The Rising

King

I'm not a regular listener to the Boss, but i do really enjoy his stuff.

Bruce, back two back. Now, we're reaching more contemporary stuff. Although I must admit, I like the older stuff better.

Not bad, but too long and a bit generic.

不戳

Never really listened to the Boss. This sounds pretty good.

First impression... is that there won't be a second impression. It's not bad. After all the Boss is a pro, but it's like the entire album is b-sides. And it's LONG. I suppose when you take 7 years to write an album, you might have a lot of material. I think I find that aging stars have less to say that is relevant or real, but are better at composition or instruments. I think I prefer music the other way around. He's like a better Richard Marx. Meh. Three stars.

I survived 75 minutes of Bruce Springsteen, where's my purple heart?

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 miss the days when we were still idealistic enough to believe that musicians could make a difference. Had the same feeling a couple weeks ago after listening to Tracy Chapman's debut album. As for this album, it's 15 years past Bruce being relevant and has no place here on this list.

This being here only tells me that there must be a lot of Bruce coming on this list. Let's be honest, he has far better albums. This record feels like a filler in his discography.

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)

Competent, well performed music from someone I have no commonality with. Shame about the production choices. Sure, there's some merit in the concept of the American working class needing a distraction from terrible events, but look what the fuckers have done since then.

Ugh. I tried so hard this whole album to get into it but I just couldn't. "Nothing Man" and "Worlds Apart" were great, but everything else was just flying by me with no thought. Then we reach 2 songs near the end, "You're Missing" and "Paradise". Wow. Fucking incredible pieces of work. Love these songs. They almost save it to a 3, but it also took like an hour to reach that point. Should have cut a lot of these songs out and keep the really good stuff

Boooooooooorinnnnnnnnnnng!

One, maybe two BS albums in the top 1001 but this is getting ridiculous.

largely passed me by without much to note, enjoyed further on up the road but it was all fairly standard springsteen in my opinion

Not bad, but not really best of?

A real brucey bonus. Pretty good. Not one of our favorites though

Bland and uninteresting. Classic Boomer rock.

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).

Classic bruce

Boomer bullshit, I'll give you some of his older work but this is unnecessary

Surprisingly good! I thought Bruce Springsteen was a bit lame (biassed), but it's actually really nice and wholesome music

Awful

This is horrifyingly bad. Holy fuck. Two songs in and I could not believe I still had another hour and a bit of listening to this garbage. Somehow this is Bruce Springsteen's 9/11 "comeback album", but ended up just being terrorism to my ears. Like the war in Afghanistan, this album went for entirely too long, was almost entirely pointless, and caused almost incalculable amounts of suffering.

For something that was mostly a samey hodge-podge of reflections following 9/11. It really didn't have to be song long. I didn't hate the music in here but I did get a bit tired of it by the end, the first half was mostly better and I enjoyed some of the tracks that felt like it was doing something a little different such as Worlds Apart with its mixture of electric and native folk elements. In much the same way as the United States government, I think there were some administrative errors made on this album. Coming out rather quickly after 9/11 (and apparently only being recorded starting in 2002) there was a lot of excess that could have been cut off this in both the amount of tracks and their duration. A lot of songs felt like they went a minute or even two minutes above what I would expect in some cases. Also a special shoutout to Mary's Place for sounding like the extended cut of some theme/outro for a corny 80's SitCom

Like that one bit in ratatouille where he tastes the food and is immediately sent back to childhood, this entire album, which thematically and sonically is just one big long song, took me straight back to standing in some kind of sporting goods or camping supplies store with this music, or something like it in every way, softly played over the in store speakers while my dad got incandescently angry at a 16 year old casual shop attendant. This sounds like the soundtrack to every mid 00’s drama that somehow involves a road trip. It sounds like what plays on the radio in specialty stores, and in some places, sounds like music that would be played in an ad for a family SUV. I did NOT care for it.

