The Rising

3.5

I was fine. Surprisingly upbeat for an album about 9/11

Honestly probably overrated

Bruce is always great, some top notch tracks, but wasn't blowing my socks off

Ok

A very bruce album, and it's pretty long. There aren't really many barn burners, with the exception of Mary's Place and that also feels restrained.

This was okay. I like Bruce Springsteen but I found this a bit boring.

It’s pretty standard Springsteen fare; alright but not notable.

Neh it was alright. 3 stars.

5.5/10 Highlights: The Rising Into the Fire

This was an unexpected pleasure to listen to. Maybe if you're not from NJ, you learn to appreciate Bruce Springsteen once you reach your late 40s. Either way, this was better than expected.

Solid dad rock album. This is the most I have enjoyed Springsteen at any point in my entire life.

Not bad, but not my kind of music.

It is what it is. it's not revolutionary but i like Springsteen. some have song i feel have weaker lyrics like 'empty sky'.

Brilliant album

Rocks

Good

rising, waiting on sunny day voice+

Idk ikke det jeg forbinder med springsteen

Not a big Springsteen fan to begin with but this one is extra dull

Not my favorite Springsteen, for sure.

American redneck pop

I understand this album got two Grammys but it's a little tame for me. I definitely prefer Born to Run Bruce to whatever this is.

This is dangerously close to a country album. What's the non-country term? Oh yeah, he's taken a hard turn into "Americana". I also lived through the 9-11 attacks. I don't begrudge artists' need to process horror. I don't really care for this treatment of it. It's a personal taste thing. Springsteen's gonna' spring his steen, regardless. He paints very pretty pictures.

Hmmm this album provided a nice backdrop but was a little unremarkable in my opinion compared to other things by Bruce.

First time listening to this, not sure I've listened to any of his from after the 80s. It's the Boss so it's obviously good, but slightly overly long. Not sure if it's worthy of being on the list as it doesn't stack up against all his classic albums but it's still a decent listen with some strong highlights. Fav songs: My City of Ruins, The Rising, Waitin' on a Sunny Day

I’m familiar with the single of the same name, and the first several songs were squarely in that zone. And then all of a sudden we were experimenting! World music, a bit of a hip hop beat… not what I was expecting from the Boss. And while most of the rest was all too same-y and drab, I wouldn’t exactly say those experiments worked. Maybe it’s because I’m so used to a certain sound I associate with Springsteen. I think I keep hoping for an idealized version of Springsteen to be the reality. While I’ve heard the hits, I don’t think I ever listened to a whole album until the 1001. I had built up the cultural icon of Bruce in my head based on those hits and general reputation and aura, and that’s setting yourself up for disappointment. In my “Darkness at the Edge of Town” review I hoped that one of the last two Springsteen albums on the list would be the one that connected with me and helped me see the brilliance of the Boss. Alas, this was not it. Down to “Born in the USA” to wow me then.

Sounds too generic for me. Obviously The Boss delivers really good guitar chord driven songs, but they do not inspire me. Where are the riffs?

AMERICA

First time I listened a full album of “new” Springsteen, and I was not disappointed, but also some of his older albums are clearly superior

Easy listening. Enjoyed it.

This is good technically and musically, and I’m sure he puts on a good show. But it’s like that video you take of fireworks you know you’re never gonna watch it again. It’s good in the moment but it’s not really something that can be bottled. Also, why does he mumble so much?

This making it onto the list is proof that music critics only know like 7 artists. This isn't bad, but come on. Bruce Springsteen's 12th album, released almost 30 years after his prime. Unless you pull off something insane like Bowie's "Blackstar" or Nick Cave's "Skeleton Tree", late-career stuff like this has no place on here. Want an ACTUAL representation of post-9/11 America? My Chemical Romance. I'm dead serious. Think about it.

I really wanted to like this album and tried to find a reason to give it a higher rating, but just couldn’t. It’s pleasant enough, but it’s not Springsteen at his best.

Was excited by this as I've often wanted to check out more music by Bruce Springsteen. Really wanted to give 4 stars, but it dragged on a bit too long to justify it. Was good but nothing special. Hopefully we'll get some more from him.

Would have been a 4 but it just dragged as an album

It's been a long time since I listen to this one start to finish. There was a lot of hype about this one when it was released, subject manner and he's more return to form. I just never loved this album that much. I'll admit I enjoyed it a little more on the this re-listen than I thought I would. Hate to give Bruce a 3 star rating but I have to.

This might be the definition of a "fine" album. Seriously, there's nothing wrong with it. But there's nothing really *right* with it, either. Complete background noise. Won't turn it off, was never annoyed, and will probably never choose to play it again. I didn't start off as a big Bruce guy, and this album didn't do anything to change my mind. But it's not terrible, either.

Ok al nis posebno. Možda kad napunim 50 će mi se poceti više sviđati.

Lets be friends is cute!!!

I think I'm pretty incapable of actually disliking Bruce Springsteen, but this is definitely not one of his stronger works.

Is this Bruce Springsteen?

Paar lekkere nummertjes, niks sprong er echt uit

An album about 9/11 by The Boss and his E-Street Band. It's very competently played and produced. The songs are alright as well. Problem is, most of songs are kind of boring. There is no real low point here, but no high point either. 3/5

Yep, this is definitely a Springsteen album. It covers well-trodden ground, so there aren't any surprises here. Personally, I think Old School Springsteen is better than Old Springsteen.

When Springesteen is going all out rock and roll with the E Street Band, I'm all in! But when Springsteen is playing balladeer? Not really as much. 3.5

This is a pretty solid album but none of the songs really "popped" for me. I'm going to put into the rotation and listed a few more times.

Not a huge Springsteen fan. Even his early stuff. I kinda liked this tho. Definitely more of a country/gospel vibe. Kinda set the tone for post-9/11 country music.

i like this more than i thought i would, nothing mind blowing but again another influential album from the past for a reason.

I wasn't really into this album but I did save 3 songs from it. So it must be ok.

Solid album from The Boss. Empty Sky was a standout for me, but overall very standard rock and roll. Nothing to get you really excited, but a nice record to put on in the background.

