Darkness on the Edge of Town

Pretty good album, not my faves of his. I think his voice is buried too deep in the mix, for a lot of the album. Three stars

So great to here these songs!

The Boss!

Ik hoor de kwaliteit, maar nog steeds geen fan

pff ik vind da toch maar wa gezaag zene

it's alright, i guess. not really something i would independently choose to listen to, but it's not grating or anything. "Adam Raised A Cain (different take)" has a fantastic guitar solo and sounds more like my kind of thing compared to the first song on the album.

Just like... boring man. Devoid of uniqueness (except for his uniquely atonal voice) and creativity but nothing egregiously wrong with this album sonically. Just made my eyes glaze over and suddenly it was 45 mins later and I hardly remembered a single melody or lyric.

I would give it 2.5-2.75 if I could. Not a bad album, just really boring sonically. Felt very one-note, but I think it picked up a little bit towards the end. I think the second half of the album was better than the first. Adam Raised a Cain was specifically silly.

Favorite: … Least favorite: Racing in the Street Springsteen is a good story teller. Some of the music is interesting. I just can’t help but feel like this album could only truly be enjoyed by your redneck uncle who’s 10 Bud Lites deep at the family barbecue. It’s marred by generic, over indulgent guitar solos that could only be appreciated by those who have never heard an actual visionary guitarist at work. And the saxophone solo that follows up the less-than-thrilling guitar section of “The Promised Land?” Am I listening to pretentious band students perform at a high school variety show? On top of it all, the songs free of this overindulgence are incredibly boring. The progression of the album also feels disjointed, without any clear central themes or even sonic motifs to unite the song selection. Why am I listening to a 7 minute ballad halfway through that album? “Streets of Fire” is the only slow-burning song like this that manages to escape complete mind numbingness. Unfortunately, it breaks the monotony with terrible crooning that’s hard to sit through and, you guessed it, the sweet payoff of another ridiculous, generic guitar solo. Darkness is 45 minutes of pure, unadulterated, all-American Dad Rock tunes sandwiched between incredibly boring ballads that drone on for minutes after they should have concluded. While I understand the appeal of his sound and lyrics to the blue collar class, I’ll stick with Tom Petty when I’m craving the Heartland Rock sound in the future.

Won't lie, I was sceptical at best here. I was wrong, it's decent and I will listen to this again

A bit too sad for me. Still pretty good

This one feels like a grower, or that it hits better drinking in a bar.

flaco te amo

Really strong selection of songs just missing that one killer track

It's some of the best of Springsteen. Whilst it doesn't quite hit the anthemic heights we hear on "Born to Run", the subject matter is handled well and with his signature style.

mid grade dad rock, nothing special

Loved the arrangements

I have this theory that, at his core, Bruce Springsteen is a fundamentally weird dude and that his "working class guy" shtick is only partly a reflection of his Freehold, NJ upbringing but mostly a persona he adopts to be able to reach out to normal humans. *Darkness* is the last record in which Springsteen lets his freak flag fly - every subsequent album sees him moving towards "normalcy", turning his back on his weird side. Take "Something In The Night", which stars out as a tale of private desperation and escalates toward personal apocalypse, with its images of violence, cars set on fire and the heroes left "running, burned and blind / chasing something in the night". From the first bars, Springsteen throws himself into the song vocally like a man possessed - he wails wordlessly even before the first verse has begun, so consumed with emotion that it has to be let out one way or another. He hardly lets up in the song itself, singing with white-hot intensity throughout. It's an unparalleled performance, the likes of which you'd never ever hear from other so-called "heartland rockers" (like Bob Seger or John Mellencamp) - it comes from somewhere else, from the core of Springsteen's fundamental weirdness. "Streets Of Fire" has that same intensity, as does "Candy's Room", the latter with a near-spoken word vocal juxtaposed over a furious drum part. Much of the rest of *Darkness* ranges from good to great (though the less said about the dreadful "Factory" the better); however these other tracks see Springsteen aiming towards the middle of the road, keeping the intensity of the songs in check and making the lyrics more relatable. On subsequent records Springsteen fully settled into the "voice of the working class" role, keeping all traces of his inner weirdo hidden from view, and the payoff was multiplatinum albums like *Born In The U.S.A.* and stadium shows. But his true self is still in there somewhere though (even though we will likely we will never see it again)

Nobody beats the boss except the boss himself. Great album, but I like Nebraska more

Wasn’t intimately familiar with any of the songs on this album but it was a decent listen. Didn’t really have to skip much other than the super repetitive ending to Adam Raised a Cain. Nothing stood out on this album either though. Classic, basic Bruce. (3)

No disrespect but this is lowkey a more boring Bob Dylan and just didn’t work that well for me. I can see what this album is going for but it was a bit too plain and uninteresting for me. Nothing wrong with it but it’s simply too simple.

It's hard to have anything to say about this. It's okay, and the songwriting is solid but it sounds quite dated. I like Springsteen's other work from around this time, but this didn't really do it for me.

meh

As far as Bruce albums go, they don’t come much better than this

Bruuuuce

Badlands - no comment, nadda. Adam Raised a Cain - it yearns for a heavy af metal cover AND to be sampled for some real old-school hip-hop. Good, interesting song nonetheless. Something in the Night - uhhh, well sung but didn't leave a mark. Candy's Room - not that sweet. Racing in the Street - melancholic and all that. The Promised Land - not too impressed. The Factory - evocative of the theme. Streets of Fire - has a hint of edge I liked. Prove It All Night - meh. Darkness On the Edge of Town - the ultimate song wasn't as strong as I had hoped.

I literally had Born in the USA 2 days ago, what is this Badlands not making an impression, vocals truly bad on that track The album gets better, already prefer this to BitUSA Wait Silvio from the Sopranos is involved with Springsteen? Definitely more enjoyable for me than USA, I liked Adam Raised a Cain and the Promised Land. The tonal whiplash between the sorrowful ballads and rock n roll tracks is not as bad as on USA. I don't know which of the two records is more "Springsteen", but I'd definitely recommend this over that one.

An album good enough to overcome The Boss's political nonsense.

- he looks like robert pattinson - his voice is lower than i thought - i like some of the piano and harmonica instrumentals (reminds me of billy joel) - favorite tracks: adam raised a cane, darkness on the edge of town - rating: 3/5

OH MY LORDY LORD LORD BRO ANOTHER BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ALBUM only marginally better than born in the usa and i only feel like its bc this time i was prepared for what i was getting into if i wanted to a raspy voice complain abt losing his wife and car i would tune into a conservative podcast instead badlands was a promising start, darkness on the edge of town was also nice does anyone under the age of 40 actually enjoy bruce springsteen 2.5/5

Pretty good but dwarfed by born in the USA

I’ve somehow never listened to any Springsteen before, but definitely glad to have now. I quite enjoyed this album, it has an aggressive gritty energy with Springsteens quite raw sounding vocals, and often a big wall of sound approach from the band. There are some more contemplative moments as well, like the sombre “Racing in the Street” which do a lot to bring some variety to the album. The occasional guitar solos in the album, whilst maybe not the most technically impressive, have a visceral quality I really enjoy and I think they serve the songs very well. Favourite tracks were “Adam Raised a Cain” and “Prove it All Night”

Gran voz la de el, las canciones no estan mal pero no me encantaron.

