Darkness on the Edge of Town

8 bangers, all killer no filler. Not a second wasted. Streets of Fire

One of the best things I have heard this year. Truly incredible album.

- went into this fully expecting to hate it but it’s not bad - adam raised a cain is genuinely really good i love the opening - rest of this is pretty mid but i do kinda like promised land the harmonica is cool - title track is extremely completely mid unforch - if i could i think i would give this a 2.5 because i enjoyed this more than the other 2s but it’s definitely not up to par with my 3s (talking heads, b52s etc.)

I love the boss but I can't deny this isn't quite bloated. Trim the fat, gimme the hits and we'd be flying to the promised land

So continues the saga of me trying to like Springsteen albums other than Nebraska and failing :( It just doesn’t hit me, it’s not offensive by any means (potentially excepting a few comical yet quintessential Springsteen wails and hollers) but I can’t really find anything in it that makes me want to come back. The band is great though and for that I go 3

Started out strong but took a dive on the most depressing car racing song I've ever heard. I appreciate the expectation subversion but also... blech. Which I guess averages out to "ehh, it's ok".

1970's Springsteen is my favorite era and this was his peak along with Born To Run. If you liked this album check out "The Promise", a collection of songs recorded during the sessions for this album.

Has a nice gritty feel to it. It toes the line between white noise americana and something deeper. The end result is something that is mostly easy listening and the occasional bop.

There are some bangers on this album. Bruce’s voice does wear on me.

Harmiton pikku levykäinen. Kauheen julistava ja osassa biiseistä mietin, että milloin Springsteen on ryhtynyt Dylaniksi. Muttei mitään, mikä kauheesti jäis myöhempään koputteleen.

bruce on se kun äiti kertoo samaa tarinaa puhelimessa monta viikkoa putkeen. mutta sitte joskus kerran vuodessa se sanoo että "onhan tästä ollu monesti puhetta" ja sitte kertoo jonkun täysin uuden tarinan mikä on bängeri ja mitä et oo koskaan kuullu ja muuttaa sun elämän. koskaan ei tiiä kumpi on edessä.

Tässä oli musta meininkiä! Parempi ku Born to Run, jotenkin mukavan rootsia kampetta. Alankohan mä viimein vähitellen lämpeneen Brucelle?

Fiilikset: 🫩-> 🤩 -> 😮‍💨 -> 🤔/😌 Sama sanoin: ”Eääh… taas Brucea” -> ”Oho! Täähän lähteekin räväkän pirteesti!” -> ”Ei saatana tätä muminaa taas!” -> ”Ei tää niin paha lopulta ookkaan - tästähän saattais oppia jopa pitämään” En tiedä miks toi lauluääni/-tyyli on jotenkin niin luontaantyötävä mulle 🤷🏼 Mut kivasti kyllä noi fonit tuolta aina pärähtää ja raikkaat pianomeiningit! 😍 Eikä jäänyt epäselväksi mistä working-class hero status tulee 😅

Tylsää. Miten voi olla näin lössöä mutta silti paatoksellista. Epäuskottavaa musaa jotenkin ja vokaalit ihme hönkimistä ja jolinaa.

I enjoyed the album on the whole. Sometimes he slurred his words, and I found it hard to know what words he was singing. I tend to prefer his ballads over his hard rock and roll songs.

Classic Springsteen vibe, big songs that explode in to life and a really consistent positive and uplifting feel to the chord progressions and vibe. Didn’t love some lead guitar tones or the crowded instrumentation on some songs. I think this would reward on relistens

I should listen to more Bruce huh, good to know.

Best Springsteen album for me, great band

It's mostly strong but the hard rock stuff is not good at all, sorry Bruce

As always, great music ruined by Bruce “singing.”

Ok

Perhaps not his best but a very solid album from the Boss

2.5

Started off thinking this was around a 3 but there was enough highlights to make me go 3.5. Definitely would listen to it again Highlights Adam Raised a Cain Something in the night Racing In The Street The Promised Land Prove it All night

It’s ok. Easy listening.

Masterpiece

Not a fan of "Adam Raised A Cane." It always sound so forced. Rest of the album is stellar though. Still a 4-star.

Low 4 high 3 for me.

Strong 4 - amazing album

My favourite Album by the Boss. Still sounds like a live band.

My brother's relationship with The Beatles is that they do not particularly emotionally resonate with him but that he enjoys listening to them through other people, enjoying how much they mean to those around him. I'm sadly the same with Bruce Springsteen. I've certainly had enough exposure to be able to say I've given him a good try, my friends and family love the guy, but sadly I can't get his music to resonate with me in the way it does with others, though I do like it. It’s a terrible thing to say, but I actually prefer Brandon Flowers doing a Bruce Springsteen impression!

A solid 4 from me, the first Bruce album i ever heard, lacks the wall to wall tunes of Born x2 and some of the vulneravbility of The River and Nabraska but sure rocks out

Perfect for me

My first Springsteen record on this project! I recognized Badlands immediately. This is a little darker than I expect out of Springsteen (admittedly, I could name about four songs, I'm no expert.) It's a little dark and moody, but that's right up my alley. Honestly the most I know about Springsteen is actually Weinberg... and hoo boy is he a force on this record. The drumming is exceptional. I'll come back to this again.

Called The Boss for a reason, but his music was only ever to connect with about 60% of me. Maybe partially it's just what I associate with ¨heartland rock,¨ which has never grabbed me, shook me and kissed me.

Darkness On The Edge of Town is a very different album tonally to Born to Run. Springsteen loves to depict the characters in his songs driving but here he's "chasing a mirage", not in search of some "promised land" like in Thunder Road. It's generally a bit sadder and grounded in the harsh realities of life compared to his previous work but shows his versatility as a songwriter. It remains a striking and affecting album with some highlights of his whole career

2nd best Bruce album after Born to Run

I still just don't see the appeal, not his worst work. Will I listen to again: 1%

BRUCIEEEE

I'm realizing that we traded great lyricism that came with a normal voice and face, with mediocre lyricism that comes with autotune and plastic surgery

This is going to be a revisit for me. I feel like I wasn’t super into it, something about all the reverb in his music turns me off. However I liked Candy’s Room and Adam Raised a Cain. So there’s definitely elements I appreciate so I think I gotta dive deeper and potentially rérate this one!