An album put on this list by Music critics which agreed with ALL the decisions of the Blair government. Not a single even half good track on this thing. Genuinely appalling. 1/10 Fav tracks - N/A Least Fav - failure album bruh

Ok so I never heard Bruce before. Like I have heard of him, but not his music. But I was not expecting this country style music. Never been big on this style of music tbh. Gives off Mum and Dad kinda music vibes, like nickleback or something. Nothing really stands out to me, It does not sound bad but I just don't like it, thats it. 2/5

Writing music about a tragedy can weigh it with baggage for me. It could make the whole thing very funny (Tears in Heaven) or quite poignant (The Final Cut). While there are definitely songs that lean heavily into the 9/11 stuff (Title track, Empty Sky, etc.) to me, this album feels like a re-treading of the same themes in The River and Born in the USA which isn't a bad thing at all. Springsteen's lyricism and writing is the best part of this album, his vocals are just as strong as they were on albums like The River and Tunnel Of Love. However the arrangement and production on some songs veers a little too far into the patriotic 2000s Country and Western style of music that was popular in the bloodthirsty warmongering culture of Bush Jr America (Waiting On A Sunny Day). The Homeric length of 72 minutes makes this a difficult listen at times but it's still Springsteen so there are some great tunes on here that make it worth multiple listens. The album falls off after Further On (Up the Road) and doesn't really pick up again until the title track. Highlights here are Lonesome Day, Nothing Man, Countin' On A Miracle, Further On (Up the Road), Paradise. I love the Boss but this album makes me think he needs to be put on a performance improvement plan.

It wasn't bad, but I'd be lying if I said that it lost my attention feom time to time. A solid enough album I suppose, but Bruce was represented enough on this list and it didn't really need to be included.

Look it's not bad. It is about 20 minutes too long, like most records around then. I'm not averse to a long album and I am particularly fond of long tracks that go on a journey, but I think The Rising gets boring. I think the back half is stronger though, so the flab for me is earlier on. The Fuse is probably my favourite, Paradise is good. Nothing here quite packs the same punch as American Skin (41 Shots) - possibly because the subject is still as tragically relevant today, though that song is testament to the fact Bruce still had it. Obviously the record definitely hit different on release as so much of it was a response to 9/11 (or could be received that way, I think My City of Ruins was actually already written). Also, being the first record since Born in the USA to feature the E Street Band it was eagerly anticipated. I've listened to a few of his later career albums now though and I just think Magic is loads better.

Buen disco, pero lejos de los años 70 y 80.

It's fine, but a pretty bland record. if it wasn't a Springsteen record it would be nowhere near this list.

my springsteen bias shining through 4/5

Lo paragono a quelli che il sito mi ha già consigliato e secondo me è un po’ meno bello. E un po’ lungo

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'm just going to say it: this should not be on a list entitled 1001 you MUST hear before you die. It's too long and too dull.

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.

Jeez Bruce, shut up a bit. And definitely stop preaching to me.

I’ve never understood the appeal of Bruce Springsteen and this album did nothing to help. There is nothing groundbreaking, original, or even interesting here. Even for the little I’ve listened to him, his music seems to follow a pattern that he deviates little from. I guess when in doubt, verse, repeat title several times, repeat is good enough. I hope there aren’t any more Springsteen albums on this list, but I have a bad feeling I won’t be that fortunate.

This is the kind of music I really dislike. Formulaic, sentimental pop rock. This is the kind of album your dad listens to in his car. This is the shit that gets piped into the background at shopping malls. When people say they don’t like Springsteen, this is what they’re talking about. 2/5

Painfully generic country garbage. I don’t even really like old Springsteen so 12 albums in definitely not going to do it. I guess once you’ve done everything in your previous genre you have to do the country voice and talk about God. Why is this on this list? 2/10

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 cool

I've always found Bruce Springsteen fine overall but never as spectacular as boomer guys seem to.

The boss brought it, but unfortunately it drags too long. This one starts to fall off the longer it goes.

Pretty solid album. Was my first Bruce album I bought in real time. Probably swayed by glowing Rolling Stone reviews. 3.5/5

Pretty decent background album. I'd love to see the boss some day.

Not strongest Springsteen, but you can feel his heart there in the aftermath of 9/11.

Sure, it had some moments.

Doesn’t have the punch of the early albums. Was a little full of I’m fully honest.

Great

I kind of hate this but kind of like it at the same time? The modern production both works for and against Bruce's sound for level's of cheese but sincere fun.

A pleasant surprise.

What horrible, preachy, dribble. Sure, put this on a top 1001 albums to play in church, but not of all time. It's cool he released this as a tribute to 9/11, but really the song quality here is so basic and simple, with an aggressively christian lean that makes the whole thing cheesy and unbearable. His "Blue Collar" stuff from the old days is much more palatable. 1/5

Kinda boring & dull.

Enjoyed more than I thought I would.

Long and mostly boring. Songs all sound similar and just kind of blend together. for a 70+ min album, this gets quite monotonous. Never been a Bruce fan or hater - he has his place but isn’t really my thing…but this just really didn’t work for me. For a lyric-driven artist, he does little here to make me want to actually hear what he has to say.

All sounds the same. There are much better Springsteen albums around!