It's not bad, but not very interesting to me

There is a huge amount to respect and love the Boss for. He writes a banging pop song, he is a man above reproach, he speaks for people who don't have a voice and he works harder than anyone else. But I'm not a blue collar worker in the rust belt and listening through to the album it is still fairly middle of the road pop/rock which is good, but it's not life changing.

Pretty good stuff.

Bruce couldn’t be more Brucie even if he was Australian. Not the most rousing or representational Bruce but solid.

It’s Bruce. Not the best Bruce but not bad.

There were reasons this album was intriguing. First, I had never even heard of it, and the fact that it's the first with the E. Street Band since Born in the USA was news to me. And on the heels of 9/11, this seemed like it would have to be some sort of mission statement. Springsteen sounds great, he's a one-of-a-kind vocalist. I noted a new, repetitive quality to the songs, which was sometimes effective and sometimes just repetitive. Another that's really at a 3.5, but I was mostly left unexcited when it was all said and done. There are pockets of Springsteen's material that are genius, and I think he's a stand-up MF, but I don't always love his albums front to back. This was good, but not one I need to wrap myself up in.

Never been much of a Bruce fan, but I enjoyed this.

There was 1 or 2 songs I did not mind.

Your dad definitely loves this album. The first few songs were enjoyable, but the songs became different ways of saying the same stuff after a while. Repetitive beyond belief.

Pleasant sounding album, not the typical overindulged sound that puts me off from Bruce

Springsteen returns after a long absence and the album is a mixed bag. It’s admirable branching out into new genres and there is a mix of styles present here - music inspired by the Middle East (a bold move after 9/11), even some r and b infused tracks - but Bruce is at his best telling rollicking rock and roll stories with the E Street band in full flow. Occasionally, this reminds me of Steve Earle - too much like Steve Earle perhaps? I like Bruce’s older, richer voice and the musicianship throughout is class. But I’m not sure this counts as one of his best.

Nice album, but 3

3/5

Solid record

Everything sounded the same and not rly my fav but i like the general vibes

Solid

An okay album but not my style of music.

It's fine

Typical Bruce album

Pretty typical Blegh Bruce until the last 1/3, which is actually pretty good Concept Bruce! We like Concept Bruce! Favorite track: Paradise

This is generically fine. A few solid ones that had me wondering if I could be a fan.

Bruce got the band back together! Although, to be honest, there are several songs that sound like the E Street Band is not playing on The Boss' album at all. Then Clarence Clemons chimes in and all is well. It's a pretty somber album but pretty well executed.

i feel like the author of this album list lost his virginity while bruce sprinsteen was playing in the background. It's not bad but what's the point of having like 5 Bruce albums. He's not genuienly that interesting artist.

Mary's Place is the best song on this album.

3/5 interesting but not enough

The Rising is the twelfth album by American recording artist Bruce Springsteen. It was immediately a critical and commercial success since fans were starved for an album for seven years - topping the Billboard 200 along with other album charts worldwide and winning the 2003 Grammy for Best Rock Album. The Rising has been certified a mix of gold and platinum in many countries, notably double platinum in the US, and platinum in the UK. It is an emotional album with a main theme of hope. The music is well produced and a beautiful accompaniment to Springsteen's empathy-inducing lyrics. In my opinion, the songs' styles sound older than early 2000's rock, but that may be a result of Springsteen being in the music industry a long time. In conclusion, The Rising is a solid album that has been listened to for multiple reasons when one needs a little hope.

first listen i get this significance of this post 9/11, but this is such a lackluster album

Decent Bruce. Nothing crazy. If it's not one of his first 3 albums it's probably a 3

At the time I agreed with the consensus that the album was a bit of a comeback and also quite liked its successor Devils & Dust. But these days, this album is a struggle to listen to in one go - lots of material that sounds like typic Bruce Springsteen but the extra touch is missing (except for Nothing Man, the only true classic) and the album is just way, way too long - if half of the songs would have been cut this would have easily been a 4-star album. vote in 2002: 8/10 vote in 2023: 6/10

Not very remarkable, especially compared to several other Boss albums.

very soothing and easy to listen to, but not something I will likely play again.

O blusão está mais curto, quase não me serve. As mangas derrapam ao cotovelo e nota-se bem quando me espreguiço, o braço por mais pintado que o tenha não é ganga. Estou de volta às ruas. Mais vagueio e mais noto que só olhei para a calçada, só tenho olhos para ela, só a vi durante anos. Não sei a cor das janelas, o formato das portas, a altura dos rodapés, o padrão dos azulejos, de que barro são os telhados, desconheço os céus, só ouço os turistas, dos carros só rodas e chaparia, ignoro a caligrafia dos que escrevem nas paredes, amor e protesto, amor e PROTESTO. Levanto os braços a algo que não vejo, o blusão descai, cabeça sempre baixa. Sentia falta de sair à rua, mas talvez nunca tenha sabido como era. Tenho tanto medo de pisar merda que só tenho olhos para ela.

Was about to dismiss that later Bruce Springsteen album as the sort of delusion hardcore fans of the "boss" usually have about him--read all those five-star reviews: reviewers admit the album is a bit hit-or-miss at times, and yet they can't refrain from giving a perfect grade to it. Even as a hardcore fan of Sonic Youth, Neil Young or Radiohead, I can show restraint when the time comes to evaluate those acts' later releases. So why can't they? Everything post-*Nebraska* can't match Springsteen's early highlights, enough said. That being said, I gotta admit some of the fans have a point: the first seven tracks of this record are really, really neat affairs. You have soaring choruses, high-class songwriting and production values, plus interesting instrumentation here and there. Inviting the spiritual son of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to perform qawwali arrangements on a track only a few months after 9/11 speaks volumes about the thematic groundwork Springsteen covers here. Those songs are about love, social justice *everywhere*, and healing. And that's another aspect of this record that makes it worth a listen. I only wish the second part of this LP wasn't so lengthy, with far stellar songs most of the times. There were ways to turn this double-album into a perfect single disc given how things start and end here. Too bad self-editing wasn't in the boss's mind in those days (I have the same issue with supposed "classic" *The River*, by the way...). I expect this record to grow on me, though. Hence why I put it in my "waiting list". 3/5 for the purposes of this selection of "essential albums", translating to a 8/10 grade for more general purposes (5 + 3). Number of albums left to review: 430 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 264 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 139 (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 171

I can only describe this as Springsteen gospel rock. Good album, very uplifting.