#92 Never been a big Springsteen fan, so I didn't have high hopes for this. But I actually liked it more than I expected, it was not a difficult listen. I still don't care much for his voice, some of the lyrics are really corny, and there is too much saxophone and glockenspiel... but that's Springsteen. Highlights: Something In The Night, The Promised Land, Streets Of Fire 3.5 / 5

“Yeah I mean I guess I’m convinced the darkness is on the edge of town” - Percy Stubbs, 2026

Already heard this one too. Great album

Not very good to me

listening to this on the plane to a wedding in New Jersey feels appropriate.

👖🕶️🌚🏭🔥

Ich verstehe nicht so wirklich, was da dran sein soll. Dröger Piano-Rock, langweilige Gitarren-Soli und dann diese Erzählstimme... an den besten Stellen klingt es ein wenig nach den Dire Straits (wohlgemerkt, den eher schlechteren Dire-Straits-Songs). 1.5/5 - schwach

I think I’m finally old enough to like Springsteen

Довольно непримечательный старый поп-рок. Приятные, душевные песни, но меня не зацепило, просто скучновато.

What an Icon. I am happy that I finally listend to some of his music. His voice and the style sounds very manly haha. But I am unsure if I would listen to it again.

I don't mind this, but it just does nothing for me. Can't fully take this vocal style seriously

ok, esse album aqui foi menos pior, mas só porque tiveram várias músicas que me lembraram muito o jeito do brandon flowers cantar (o bruce é inspiração do brandon ne...). um 3 tá bom.

Great album from beginning to end.

Couple sweet tunes, lots of it a bit “macho” for me. Hurrrr!

it's funny that good musicians like this one. there must be something it I guess. something that is not all for me.

Just two days ago I was kind of nice to a Springsteen. Fool me once.

Track By Track Badlands - Great chords for this opener. Sounds like classic Springsteen that I know (my knowledge of him is limited). It’s got that rousing, dancy feeling that I do really dig when I’m in the mood. Guitar solos, yes. Sax solos, very much yes! Love it. Lots of fun. 10/10 Adam Raised a Cain - Bit more grit on this track. Read a little bit about this one, that it’s about his father I think and a difficult dynamic. Didn’t love, but felt the emotion. Something in the Night - nice intro. Musically also like this one. Quite melancholy. That late ‘70s/‘80s epic stadium feel. Candy’s Room - like a portrait. Quite cinematic. Racing In The Street - slow one. Very American lyrics! Like a slow ‘Dancing In The Street’! Kind of. I wasn’t as moved by this one but didn’t dislike. The Promised Land - This one was good. Not as good as the opener though. Nice harmonica Factory - I do like the piano in this. And the Hammond organ? Nice little one. Portrait of a place in his memory in his town perhaps. Streets of Fire - it’s like he’s pleading or lost in this one. Anguish. I can kind of feel it, even though it’s sort of cheesy. Borderline. Prove It All Night - liked this one. Good solos, fun guitar work. Hopeful, tinged with darkness as well. Darkness on the Edge of Town - Good closer. Got heart and grit. Ties it all together well. Overall Review: First Springsteen album I’ve listened to. I know he’s influenced so many and can hear that a bit in this. For me, many songs oscillate between cheese and real heart. Some lost me in the middle but there were at least three or four that I really liked. 3.5 really but four Favourite Songs: Badlands, Factory, Darkness on the Edge of Town

I enjoyed the mix of piano, rock, bob dylan-style. Very enjoyable. 4 out of 5.

Bruce! Where have you been all my life? ٩(♡ε♡ )۶

As always with Bruce some tracks that I love (Badlands, Adam Raised a Cain and Prove It All Night) and other that are plodding and forgettable. However, enough to good stuff to be better than a 3 star.

This is my least favorite of the first four Springsteen albums. Greetings from Asbury Park and The Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle are surprisingly funky albums, with the bass bubbling up front and the drums locked in, jazzy with a 70s TV soundtrack feel. Darkness on the Edge of Town is a very straightforward rock album. I'd call it post-honky tonk bar-band rock. Not that it's bad, not at all. As a band, they are pretty close to perfect, including Springsteen as a vocalist, but for example, the horn arrangement on "The E Street Shuffle" is replaced by a couple of 8-bar saxophone solos on Darkness at the Edge of Town. This is a super competent band with good chemistry that occasionally catches fire but doesn't really take any chances. It was probably smart for the band to hone in on a specific sound that worked for their strengths, but it's also not surprising that after one more album with the E Street Band, Springsteen recorded Nebraska with them but then decided to release his solo demos instead. Then, after he recorded Born in the USA, he didn't officially release another studio album with them for almost 15 years. You could make a case for his lyrics maturing as the music was becoming simpler. In the beginning you can hear him trying to be clever and poetic, trying hard to get noticed. His earlier songs are full of his observations of wild characters, rooted in New Jersey, but in his later songs he inhabits characters instead of observing them. And he speaks more generally about the world, or at least the US. His more plain-spoken lyrics are just as profound and poetic and perhaps more effective--you can't ignore that the band got a bigger and bigger audience and became more and more commercially successful as they went down this path. But if Springsteen is remembered in 200 years, I'm pretty sure it will be for Nebraska, not Darkness on the Edge of Town or for my favorite, Greetings from Asbury Park.

Sometimes doing 1001 is a slog, sometimes it’s a joy. You know that there are some absolute delights hiding in there as well as the well known, enjoyable classics. Then there are albums like this one, which was about as satisfying as turning up to an all you can eat buffet on an all inclusive holiday and finding all that’s on offer is a supermarket meal deal that’s been sat out all day so the bread in sandwich has gone slightly stale and the drink’s not cold anymore. Crooning groaning moaning Bruce. Please no.

Mid-tempo dramatic dross.  How many of his albums must I be subjected to! I don't like his croak.  His idealism of pain and suffering doesn't translate to me and just sounds like a pity party to me.  No surprise therefore that I find it sounds like endless, exhausting whining.  Poor acting and limited musical talent in summary.

A middle-aged, middle-of-the-road, yawn fest. The music is absolutely fine but uninspired. The affected, rock ballad style of singing is super cringeworthy. I find it so annoying that he doesn't seem to properly pronounce anything, just slides into a groan at the end of each word. There was a minor reprieve in the grittier blues style of the second track which gave me a glimmer of hope I was in for something a bit more interesting. Unfortunately not.