Never been a Bruce fan. I get why people are Bruce fans though. Can't deny the passion and musicianship and arrangement of a larger band, coming together as one. Just not my type. Prove It all night is one of the better ones Does it stand the test of time? yes--a classic that should endure.

The Boss!

Big fan love the line half African half amazing

Enjoyed listening to it. His voice is alright

Meh. Didn't really like it much

Achei meio sem gracildo pra estar no top 1001. Não sei

Third Springsteen album for me on this list, and it's beginning to get old. I have nothing but respect for the Boss, but most of his production is not really my cup of tea. I liked Adam Raised a Cain, but the rest is just middle-of-the-road soft rock, often made worse by cheesy saxophones and keyboards. I appreciate his voice and the mood he's trying to convey, but it sounds too irredeemably 80s for me to enjoy. It's a pity that this list, by pounding me with so many Springsteen albums, is starting to make me dislike an artist I initially found very tolerable. 4/10

Honestly, it’s more enjoyable than the stadium rock of Born in the USA. Still, aside from a few moments, maybe a couple of tracks, I just can’t really get into it. I recently watched the documentary about the recording of We Are the World, and the guy genuinely seems like a really nice person. But that’s not enough for me to go beyond 2 stars.

I've never been a big Boss fan. I grew up hearing him on the radio, but not listening to the albums. I'm well disposed, but -- I like his big songs, don't really enjoy his albums. Many of his songs are longer than they need to be. I also just don't fundamentally understand his songs. He says a bunch of stuff, and the band does a bunch of things, and it's held together by recurring, catchy lines -- which generally provide the song its title (he stretches this to the breaking point in Badlands, a good song that goes on long enough that when toward the end he works his way around to landing on "Badlands," with heavy emphasis, it sounds a bit like self-parody). For me, Van Morrison is similar -- when it works, it doesn't matter, but on the less successful songs, I'm baffled -- what is he even doing? How does this work as a song? This album has a solid handful of the successful Boss songs, so -- pretty good. But I am not enthusiastic. 3.5 stars

almost jarring in a way now, to hear something so earnest; also packs a wallop, we stan a champion for the working class 4.5/5

This is AWESOME, incredible sound and such cool melodies combined with really stellar vocals

not as good as Joni Mitchell’s Blue

Not my favorite Bruce album, but there's a lot to love here. I love the propulsion in songs like "Adam Raised A Cain" or the arena-filling chorus of "Badlands," but my favorite is "The Promised Land" which has that classic Springsteen storytelling.

Badlands was secretly written about someone who moved abroad and is unhappy, but too uncertain to come home (who's projecting, not me, shut up.) Adam Raised a Cain tore me piece by piece and then rebuilt me anew, free and pure, fundamentally changed yet still the same. Something in the Night just makes me want to sob uncontrollably. Candy's room save me, please, can you hear me. Racing in the street made me wanna indulge. The Promised Land kinda gets swallowed by everything else. Factory, my beloved. Streets on Fire FUCKS. Oh, Darkness on the Edge of Town, how you move me. L, my love, I get it now. Inventing a 6th star because 5 are simply not enough

bruce springsteen to begin with always devastates me, but darkness on the edge of town has me on the floor!!! palms bruised!!!! knocking on the earth like it owes me an explanation!!! this is not a record to mee, do you understand that this is my own personal religion bruce springsteen does not comfort you here, he strips you for parts and hands you your soul back piece by piece while you struggle to carry all of yourself while your heart lies PANTING every song feels like it’s been dragged through gravel and yet! they persist! nothing is shining, all of it is grinding its teeth and pulsing and marching because all of your sins, unpaid, are coming due and bruce, this impossible man, is out here singing like if he stops for even a second the whole world caves in i am not okay listening to this i am pacing i am clenching my jaw i am staring at the ceiling adam raised a cain is inheritance as a curse you can’t return, i will accept no other reading of the song factory is barely a song, if you get it, you get it racing in the street… i have to sit down. i actually have to sit down. it empties me out and leaves the shell of my physical being ringing and the promised land??? how DARE he make hope sound like that??? and then the title track arrives like a final verdict, and you have been sentenced to a life forever changed there is no redemption for anyone, no soft landing just a man standing at the edge of everything, choosing to face the dark instead of pretending it isn’t there and i am on the floor again fists, chest, whatever will make a sound loud enough to match what this album is doing to me because this man, this ridiculous man from new jersey, gets it he gets the anger he gets the wanting he gets the way you keep going even when nothing in you believes it will matter anyways, i love springsteen in a way that feels embarrassing and necessary at the same time this album is not here to save you

Racing in the Streets!

Never really listened to the Boss, outside of his big hits, but this feels like classic Americana rock. Distinct voice goes great with the music. 4/5

Nid schlecht, aber aunid spektakulär

A masterpiece. Probably my favourite album by one of my favourite artists (I've seen him live more than 10 times). I love most of the songs in this album: Badlands, Promised Land, Candy's Room, Darkness..., Racing in the street, Streets of Fire...As far as I'm concerned, this is better than Born to run, the River (which should be in this list by the way), or Born in the USA.

Only my second ever Bruce Springsteen album and it’s essentially exactly what I would expect. Solid and instantly recognisable as him

If this were a "1001 Album Covers You Should See Before You Die" list, this would get 1 star, that album cover is really bad. It looks like he has really short arms and doesn't know how to make a sexy face. Thinking about a guy with no sexy face knowledge and really short arms singing this does make the album a lot better, though. There isn't a lot to hold onto with the music itself. All of the songs get pretty samey halfway through with how big and poetic every song tries to be. Just get Springsteen out of here and replace all of his verses with the sax guy. I could listen to him all day.

I’m a little cynical of EVERY Bruce album making this list, but this one is actually very good. Might have been a 4 if it wasn’t the third Bruce album I’ve had on here in the space of 20 days

*mumbles* yeehaw

SO boring. Some of the most uninteresting, safe, and generic music there is

Favorite Track: Adam Rasied a Cain

To be listened to

A cozy record, but as you progress, it sounds increasingly repetitive. My pick would be "Adam Raised a Cain".

Solid 4 stars. Knew the artist, but only his bigger hits, so this was a pleasant expansion of knowledge. Loved the instrumentals, and while his voice was grating at times, there's no doubt he's got pipes.