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.

Not bad tbh!! Pretty long but also highly listenable. I looked at the sky for a bit while I listened which was cool.

Long and a bit too uplifting for my taste but I enjoyed this different mode of TheBoss

ultimately kinda boring for bruce but i think it suffers from being a bit too 'modern'

I never understood the appeal of Springsteen and still don’t. I can hear the talent tho

Just average, good, non-exciting work by the Boss.

Very corny.

Yeah I don't really see the case for this being on the list. It's just generic rock type music for the most part.

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.

Cheesy overall, but a handful of decent songs

It was what I expected. Not better or worse.

Not my favorite artist

Okay Bruce

Unpopular opinion: I think that late Springsteen record are somehow overrated. Please don't get me wrong, his post 80s career has some great gems, but I think that it is somehow impossible to properly rate his latter records without the sociopolitical context of each album. This is why I feel wrong writing out loud that this was a boring record for myself.

Where are my boss hits on this one? Okay, reading what it was in response to made me appreciate more.

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

Great album. Love Bruce. What a patriot!

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.

Is this album good? Yeah kinda, it's not bad. Is this essential listening?? Nah man not even close. Bruce Springsteen is a brilliant artist and in his prime in the late 70s and 80s he made some dope records. And while this is good it doesn't really come close to those. So why not give another artist an entry instead?

Not his best work by far.

Some strong material mixed in with material that is less memorable.

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

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.

After a recent trip to the Jersey Shore I’ve been on a Bruce Springsteen kick and dear reader this album is a disappointment. It’s very much of its time with appeals to patriotism and very clear references to 9/11. It lacks the timelessness of his early work.

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 consider Bruce Springsteen my black olive. Everyone loves it but me, but I keep trying it.

Discazo de punta a punta. Me encanta como canta cada una de las canciones, rock, cambios de ritmo, baladas, de todo. Redondito

Старина конечно дал джазу, но как по мне раньше было интереснее

Reading the context around this album, I see why it was included - 9/11 and so on. But that gives the album a very dated feeling now I think, over 20 years on. Apart from Waiting On a Sunny Day, this really didn't do much for me. I'm not a huge Springsteen fan but I like his earlier stuff, pre Tunnel of Love. I think they coul have left this one off the list personally, because his early period is well represented.

It seemed like they tried to reinvent Bruce for a post 2000 audience. It was horrible alt country shite. They absolutely sucked the life out of the poor bastard. What a horrible album.

There's nothing particularly wrong with this record. It's very generic and safe. A typical average album from Springsteen. Has that underlying darkness that he has done in the past. Lyrics were pretty good. Nothing amazing. But why is this record on this 1001 list? The recording isn't anything to write home about. Music is ok. Singing is ok. It almost feels like this record is on here because it's Springsteen and that's it. I'm getting tired of these types of records being on this list. And from here on out, I will be rounding their rating down.

Better than I expected. Droned on a bit by the end but it was a solid middle of the road album. Nice elements from country but also nice rock elements. I wouldn't mind if someone put this on. Won't be an album i'll be reaching for when I need music but a decent album nevertheless. A solid 3.5/5!!

I haven't listened to every Springsteen album, but I haven't liked anything he released after Born in the USA - and I'm even lukewarm on that one. This doesn't really hit me any different. While I appreciate the timing of the album release and the sentiment that goes along with it, it just feels so forced and more like a cash grab riding the coattails of tragedy, which he gets away with largely by not being obviously cynical about it. However, I could list several albums released this same year that deserve much more recognition than this one.

Not the best Springsteen.

Fine.

some memorable stuff and a good latter-day album. dunno if i'd consider it classic enough to be a required listen or whatever, but i didn't mind hearing it at all.

Wouldn’t listen again but appreciate our Bruce

There was absolutely no substance to this - couldn’t finish it

Not my music, but he use every vocal, rhythm an instruments to make an varied album… 5/10

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.

Dull.Trite, hackneyed, somewhat cringeworthy lyrics. ‘Paradise’ is a really bad Simon & Garfunkel rip-off. Too inoffensive for a 1

Wow, Bruce, I was kinda unaware of this era.

Peak 90s dad rock Bruce

Never been a big fan of Springsteen. This is a very underwhelming and boring album.

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.