Ugh, Springsteen. No. (Ok, I'll probably listen, since it's one of his early albums, and I hear he's quite poetic, if you can get past his overplayed patriotic pap.) Edit: How is it even possible for a song about racing to put you to sleep? Everything is so slow paced.

Good album. A couple of great songs, but the mumbles can be a little much. At least this is back when he was mumbling in earnest.

I don't think I was quite prepared for how much this was going to hit me as a masterpiece. But after hitting an absolute peak with Born to Run, Bruce had to go much, much deeper into himself to find this record, and in doing so, tapped into a well of imagery and storytelling that made him a legend. The roots of Nebraska, of Born in the USA, and even his later work are right here, but even more raw. And in the pursuit of perfection, Bruce made a deeply imperfect record that transcends all of it. Nothing bad to say about this one.

Jesus, I'm actually starting to really like Bruce Springsteen. Never had anything against him, and know people who love him, but just thought he was a bit boring. But this album blows it out of the water. Distinct keyboard-y sound makes it sound rather pop-rocky. But it works very damn well. Saved basically every song. Listened to with COG in the UBER to the Red Star FC game, didn't pay much attention. One ear was not enough! Listened to properly at FNAC while picking up two Slowdive albums, almost bought it on the spot but will get it for cheaper in Gibert. 5*

I can see why people like it, but it's not for me. It's like Meat Loaf without the fun.

Its like a warm cup of chocolate when its cold out.

Amazing

Not my favorite Bruce album but a good listen.

Bruce is kind of a polarizing figure…people either love love love him, or really dislike him. As a young man, I guess I fall somewhere in the middle. There are some songs of his that I do really like, but I wouldn’t say I’m a real fan. Thats also my position on this album. It’s full of emotion, and there are a few good songs, but that’s about as far as my opinion goes. I would like to see the movie about him, might help me understand him a little more.

Pre Listen: Bruce Springsteen is a name I'm familiar with, but couldn't name a song by off the top of my. I don't even know what genre the guy's known for. No expectations, outside of after this album I'll know if I like or dislike Bruce. Notable Tracks: Badlands - I think I've heard this before? Hard to say, it might just be it sounds a little generic? Post Listen: This album transitioned into background music like no other since I reviewed "The Band". Hell, even when I went back to try and re-listen to some songs, I couldn't focus on it because my brain autopiloted so quickly subconsciously. It's not bad, it just feels so generic to me? Complete and utter background music. Bruce's voice, and all of his bandmates play professionally and smooth, but I can't get in to it at all. It's just music, nothing more. Better than just noise, better than music done poorly, but absolutely nothing stand-out I can really identify. No single instrument, no lyrics, no moment of greatness. It's just...alright. I should've known this album would be boring, since the album cover is one of the more boring ones I've seen on here. 3/5

Yep sounds like bruce. Classic but not my style

Whether it’s a question of attunement or something else, I don’t know, I really don’t catch a lot of what Bruce is singing here at least in terms of words, which should be an issue for a verbose singer-songwriter who loves putting pen to paper. But I do think he’s very very good at pushing the emotion of the piece in his voice, beyond words and just as a feeling, which seemed to click with me a few tracks in suddenly and seems to be really speaking to me right now. The band’s also got some good raw 70s rock, but really it’s all there to support the sort of raw emotional push-through-sound. I’d wager I could probably pick up more words if I kept coming back or listened to more Bruce, and honestly, maybe I even will.

Meisterstück! Gehört schon lange zu meinen absoluten Favoriten!

Very throaty, some of the guitar riffs were mixed so loud compared to the rest of the song I had turn down the volume. So far I don’t see Bruce’s appeal

3 years after Born To Run Bruce returned with a sound that was a bit more raw, less polished and in many ways more mature. One of his best albums.

An honestly amazing album that took me by surprise somehow. Obviously Bruce is great but there were gems in this I’d never considered before.

Brilliant follow-up to Born To Run

Not his best but still a solid Springsteen album

He's never on my regular listening list, but I always have a good time with The Boss

He's such a terrible singer. Cannot stand his voice. I don't understand how he got popular in the first place.

1. 4.5 2. 5 3. 4 4. 4.5 5. 3.5 1. 4 2. 3.5 3. 3.5 4. 5 5. 4

I love Bruce, his voice, patriotism and deeply personal confessional lyrics, so this album is no exception to that 💖

I probably need to give this another listen. It is very Springsteen, but the man is a pop rocker who upon closer inspection goes hard on the lyrical front. I have a tough time with "ok music, great lyrics" bands and perhaps his deeper catalog is no exception for me.

Badlands 🌟

4.5/5

It's The Boss innit. Immediate 5.

Only starting to listen to Boss late in the afternoon today - a massive stress at work and loads of issues, sorry Mr. Boss! I guess I could go for 4, but seems a bit too generous, what I can remember from this album is only the opener and the closer tracks! Everything else blanked for me in between, so I will relisten another time before reaching my final verdict, but I do love a bit of Boss, this is very enjoyable indeed.

A prescription for keeping the flame of love and hope burning after entering adulthood and the grind of the working world. It came out as I was graduating high school and offered a heads-up as I was getting ready to leave home. One of the best ever.

(7/7) I suppose this is why they call him "the boss"

Number: 229 Familiarity: Moderate 93 Rating: 4 Before: ======= So, I've already had Bruce Springsteen twice: at 9, 49 and now 229. Hm, that's a lot of 9's. Anyways, Born to Run was a 5 for me and The Rising was a 3. You don't really need more than one album from him on this list, imo. As it is there are 5, at least 2 too many but for me, it's probably 4 too many. Still haven't had any Elvis Costello, go figure. After : ======= So on a song by song basis, it comes out to 3.5 so I guess I'll give it a 4. I mean overall, I do like it more than I feel ambivalent about it. Still, I don't think it really needs to be on this list. I'd say put Born to Run on The List for sure, but I think that's all you need from The Boss.

a classic musician and song writer. this is a raw early album and worth listening to hear where he came from. excellent work

I know the name, I probably know the hits. Yep - just checked. Born in the USA and Born to Run are wedding staples at the 'time to go get a drink' part of the night. ------------------------- Mumbled, warbled vocals over watered down 60s rock. I really can't see the appeal with this one at all. I definitely don't like the vocal style. It's overblown and pretentious and probably sounded good in his head. The rest of the music (bar Bruce's guitar - which is also pretty bad) is there to scaffold the pedestal of Springsteen. It's not allowed the limelight and thus just exists. The soundtrack to what the American dream became. Dystopia. 1*

Solid. Bruce has such a specific sound.