Overrated turd man.

Obviously I know who Bruce Springsteen is. I was quite surprised by this album. I assumed his albums would be all filler, but I enjoyed this album. Keen to listen this other albums now

I wish that Bruce weren't from NJ, as someone who's from NJ. He's a centerpiece of NJ lore that residents attach to... and I spend a lot of time trying to desperately distance myself, haha. But that takes nothing away from this music. He's more Elton John and Billy Joel than I realized? I guess I always thought he was more pop than rock, but this album has that tang of emotional upheaval and hard-hitting. It's a fun album. Can't help but get amped

el Boss moviendo los hombros atrás y alante diciendo "or'aiuel hum bu lei bulei"... CINE

la lletra xicoteta del somni americà

Springsteen es el típico artista al que se acercaría más gente sin prejuicios si sus fans no fueran tan plastas. Suele atraer, además, a ciertos personajes sordísimos que solo le escuchan él. Pero en fin, pese a esto este disco es tremendo. Mi favorito después de Nebraska y un LP al que vuelvo con frecuencia.

Whew

five stars...great song writing, great band,

I think this warrants a relisten, but even the first listen was great. It’s a nice hybrid of Nebraska, Born in the USA, and Born to Run.

I have a slight preference for the production on Born to Run, but when it comes to songwriting this one's Bruce's best to me. I guess that on the one hand it's a bit more typical classic rock, but on the other hand it's more anthemic? Like, this album still sounds really good, but it's not quite as interesting as the Spector-style thing he was going for with Born to Run. But then, while you certainly can shout along to "Thunder Road" or "Born to Run", they're not as good for that purpose as something like "Badlands" or "Promised Land". That being said, I think the way "Candy's Room" builds in intensity might be my favorite thing he's ever done in any of his songs? I think this one falls just short of being his best album because I've never really cared for "Racing in the Street", but it's still easily one of the best albums of the 70s, and an all-time driving album for me.

muy white american boy zzzz

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Otroligt start på albumet när det kickar igång med Badlands. Det är så ett album ska börja, med ett brak och sen ska man bara vilja ha mer. Sen tycker jag Adam raised a cain tar ner känslan lite, tycker inte den passar in riktigt och sämsta spåret. Hämtar sig en aning med Something in the night och sen ytterligare med Candy's room. För en sen vara på top igen med Racing in the street och The promised land. Håller sen bra nivå med Factory och Streets of Fire. För att sen avsluta starkt med Prove it all nigth och Darkness on the edge of town. Bäst är Badlands, Racing in the street, The promised land.

As a Jersey boy, I know there is a disappointment in me not loving Bruce. Not sure if its the voice, or just the feeling that I must love him. It's fine, there are songs I like and moments that are good. There are also moments I really dont like.

Some really good songs on here

Lo puse de fondo mientras estudiaba algunos conceptos para la universidad, fue una buena experiencia. 7/10.

I've never been mad on Springsteen but this is a dramatic effort. Sounds like it influenced other acts like Prince, Aerosmith and Meatloaf so he must have done something right

If you had listen newer Springsteen albums you'll have the feeling of a basic and maybe boring music, Springsteen changed a lot from this album onwards. Fine background music, tho

I was a wee sprat when Bruce Springsteen was driving the empty highways in the 70s. I was forced to endure Born in the USA at our big junior high dance, where it was the anthem for all the serious pre-fascist assholes at our high school. So I don't come to Bruce with a whole lot of love. But listening to Darkness on the Edge of Town and Nebraska, I was moved. His characters are doing the best they can in a period when when "blue collar" spoke of a class divide as big as the Nebraska plains, and carried real struggle, real pride, and real despair as the landscape of regular jobs was deflating like a whoopee cushion, slow and loud and flabby. The masculinity I inherited from my time and place was toxic as fuck, no doubt about it. But the masculinity of Bruce's characters isn't just that of drunken louts--it was also a manhood of people who love their irredeemable brothers, who try to make intimate relationships work, despite endless problems; who do in fact know love, and uncertainty, and endurance. And in a man, those qualities run alongside the toxicity of the time, strong.

Not my jam

Close to a five. Can't think of a song on hear I disliked. But something stopped me from going all out with five.

I've had this vinyl since I was a teenager and listening to it again yesterday I realize it is beyond repair and need a new copy. This one is epic, and every album Springsteen put out through Tunnel of Love is a five-starrer. Saw Springsteen 4 weeks ago and almost brought tears to my eyes listening to Badlands and thinking back on how amazing that song was in concert.

The Boss. A legend. Not a huge fan but I get it.

Fantasy album. Never been a fan of any Springsteen’s big hits. However this album has made me realise I’ve been missing out. Amazing voice and great guitars. Looking forward to more of Bruce

best bruce

By no means do I dislike Springsteen, or this album, but does he really need 5 albums on the list? Once you've heard one you've kinda heard them all.

Do I... Do I hate Bruce Springsteen? I think I hate Bruce Springsteen. Crazy.

Adam raised a cain banger Candy's room got crazy guitar

Not for me, but I can see how people would connect to this album. The lyrics are nice to read. I prefer his music from the 2000's.

I need Bruce Springsteen to calm down. There are so many songs on this album that I probably would've loved if it weren't for him screaming things repeatedly for the chorus. I'm not sure if that's his appeal for a lot of people, but I much prefer his melodic vocals to him screaming. I think "Screaming in the Night" (ironic) and "Racing in the Street" are some of my favorite songs off this album because he's belting, not yelling.

I think this was the first Bruce Springsteen album I really got into.

I never really listened to much by Springsteen before. I really like some of the songs on this, but overall the album is just okay.

Overrated cack from a fifties throwback

Geinig

Not my favourite album, not a bad listen just not my thing. I do not understand the love for Springsteen, but maybe I do not understand the context? I do enjoy other albums of his.

Bruuuuuuúce!

Never really got Bruce Springsteen, but this album clarified it to me. Great rock sound Favorite Song: Darkness on the Edge of Town, Adam Raised a Cain

Insane lyrics, vocals and guitars. In fact, Bruce Springsteen is a true artist. No average-mid person would create something like this album. Fav songs: Adam Raised a Caim Something in The Night Candy's Room Factory

Is Racing in the Street one of Springsteen's best songs? Really good album though I think the hard rock sound for Adam Raised a Cain was the wrong way to go.