This is my first time listening to a Springsteen album, seems odd for it to me from 2002. But nonetheless, this is some polished American stadium rock. Somber but motivational, still fun, even if some of it's a bit sad.

Really thoroughly enjoyed the first half, but the second half was a bit too mopey for me

I guess you can't fault this for being exactly what you'd expect.

Interesting to get this album on 9/11 Although they're perfectly serviceable albums, I regretfully have to group this with U2's "All That You Can't Leave Behind" as indulgence on the 1001 albums' part. Both of them solid entries within their artists' body of work, but their most essential work is arguably here already (Born to Run, Achtung Baby, etc.). Furthermore, this and ATYCLB were smoothed over by the conventions of early 2000s rock production, which doesn't ruin the experience for me but does erode a bit of personality that I know exists in both bands. If you have the E Street Band why not use em to their full potential? I guess this has the historical document card going for it, RIP to all the victims 3.5 I vote we scrap this from the next edition and put back Muse's "Black Holes and Revelations" HL: "Nothing Man", "Empty Sky", "Worlds Apart", title track September 11, 2023

It’s alright I prefer Bruce’s other works.This album is a hit too long and kinda forgettable.It’s a bit country and I don’t really dig it.

Classic BS if you like it

I could bop to this. In fact I did bop to this.

Niet echt opmerkelijk of speciaal te noemen.

Yeah. Nothing really wrong with it. Its long and just became a bit saney after a while and I got a bit bored. His 8/12 album so very earnest. Sounds a bit harsh but hey...

Niet slecht, maar ook niet heel boeiend. Gewoon Springsteen.

Coming to the conclusion that Bruce is greatly overrated

I remember when this album came out. It was in high rotation in our house for a while. This is the first album Bruce released after 9/11 and a lot of songs are about loss and grief. But there's a hopeful attitude too, a 'things are gonna get better' feeling. At the time it felt like an important album. Twenty years later, some of the music sounds cheesy. There are a few exceptions: "Mary's Place" let's it rip with that vintage E-Street Band sound and the title track has a triumphant energy that's hard to resist. But the music on a lot of other songs sounds canned. The production sometimes sterilizes the music, which undercuts the loose, live sound of the band. Bruce's faux-accent sounds silly on a few songs too. Still, the emotions are earnest and heartfelt, and there are a lot of memorable hooks and melodies. "Let's Be Friends (Skin to Skin)" is the standout track for me. I've always loved that song. I love the doo-wop/soul style — it’s always a good fit on Bruce. ("Waitin' on a Sunny Day" has some soul influence too.)

This came out when I was 13 and really "getting into" music and not just idly enjoying it. Unfortunately for Bruce I remember people and family talking about him constantly around this time and it turned little rebellious me off to him for another decade or so. I was juuust getting away from listening to music that my mom liked or family liked and setting out on my path so there was no way that I was going to embrace this record and the boss himself. I've since grown to love Bruce and it's nice to go back and listen to this one album that really vividly stood out to me as a bastion of a type of music that I stubbornly didn't like for no reason other than it wasn't cool to like stuff that your family liked. I'm realizing that in a lot of these I'm writing about my own anecdotes and history with these albums but I think it's only because that's so important to how my opinion on each of these was created. This one is what I would call a "solid" Bruce album. It's on the more modern side so the production is as tight and crisp as you can get for its release date. This hurts it too though as Bruce to me is way better when he is slamming 50 instrumentalists and singers in a room and recording the huge sound that it gives off... not like this album where everything is meticulous. Most if not all songs are listenable, and the performances are all solid. The thing that holds it back is that it just isn't in that older, more desperate Bruce era. That's my favorite- when he's singing about dodging state troopers on the New Jersey turnpike, getting in fights on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, or simply singing a song about his love who is waiting for him in a 7-11 parking lot, a beautiful 69 Chevy err uhh I mean a woman. If I wanted to convince someone that Bruce was a corny old dude who wanted to write country songs but was afraid too, I would show them the song "The Rising" and laugh with them as we turn it off at the 2 minute mark. I don't dislike the album but it's not my favorite of his. Probably a 3/5 and I don't know if EVERY Bruce album needs to be on this list..

Good vibes but didn’t recognize any notable songs

Just not a Springsteen fan. Never really struck a chord with me. This might actually be my least favorite album of his. I do recognize that he's a fairly decent song writer and he gets props for that.

Congrats or sorry that happened, I’m not reading all that

I still think he sings targeting old/nostalgic people, but it's good (Wait! Am I old now? Dammed!) PS: This is my fourth Bruce Springsteen here...being good or not, it's reaching the reasonable limit for a single artist in a solo career.

Pretty good for late era Springsteen. 3.5/5

Some good songs here, would've been better if it was 50 minutes probably.

Брюс Спрингстин, ничего особенного

I am a fan of Springsteen but more his early stuff. This was interesting since I hadn’t heard it before but I would probably rather listen to Darkness on the Edge of Town.

Lepposaa rallattelua ja helppo kuunnella. Ei varsinaisesti aiheuttanut stondista, mutta tulipa kuunneltua vielä seuraavana päivänä uudelleen pyöräilymusana.

Isoja biisejä. Pätevä pläjäys, tosin vau-elementti jäi uupumaan. Tarttis useemman kuuntelukerran ja lyriikoiden seurannan

je n'avais pas envie d'écouter ça mais c'est pas détestable non plus

It is just ok. Not the best of The Boss.

Good

Bruce is OK

A heartfelt slice of more of the same.

Only got to half-mast

If you had to pick one musician's response to the 9/11 terror attacks, who better than The Boss? He's never been one for patriotic sloganeering (no matter what Republicans hear) and so his songs have emotion and depth for the tragedy and more besides. Solid rock album though some songs definitely aren't as strong as others. Best Tracks: Lonesome Day; Into The Fire; The Rising

3.25/5 This album came after a Snoop Dogg album, so I exclaimed "Bruce Springsteen, thank goodness!" A sentiment that I never thought I would utter. It was more eclectic than I had expected and has some nice emotional levels, but it was too much on the country side for my tastes. While it was a much needed reprieve, I don't think I'll be returning to it soon.