Это мой второй день и , соответственно, второй альбом из 1000 лучших. Процесс пошел. Я прослушал альбом "Darkness on the edge of town" и хочу сказать, что Штатам в 70-е невероятно повезло, что у них были эти песни. Я не про рок, не про диско, не про зарождающийся хип-хоп. Я о душевных уличных балладах великого Брюса. А "Рожденный бежать" -просто невероятно.

amazing

Enjoyed this more than the other Springsteen album I listened to!

A very solid Springsteen album which rises above earlier work due to its maturity, plus when you add in his ability to convey this in a believable manner makes him one of the greats

a voice that sounds like it's straining even in the mid register plus some subpar diction and maybe sometimes a sock in there? when he really sends it it sounds pretty good but the rest is somewhat unpleasant. and also the song writing sure is nothingburger. the band's doing a decent job with what they're given at least

His voice isn't the greatest but he writes interesting lyrics and song themes.

There will never be another singer quite like Bruce Springsteen. The grit in that man's voice and the power he sings with is truly unique and in a league of his own. I hadn't heard this album before, but it is truly a fantastic rock album, where Bruce sings to the best of his abilities and it is truly a pleasure to listen to. Standout tracks: Badlands Adam Raised a Cain Racing in the Streets

Another storming album from the boss, what a voice, what a man what an album. The title track is so good. I get a tiny bit lost at some points but overall fantastic stuff really. 4.8/5.0 Best Song: Darkness On The Edge Of Town

Probably his darkest and moodiest album, its got some really good songs on it. He really is a guy you could listen to forever. Best Track: Racing in the Street

Yeah I liked it, nice rugged but poppy sound

Not the album to get into Bruce

In the last year I have been listening more and more to Bruce, this might have to do with the fact I am now 38 years of age maybe? In this last year I have actually come to appreciate his earlier work a lot. I'm a big fan of Born in the USA (what a comeback!), Born To Run and especially Nebraska. This album has been fallen on the wayside a bit. Until even more recently, when I was given it by a good friend of mine and fellow member Victor. Going through these beautiful, angry, spitting songs there is a lot of emotion, rock and genuine passion. So much so that this has now reached my top 3 of Bruce albums. What a great album, it flows so well, the songs kick and scream. The drums are great and the bass just sounds wonderful. Yes, i really enjoyed this one.

Meh. 3 stars for not actively offending me but it's a generous 3 stars.

Springsteen just does nothing for me. Not a fan of his voice. The band is solid which keeps this from being 1 star. But I can't go higher than 2 stars for anything I've heard from The Boss. 2 stars.

It never really clicked for me when it comes to Bruce Springsteen. However Im giving every record a chance here so I went through it a few times. Unfortunately hearing this album doesnt differ from my former experiences. His voice is just not my taste I guess but I find it very exhausting and unpleasent after a few minutes. The songs itself are good written pieces some of them and I liked the production quite a bit but his voice and delivery just kills it for me. Im probably giving this a chance again in a few years or months and maybe my opinion will change but until then Im not putting it on again. 1,7/5

The Boss proves why he has remained popular for so long. I was not familiar with this album or any of its tracks other than "Badlands," but the whole thing is a good, solid listen.

Not my favorite

A somewhat underwhelming Springsteen album. ‘Badlands’ is of course a great opening track for anything, whether it is an album, liveshow, movie or whatever. But the album falls pretty flat after that and doesn’t really recover. Springsteen has lofty standards however, so compared to other artists this still is a decent listen. 3/5

*57 Jeg kan ikke helt få mig selv til at føle det. Det er dog ganske tilforladeligt på en distance også. Måske jeg mangler lidt alder.

"Adam raised a cain" var en kæmpe banger (!!!!!!) Generelt synes jeg faktisk at det lyder ret fedt. Der er dog også et par numre, som bliver ret intetsigende for mig. Stor 3'er

Lige med Springstenen har jeg altid være bange for, at jeg har misset noget, fordi jeg aldrig rigtig har lyttet til ham. Det er jeg ikke bange for længere 2.2

det' fint

I respect the man and his output, but I've never quite got Springsteen's music. It's way too earnest and a occasionally a bit over the top. It's too many songs about cars and the blue collar life; it's what passes for country music in New Jersey. Anyway, such is the case here. A few songs stuck out to me, "Adam Raised A Cain" probably being my favorite. But overall, while he's the probably the best one doing this sort of shtick, this isn't for me.

So different from his previous albums. There's an underdog vibe to the stories being told on this album, more-so than in his previous works. Springsteen also has fully developed his every-man songwriting qualities here. As for the music, it feels like the instruments are allowed to shine separately, rather than just becoming one giant wall of sound. Even the more bombastic songs on this album manage to sound more intimate because of this.

Good

2nd Springsteen album for me, nothing musically impressive to me this time

Much better than I remembered.

Excellent, more and more i'm realizing that bruce might be one of my favorite musicians in terms of how he uses the studio

Enjoyed that, such a boomer

lot of memories about this album. I first heard it when it came out back in 1978. I really enjoyed it back then and enjoyed it again now. I don't own a copy but I do plan to listen to it again after this recent re-listen

Badlands 6.5/10 good instruments but i cant understand a word hes saying Adam Raised a Cain 8/10 intro is fire, into a slower tempo bluesish song but still full of energy. Something in the Night 4/10 boring and not for me Candy's Room 5.5/10 its ok Racing in the Street 7/ 10 good slower song, his voice actually works on this one The Promised Land 6/10 good but doesn't blow me away with anything noteworthy other than the saxophone Factory 5/10 mediocre. Streets of Fire 5.5/10 good guitar work but similar to others. Prove It All Night 6/10 good but still samey until the sick guitar solo Darkness on the Edge of Town 6.5/10 slow but makes for a good closer.

I like this sort of melancholy rock. Good songwriting and it isn’t overly long.