Probably the closest the Boss got to a hard rock album, it's so good

much better than the previous one i have listened to im probably not gonna come back to it but it felt much more experimental (sometimes) which was pleasant i gave it a chance (2.5)

bastante meh, nada malo pero tampoco nada bueno

Lyrically the man can tell a story however I do not enjoy his voice. Musically certainly falls into soft/pop rock category. A couple of nice guitar riffs and sax solos.👍

Album #26, Bruce Springsteen, Darkness on the Edge of Town ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’m not a Bruce disciple. I bow to the altar of Bob Dylan and Neil Young most days of the week. I do like Bruce and his music, but I’m not a fanatic. I have a soft spot for this album, though. About 15 years ago, when I first moved away to college, I was obsessed with it. I’ve no idea why it was this one in particular, and I hadn’t really listened to it since, so it was fun to go back to it. I’m not really a stadium rock kind of guy, and Bruce often strikes me as stadium rock. My favourite album of his, by a wide margin, is Nebraska, so that’s usually more my thing. You’d think this wouldn’t work for me, but it really does. Funnily enough, it’s the more bombastic songs I enjoy most. “Something in the Night”, “Streets of Fire” and the title track are my favourites. There are a few I don’t care for. “Prove It All Night” feels a bit disposable to me, like that traditionally weaker second-last track on an album. His lyrics are strong. It’s working man blues and romance all over the record. Great singer, great band, and powerful in places. Looking forward to more Bruce as this goes on.

Great album

This has some great depth and it feels genuine. I love how upbeat a song called Badlands is. That cover shot even just paints a picture of what the album is. Great album. On the list.

On first listen there were a few bits that seemed kind of cringey. Then I listened again while walking around wearing coveralls, holding a 2-1/2 Inch combination wrench in my right hand and wiping the sweat from my brow with the left. It all sounded much better.

Aburrido sorry el rock no es tan lo mío, menos el gringo Bro.

Boring

21# Prelistening: ig bruce is going to be bangin his way in a lot more times, cause this ain't his most recognized album by a big margin. I really don't have much of love nor hate for him, for me he has a good voice and yeah that's nice, good for him. listenin: generic rock. nah its not, this bangs, my expectations were low and we're met on Adam Raised a Cain. The theme of that song hits home, about (if we believe in christian teachings) living and suffering just because of a man that chose to betray God when manipulated. I had this realisation when they were teaching that story and I wept. well, the rest is between generic rock and entertaining rock. Im in, its a really good record. Not on my bingo card to start liking and listening to Bruce Springsteen on 2026

De nuevo regresé a mi época punk/new wave gracias a la obra maestra de Springsteen. No hay engaño, solo rock con uñas y dientes, aunque con algo del romanticismo cliché de "coches y chicas". En resumen, este es Springsteen en su apogeo, con un corazón genuinamente hambriento. Nunca pensé que Bruce tuviera esa fuerza lírica para hacer que sus letras lleguen al lugar exacto donde tienen que llegar, eso es lo que hace de Bruce un compositor de rock increíble porque su música te evoca. Hay excepciones como “streets on fire” pero también hay muchas buenas canciones, "Candy's Room" es quizás la que más me gusta (me recuerda muchísimo a Alex Cameron) y "Racing In The Streets"

Primavera vez que medio alcanzo a disfrutar un álbum del famoso Bruce Springsteen , aunque no es mi tipo de artista. Me gusta más "badlands".

It’s a good album, but don’t stand outs.

"Badlands", muy clásica, esas segundas voces son lo que hace que esta canción destaque. O si no, siento que sonaría muy trillado 80s, solo que no se bien como explicar ese tipo de sonido, tal vez es un sonido muy Springsteen que se ha hecho y deshecho cien mil veces. Pregunta muy seria, ¿Silvio de Sopranos toca la guitarra en estos álbumes? ¿O eso es algo más nuevo? ADAM RAISED A CAIN ES UN SEÑOR TEMÓN. Entiendo como este album fue bastante famoso, apela mucho a ese post-sueño americano, un poco desilusionado en la clase media pero con esperanza, todo lo contrario a Doomer Rock JAJAJJA, pero pues es un contraste igualmente, su voz adolorida, carrasposa, para nada perfecta, pero muy muy real con mensajes muuuy relatable para gran parte de la población clase media de USA. También me gustaron "The Promised Land", "Candy" y "Factory". Es un buen final, bastante emoción en la voz de Bruce, muuuuy buena su performance, se siente muy real, muy genuina, algo que definitivamente necesito implementar más en mis propias grabaciones. 7/10

fav track: Adam Raised a Cain

Upbeat! I didn't know Bruce was this cool. Melodic. Romantic. Great voice and amazing lyrics. I need to listen to more of his work; his storytelling is incredible. 4.5/5

For my first Springsteen album, this wasn’t bad. Fun, quick, some good variation. I liked it!

Pretty mid range Bruce. Don’t think it’ll get another listen

7.5/10

It took me a short moment to start truly appreciating his voice and tone, but overall, this album is 100% worth a listen. It's raw and emotional, and I thoroughly enjoyed many of the songs.

This is an album that you listen to at night or something, badlands in very good but so is promised land

premda načelno okej i ima nekih dobrih pjesama, većinom mi je previše kao za bumerski rok radio. al budući da mi je bio zapravo dojmom bio najbolji njegov album dosad, dat ću trojku

Way better than expected. Bruce still got it

La voix de Bruce Springsteen est effectivement impressionnante car puissante et grave.Les melodies n’ont pas de pus, trop classique, je suis decue. Tempo lent, texte grave, parle de ses proches souffrants. Album moins connu mais les gens disent que c’est le plus marquant. Moi je n’aime pas

Starting to understand what my mom means when she refers to "old country". This was good, but still not really my thing.

Fourth Springsteener - we're getting there. He looks a little like McCartney on this cover. My mental image of Springsteen has always been that he's one of the most Murican men to exist given how he looks in his old age, so it's amusing to have this contrast now that I know how he looked when he was young. Anyways, it's been nearly 100 albums since I listened to Born to Run, which is an album I don't remember all that much about. I recall the piano having a fun, prominent and bouncy sound, though that's about it. Given that this is his second album when going by the list chronology, I'm expecting more of the same. Here goes. Yeah, more of what I'm used to. The first three quarters of this album were pretty alright, though by the time the fourth quarter rolled around I started to get pretty fatigued by this album. Those bouncy, energetic piano chords are good for what they are and the guitars have a decent level of bite to them. The songs with those vast, weightless, boundless atmospheres generally make for the best songs on the album. However, the more traditional heartland rock instruments didn't move me all that much - notably the organs, harmonica and brass. Apparently this album marked a big pivot from its predecessor, though I didn't really notice much of a difference aside from moments with an occasionally dour sound. Overall, I can respect this album, but it isn't really my speed. Book time. A change of pace from Born to Run. Created after a withdrawal from the rock star lifestyle. Inspired by his early upbringing in the boonies. A wide range of emotions and subject matters. Wikipedia says this album has many influences and didn't sell as well as his previous release, but still performed well on the charts. Well-received by critics of the time, but they were polarised on the lyrics. Re-evaluated as one of Springsteen's best albums and has received enduring acclaim. Yeah, the four Springsteen albums that I've listened to all appear to have solid claims to the 1001 album throne. I cosign this inclusion. I'm doubtful as to whether that fifth, late career album is warranted, however. Guess I'll just have to wait and see.