A good record with some very surprising songs, but in the end it’s still basic Springsteen.

I...didn't hate this. What is wrong with me?? Best track: Nothing Man

If this were more stripped down it’d be a ripper.

Okay, actually better than a lot of his stuff. I’d never pick him to listen to but I like his lyrics on this album the best. Not too boring like his other albums. Lonesome Day, Waitin’ on a Sunny Day, Empty Sky, Further Up on the Road, Mary’s Place (probably my favorite song I’ve heard by Bruce) and You’re Missing. The Rising and Paradise are shit. 7/10

I mean, it's better than I'd expected, given its a 9/11 album. It is touching at times, trite at others, and very occasionally hits the peak E Street Band sound.

At his best Springsteen is one of America's greats, but plenty of his work is fairly pedestrian, as is true of anyone with so much material. This album is better than average, perhaps (in context) even belongs on this list. Yet I didn't love it. Although the album hangs together as a whole, it is nonetheless overlong, snuffing the emotional punch with repetitive tedium. 3.5

Waiting on a Sunny Day :)

NIce Album

Feels like a bit of a filler Springsteen album

Not quite my jam the whole time but there were some strong tracks. More of a 3.5/5.

There were some good songs on here, and some songs I really didn't like. Averages out to a 3.

Classic Springsteen the is let down by some of the production choices and the length of the album. I would have given this 4 stars except for the following: - He could done without the drum machine tape loop backing on a few songs. A technique that really suits some artists but in this case grates against Bruce's voice and guitar. -The Length and the songs choices. Although this is actually a shorter album than the River it feel much longer. It was draining to some degree. That all said, there is enough powerful songwriting from the Boss to make me want come back and give this another listen

I consider myself a Springsteen fan but I guess I'm not a die hard fan as I thought since I wasn't aware that he didn't make an album with the E Street Band for 18 years. This album isn't up to the standard of his previous E Street stuff. The album is decent but it doesn't feel like it's the same band. The guitar licks to start the songs aren't at the same there are no kick ass Clarence solos. It just feels like an album a rocker makes after they get old or get rich -  or both. On the other hand, maybe it's me who got old. My 31 y.o. walked in while Mary's Place was playing and he knew the words. His comment was that this was much better than the "Dad music" he was making in the 80s.   When I hear Mary's Place I can't help but think Mary is the same Mary from Thunder Road. My son doesn't know what Thunder Road means. C'est la vie. 

With The Boss, I find his first 4 albums awesome, then, over time, he starts sounding like imitations of himself This is his twelfth album. It's a bit like a really old bottle of wine: you get a hint of what was once there - in the choruses of the songs -but has faded away. It's disconcerting to see that Spotify offers this on a Soft Rock Compilation. I like World's Apart and Paradise.

This was a nice surprise because it was a lot less redneck sounding than the recent offerings by the Boss on this list. Maybe it was more reflective of the post 9/11 zeitgeist. After a long hiatus the Boss shows that he can still write some solid songs.

This genre is not my style at all but I can't help but like a few songs. For what it is, it's well made.

I struggle enjoying Bruce... from his voice, repetitive lyrics, simple structure. It almost seems satirical the way he structures his songs, like he's making fun of the music industry. I get it, it's a working class hero, I don't know if I care to learn the story he's telling... If there's another Springsteen album, I'm out from now on. Hahaha. Ok, I will say that with the context of what this album met to a city and maybe a nation after 9/11, the end of the album (You're Missing) hit's more of a heart string. I'll listen twice, reluctantly. I liked this album more than Born to Run, but I'm gonna only go with 3.25/5 stars.

Just ok. Maybe in the background while cleaning...

Really nice moments in here that I appreciate more than usual from Bruce. But overall, too much of the same criticisms land here for me. Namely the feeling of inauthenticity. Favorite tracks: Worlds Apart, You're Missing

Bruce Springsteen is Bruce Springsteen is Bruce Springsteen. Pretty standard "music for the working class" album with some post 9/11 patriotism mixed in. Ok

ei voi tämä ukko tehä väärim hheh...sama formula jokiasessa biisissä.EI HAITTAA... a plane has just hit the second tower....muistan kun eilisen... "god's drifting in hell, devils in the mailbox". huh huh!!!ei voisu paremmin sanoa... into the fire

I'm pretty sure I listened to this when it came out for some reason. The Boss doesn't really have bad albums tbh, but no idea why this one is in the 1001 albums list. Lots of it sounds almost identical to his classics, to the point he's lifted his own melodies in a fair few places, and overall it goes for too long. Length and too much Americana going on for any full album repeat listens, although I could add a song or two to a playlist. And still far, far better than yet more new wave. 3/5.

Ok I’ll bite on this one. A 3 for me. But why you ask as a fairly strong Bruce fan. My case m'lud: It’s front-loaded for acclaim: not only the first album with the E Street Band, its Bruce’s 9/11 rallying cry etc etc. It’s really a reunion album, hi guys what have you been up to for the past 18 years. And like all reunions we want it to succeed so much it can’t possibly. The ‘return to form’ never quite is a return to peak form. It is sooo long. 72 minutes for 15 tracks - and whereas earlier albums had epics (Jungleland, Racing the Streets) contrasted with short and punchy tracks, this sees every track stagger long past its natural lifespan. Smoking gun: at least one key change. The ‘dad rock’ comments elsewhere are on the money: in Worlds Apart (Arabic music), and The Fuse (trip hop drums, looped vocals!!) we hear the sound of someone listening to what the kids have been up to. The Fuse is cringeworthy - not a comment one usually. Clunky generic lyrics. Waiting for a Sunny Day, Lets Be Friends and Counting on a Miracle are free of metaphor and are a mite simplistic even for a Phil Spector track. We are a long way from The River. The production is very dated: particularly the drums and synths which sound like this album was recorded a year after Born In The USA not 18. A chugging mid-tempo beat that suggests they are all a bit too old to really rip it up, and that Bruce’s voice is no longer up to the slowed-down intensity of Drive All Night or Wreck on the Highway. Arrangements that despite the aforementioned mid-life crisis effects are very uniform. It feels like an album - the very last track excepted - to give everyone in the band their due, which over 72 minutes means the tracks can blur into one another. In retrospect a midway point: pointing as much towards the middling albums like Magic and Working On A Dream as back to the golden age. Scores on the doors. Here is the tight, four plus star album it could have been: Lonesome Day Into The Fire Nothing Man Empty Sky Worlds Apart You’re Missing The Rising My City In Ruins

kann ma lossn...