I really enjoyed Adam raising a Cain - I’m not sure I’ve really listened the this track since I did t really listen to Springsteen when this album came out and many of the other songs made it to the airwaves.

mediocre

Look, I don't dislike Springsteen, I think he has some great songs. I love songs that tell stories. That said, I don't think I've ever independently chosen to listen to Springsteen. This is a decent album, and I really like some of the songs, but I also don't feel the need to listen to the full album, cover to cover, again.

Altijd aangenaam

A little boring, but there are some cool moments like the guitar solo on Prove It All Night.

Bit boring, nice for background.

Early boss.

Maar 1 nummer geluisterd

Preferi o outro mas muito bom

Spruce Bringsteen, who hates AMERICA, released an album which is Okay, but not his Best. Very sad!

Probably one for the Boss purists. Too dreary and drone-y for my tastes.

It's fine.

Brooding

It's pretty good but not in the same league as the borns

I don’t know, Bruce is good but he got better than this.

Скучно

Einfach nein

Didn’t do it for me.

I like Bruce. This is not a new take but for me he speaks to the quiet desperation where your dreams have not come true or failed completely. At his best he is uplifting. I was cleaning up after a party and listened through this twice.

Springsteen's masterpiece

An object lesson in being epic and stripped down at the same time. Warm and bleak. The musical progressions are uber-basic, and performance imperfections are all over the place, yet it feels human and complex and still weirdly perfect. One of the boss's best. Fortunately for the future generations, with the right coaching AI can replicate all this warm human imperfection.

I am a fan of Springsteen, but on some level I understand, and even agree with, the take that he’s a big performative phony who couldn’t working-class if his life depended on it. My subconscious has resolved this dissonance by only kinda-sorta liking this album. This allows me to love his other records without going insane.

8 - GOOD

Candy’s Room is excellent. I also really liked Promised Land and the title track. Nothing bad to say about this one, it’s a great album!

Interessante!

Ok, Bruce. 4.

It's a banger fest

A great record. "The Promised Land" is one of the greatest rock songs ever written. There are a lot of fives in Bruce's catalog but this one just misses.

I’ve never been caught in the hype of ‘The Boss’ but the album had some great tracks. Factory really caught me, sure the work ethic and outcome was something many could relate to.

Last great album by Springsteen. Not a weak song from beginning to end.

Bruce Springsteen's vocals mix with the guitar, piano and general American rock sound of this album to make a classic album. Before listening to other Bruce Springsteen albums, I had the idea that his sound was all American rock. Which it kind of is. But I thought that would have had the "We're #1" feeling. Or "God Bless America". But that really isnt the case. Bruce Springsteen's musings on American life seem very somber and in a lot of cases not favourable at all. I can see how that can really resonate with men of a particular age. Dark, moody and sad in places. This is quite an emotional album, full of reflection and introspection. (3.450)

I try so hard with bruce but i just dont feel it

A bit disappointing. Not necessarily bad, but it’s kind of mythologized as a great album, and nothing really stuck out to me. Part of it is that it very much signals to a lifestyle that I’ve never known, but also because that lifestyle is one I’ve always seen through. It’s the lifestyle that is much more accurately portrayed, in my opinion, on MJ Lenderman’s landmark 2024 album Manning Fireworks, which tells various stories of various people (or one person, idk actually), all being jerks, fuck-ups, just lonely lonely men in the rural areas of America. It’s a fantastic album that portrays depression, loneliness, boredness, and how crushing all that can be in a really incredible way. And that is what I see when I look at a story like that of “Racing in the Street,” or “Factory.” It’s a glorification of a lifestyle and life that generally doesn’t deserve that, at least that kind of blind portrayal of complete beauty. It needs nuance. This album needs nuance and more interesting songs. 7.4/10

Amazing album - this and Nebraska are my favorite Springsteen albums

A classic album.

I have never listened to a full Springsteen record. Amazing sounding record, with so much energy and emotion. The subject matter and lyrics start to get a little old towards the end. Obviously this record does not have any of the big hits. I did feel it was missing a truly memorable song, but overall a really nice record.

Solid Bruce that contains all those hallmarks of his early days, but without the cohesion and confidence of some of his others. If I'm in the mood for early Bruce, I'll pick a couple others over this one.

I needed an album like this today. Mournful, but powerful, it’s not about giving into despair but to empower one’s soul to move past it, to move past all the tragedy. It’s Dark Bruce but it’s not a cold and wrathful Bruce. Just one who’s gonna go into the dark places he may have been afraid to go before this. Like street racing and teenagers bedrooms. So Beach Boys territory. Anyways, there’s some electric moments from the E Street Band, highlights include “Badlands”, “Adam Raised a Cain”, “The Promised Land” and “Streets of Fire”.

9/10

LURV

very good listen, all songs well around, cant remember one that liked better than other, but all of them very good

La verdad que me gustó de principio a fin, no me esperaba que un disco del que no conozca bien ninguna canción me gustara tanto, realmente sorprendente. Con muchas ganas de que toquen otros discos de bruce. La verdad que si tocaba otro día quizá no le daba mucha bola y le ponía 4 estrellas, pero hoy la re viví y le voy a poner 5. Igualmente sería como un 8,6.

Classic Springsteen

Just another generic Rock album.

Great album from the boss. Iconic

It’s great just not Springsteen’s best work

old man music

It’s okay but not something I’d listen to again. Basically Dire Straits if you took away the pleasant voice of Knopfler. On the contrary I managed to fall asleep listening to this, so I guess it’s good in that regard?

Very appropriate to have this as album of the day since I am in Springsteen country on a tour of the swamps of Jersey (actually suburban south Jersey). This one has risen in my estimation to a top spot in his catalog. It was his version of a punk album in some ways, full of rage in some songs ("Adam Raised a Cain," "Streets of Fire") and detailed character studies that pointed to The River and Nebraska (like "Racing in the Street"). It's the songs that weren't big hits like "Candy's Room" and the title track that hit hardest for me now and show his mastery of songwriting on only his fourth album. And the guitar work is more punkish and raw as well. Maybe I'll go drive through the Pine Barrens and listen to it agaim.

My favorite Springsteen album, and I love all of his 70s and 80s output. It's gritty and bittersweet (but mostly bitter) and features characters who are working class to the core, even after their creator had skyrocketed to fame and fortune. Lyrics influenced by Steinbeck, music inspired by everyone from Hank Williams and Guthrie to great 70s rock bands like the Clash. Few outright hits like he had on the Born albums, but pretty much every song a banger. Love how Van Zandt's work on the guitar is centered on this one too. Hard to pick favorite songs because theyre all great; i think Badlands, Adam Raised a Cain, Streets of Fire and the closing title track are the best of an excellent bunch though. Feels like one even Springsteen skeptics should love

Género al rock álbum. Some good songs but not outstanding at all. I don’t understand how it is a memorable album or something everyone should listen to at least once in their lives.