It’s ok.

Хороший блюз рок

I'm more of a Billy Joel kind of guy.

I like Bruce. But this was not a good time.

I like The Boss and his million dollar blue collar haircut. I’ve only heard this album and ‘Nebraska’ though, and Nebraska is much better.

Though a bit dry musically compared to Bruce's first 3 albums, it is this starkness that manages to provide a consistency of vision (as if the record were the aftermath of a James Dean movie) and, through anthems like "Badlands" and "Promised Land", a cornerstone of American culture. Worth listening for the arrangement of "Racing in the Street" alone. Check out double-album "The Promise" for all the quality songs he had to leave out in order for the album to become what it is.

No me gustó. Aunque intenté todavía no encontré algo que me gustará. Sorry not sorry

Classic

Bruce goes hard. I’ve been learning to appreciate the Boss more and more, especially the early run he went on. This was the album where he really became undeniable. A few duds here stop me from getting it to 5 stars but the peaks here are way high.

Kerry Lynn McCarty was born in Denver, Colorado on August 16, 1961, and soon thereafter absconded with her parents to Jackson County, Oregon. Naturally, she obsesses over Bruce Springsteen to the point that when I nearly married a second generation New Jerseyan, she marveled at my mother’s uncharacteristic and largely inexplicable obsession. I’ve listened to countless hours of the Boss’s music, almost none of it willingly. Kerry and I don’t much see eye to eye and, while I do love my mother, her taste in all things sonic or aesthetic is disreputable at best. My mother and I don’t much agree. Bruce, you feel like home. Unfortunately, home is not a place of comfort. Loaded associations aside, let’s dig in. Yeah, this sounds like Bruce Springsteen. The album starts with Badlands, a song I didn’t think I knew, but I absolutely do. It’s big and urgent, Bruce is down and out, probably wearing a leather jacket, and only The Girl can help him, but The Girl can’t understand how dark and mysterious The Boss is. It’s catchy and moody, as Bruce is wont to be. Adam raised a Cain wants to be loose and wild, steeped in biblical references that reflect a personal trauma. It’s boring and sterile, a poor imitation of good writing and a loose band. Something in the night is a very Bruce ballad, and I like it. Lyrically, he’s at his best when he’s pensive and direct, sketching a scene, but not trying to philosophize, and that’s what he does here. The music is to the point—slow and serving the purpose. I do really like candy’s room—I think the ratatat of the snare and the uplifting, almost clavichord-esque keys suit the song really well. The end of the album really brings it home—prove it all night and the title track really close this well.

I liked a few Bruce Springsteen songs here and there but never had really given him much of a listen. At some point in my late 20's when a bunch of things were going downhill I watched the movie Copland that featured the titular track from this album and that was the moment I understood The Boss. I have nits with this album and not every track is my favorite but the fact that this has Streets of Fire, Racing in The Street, and Darkness On The Edge of Town. I have to go with five stars here. I don't know how to recommend it to other people, there may just be a time where they hear Darkness On The Edge of Town and they're at a time in their life that it helps.

Kind of just average like most Springsteen. Not terrible like one of his albums on here, just average. 3/5

Very earnest and moody. A lack of tunes and interesting songs to match this earnestness though. Great name for an album but thats the sum total of it all.

I'm not a boss guy. There's like 2 songs on here that could probably rip live if it was a bar band and the singer wasn't so polished, but I don't live in Jersey and I'm not into cars.

Always a pleasure to listen to bruce boy and it was a treat to listen to one of his albums all the way through.

favorites: adam raised a cain; streets of fire; darkness on the edge of town

one of the few hard rock album that isnt ear rape, few enjoyable songs

I've never got Bruce Springsteen and I still don't. Parts of it made me think of Vic Reeves.

I didn’t know music could turn me on and shake me to my very core at the same time. Bruce is a once in a generation songwriter and this album, while an easy five stars, isn’t even his best. Candy’s room is a standout, but truly each song is great in its own right. Thank you, Mr. Springsteen <33333

It was good.

I’m a sucker for some good keys but doesn’t have quite as much appeal as Born to Run has. Likes: badlands, something in the night, racing in the street, promised land

This is my favorite Springsteen album. Not one skip from start to finish, a album in the full meaning of the word.

Not as good as Born to Run, but still has that classic Springsteen power and depth behind it.

My fourth Springsteen album on this list (of 5). This sits between Born To Run and Nebraska, in regard to the time it was released and how I rate it. Good storytelling and songwriting, you can feel the hope and despair, the love and the hate, the desire and the frustration in the music, his words, and his voice.

I'm on the fence with this one. On the one hand, I totally appreciate Springsteen's urge to not follow 'Born To Run' with more of the same. This is less cinematic in scope, it feels more like an indie flick with darkness crawling out of the corners of the screen. I also think the E-Street Band had found their sound, with Roy Bittan, Danny Federici (the keys players) and drummer Max Weinberg especially shining bright here. They manage to ground the music in heavy emotions, yet they infuse it with an uplifting quality. On the other hand, there's Bruce's voice, which I'm not that fond of in certain songs. If by the title track (amazing!) he had grown up, 'Streets Of Fire' and 'Adam Raised A Cain' is the puberty, with lots of yelling and screaming -- and I'm not fond of it. It reminded me of Van Morrison with a wasting disease ... I don't think every song is as strong as it could be, but it's very hard to argue with a track as intimate and heartfelt as 'Racing In The Street', or as stomping and pounding as 'Badlands', a track that makes you both question and embrace your home town. I prefer Springsteen's 80s work by far -- and with this, I also choose to go with the stunning 'The Promise', a collection of outtakes and unreleased songs from that period, where he was mainly trying to find the right sound for 'Darkness ...'. Also, do yourself a favor and watch the documentary on the making of the album, which is one of the best music flicks I've ever seen. So, yeah, this is a record about growing up, the capturing of adolescence. Too bad I didn't listen to this during my teenage years and only discovered it much later. That way, it feels emotionally a little distant. But it made me feel something really powerful, something I had long forgotten about.

wow he is mogging in this album cover highlights: Adam Raised a Cain

Instantly feels like a soft hug from an old friend

Enjoyed Side 1 but then felt Side 2 sort of petered out. Top tracks: Badlands, Adam Raised a Cane

The first song alphabetically in my friend's iTunes was Adam Raised a Cain and every time he started his car, his phone would autosync to the stereo and Adam Raised a Cain would start blasting. Haven't been able to listen to the song without laughing since. Still rocks. Lots of great dreary Bruce tracks on here and Clemons absolutely shreds up that saxophone on The Promised Land. I always like the Bruce albums that are almost exclusively about being stuck at home & Darkness is the most *that* of them all outside of maybe Born to Run. Prove it All Night is a crazy toe tapper, I don't really get how someone can dislike Springsteen's warble after you listen to that song. The way his voice bounces the chorus around, it's so cool. Maybe it's the Jersey-adjacent in me, Pennsylvania is still Boss country. Favorite Tracks: Badlands, Candy's Room, The Promised Land, Prove it All Night, Darkness on the Edge of Town

It’s a great album. Love the diversity in it, Adam Raised a Cane is one of my favorite Springsteen tracks.