Something of a change and at times not clear that it was Springsteen. Then his trademark style pops up for reassurance. A themed collection that is ok but lacks the impact of earlier work.

I’m very middle of the road on this. As a 98 baby I really don’t care about an old dude talking about how 9/11 made him feel but I get that the songwriting here is good.

I get that an older musician having a successful return can be cool, but like...there's way better Bruce than this.

Top 3 Songs: 1 - You're Missing (12) 2 - Lonesome Day (1) 3 - Nothing Man (4)

bruce springsteen's rock is, on the whole, very easy to listen to. it can be quite calming, even when about heavy topics like here. the fact this album came to be because of 9/11 is no surprise, but it's more than that. this album surpasses any tragedy or disaster. springsteen wrote some beautiful, impactful lyrics that can be and are applicable to other situations; it isn't confined to any borders. the rising isn't about the tragedy itself but rather the aftermath. we can't control tragedies, but we can control our reactions. 3.5

This was an easy listen, as other Bruce Springsteen albums on this project have been. I can see where the promise of some good old fashioned heartland rock from The Boss would be one of the things to bring the United States together after the tragedy of 9/11. Ultimately, Bruce does a great job on this album with sticking to his heartland rock roots but pulling everything into the modern era; the 2000s adult contemporary rock sound is alive and well on this album.

It's Springsteen on a huge budget. Some of the songs work pretty well (the title track, opener "Lonesome Day"), but at times the record feels like they're throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks. There was a point where every aging rocker needed a vaguely Middle Eastern-sounding song on their album, and I just don't like it for the Boss. Coupled with the fact that it's followed by a sex(?) jam ("Let's Be Friends"), it makes for a weird one-two punch. It's an album that probably had too much money behind it, and way too long a tracklist. Even "My City of Ruins", a fantastic song, has waaay too much behind it to register the emotional hit it's aiming for. Favorite tracks: "The Rising", "Lonesome Day", "You're Missing"

Funcionou bem, não me empolga, só que realmente a qualidade é evidente.

Obviously this has to be understood as a 9-11 aftermath product, and like most such, it hasn’t aged particularly well (though in a field that includes 20 years of costly, deadly conflict in Afghanistan that culminated in the almost immediate collapse of the U.S.-supported government, you know, it’s relative). But honestly, not that great for a Springsteen album, and it’s inclusion on this list sort of baffles me. Nowhere is the antic wit of the Boss’ early outings, nor do we encounter his middle period’s cast of lovable (or at least relatable) losers, with their implicit, trenchant critiques of how America chews up its working classes. With a couple notable exceptions it’s mostly platitudes wrapped in pretty middle of the road, mostly soft rock music.

Pretty good, although not as solid as his previous work. The lyricism is great as usual.

Beetje middle of the road-album. Wel een paar aardige nummers, maar niet eentje die je vaker op gaat zetten.

Niks mis mee, maar het verbleekt bij albums als born to run en darkness on the edge of town

Seems fine.

Critiquing this album is difficult. The cultural undertone through this is clear, Bruce Springsteen certainly had a lot of pressure on him. This album is probably too long. Good as a kind of social comforter, almost in the same way a person would use a hymnbook. But for me, a person who was too young for the cultural change it's difficult to find much in this album. Although I will definitely praise its promotion of love and lack of overt patriotism.

For all the reviewers' lofty talk of the album's themes and strengths, this album is underwhelming for any group, especially for a return of the E Street Band. The opener Lonesome Day would have been a strong opener for a band with lesser expectations; other than the intriguing Worlds Apart few other tracks really stood out or made an impression. With weak lyrics and repetitive and predictable song structures, the album struck me as a collection of filler from Seeger or Mellencamp sessions. Springsteen deservedly has at least a half-dozen entries on this 1001 list - The Rising should not be among them.

No wonder politicians love Bruce. An American icon of the 80s with deep songwriting, here he's at his most lovable it's actually a shame this didn't break canon like his classic records did (I blame modern radio formats), but at least it had its mark reaching platinum and winning a grammy. It's classic Bruce with strong ties to country and folk, but fits surprisingly well with the alt rock of the era. The mood is overall very optimistic and uplifting, especially with the gospel back vocals. It's a direct response to 9/11 to cheer up the people, and he's one of the voices to pull it off. The greatest weakness here is the expected double album syndrome. I think his heavy heartland sound is a bit too much for over an hour, especially since it doesn't vary too much. Doesn't help that every song is 4-6 minutes long, where even the songs you kinda like feel like they drag on. The first 6 and last 5 songs are (mostly) great, the whole middle third feels like filler and is at best decent. There's an unnecessary emphasis on happy dance tracks that are a bit too busy or abundant to take it all in, distracting from the quieter, more personal songs like "Empty Sky." But the good songs hit their mark really well, supported by a fantastic production effort where everything is loud and clear, and a wild performance by Bruce that I'd love to hear him perform these songs live. If you want more great songs by Bruce to add to your playlist, here you go. Songs like "Mary's Place" are good standalone pieces, but it reminds me too much of some of his better songs where I have to find things like the sax solo to look forward to. But judging it from a cohesive album point-of-view, it's a bit too much loud Bruce for me to enjoy all at once, hence my 3 stars. Favorites: Waitin on a Sunny Day, Nothing Man, Empty Sky, You're Missing, The Rising, My City of Ruins

C'était bon, mais sans plus, j'étais honnêtement surpris de voir que c'était un critical acclaim.