This album was...fine? I honestly don't remember a lot of it and I just listened to it yesterday. Not for me I suppose.

Middle of the road for me.

Están buenas las voces y las melodías son interesantes

baad landsss uouuouuouuuuuu, JAJAJJA WTF, ya perdón me dio risa eso jeje este wn es un kbro wannabe que quiere ser rockero y sacó el álbum más genérico del universo ctmmm. ni siquiera lo terminé

Album 54/1001. Listened 8/5/2026. It's Bruce, but not my favorite Bruce. I might listened to one or two songs again, but it's not going to be on a frequent rotation.

kinda put me to sleep

mid

3,5/5 gostei

Sounds like a tired Meatloaf. Sorry, Mark. This isn't my sort of thing.

Classic Bruce.

Too much yelling

OBVIOUSLY

I mean, it does sound like a Bruce Springsteen album, so I can give him that - but probably not the best of his work.

The guitar is nice, but I got tired of Bruce halfway through.

It’s a Bruce Springsteen album that sounds, shockingly, like a Bruce Springsteen album. Doesn’t reinvent the wheel, or try anything different. It’s good, as most Springsteen albums are, but it doesn’t stand out from the pack. So whilst it’s better than most album a I’d rate a 3, it’s still going to get a 3 because it does not give us anything special. Badlands is a good track, but a single track shouldn’t carry the album - not is it Springsteens best track.

I thought I knew this album at least a bit but I really don't. I quite like Bruce, I know these songs are good but it's not an album that does a huge amount for me on two listens.

Great stuff

I’m not a fan, but I will concede his music is growing on me

Ох! Феодот його любив. Тільки він помер(((

This album fucking rips

This feels a lot darker than Born to Run and much more focused on blue collar life. Less dreaming about getting out, more working on your Chevy, putting in hours at the factory, helping in your daddy’s garage, or figuring out what’s left after the job and money are gone. Springsteen’s strength here is how clearly he draws those people. You can picture the guy under the hood of the car, the father coming home from the factory, or somebody watching everything they worked for disappear. The songs feel like short stories about people who did what they were supposed to do and still ended up stuck. Even when the details get repetitive, the characters feel real. The guitars are noticeably sharper than I expected, especially the solo on “Prove It All Night.” That gave the album some muscle when the constant hard-luck stories started to wear a little thin. I respected the writing and the overall theme more than I enjoyed listening to the whole thing. Good album, but not one I see myself listening to again any time soon.

Not my favourite album of him, but pretty good nonetheless.

Owned. Just fantastic

I do not understand the love for this guy and this music.

Oooooo had some preconceived notions going into this one, weirdly the most popular song badlands I didn’t resonate with? But made me think about how sometimes it’s hard to listen to masculine music? And wondered about all the women that have to pay the price for men’s desires? But also so aware this is interestingly critical take on it Think it’s cause I don’t love the song to listen to I like the passion But also women as victims of men’s desires to be badmans then the next verse they’re the redemption ??? But the whole albums made sense to me and I could feel the longing for something better in it And the grief and pain, especially in the song factory I liked how he laid it all out there, I think I felt scared of some of what he laid out ???????? Interesting I really liked racing in the street it felt like it tapped into some desire to all come together for some excitement and joy and get out of our boring little houses we have to politely sit in in order to not make a fuss, I liked it as a story of America by a white man that I could feel vulnerability and realness in, and very cool voice, but maybe my cultural references but stop me being able to shake the cringe of this era of rock off ?? Fun to listen to something new

I admire the grittiness of his voice in this album. You can really feel his exasperation and anger in multiple songs to give off this broody feeling. It feels raw, authentic, and personal experience listening to it. It’s understandable, seeing as this was the album Springsteen made after suing his management for the freedom to make his own albums. I’ve always found those types of albums to be make or break. And this one specifically was a hit for me. Only thing keeping it from a higher rating is the fact that sometimes it’s hard to make out what Springsteen is singing. Having lyrics was a necessity, but I didn’t regret it, as it let me really linger on the lyrics. Racing in the Street was a personal favorite of the album. As was Darkness on the Edge of Town. 13/1001

Not as exciting as Born to Run.

Musical music for the working man

Not my favorite Brucie, but still Brucie

its aight

I can see how the Boss became the Boss. There’s an undeniable energy in most of the songs on this album. A great blend of listen ability and underlying energy. 4/5

Scared to enter my boomer era for real…

His style is just not for me, I tried again with this album but no joy

Better than Coldplay

Nice

A bit too Americana for dads 2.5

It’s just hooting hurrrrrring plodding for divorced dads

I mean it's alright. Not really a Springsteen fan.

Looked it more than I thought I would. Not a huge fan of the honky tonk piano. Would be great in a small venue

I first tried to get into Bruce Springsteen in 1986 when a Neighbour bought the live album boxset from money he got in compensation for an accident and I taped it. Having bought Dylan’s Biograph the year before I figured (and still do) that a career spanning boxset is a good way of getting into a musician. I thought it was OK but not fantastic. Didn’t listen to it much. I have tried over the years to get more into him including streaming albums (& I bought Tracks and Live in New York City), I have even seen him in Concert. I always think, that’s OK but I probably wouldn’t reach for it over other things on the shelf. Giving this album a listen I realise I probably like Springsteen more as I get older however the feeling still stands that if I bought this I wouldn’t reach for it much. It is another 3.5 stars for me but whilst I have normally rated those as a 3 I am edging more towards the 4 on this. Maybe I will buy it if I see it in a Charity Shop (I believe those Born in the USA might call them thrift stores).

Bruce at the height of his powers

I feel the same way about him as I do about Elvis Costello. It all sounds the same to me.

It sounds like The Boss. If that’s your thing you’re in luck.

The album is raw and emotional. It moves between melancholy and outright defiance so easily. Great album.