I'm baffled why this isn't clicking with me. I've never been a Springsteen guy, but I would struggle to tell you why. A lot of artists I love find him massively influential to their sound (shoutout to the Gaslight Anthem!). I didn't grow up with Springsteen's music and I'm very far from New Jersey, so I have no nostalgic connection to him or his songs about growing up in the Garden State. The working-class anthems here sound massive, with a variety of instruments adding to the big sound. His voice is unique. It is filled to the rim with passion and that's all I need out of a vocalist. Not everyone has to be Jeff Buckley in the vocals department for me to enjoy their music. Its only during 'Something In The Night' that I find his vocal quirks irritating. I've given this a few listens and I'm not pulled in. I don't hate it, but I'm not emotionally moved by this at all. 'Badlands' and 'Prove It All Night' are the best tracks here, but there's nothing here that I'll be rushing back to.

I mean its Bruce Springsteen, they call him «the boss» for a reason. He is one of the best songwriters that have ever been.

my mom doesn't like bruce springsteen. i get her lol

solid classic rock album

I've never listened to his albums, he's actually really good.

It’s like 4.5 really

Classic Springsteen. One of my favorite albums of his.

When I first started listening to this I thought it was just okay. Around halfway through it, I started to enjoy it more and by the end of it I was really starting to like it. I think that if I'd listen to it again, I'd probably enjoy it more right from the get go.

This was my second Bruce Springsteen album. It was a solid album. No songs really stood out and I don’t know if I will need to listen again, but nevertheless I enjoyed listening to it. Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Meh!

A solid cold classic.

Didn't know Springsteen was so hype

I like Bruce. Good album. Not great.

The first half was a slog but the second one was fine

4.3

Itelle nää pomohommat on aina ollu semmosta keskikastia. Ei vituta kuunnella, muttei myöskään aiheuta sen kummempia fiiliksiä

Aluks ihan lepposaa meininkiä mutta toi naukuminen alko hiertää kunnolla levyn puolivälissä, ei jatkoon!

Rokki raikaa mutta ikoniset riffit ja koukut puuttuu. Peruskauraa.

Joojoo kylhän tää repiminen ja karjuminen on iha jees.

Noniin. Itsehän olen kovan luokan Pomo-fani, käynyt jopa ihan ULKOMAILLA katsomassa keikkaakin. Tämä taitaa olla aikalailla kriitikoiden mielestä se Pomon kovin levy, ja onhan tässä ihan saatanan kovia biisejä. Racing in the Streets, Badlands, Promised Land, Darkness ja Prove it All Night. Mutta itselleni ei ole koskaan ihan samalla lailla toimineet nuo kakkoskorin biisit, kun vaikkapa Born to Runilla tai oikeastaan jopa parilla ekalla levyllä. Kaikki nuo, sekä myös Born in the USA ovat kyllä useammin lautasella itselläni kuin tämä. Jos tätä edeltänyt Born to Run oli nousuhumala, niin onko tämä sitten krapula. Periaatteessa meininki on paikkapaikoin niin raakaa, että saattaa olla mennyt jo morkkiksenkin puolelle. Tässähän oli taustalla se, että Pomo joutui pitämään kolmen vuoden levytystauon Born to Runin jälkeen kun oikeusprosessi entistä manageria vastaan venyi, ja siinä alkoi tulla jo vähän synkkiä ajatuksia mieleen. Niistä ajatuksista tämä levy ammensi aika paljon. Heittämällä 5 tähteä vaikka ei omissa papereissani Pomon parhaimmistoon ylläkään.

Not quite my cup of tea to no fault of the boss. Can definitely see fans of the classic rock genre and Bruce fans loving this. Favourite Tracks: - The promised land - Adam raised a cain

Yeah cool 😎

Guys, I’m going to be extremely honest with you right now. I can’t name a Bruce Springsteen song. He has 5 albums on here, and this is the first one I’ve rolled so far. It was inevitable that I would get to one eventually. Obviously, I’ve heard of him before. I’ve heard the name here and there throughout my entire life and I know how much people love him. I just have never listened to his music before, and I can’t say I’ve ever had anyone recommend it to me either. Looking at his Top 10 on Spotify, I think I only recognize “Born in the U.S.A.”, which is not on this album. On this album specifically I don’t recognize a single song. That’s not a problem, since all that matters is what I thought of it as a whole. So, with that introduction out of the way, what did I think of Darkness on the Edge of Town exactly?? I liked it. I didn't absolutely love it, but as a whole it was pretty good. I think that I'll probably forget about it shortly, but it was still very decent Rock, even if it didn't really do anything new or unique. Just solid guitar playing and a voice that is, at times ok, and other times not the best. The riffs were the best parts of this one. Occasionally he'll just absolutely shred a wicked solo, seemingly out of nowhere. When he's shredding, it's pretty damn good. They call him "The Boss" apparently. Great nickname. That's a nickname that you for sure have to earn. My favorite song on this album is overwhelmingly going to have to be "Adam Raised a Cain". The vocals are super catchy, the riffs are juicy, and I was excited to have that song pop up every time I replayed the album very consistently. Well, Mr. The Boss, good first album. We'll see if this is another David Bowie situation in due time where I like all of the albums well enough to give them a 3, but most don't quite breach into the 4 territory.

Those harmonies. That energy. Pure boss

I've never really got into Springsteen, though I know Born to Run. I can see how this was the follow up, it's a little different, that it's a little grittier with its themes, lots of good stuff with the band. I don't think I will ever be much of a fan of his vocals but I don't actually hate it today.

love bruce

Lover boy Bruce

Ok, not my thing.

very complete album, enjoyed the middle parts more than badlands for sure. bruce is growing on me i can’t lie.

Bruce Springsteen, 3eme album => 2/5 Rock très standard, comme les 2 précédents.