Track 2 already sounds way too christian help - last one confirms christian ughh. Unfortunately, I'm inclined to agree with him when he sings 'I am the nothing man'. What is it with singers sparing me the trouble of finding good lines to roast them? I was also counting on a miracle to save this album (someone stop me...), and when Worlds Apart got into it, I finally felt something!! I guess I tuned in eventually (probably out of necessity), but I'm sorry Bruce, it does nOt need to be this long

Right off the cuff, these lyrics are insanely vapid. The music itself is pretty boring, but the lyrics actively make me roll my eyes, at least once a song. Into the Fire might be the worst part about my day. Overall, a frustrating album to get through. Definitely not my cup of tea.

One of the most boring albums yet. 2/5

I like The Boss but this is his weakest album that appears in the book. I would have preferred The River or even Tunnel of Love over this one. Still there are good songs like Worlds Apart and Paradise and it's still Springsteen and the E Street Band so the material is still decent. But there's better from Bruce.

Don't Bruce in general, but this was dull as F.

Never got into The Boss. This was a nice surprise.

It was inevitable that Bruce would make an album about 9/11 right after the events and that's understandable that he would play it really safe. As a reaction and a call to unification after such a tragedy, I think he did pretty good even if I personally don't enjoy his music at all. But now that we're more than two decades apart from the events, its flaws are more prominent and it actually was a chore to get through it all.

Radio music for a brainless commute.

This album is so boring, it's almost unbelievable that people actually took their time to record it.

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.

lowkey has bangers, a pesar de los corny ass lyrics, bien repetitivo y una producción mediocre, low 6/10.

I actually liked this album more than Born in the USA apart from all of the hits that album has. I think this album was more interesting and did a better job at creating that laid back feel his music often conveys.

Not Springsteen’s best, feels too commercial

Bruce igen. Och med det sagt ska jag lyssna med ett öppet sinne och inte tänka på hur hans stämband mår. Jaha nu visar det sig ju att den här skivan är bra. Into The Fire kanske omvänder mig. Herregud! Jag gillar det. Låt på låt som är bra. Countin on a Miracle är 5 av 5.Empty Sky likaså. Sen går något snett på World Apart.Introt skulle han kastat. Stämbanden verkar hålla. Bruce har vuxit upp från 2 till 4. Kul!

Låg på en femma de första fyra-fem låtarna. Bättre än classic Bruce. Lite för många sisådär-låtar dock..lite för lång skiva överlag. 72 min.

Inte riktigt på samma nivå som hans klassiker, men fortfarande en jävligt bra skiva rakt igenom.

Compassionate. Always welcome to the ears!

Way too much patriotism and country twang. 2.1 stars

Doesn’t click with me at all. 2001-2003 American patriotism is front and center. Only saving grace is the music is decent, if a little bland.

The Boss!

GOTTA FINISH THIS ALBUM. Fucking amazing. First time im listening to a bruce project and its beautiful

God this was a painful listen.

Good start with straightforward rocker Lonesome Day. I also like Waitin' On a Sunny Day with its dense, almost maximalist production. Nothing Man follows, country rock but pleasing to my ear. This is polished stuff compared to earlier Springsteen but the formula works. Radio ready rock with an orchestra full of instrumental backing. Not everything is a hit, and there's some forgettable tunes amongst the 72-minute runtime. Strong finish though, You're Missing being the standout of the back half for me, downtempo and melancholy with cello and organ. Paradise is another stripped down slow one, and My City of Ruins is a decent closer featuring a gospel sounding refrain. Cut a few songs from the middle and this is really really strong - as is, still very good. Glad this came up.

Pues creo que no había escuchado casi ninguna canción de este disco, puede que The Rising. La cuestión es que conforme lo iba escuchando me iba gustando más y hacia el final están todas las canciones interesantes para mí: The fuse, You're missing, The rising y My city in ruins. Me gusta el tono grunge de algunas canciones, supongo que signo de los tiempos que aún corrían.

3.5, feels like the classic 80s American rock. Kind of reminds me of Neil young (I thought it was one of his albums for a sec). His vocals are clearly talented and quite prominent throughout the whole album.

Safe, boring.

Springsteen, Dylan, Americana. The musical equivalents of Starbucks. Clear, where it comes from with a highly pedictable quality. Goes well along if nothing else is available or one has no interest in searching the local speciality.

