and polished, with a focus on clarity and balance. He allows each instrument to breathe, ensuring that the dense arrangements never feel cluttered. This is particularly evident on tracks like "Into the Fire" and "The Rising," where the interplay between guitars, keyboards, and saxophones is meticulously balanced, providing a full, rich sound without overwhelming the listener. O'Brien also uses layering to great effect. The use of strings, choral backing vocals, and diverse instruments like the Indian harmonium on "Worlds Apart" adds depth and texture, creating a multi-layered soundscape that enhances the emotional gravity of the songs. Critique of Production Choices: However, some critics argue that the production is overly polished, lacking the raw, unfiltered edge of Springsteen's earlier work. While the crisp production quality makes the album accessible and radio-friendly, it also removes some of the grit and spontaneity that characterized Springsteen's best records from the 1970s and 1980s. This slickness can sometimes make the music feel too controlled, potentially diminishing the emotional impact for some listeners. Influence and Reception Critical and Commercial Success: Upon its release, The Rising was both a critical and commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and earning Springsteen his first Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2003. The album's timing and thematic focus resonated strongly with listeners, capturing the national mood in a way few other records did at the time. It became a cultural touchstone for its exploration of the human spirit in the face of tragedy. The album's influence extended beyond its immediate impact. It reaffirmed Springsteen's role as a voice of the American experience, and its success paved the way for other artists to tackle complex, emotionally charged themes in their music. The blending of various musical styles and the use of non-Western sounds in "Worlds Apart" marked a significant step in the cross-pollination of global music genres in mainstream rock. Pros: Lyrical Depth and Resonance: The Rising is filled with poignant, introspective lyrics that explore themes of loss, hope, and resilience, capturing the collective grief of post-9/11 America. Musical Diversity: The album showcases a wide range of musical styles, from rock and folk to gospel and world music, providing a rich and varied listening experience. Strong Production Quality: Brendan O'Brien's production work is meticulous, ensuring a polished sound that highlights the strengths of each track. Cultural Relevance: The album's themes and timing made it a significant cultural artifact, reflecting the national mood and serving as a form of healing for many. Cons: Overproduction: The slick production, while clear and polished, lacks the raw, organic feel of Springsteen's earlier work, potentially diminishing the emotional impact for some listeners. Inconsistent Tone: Tracks like "Let's Be Friends (Skin to Skin)" and "Waitin' on a Sunny Day" feel out of place due to their lighter, more playful tone, disrupting the album's overall cohesiveness. Lyrical Weak Spots: While most of the album's lyrics are strong, there are moments of sentimentality and simplicity that don't match the emotional depth of the rest of the album. Repetitive Elements: Some songs, such as "Waitin' on a Sunny Day," suffer from repetitive structures and choruses, which can feel redundant over the course of the album. Conclusion The Rising stands as one of Bruce Springsteen's most important albums, a testament to his ability to articulate the complexities of the human experience in times of crisis. While it is not without its flaws—occasional overproduction, uneven tone, and a few weaker lyrical moments—it remains a powerful statement of resilience and hope. Its diverse musical palette and thoughtful lyrics offer a rich, rewarding listening experience that continues to resonate more than two decades after its release. Ultimately, The Rising reaffirms Springsteen's place as one of America's great musical storytellers, capable of turning collective pain into shared hope. It may not be a perfect album, but its imperfections are part of what makes it compelling, capturing a moment in time with an honesty and clarity that few others could achieve.
At first I was annoyed that it was Springsteen again - but this one was a whole load more fun than the last.
A strong album, but could have profited from a bit of a shorter run time. I enjoyed the quiet songs way more than the power pop tracks.
I’ve heard many songs by the Boss but have never known most of his stuff or how long he has been putting out new music. 2002 new album and he has many more since then! This one makes me want to listen to a few others
Pretty surprised to see this on the list, but very happy it is included! A late-career peak from (maybe) the best to do it.
I’m normally pretty ambivalent about Bruce Springsteen stuff but this combined the best aspects of all of his past work into something I actively enjoyed. Well written with great vocals plus the production is pretty bombastic which is more in my wheelhouse than anything from Nebraska or stuff like that. Waiting on a sunny day and counting on a miracle were my favs plus a couple others I don’t remember which ones cuz I was high (sounds great that way too)
I’m 37, white, a dad; in other words I’m in my Springsteen prime and have concluded he’s one of the top 3 or so songwriters ever. His run of albums from Greetings From Asbury Park to Tunnel of Love may only be matched by the Beatles in quality and consistent excellence. The second half of his career is more spotty, but he’s had several great records and The Rising is certainly one of them. Bruce sounds great throughout the record and it has the sound of classic Boss. I’d argue it’s best songs (The Rising, Lonesome Day, Worlds Apart, Mary’s Place) are some of the best in his career. While I’d also argue there’s not a bad song on the album, to me it’s a mid-tier Bruce record. There’s something that keeps me from calling it a masterpiece, perhaps it’s 2 or 3 songs too long, and it lacks the extended instrumental sections of songs like Jungleland or Thunder Road that made those so special. Mid-tier Bruce is still excellent, and it’s basically 4.5 stars for me.
Impressive album for being so late in his career. Not the best in the discography and I like Bruce Springsteen's 70 - 80s work more.
Never got into The Boss. This was a nice surprise.
I didn't like this as much as I remember liking it when it first came out. Still a few greats, like the title track, "My City of Ruins", and "Worlds Apart". "Paradise" would fit well on his earlier album "The Ghost of Tom Joad" Solid album but hasn't held up quite as well as I thought it would.