Gir slipp på flere av smertepunktene fra Born to Run ved å blant annet ikke ty til saxen på de fleste sporene. Adam Raised a Cain kunne vært en Nick Cave-låt om den hadde litt mer edgy production. Kvaliteten vipper mellom på nippet av å være skikkelig bra og farlig nære å være ganske kjipt. Factory er en ganske ræva låt eller? Mens på Badlands så er det nesten så jeg føler meg gammel nok til at jeg kan digge det litt a la Thunder Road på Born to Run.

Det står fort mellom dette og Nebraska når man skal kåre det beste Springsteen-albumet. Gode på hver sine måter, men begge er back to basics-plater. Darkness er mye mer nedstrippet enn de tidligere platene til Springsteen, som helt i starten nesten hørtes ut som et storband og med wall of sound på Born to Run. Darkness er ofte bare piano og trommer (og bass), med en sterk elgitar som krydder. Jeg vet ikke om folk vet det, men det er faktisk Springsteen selv som er leadgitarist i E Street Band, ikke Little Steven. Det er ikke de største Springsteen-låtene på den plata her, men definitivt noen av de beste. Hvor intens "Candy's Room" er med maskingeværtrommer i verset og som bare bryter ut i et lite Kiss-segment midt i låta. Riffingen og intensiteten på "Adam Raised A Cain". "Badlands" er kanskje den mest klassiske Springsteen-låta på plata og høres ut som overskudd fra Born to Run, mens "Prove It All Night" er et frampek til The River. Oppbyggingen på "Darkness on the Edge of Town" gir gåsehud når det virkelig kommer fram. Herlig gjenhør.

And here, we have something that is probably the polar opposite of too much electro. For that, at least, I am grateful. I am also grateful that it's like, half as long as The Rising. And finally, I am grateful that I don't think I have heard any of this. It's still Springsteen though, with that Stallone-playing-Elvis voice of his, with the echoey recording, with the “whaaaoooaaahhh” of Something in the Night, with arguably the most omnipresent glockenspeil player of the era. But really, even despite my bias against the Boss, this feels particularly bad. A heartfelt ballad that cribs from Dancing in the Streets, but is about racing? The weirdly performed insistence that “i aint a boy, i am a man”? Whatever cluttered mess Candy's Room is? The vocals on Streets of Fire suddenly going Barney-from-the-Simpsons? This is your dad getting up, drunk, to do karaoke at a wedding. ⭐️⭐️, feels more like the unneeded and discarded B-sides to Born To Run.

I'm not a huge fan of Springsteen. I think I don't love his voice. That said, there were some non-hit, deep cuts that I had never heard on this album that I found myself liking. I know he's a cultural icon who has stood the test of time, and I'm glad his deep cuts helped bolster that reality for me.

Top Rock Album. One of the fear to do it.

Hohum. Nothing that good. Too rushed?

He'll never be the boss of me but I liked this one better than Born in the U.S.A. There were aspects of it that reminded me of artists that I enjoy like Tom Petty (The Promised Land) or even the edginess of Nick Cave at times (Adam Raised a Cain). Lyrics were well done overall. "Poor man wanna be rich, rich man wanna be king And a king ain't satisfied 'til he rules everything"

I've never been a particular fan of Springsteen, but I found that I was enjoying some of the songs and realized: I like the band, and the music isn't bad, I'm just not into the singer.

Ok, but not his best.

Springsteen at his most dramatic and hottest. Every song sounds like it's the last song on the album - I've listened to it 100 times and I kept checking whether it was the last song. Badlands is maybe the best song every made and also kinda sounds like sandpaper being dragged across your skin. His voice is at its honkiest here too. Such a good album title too.

Follow up to Born To Run and this albums stands somewhere in the shadow of its predecessor. Some good songs, but it doesn't contains tracks like Jungleland or Backstreets.

surprisingly liked it, healed some kibd of unrealized grudge i had against him

I think he thinks he is better than he actually may be.

I mean, come on.

Not my thing. Not helped by being second Springsteen album in a row!

Not really a fan of Springsteen I guess, despite having heard almost all of these songs since I was a kid.

A very enjoyable album. I do like Bruce Springsteen, blue jeans and Tennessee whiskey, apparently.

More character and less corny than the last Bruce Springsteen album we heard. Still very faithful to the American south/countryside. I think I like it enough to give a light 3

Bruce seems like a good guy, heart in the right place. I've just never been much of a fan of his music; I seem to lack the gene that *loves* his music (and -- not coincidentally -- I'm not a fan of his singing voice, or his singing style). There are exceptions, though -- primarily (for me, I mean), his "Nebraska" album. Just as with quiet/loud Beck, there's a quiet Bruce, most famously captured on "Nebraska," which I like a bit better. Otherwise, though, he has a proclivity for (what strike me as) clunky and ponderous anthems. I don't hate his music, but I don't love it, either. Out of respect, I'll give this a 3. Plus, I hear his lyrics are good. ;) But, as y'all know, my focus is, as always, on the music.

I still don't love Bruce's voice, but I actually find these songs to be compelling. He's able to convey a range of emotions I enjoy how American this album feels. I find myself imagining the way the U.S. was in the 70's, and I suppose I can credit the lyrics for that. I was listening to "Racing in the Street" in my car when I saw a couple of drivers caught up in a road rage battle, and it was quite the musical backdrop

4.5

I had a short Springsteen phase in my teenager years, but I hadn't listened to him again since then, this album in particular. Kinda dull IMO. Very workman like if you listen to this as background music though. Some iconic songs too, so my definite ratings would be a 2.5.

Just wasn't feeling it.

Album is fine.

like a loot

not a fan

It’s fine I guess. I think I really just don’t like Springsteen’s voice. But he might’ve heavily influenced mumble rap

mr Springsteen has always been an oddity to me. Very hooyah and praise the country type beat. I get how people could like this album. I am not one of those people. Next.

Very self righteous sounding guy. Not a fan. Won’t listen again. Holy sh!t I can hardly make it through the first song. This dude sUCKS his voice sounds like the Elvis cover of the Rick and Morty theme song.

The Boss is a really great songwriter, but I prefer to hear other people perform his songs. It feels like a boomer musical that gets made for tv

Skipping a lot based on the singing, it's tough! This album has righteous, heartfelt rock and it is not a nice listen.

I like some of the music but I do not like his voice.