Not bad, could’ve been better if it was cut down to just the best tracks

Above average, but not my favorite Springsteen album. 3.5

There are Springsteens albums that I like more. It's good. But not great.

Best Song: Into the Fire. I'm a sucker for any gospel-style song, even if lyrically this one is about as milquetoast as it gets. Worst Song: Let's Be Friends (Skin to Skin). Just feels creepy and predatory. Overall: Bruce Springsteen is the epitome of serviceable, inoffensive yet unexciting music. Listening to a Springsteen album, it's easy to forget that you're even listening to music. It is room temperature water. It sounds the way store-brand hot dogs taste. You're not mad to have a hot dog, and hey everyone likes a barbeque, but you're not asking for the recipe.

good

It was fine for me, but nothing that I really embraced. I appreciated the emotions conveyed and that was done in an excellent way. Still not enough to make me want to return to listen.

Paar hits, voor de rest typical bruce.

Muy buen álbum. Gracias

Couldn't find anything wrong or right about this album. I guess it's impressive that I found my head nodding along to a couple songs even though objectively I couldn't find anything I enjoyed about them. Still nothing here that blew me away.

Elder statesman rokk. Hef aldrei verið sérstaklega hrifinn af röddinni hans, en þetta rennur nokkuð ljúflega í gegn. Myndi þó seint setja þessa plötu á topp 1000 listann minn.

Prima maar doordat het uit 2002/3 komt zitten er van die bijzondere keuzes in die erg oud klinken

It's a long one! SOme good songs, a bit samey in places

The "Nebraska" album will always serve as the litmus test for what Springsteen is capable of delivering and why this particular review forewarns that "The Rising" is mostly negative. Teetering on the edge of Americana, rock and folk, this is where Springsteen shines the most and this album "The Rising" misses that mark. The angsty and relatable Springsteen was clearly gone in 2002, and that's sad. His great tale in "Nebraska" was in being an American story, whether it was political discourse or sentimental short stories, he embodied American musicianship for pop-rock scene probably in the same influential way that Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring" put American ballet/orchestral contributions on the classical radar. Granted, 2002's album was probably being written and produced in late 90s through 2001, when America experienced significant change due to 9/11 attacks on NYC. Political opportunists more concerned with power grabs and emotional appeals created an adversarial political environment that we still feel two decades later. Perhaps this is what overshadows the pop-positivity of this album, giving Springsteen a new America to sing about. Not all is lost though, the song "Paradise" harkens back to the pensive gravitas of his earlier works, concluding with "My City of Ruins".

i really like bruce springsteen i feel like a lot of his music is fun and sing along able but this album was just so repetitive and predictable it just got boring after awhile.

Well yeah...this album does *sound nice* But it doesn't really hit me - I'm not expecting anything edgy, or even necessarily wanting that. Just some musical magic I suppose, as corny as that sounds. And everything just flows on by - I'm bobbing my head a little bit because it's utterly and completely accessible and frankly...melodically and rhythmically predictable. Inherently nothing at all wrong with that, but I wonder if you have to be a real Springsteen FAN to love and connect with this album. I'd probably never complain if this were playing, it's easy to listen to, but I don't think I'll ever remember any of these songs. 5/10 for just fine. 3 stars.

An older Bruce dealing with some shit as usual. Always a fan.

Max's drums have never sounded better. I've had this one lying around for a while and never gave it a listen. That was a mistake. It's a great record and a solid "comeback" for Bruce.

A lot of tracks here that are good listening but also not what I think of when The Boss. One of the few Bruce albums I already owned but this made me sit and listen to it which is what is needed for an album like this...

A bit too earnest

It was alright. I’m not a fan of Springsteen but it was easy listening. 3*

A little too spiritual for me. Certainly the second listen helped and I didn't mind Empty Sky, Worlds Apart, and The Fuse. I suppose Mary's Place also but still not something I'm i in a rush to listen again.

I'm between 3.5 and 4.0 on this one. It's really good. It has a sound that reminds me more of the early Springsteen (which is a good thing!) Solid album full of really good songs.

Quite good. 3.5/5

Laughed out loud when I saw this, literal back to back Springsteen albums after none in the first 300 we've heard. I said I was looking forward to more Bruce albums and it's time to reap what I've sown! For an album this late in his career, it's still really good. Veers into sounding like Eddie Vedder a couple times, but the tracks that hit me hit pretty hard. I enjoyed it. Favorite tracks: You're Missing, Lonesome Day, Nothing Man. Album art: Blurry Bruce photo, extremely 2000's looking cover. The font design screams "greatest hits album." Not a great look. 3.5/5

Bruce delivers a cello-filled treat for my inner boomer. I'm convinced that this is a country album at heart, with the expected post-2001 patriotism. Interesting writing, roots-rock instrumentals that are just too arena-forward.

Love the Boss and this is not an album I had heard before this playing. What a great American songwriter he is, he will be part of the late 20th Century great American Songbook no doubt. A good album but not his best. Liked "Lonesome Day" "Lets Be Friends (Skin to Skin)" "You're Missing" The Knopfler-like "Paradise" and the heart rending (Especially with what is happening in the Ukraine at my time of writing this!) "My City Of Ruins". The Boss is special and this is a good album but I am not sure it should be in this list.

Pleasant just doesn’t tickle my pickle

Not bad Bruce

Just good quality Springsteening

It's good but it's not amazing me.

An all-round decent album if notone I'm likely to come back to.

nekako san navikla na njegove brže, veselije pisme tako da mi je bilo neobično čut ovako nesto. ima tu dobrih tekstova, al na prvu nisan baš oduševljena pismama općenito. vjerojatno bi se nakon par slušanja dojam poboljša i ocjena bila veća

Možda sam samo očekivala malo više rocka pa me iznenadilo, dobar album al ništa posebno!

No good

Yea this wasn't bad I suppose. I've not listened to a full Springsteen album before. It kinda sounded how I expected it.

This was cool, would listen again.

A very murky sounding album from the Boss. Makes sense as it is a post 9-11 album.

I dig it. Begrudgingly

pretty good, but not like his original albums

Enjoyable, even if I am not as crazy about The Boss as a lot of other people

Not very remarkable, pretty much what you expect from a Bruce Springsteen album, although there is some development of the style. The only interesting song is "Worlds Apart."