Same ol dull Springsteen

Springsteen does Dad Rock. the Rising has it all, soulful backup singers, saxophone, low to mid tempo from start to finish. Yet it’s reasonably enjoyable. Springsteen has a certain je ne sais quoi? His melodies are just subtle enough at times to be interesting, other times they are flat out very good. However the album is way too long, it gets bland at the end. 6.1/10

Bruce Springsteen wrote this album after 9/11 so I understand it is meaningful and poignant; however, his music just don’t resonate with me unless I make the effort and I don’t feel the need/have the energy to do so. Fave Track: You’re missing Rating: 2

La primera parte es espectacular pero peca de alargarse mucho, hay varias canciones que me sobraban

Goes pretty hard

I haven't listened to any early aughts Bruce before, but I dig him, let's check this out. Oh, okay. He's going through one of those mid/man life crisis things. Yeah, contemplating mortality and reasserting his faith and shit, it is so cheesy. This record lacks the insightfulness and depth of his peak career records. It's just trying too hard to be meaningfully poetic, but it's coming out more like some corny Bon Jovi drivel. I think he's lost his edge. Or he doesn't know what kind of artist to be in the new millennium? At his age? I think the musicality of it is alright, but the lyricism and the themes he's exploring are so basic bitch. Especially post-9/11. I expected more from you on this one, Boss. That's okay, we'll always have Born in the U.S.A.

Not much standing out here. Lots of repeated lyrics and line it boring. Miracle song was pretty decent though. Definitely hearing Springsteens influence on the killers. Worlds Apart was pretty sick. Definitely the most interesting on the album so far. He also sounds like Eddie Vedder on some of these songs haha.

This is a cool album! Super introspective and soulful. Musically, its exactly what I'd expect from The Boss. Personally, I liked the back half more than the first. The first few songs felt kind of like his old stuff, but redone. So it wasn't really doing it for me. Honestly, at points it almost felt cheesy (heresy, I know.) However, as the albums gains legs it really starts to vibe with me. The E Street Band really starts picking up, we get more horns, keys and organs. Suddenly, I'm sitting in the chapel at the Church of Bruce and I'm here for it. Especially the last few songs.

Ist halt ein Klassiker.

Wasn't familiar with this, but I really liked it.

Don’t mind Springsteen, easy enough to listen to. This had more of a country feel than I expected but still had some decent tracks on it. Nothing groundbreaking but mid!

Never heard this album before now. It's alright, I prefer his earlier work the classic type stuff. It's about what you would expect for 2002 Bruce Springsteen.

The Boss' 9/11 response album shows a return to form after a decade of mixed albums.

Very squarely a Bruce Springsteen album.

Good songs, pop-rock but such a safe boring sound

Meh. Nuff said. Another boss album, another let down. Hopefully i will get some of his good stuff. Whenever that is. It was a frustrating listen. Just felt so generic. Felt like someone who is passed it. Which is fair enough, it happens to every band. But then i think, how is this even on here then?

Rating: 8.5/10 Great album overall. The melodies are fantastic for most of the songs, very catchy choruses and instrumentation. Bruce Springsteen sounds great, he sings with a lot of passion and emotion and his voice sounds better than some previous albums I heard by him. The album has an immaculate vibe to it, listening to this brought me immense joy. Definitely too long though, could have cut abut 4 songs to make this a Springsteen classic. Favorite songs: Lonesome Day, Into the Fire, Waitin' On a Sunny Day, Nothing Man, Worlds Apart, Further On (Up the Road), You're Missing, The Rising, Paradise, My City of Ruins. Worst song: Countin' On a Mircale.

Most of the tracks just faded into background noise for me, but I liked them all decently enough.

Helt ok, väldigt medel. Glömmer lätt bort att jag lyssnar på musiken.

Wo Springsteen draufsteht ist Springsteen drin. Klasse Album wie so viele davor und danach. Volle Punktzahl!

Hmm nothing but average

Great

Not at all the best work of Bruce and actually quite skippable. This does also not feel as an embodiment of the 2000s, like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot or so does way better. I understand the USA needed something after 9/11, but this is not as important as some Americans probably like it to be. Best tracks and actually standouts are of course the title track and Waitin' On A Sunny Day. I still give 3 stars because it is a good album and Bruce is a genius, but this doesn't come near Born In The U.S.A. or Born To Run.

Terrible, first album I really hated and could not finish. Generic soft rock. Forgettable. Milquetoast.

I like Bruce Springsteen but there comes to a point where everything's been said and he'd treading water with this one. He can do so much better.

Strong later-career album from the Boss, powerful as a response to 9/11. Bit long but good listen nonetheless

The score is 9 to 11, so you know what that means Riley…

Good

one day I'll understand Bruce Springsteen and what he means to everybody

Un album fervent mais sobre d’un artiste qui n’a plus rien à prouver

Didn't really care for this.