I loved this album, I love all the songs on here. It was such a fun and enjoyable listen, I’ll definitely listen to this again. My favorite song was Badlands and Something in the Night

Album #55 Bruce Springsteen: Darkness on the Edge of Town My first album from the boss on this list, but I doubt it will be the last. I think that every white kid who grew up poor will relate to Bruce’s music in some sort of way. He doesn’t write as traditionally eloquent as someone like Dylan, but he certainly has a way of converting the grime and minutiae of working-class life into words. Every Springsteen song feels as though it is its own coming-of-age movie, specifically on his earlier albums, just pure slice of life growing pains made to sound as dramatic and glamorous as they feel. I know that Bruce’s voice can be controversial, but to me, there is absolutely no better vessel for his lyrics, as he truthfully sounds authentic in what he is preaching. The issue with Heartland Rock sometimes can be that the singer almost sounds like a poser, someone who, for whatever reason, likes the aesthetic of the salt of the earth working class greaser, but never actually lived it, and in the words of Jarvis Cocker, “Nobody likes a tourist”. But Bruce never had that issue; it is painfully aware from the way he writes and the passion with which he sings that he lived that life, and he knows all the people who come from that life. Born to Run ranks very highly amongst my favourite albums of all time, as it is the perfect blend of Bruce’s lyrics and the E-Street Band at their best musically. After that, I am quite partial to Nebraska and his debut as they both have such unique and cinematic sounds that set them apart from the rest of his discography. But after that, in my ranking would be Darkness on the Edge of Town, an album which very successfully attempts to follow up Born to Run. Though it doesn’t have the most unique sound, it is probably the quintessential example of Bruce’s sound. Working class ballads backed by extravagant guitars, keys, and sax solos. Badlands is one of the boss's finest, starting the album on such a raucous note, but that proves to be deceptive as the rest of the album is more delicate and thoughtful. I do hope I can see Springsteen live one day, as there is truly no one like him. As Canadians, we have been blessed as a nation with our singer-songwriters: Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen, to name a few, but I have always said if I could change any American into a Canadian, it would be the Boss. Though I suppose Greetings From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, doesn’t quite have the same ring as Asbury Park, New Jersey. Best Songs: Badlands, The Promised Land, Prove It All Night Worst Song: Factory Score out of 10: 9

This album is awesome

The passion in this one is very apparent even if the story doesn't quite resonate with me. I'd give it a high 3 if I could. Favourite track: The Promised Land

8.5/10 Immediately clicked for me, Badlands is a very strong opener and Adam Raised a Cain keeps up the pace so well. Most of the songs including a guitar solo was an unexpected but great decision.

3,5

At a certain point, all his songs start to blend together. It's not strictly unpleasant, but boy does it get dull as the album goes on. Another reviewer wrote, "they don't call him The Boss for nothing," and I agree. Most bosses kinda suck but you have to like them publicly. Jokes aside, Springsteen has some great hits, but the deep tracks are just kinda there. 3/5

I don’t like this voice in this album but I know he can do better, especially after checking out his album Born in the USA. I quite didn’t like the songs here but I am guessing because I am not a guy from 1980s New Jersey who enjoys dive bars after a long day of working in the yard. This is working class music and it’s fine, just not for me.

Lotta carterwauling, no joy

Bruce never really clicked with me. From the (admittedly small amount) that I'd heard, it all sounded quite bland, in terms of the music at least. Hardcore Bruce fans, don't come after me. I did always feel like there was a lot of substance underneath the music, and rather than dismissing Bruce, I genuinely wanted his music to click with me. A lot of people I know who like the same type of music that I do, seem to love and idolise him. So I was hoping a moment would come, when it would just all make sense to me. When I heard "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions", I thought that moment had arrived. It's such an amazing album. But, it's also very, very different to the rest of his stuff, which is maybe the reason I liked it. My quest to fully understand the appeal of Bruce continues, so I was glad when this album came up. Here it goes. The storytelling aspect is great. There's a narrative building through the stories told, of the characters introduced in each song. It feels like an insight into Americana, compressed into a single record. He has the same sense of storytelling that Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave or Scott Walker has. But I'm still not connecting massively with the music if I'm completely honest. Maybe it's just a personal taste thing. I mean, everything is pleasant and enjoyable for sure, but it's not stopping me in my tracks like the other three storytellers I mentioned have done in the past. "Candy's Room" and "Something in the Night" are the songs I liked best on the album, and I did enjoy the whole thing. But it never really landed with me properly. I guess my quest to understand Bruce continues...

I guess Im just one of those people that dont see what all the hype is about. Run of the mill classic rock sound with some twinkly piano bits thrown in to gussy it up. It honestly feels like a character in a movie about a "working class singer songwritter" but not a great movie. A decent movie worth watching but no need to go back to revisit.

I’m not a boss man

I think I respect this album more than love it. Not a miss, but not a favorite.

I'm a sucker for a good saxophone and harmonic solo

You can immediately hear why this is considered a masterpiece of American rock. The production is tight, the 'Esquire' guitar tone is legendary, and the energy is relentless. However, it is not an easy, casual listen. It’s dense and emotionally heavy, lacking the immediate 'sugar rush' of his later pop hits. There are moments of brilliance—the harmonica work is raw and the driving rhythms are infectious—but it feels like an album that reveals its true colours only after multiple spins. I’m marking this as a solid 4 for the craftsmanship alone, but I need to sit with it again to see if it truly connects on a personal level.

This is a weird one but in a really good way. I think that this album manages the absurd nature of the music and lyrics with the ability to put together an amazing medley of music that truly works.

Few artists have been able to relate to their core audience like Springsteen. Born to Run tapped into listeners’ dreams of living lives full of whirlwind experiences. But on Darkness, Springsteen leans into a songwriting style that speaks more to the experiences of the working class than nearly anything else in his body of work. It’s a rewarding listen. The opener, Badlands is especially strong in setting the album’s tone. The slower moments shine just as much though. Racing in the Street is just such a sad song. As he often does in his writing, Springsteen’s music doesn’t just centre on the experiences of his main subject, but the effects on the people in the subject’s world. The failings and desperation of his main characters are repeatedly underscored by the faded dreams and ambitions of those around them. It’s an effective form of storytelling that I find easy to listen to. Though, there hits aren’t quite here, everything else is Springsteen and the E-Street Band working on all cylinders. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Listen, I didn’t love love every track on here but I’m always just rating off vibes, and I love the vibe here. It’s so Americana: his voice, the stories he’s telling, the music. Hell yeah brother, but in a cool way? I’ll be giving this a few more listens, I was pretty unfamiliar with album before this.