Nice. Same charming Bruce. However, it sounds like a trendy 00's producer was deployed to give the Boss a little modern kick. Every track is smooth and contemporary, yet bland and gentrified. Fine to play at Starbucks.

Listened to this immediately after The War on Drugs' "Lost in the Dream" and it suffered for the comparison. Listened on a new day, and it did better, but still didn't really grab me. Much prefer angry cynical Springsteen than patriotic inspirational Springsteen. Fave track - "The Fuse"

strum that pussy like bruce springsteen

Very interesting album, great history behind it

Had to check on Song 2 if Bruce made a religious album. I'm just not a Springsteen person. Appreciate the band in the back, but the singing... uhg.

I'm almost sure he's had better; this is a little formulaic. Quite singable. I feel like this is also especially important for its context as a 9/11 catharsis album.

When Spike Lee came into town to promote The 25th Hour, he had a Q & A at what is now Everyman Islington. Someone had given him an Arsenal shirt; he immediately started playing the hooligan by applying American race relation tropes to the UK situation. Ah, I miss those innocent days… Anyway. Bought this album purely on the basis of the Springsteen song on the Spike Lee Joint’s soundtrack (‘The Fuse’) (I’m just going to say now that, for all sorts of reasons, the record company bloc had downloading and streaming coming for them from a mile away. The saw it, and waited for the catastrophe like a rabbit caught in the headlights. Buying an overpriced album because it’s the only way to enjoy a song at one’s leisure. Sheesh. It wasn’t home taping that killed music, it was EMI) Anyway. It sounded pompous then, and still sounds pompous now. The loathing I had for Springsteen many a year ago has mellowed to a grudging respect (although, tbh, why should anyone give a hoot about what I think about The Boss?) (Murder Inc was the song that forced me to give his back catalogue an honest reappraisal. Anyone who can do that must be half-way to good at the least) Bruce, like Spike, is a prisoner of the hype around him. Because we live in a hyper literal age now, once again, the circle has closed and he fits properly in the zeitgeist. But this album, nevertheless, belongs to a different time. About 20 years past. When fairly or not, not many people were too bothered about what he did, and his main constituency were men who then were about the age I am now. Nostalgia blunts our critical facilities, I fear…

Ok I suppose. A bit trite in places but some good jams here and there

Good

Happy sounds!

Some of Springsteen's hits I really like, such as Born To Run or Dancing In The Dark. But this album in general wasn't more than pleasant background listening for me. There's a couple of good tracks on here such as Lonesome Day and Worlds Apart. But most songs just feel like watered down, lukewarm semi-ballads that just don't go anywhere. You should know better by now Bruce. The album is also way too long. Would be much better if it would be cut down to about half of it's length with all the "standard fare" songs cut out.

Springsteen minus the muscle of his earlier albums. All very listenable, but no track jumped out as being one for the ages. What a storyteller though. Nobody else like this guy.

Prima album van Bruce.

Ja, dus echt een 'prima' plaatje, maar tegelijkertijd ook een soort van eendagsvlieg voor mij.

The Boss blijft leuk. Maar niet spectaculair.

Ik hou wel van Springsteen, en met dit album is ook niks mis. Maar het mist een beetje de scherpere randjes of puntigheid wat zijn oudere werk meer heeft.

Niets op aan te merken, behalve dat het niet heel spannend is.

Emo for boomers. I’m kidding, I just liked the idea of those words put together in a sentence like that. Anywho, I liked a lot of this record, thought a good bit of it was mediocre, and was completely and utterly blown away by the fact that I’ve never heard of a single person pointing out the fact that “Let’s Be Friends (Skin to Skin)” is basically that Sugar Ray song without the crumbling statues. I’m a changed man.

Lots of songs about the skies, day, earth... don't think it was intentional

I could tell it had some musical potential, but the lyrics were really simplistic and I already don't love country to start with. Would put 3.5 if I could!

The pumpkin spice latte of music. Enjoyable but basic

A lot of the same, but consistency is good

Songs drag on a majority of the time often reaching over 5 minutes except they just repeat the generic hook. Only a few songs are worthwhile which doesn’t make this Springsteen album much to come back to. 6.4/10

Strong start but overall average for me. A handful of belting tracks but elsewhere got a bit messy with different styles

The big boss. Leuk album maar niet speciaal. Vind springsteen zijn muziek wel vaak t zelfde na een tijdje

Bruce dat is te lang

Unpopular opinion, but I think it's better than Born in the USA. Enjoyable, but only as a background listen, though.

Enjoyed this but found it a bit repetitive at times. Favourite track was Lonesome Day. I was also pleasantly surprised by how much bari sax was on this album.

If I were 50+ and from New Jersey, 5 stars. I'm not.

Toby Keith if he was good and also not a conservative

Not really bothered about it, sounds pretty folky.

I like Springsteen but I don’t think I could eat a WHOLE one if you know what I mean. Never heard this album before and I don’t imagine I’ll go back to it. I enjoyed Mary’s Place. He has that uncanny ability to feel like he’s capturing the nostalgia of a nation whilst pushing everyone forward to change. Is that a bit much to suggest? Well, I enjoyed spending a bit of time in his company but on the whole was disappointed.

Why this album? He's just coasting, there's no fire. All good songs as you'd expect, but this is NOT one his best - there are at least half a dozen Springsteen albums I can name without even pausing for breath that are better than this. It's not that it's bad music (it's fine and I enjoyed it) but it's terrible curation (yet again).

I respect very much Bruce's place in the Pantheon of American rock music, and he deserves it. There are a handful of songs of his I really love, but simply as a matter of personal preference, his music just never "clicked" with me. I have no criticisms of him music; it genuinely is as simple as chemistry either being there or not, and for me and Bruce, it's just not.

Som alltid solid papparock fra brusern. Lett å høre på, fengende vokalmelodier og sjef stemme, men blir litt repetetivt.

Good true Springsteen

72 minutes is too long. The songs themselves are a mix of passable and bad. There was one toward the beginning where I thought "this is kind of catchy"

A really strong album with some great songs but a bit too lengthy for my liking with too many tracks I’d happy skip for any higher than a 3

Bit too redneck/overly long/Christian for me. Still not bad though.