Awesome collection of easy to listen to songs

A Christian rock vibe An album of sad tribute Doesn’t make it good

boring

Surprisingly enjoyed

Eine exzellente musikalische Aufbereitung des 11.9.2001. Die Gefühle eines Feuerwehrmann in Nordturm in „Lonesome Day“, die Wegfall der Unbeschwertheit nach dem Ereignis in „Waitin‘ On A Sunny Day“ und der Mutmacher „The Rising“ zeigen die künstlerische Tiefe im Album. Wut, Trauer und Hoffnung im unverkennbaren Bruce Stil. Wiederhören sehr sinnvoll.

Got boring really fast

Vinilo del jefe.

Overall, this album was a pleasant experience, however a few of the songs have repetitive lyrics. The last few songs are peaceful which was enjoyed.

That's a really nice album, genuinely good and entertaining songs, with that Springsteen flair in some lyrics. I enjoyed this album much more than the older, more classic albums by Bruce. Wholesome surprise.

Not listened to much Bruce before. Other than the big hits. I can see why mum and dad like him - and I don’t mean that in a snarky way.

Heb er een beetje doorheen geskipt, vond het vrij nietszeggend allemaal

ja prima leuk maar dit is niet me stylo

2e Bruce Springsteen albumpie Meh, vrij saai en weinigzeggend

A seventy minute album from Bruce Springsteen about the fallout from 9/11 is a daunting prospect. From just about any other artist this might have come across as preachy or jingoistic, but the Boss manages to make this thoughtful and considered with light and hope amongst the darkness. The E-Street band are back in business for this album too, which really lifts everything. The highlight is My City of Ruins, dedicated to his beloved Asbury Park.

Few songs are vaguely nice, the majority is simple boring pop-rock when it's not worse than that with archetypical american gimmicks. I would have die happy without listening to this record.

Cheeeeeese

More boring stuff

3.5

well that was quite boring

"Waiting on a Sunny Day" has always been one of my favorite songs, but this is just way too long.

I really liked this album and had never heard it before. It reminds me a lot of the mid to later Mellencamp albums, as both seem to have gotten to a place where they are just doing what they want, not caring about trends or hits. I didn't realize until most of the way through that many (if not all) of the songs are about 9/11. That changes it a bit, but for me personally (someone that wasn't in the Northeast US when 9/11 happened), I can still listen to the album as a song about people in a more general sense. I will definitely listen to it again. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is it doesn't pull me in or feel particularly fresh in any real way. It's just very solid.

So today's album is one I've never heard of, from a mega star? What have I been missing? Turns out, not much. Obviously pandering to Americans, he even puts on a fake country twang for some songs. I got to the title track and realized that I had heard it before. I guess they tried to push it in my country but it didn't really take off. At least I know why I hadn't heard of this garbage before, I just wish it had stayed that way.

The E Street Band outshines Bruce on this one in pretty much every way. The songwriting and vocal melodies are the definition of subpar. But there are certainly some worthwhile sax solos! This is the 5th Boss album on this list, and it's certainly noticeable. Given that 1,001 isn't THAT many in the grand scheme of all albums ever created, I'm a bit disappointed we're not getting the variety I was hoping for.

I’m putting in my two-star notice, Boss.

The last thing this list needed was a 72-minute Springsteen album from 2002. It’s not bad by any means but is just so repetitive, and Springsteen really has nothing to say on this. He’s got some absolute classics that are deservedly on this list (as well as a couple that are somehow not, like The River) but this is not one of them

Me gusta este disco también

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

Okay album. Some interesting songs, but nothing that caught my attention.

I did enjoy this a lot. I can still remember listening to the songs on the radio back then. But never listened to the record as a whole. This is really great stuff!

meh

Not top tier Bruce from the 70s/80s, but close.

Honestly probably overrated

I've heard a lot over the years about how this is a late-period hidden gem in his discography, but to me his storytelling and songwriting here doesn't stand up against the rest of his catalogue.

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

The songs that I loved I absolutely loved. The ones I didn't were just fine. I'll give it a 4 just because of the sheer number of songs that I loved.

It was okay, but I didn't make it all the way through. I used to like him, but not anymore ...

Reminded me of childhood and listening to Pops play this album.

Sorry, Bruce, it’s a no from me.

Sub par from the boss

No one NEEDS to listen to a Bruce Springsteen album released after 1989. As far as his career is concerned, he's been coasting off of Born in the USA ever since. The core problem is that The Rising is largely overproduced in order to compensate for Springsteen's weaker voice. There's also the sense that he's lost some of his songwriting skill, or at the very least he's padding out his albums with subpar songs. For Springsteen, this is nothing short of disappointing, but it's also to be expected somewhat given the passage of time. I found myself just waiting for the album to end so that I could move on but by good every song is like 5 minutes long. Very over-indulgent but he's still the Boss at the end of the day so he gets a free pass.