This is a great album. Badlands is an old friend, then we continue through a number of awesome ballads, with Racing in the Street and Promised Land being particularly strong to me. Also Bruce's voice is amazing, deep, gutteral (in a good way), and captivating. I listened to Neil Young the album before this, and the vocal quality is just night and day. An excellent album all around

I like Springsteen more as a songwriter than a singer. I respect the musicianship on this album too. I like Badlands quite a bit. But a little Bruce goes a long way for me. These songs are BIG. They have space and density at the same time. There's a yearning quality to this album, and perhaps Bruce's music in general. Some of these songs deserve their place in the annals of rock history, namely Badlands, Prove It All Night, The Promised Land, and Darkness at the Edge of Town. I did not like the vocals or the guitar solo in Streets of Fire - annoying. It was enough for me to downgrade the album from 5 stars to 4.

The Boss at the peak of his powers as a writer.

It's a decent album, pretty standard, I don't like Springsteen's singing though. shelved 3/10.

This was very different to prior Springsteen I've heard and far less saccharine on the whole than I was expecting, showing that Springsteen has multiple strings to his bow. There were aspects of this that I was able to appreciate, such as the piano playing on multiple songs and the tight, warm bass guitar radiating through the album. However, stylistically, it kind of felt like an inferior Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds in some ways, the vocals frequently became tiresome for me and I just struggle to relate to the very Americanised lyricism.

Another Springsteen! Unremarkable.

As I see it, there are two Springsteens: the loud, angry, highly political rocker who fills stadiums, and the melancholic, melomanic who composes sad loser ballads in the solitude of a hotel room. Either way, Springsteen is probably the greatest storyteller in the singer-songwriter guild. My problem is this: the loud, angry, screaming Springsteen doesn’t interest me; I prefer the melancholic Springsteen of “Nebraska”, the poetic “The Ghost of Tom Joad”, or the romantic of “I’m on Fire”. "Darkness on the Edge of Town" is regarded by many fans and connoisseurs as one of the Boss’s finest albums, one that paved the way for the global success of "Born in the USA". But for me, there’s little here that appeals to me. Sure, for the first time Springsteen sounds like Springsteen (I always found the ‘Wall of Sound’ on the predecessor “Born to Run” a bit too much), but for my selective taste in Springsteen, this album isn’t quite right. Sorry, boss.

*1978. *I don't think a single Bruce album exists that doesn't use at least one of the following words: streets, fire, hunger, strangers, and night. *Badlands and Promised Land are the only songs I'm kinda familiar with. *Enjoyable enough album, but poppy Bruce isn't my favorite. I'd probably rate this is a 4, but I rated Nebraska 4, and I like that way better. *Actually I'm going to rate this a 4 anyway because this website has been judgy and thinks I'm too critical. RATING - 7/10

bleh

cool - I liked it :)

This ain't got shit on Born in the USA.

I…put the spring…in the teen-a!

I bet they call him The Boss because he likes to sing about work so much

50/50

A few songs i knew already and like but the rest was to much Rock music for me

Never listened to Bruce Springsteen...he's quite something! Excited to learn more about him from his biopic starting Jeremy Allen White coming out later in 2026!

I’ve never really cared for Springsteen and I’m not sure why. I appreciate his songwriting, and he has a unique style to his music, but it’s not something I’d ever choose to listen to.

This is the album that everyone should know about. Not Born to Run, not Born in the USA (though that album was part of the 80s zeitgeist in an big way) but this.

2 star. Boring. Song 2 slaps

Yeah it was pretty good!

Um clássico é um clássico, lamento

Listened on a flight so I was tired, I’ll listen again for sure but I loved the instrumentals, Bruce is just a little too mumbly

Goof

Perfectly acceptable as an accompaniment to some early Saturday morning chores. I doubt I would seek it out again but it has the standard Springsteen quality you would expect.

A real classic. Springsteen’s trademark combination of raucous Americana and slow reflective numbers are brought through in equal measure, with Badlands a terrific opener that is joined by The Promised Land in the middle and Prove It All Night to conclude. But we also get some of his classic themes of relationships, nostalgia, and industrial life (Candy’s Room, Racing in the Street, Factory). A showcase of what makes Springsteen a great artist.

The comedown after ‘Born to Run’, this is, to quote Wikipedia, an album ‘whose songs portray the struggles of the less-fortunate, not only to survive, but to keep their spirit and will to live’. Both musically and lyrically it’s a more downbeat, jaded and world-weary album than the previous one, and the arrangements are not quite so ‘Wall of Sound’-inspired. It also contains some of his greatest songs: ‘Badlands’, ‘Racing in the Street’ (probably my overall favourite here), ‘The Promised Land’ and the title track to name a few. But really every song here is great. An easy 5 stars.

As long as I’m alive the boss gets a 5!

Nice

You know i didnt like this, pretty boring and....ah who am i kidding its Bruce. 5/5

Didn't like it

It's alright. Kinda flip-flops between the same two songs. Perfect if you're 45+.

A good album. Having heard a few Springsteen albums now, it is clear his vocals are limited in the same way that Dylan's are, but he is at least more expressive. Musically, he and has band are similarly limited - similar chord patterns from song to song and album to album. But it's earnest and honest and the songs paint a picture of the US which is romantic to someone not from the US.

After three Bruce albums, I'm running out of ways to say that this album was fine. I did like this album slightly more than Born to Run, as this had more of a rock edge to it, better guitars and grittier vocals; still isn't moving the needle past OK for me. In the "Working Class Rock/Folk Dudes" category, Bruce is a distant third behind Bob Seger and John Mellencamp for me. This album was an alright listen, but probably not anything I'd seek out. 3/5

Gibt mir stellenweise starke Nick Cave-Vibes, und das ist ja immer etwas Gutes.

Eines der besten Alben, die ich von ihm kenne.

3.5

i am an adam raised a cainhead til the day i die

Ok

Growing up on the West coast, Bruce Springsteen just wasn't the cultural phenomenon that it is on the East coast. I've never really been a fan, but over the last few years, I've grown to appreciate him and his music. This was as good as any Springsteen album I've heard.

Found it to be pretty boring and didn’t really like many of the tracks

Ok. Not as good as Born to Run. Still enjoyed the album.

Not as radio-friendly as some other Springsteen works, imo. Good at times but also some of his singing is on the extreme end of growly and unappealing to my ears. Grows on you if you keep listening. Distinctive album from the boss.

its fine, a little boring