Actually pretty upbeat singalong Bruce but dragged a little at points - good stuff tho

eh

Classic Bruce. A little mellower and more songs to God. But that describes all of us boomers, right?

Some really nice tracks but a bit of a slog at times.

I’m sorry James but I didn’t love it. However with time maybe I could grow more accustomed to Bruce and then maybe if I was in some kind of torture situation where a madman forced me to listen to Bruce Springsteen every minute of everyday then perhaps in the days following my clandestine rescue operation by the S.A.S I would actually begin to miss Bruce Springsteen like some sort of Stockholm syndrome sufferer.

I don't know I like Bruce's hits but just not a super fan

Album was long without any song really dragging. Felt like a fair bit of filler on there but still enjoyed some tunes.

Not bad but not that great and very long

Ehhh. I usually love Springsteen but this didn't do much for me. It wasn't as passionate as his others and was just so long. Mary's Place was excellent though

Exactly what I expected, but I also enjoyed it more than I expected. Maybe I'm more receptive to The Boss since seeing Blinded by the Light. Good film.

Not his best

Un bon album de boss 3.60*

It's fine. Note a Springsteen fan, but I can tell the man is a song writer.

Some of the songs little twee and soppy for me, some great ones in there. James has promised us greater albums, so I'll look forward to those

It's boring to me

He feels like Dave Matthews for my parents’ generation. This is some of his later work that I don’t think was as popular but it still had some songs that resonated with me and didn’t feel like they were pandering to an audience

Solid Americana, exactly what I expect from The Boss.

legalzinho mas muito felizinho e otimista pro meu gosto, além de bem repetitivo vocal fera, sax tbm

Ehh pretty good

It's a solid album. Bruce knows how to make good music with meaningful lyrics, but it's heavy - very heavy and not an easy listen. If this is on in the background, you can't listen to the lyrics or it immediately comes to the foreground.

Title track is pretty good, as is Mary's Place, rest is bland

I don't necessarily dislike Bruce Springsteen, but I find the most of this completely un-relatable for me. It's fine. It's fine. It's there.

Surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Perfect Monday morning music. A tad long but very pleasant otherwise. 3.5

perhaps someday the music of 2002 will appeal to me. but most of it remains offputting and unenjoyable to me in a way i find difficult to describe. fav track: paradise

Was ok - he has a great voice, no denying, but a bit mundane

Never a massive fan of The Boss even if he’s in his prime. A couple of songs sounded reasonably rousing while a couple seems pretty basic and childish. Right down the middle of the road for a 3

rätt så intetsägande album, åtminstone vid första lyssning. nära en tvåa

Did not hate it

kinda long but really easy to listen to. i'm absolutely not mad at this. feels like "sitting outside at a big park watching the band play while drinking beer with family and friends" music. kinda nondescript.

Good!

I'm reserving my 1-star ratings for things that are so awful I refuse to listen to them. I did listen to this and found this album corny but not an assault on my sensibilities, so 2 stars it is. Sorry to my Springsteen-loving best friend.

I don't like this srry

Not very intetesting. Not awful.

Hm. Country!Bruce. It's no 'Thunder Road', I must say. I do have vague memories of the singles, but again I find myself surprised at how many 9/11-themed albums there were.

Past his prime here Fave track: Countin' On a Miracle

Utterly forgettable. Thanks 'boss'.

This has a place on the list to show the impact of 9/11 music, but, it's not Bruce at his best.

Darkness on the edge of town is great.

Into the Fire might be the worst Springsteen song I've heard. This album is on this list because of the artist, not because of the art. There are some good songs as the album went on now. I liked the second half of the album a lot more. Mary's Place, Paradise, and The Rising stood out. 2/5

The Boss havde ikke fået mange nye idéer på det her album

slop

Overall, not a bad album. I didn't expect it to be that recent, but it was pretty chill leaving it in the background while I was doing other things. Nothing too exciting, but those first couple of songs have that specific vibe from around that time.

With 4 albums already on the list, did they really need to add "the boss" at his most middle-aged dad self?

When Bruce overspringsteens himself he produces this specific type of meh music.

I understand that this album is about those post 9/11 feelings but I really found this music more boring than moving. I guess I have plenty of my own post 9/11 feelings so I don’t really need many more even though mine are more of the “child watching it on the news in a different country” variety

Couple of decent tunes but it's monotonous and way too long

Songwriting is good still but the album is too long, the production feels off and the theming of the record just doesn't do much for me in the big 2026

Bloated and boring. This album just drags one, over an hour of songs that all sound relatively similar and lack any punch. This just has nothing that I can hold onto. Lyrics are so predictable and corny at times to the point of annoyance. I just get no joy from Bruce here, and from my limited knowledge of him, it Judy doesn't seem like him. I struggle to understand this albums relevance on this list, in terms of tone it lacks much direction and it suffers immensely because of this. Fav Track: Lets be Friends (Skin to Skin)

There was nothing compelling about this album. Just an average boring Bruce Springsteen album. Must have needed some cash and pulled together everything that hadn’t made his prior records.

not a great album in my mind. A couple of good songs here but overall not really interested in listening to it again

Ugh... hard to admit this, being from NJ where Bruce is canonized, but this was not exciting at all. Expected more.

I understand why he’s here. But nah

I can't listen to this gut whine right now

Does Bruce Springsteen want to shag the Twin Towers?

He’s giving his sermon on how to be.

Great voice, mediocre album that kinda blends into the background.

Sorry Bruce, I just really don't like your music. 2.5

There were actually songs I liked in this one. Not a Springteen guy but this was good.

Kind of yankeeslop

Bruce found God, or revisited. Where is the Boss?

Unless you grew up listening to Bruce, or his lyrics connected with you 40 years ago, this just sounds like a derivative cookie cutter borefest. The single-mindedness that Bruce fans have just doesn’t make sense to me because his songs are so cliché and mediocre. The same fans will say that Taylor Swift isn’t music, when they’re two sides of the same coin.

Probs higher than a 2, but I got sick of listening to him part way through

Not my style