There is never a bad time to put this album on. The Rising marked Bruce’s return after a long gap between studio records and, crucially, a full return with the E Street Band. You can really feel how important that reunion is. The chemistry, the lift, the sense of togetherness. It sounds like a band playing with purpose again. It is a fun album in places, but it also carries real emotional weight. There is hope running through it, but also reflection. Rediscovering Paradise was a highlight for me this time. What a beautiful, understated song. It quietly builds and stays with you. Favourite songs: Waiting on a Sunny Day, Mary’s Place and The Rising Least favourite: The Fuse Album artwork: Not quite on the level of Born to Run or Born in the U.S.A., but still a solid and fitting cover for the mood of the record

Ok

This really isn't my cup of tea.

Feel like I am being really negative with some of these but I can't help it. Another one I have really not enjoyed sitting through. I get the importance of it and why it is on here but that does not make it good 20+ years later, especially to a non American. I mean hearing this doesn't exactly fill me with much hope anyway. I know he can make great music but this was not it. It was just 15 patriotic soft rock songs that felt like they went on forever. I am (hopefully) never going to sit through it again and struggled to enjoy it. Also it was all very easy, he had the perfect scenario where people were begging for him to release it and they'd have loved it whatever so he took no risks and it is all super boring because of that. Also not to mention his accent? What is happening it kept changing and to be honest none of the vocals sounded great anyway especially the strange country twang on a few. Another 1 star. Stand out Songs (although not great much better then the rest): Waitin' on a Sunny Day Countin' on a Miracle The Rising

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.

-9/11 Happens- Random man to Bruce: "We need you" Bruce: "I'm on it" Random man to Bruce as Bruce runs to the studio to capitalize off of 9/11: ...not to capitalize off this tragedy and make it about you...

An absolutely perfect album. Every single song made me feel something

Springsteen is a powerful songwriter, but his delivery has been hit or miss for me. This one misses more than it hits.

I like Springsteen but this was bad dad music

This will be my first encounter with the Boss during this project. I love his classic albums but haven’t ever really listened to anything beyond Born in the USA, along with one or two songs he released after. Curious if this will be the understated Boss on Nebraska and Streets of Philadelphia, feels like that should be appropriate for an aging rocker. I think my experience of this album can best be summed up by my experience with the song World’s Apart. It starts with an electronic drum and an Indian/Middle Eastern vibe that had me thinking oh God is Bruce about to do some trance music is he trend chasing is this going to have a weird message that’s aged poorly. And then the song kicks off and it’s incredible, I loved it, the production is excellent, the instrumentation is great, and the whole time I’m mad because of how much I like this album. So unbelievably I’m giving this 5/5. Do I think it deserves to be on this list? Maybe not, but I do really like this.

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

7/10 solid album especially if it's a nice day out

Lonesome Day Waitin’ On a Sunny Day Empty Sky Let’s Be Friends Mary’s Place The Rising Didn’t feel long. Had a joyful vibe to it. Put me in a good mood. Would definitely listen too again.

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

Neh it was alright. 3 stars.

not a fan of sprintsteen but a good album all the same

The Boss

The BOASS

Airhead pop-rock for dads with limited personalities. Listenable in its way but notably inoffensive and unvital. This is an album best described by what it is not and that's good.

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.

I don't know how I didn't know of this album, but it was great

Not bad, but not my kind of music.

Honest to god so insufferably boring. What wave did this man ride to get to the level of fame he achieved? It's the same god damn song over and over again. I did NOT need to hear a 2000s Springsteen record that runs over an hour long. What a pile of garbage. I'll give this a 2 over the 1 I gave the previous one just due to the additional instruments adding some variety but holy christ. An actual 1.5 Bruce sucks.

So fun!! Bruce always makes you wanna dance

Okay bruce i see you, post 9/11 and all

Least favorite of the Springsteen albums I've heard on this list so far, but I continue to grow more respect for this artist. It seems like he does a great job of being a voice for the public, his music feels very down to Earth. The Rising stood out for me on this album.

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

Ugh. Bruce. Can't wait for some boring mid-tempo storytelling. I really don't know why bruce bores me so but he just does. This sucks hard, sorry. Couldn't finish it.

Good

He's the boss. Even in his later work (which I didn't have high hopes for), he's the boss.

rising, waiting on sunny day voice+

Idk ikke det jeg forbinder med springsteen

Pretty good

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

Forget how good

Not sure who was doing the songwriting on this one because it sure wasn’t Bruce. The entire LP reeks of studio meddling as Springsteen is ushered through a wild collection of genre attempts with some of the most bland, uncreative lyrics I’ve ever heard. The instrumentals are similarly insipid, sounding like default DAW presets rather than anything inspired. If you’re going to make me sit through an hour+ album at least make it interesting.

not awful, but didn't really enjoy it. 1.8/5

Very good album and another Bruce Springsteen one! I don't think it's as good as Born to Run though, which was the album I got last week. Probably a 8-9/10 but I think 4/5 is good.

no no no no no no no no no no no no no no Bruce Springsteen's brilliance was his desperate intensity combined with story telling that was at once epic and intimate. Born to Run; The Wild, The Innocent, and The E Street Shuffle; and Darkness on the Edge of Town are three of the most brilliant albums ever. Even Born in the U.S.A. had IT, fer chrisake. And I'll hold Nebraska up to any folk / americana album ever made. The Rising??@!?!!?? The engineering is perfect. That's literally all the good I can say about it.

Not my favorite Springsteen, for sure.

Meh. The Boss doesn't quite do it for me.

2 songs in and I couldn't take anymore of this bland, emotionless album. I was screaming for more heat and soul, but nope.

American redneck pop

Not my favorite Bruce record, but I know it was a response to 9/11 so it still gets a thumbs up.

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.

Mega

Great album. Particularly like Mary’s Place.

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.

I've had an irrational hatred of Bruce Springsteen's music since high school, but I was willing to put all that behind me. However, I think this was the worst album that could have been picked to give him another shot. I couldn't wait for this to end, three songs in felt like 30 minutes. This album is too long, and there are way too many mid tempo semi ballads. For some reason, every song on this album sounds like an album closer to me. I completely zoned out by the last 6 or 7 songs. This is probably closer to a 2, but this is the most boring album I've gotten yet. Why is every song between 4 and 6 minutes? This would be so much easier to get through if they were a little shorter. The list would have been fine with 4 Springsteen albums.

I've never really heard anything aside from Springsteen's hits, so this is my first full album of his. And honestly... I enjoyed a lot of it! In full honesty, I am grading this album on a bit of a curve, because it's a "9/11 album", and unlike all of the other jingoistic, bloodthirsty, and sometimes flat-out racist art that came out after 9/11, this album takes a wholly different approach. There's not a hint of revenge or anger on this album - its key themes are loss, grief, resilience, and strength through community. The title track and closer are flat-out gorgeous, especially when taken in that context. There are some very weak tracks in the middle section of the album, but I think as a whole work... this album needed to be made, and it does what it was made to do. 4 stars.

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

I was excited to dive into Bruce, but found this album boring and uninspired. He’s got a great voice, but this was the first of the albums in this project that I wanted to end much sooner

Good variety

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

On this album “The Boss” sounds more like “The ineffective middle-manager.” Creative entropy hits some artists extremely hard.

Bleh, boring dad rock from Springsteen

Phenomenal album.

Waiting for a Sunny Day......such a great song.

What a sleeper album. Really enjoyed this and I know it is only one of the many Springsteen albums that got little radio play and thus I never heard. Really excellent through and through.

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?

Just ok

Standout: The Fuse. I love Bruce but this is disappointing.

Nothing bad or offensive, but so boring I couldn't make it past track 5.

He sounds just like Andy Dwyer in Parks and Rec. I can’t get past that.

Honestly it was repetitive

AMERICA

Not my personal flavor, but I can’t deny that Bruce brings the juice

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

Rating: 2.0

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.

Meh

Surprising. My favorite Springsteen album

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.

Really really liked this, I was very close to giving a 5*. But I just thought knowing he’s got even better to come, I’ll go with a safe 4*. That could be a tad harsh, sorry boss. Simpsons reference: Yes (also rumoured to have turned down multiple guest appearances)

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.

This album took a few listens to to apprentice fully. The boss knows what he's doing. waitin’ on a sunny day is probably my favourite from this album

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.

A weak effort. Uninspired and generic sounding. One would think that 9/11 would have drawn more emotion and passion to this record. Instead, it’s bland and lacking.

Between a 2 and a 3. Sometimes he would break through the formula and polish and it would start to shine. Most of it just felt like product.

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.

There's better Springsteen out there.

i love Bruce, but the production here is just completely limp and lifeless, and it mostly ends up sounding like a bruce springsteen impression

This was a great album at an important time in this world

mucho like, 5 lajkanih pjesama 4.5

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

Good