I’ve listened to this record a lot this past week. Bruce accomplishes so much in these 10 songs, both stylistically and narratively. His gift of embodying the personas of every day people, and emoting for them in ways they themselves can’t, speaking to their dashed hopes and yearning hearts, is incredibly powerful. He exudes and embodies a form of manliness that has the rough veneer of toughness, but his subject matter reveals him to be a tender-hearted sage with a penchant for justified rage. I especially love the moment on the record where “Adam Raised a Cain” rolls into “Something in the Night” — the former is criminally underrated and a helluva hard rock song about parenthood and rebellion, and the latter a moment of melancholic quietude — the moaning melodic vocals that bookend this song are so stricken with misery and awe. The album repeats this formula; the boss take’s you to catchy, sisyphean heights of rock perfection, and just as you crest that hill your grip slips and you’re forced to witness the boulder roll uncontrollably back down the hill. Hope is always dashed by the painful reality of life under the auspices of the American Dream. Nebraska used to be my fav boss record, but this one is edging closer. I spent time listening to the two records that followed Darkness… (1978) this past week too: The River (1980) and Nebraska (1982). What an incredible run as an artist, and imo his best work. To top that off, this impressive trio of releases is sandwiched by his most iconic records: Born In The U.S.A. (1984) and Born To Tun (1975). As I’ve aged into adulthood I find his music way more appealing. He has a special knack for holding hope and hopelessness in both hands. His songs are uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time — unrequited loves and dreams, despair for a changing America, reverence for the passing of time and for the past itself. In Bruce’s view of the world both the past and future will ultimately let you down. All that matters is the here and now.

Powerful album, iconic voice

love the passion but he is just a shouty man

Springsteens songwriting and vocals are truly some of the best ever recorded and on full display in this record

jeg er verken fascinert av eller begeistret for bruce springsteen. han har noen feelgood hits men de har aldri truffet noe i meg. å få et album uten en eneste hit er demotiverende. å høre dette albumet er det siste jeg gjør før jeg legger meg. // han skriver flott, men det treffer ikke. mye høres rotete og lite gjennomtenkt. mangler en viss sjarm. kanskje om jeg ser filmen hans liker jeg musikken bedre. føles ut som et compilation album? høydepunkt: Something in the Night, Racing in the Street

Darkness on the Edge of Town took a bit of time with me. It is not flashy and it does not grab you straight away, but it grew on me as it went on. I like how stripped back it feels compared to his bigger records. It sounds more serious and grounded. Songs like Badlands and Racing in the Street carry real weight without overdoing it. Not my first Springsteen choice, but I get why people rate it. It feels honest and hard-earned.

Anstrengend

Josh passt schon Manches is gut manches echt LAME

Neiii takk

I watched Blinded by the Light at the beginning of Covid and decided I needed to educate myself on Springsteen as fairly I was fairly ignorant of his works. Spent most of Summer of 20 listening to this album and Born to Run and really enjoyed it - and whilst Born to Run is the stronger album - Darkness on the Edge of Town is still a cracker.

Darkness on the Edge of Town I generally prefer either sombre, dusty Bruce a la Nebraska and The Ghost of Tom Joad or bombastic 80s Bruce to his mid 70s period, even though of course there are great songs in that period, including a few on this album. Badlands is up there for me as one of his best songs for me, a great rollicking tune and an excellent opener. Adam Raised a Cain has a nice moody feel, a slight Station to Station feel to the guitar. The Promised Land is great as well, and the final run of Streets of Fire, Prove it All Night and Darkness On the Edge of Town is excellent, hitting that signature strain of strained, anthemic, gritty passion combined with the stories of hardship and perseverance, culminating in the excellent Title Track. Despite the singalong and ebullient nature of some of the music, the themes of the album tend to the small and the sad, everyday people up against the vicitudes of life, with not much chance at escape or happiness. But there are also a couple of songs that I’m not as keen on and, to use an appropriate car metaphor, stall things a little. Something in the Night and Racing in the Street as slowed down piano ballads have a dirge-like quality, the melody being a bit hard work. I like Candy’s Room and Factory, but they probably sit at the level between those two songs and the others. It’s not my favourite of his, and I had been erring between 3 and 4. But there are some great songs on here, and although the air of despondency isn’t initially that appealing it is a very good album, so I’ll go 4. 🌆🌆🌆🌆 Playlist submission: Badlands

The tunes feel a bit more indulgent than some of his best tracks (although not as affected as Meatloaf), and yet they have that undeniable pull of the authenticity; of meaning what your saying and understanding your subject matter. 'The Promised Land' cuts straight to the chase opening with uptempo guitar, harmonica and vocals, no messing about. It feels like classic Bruce with some great lyrics - "on a rattlesnake speedway in the Utah desert" - a tale of escape from the slog of life, epic chorus, big sax solo; all of Bruce's anthemic elements are there. The album is driven by a blueprint with but minor variations, but Bruce is one of the most sincere singers of the era, carrying this along with typical reverence of the working man (and lady). Add to that some genuinely affecting tracks and you've got yourself an excellent album. In addition to that, as he embarks in his US tour, he's seemingly one of the lone voices in rock today that has any balls. Bravo!

Absolutely love the vocal dynamics and vocal power in Springsteen's voice. It adds a lot of depth and emotion to the already sentimental and gentle tracks. Even with some of the rowdier tracks, the way Springsteen can shift his vocals to fit the vibe adds a lot of vibrance to the album. 6/10, Favorite Song: Something in the Night

7/10 Favourite: Badlands Least Favourite: Factory

Guys of a certain age either love or loathe the Boss. I used to be in the loathe category based on the summer Born in the USA was overplayed everywhere. But my stance has softened over time. Badlands, Prove It All Night, and the title track all good, everything else sounds like Bruce. 3.5⭐️

Good ol' Bruce.

There’s parts of this I really like, and others I don’t care much for at all - maybe even give me the ick… I can see why it appealed so much to a certain demographic. Kinda cool the first track (after watching the TM movie of the same title) came to inspire Nebraska Fave tracks: Badlands, Something in the Night & Prove It All Night

Fine Fave Track: Promised Land

Solid effort here from Bruce. 3.5/5

Ah, my first Bruce Springsteen album on the list. Unfortunately for the list, this is my favourite of his work. While this list lacks The River for... some reason, especially considering it has the two albums that released before it and the two that released after and thus it breaks what is an amazing 5 album run, I will complain about that to other people that don't care. I love Bruce Springsteen, my dad loves him even more and thus he has been a large part of my life before I had any choice. That being said a few years ago I decided to listen to much of his discography of my own volition and this album stood out to me. While maybe not the peak of it, for me this is the piano Springsteen album. The album before is jazz, the album after is a lot more openly melancholy and after that he throws out an incredible acoustic focused album immediately into the most 80s album you've ever heard. But this album. Badlands immediately shows that he still has it, he can still write catchy music and he proves it time and time again on this album like Prove It All Night and The Promised Land but I seriously adore how dark this album gets at times and how he continues to hold that tone close for the albums that follow. Something In the Night is beautiful, Racing in the Street is deeply touching and eternally relevant and Darkness on the Edge of Town might be one of my favourite album closers ever. I will be placing this album HIGH because beyond this list it's probably well within my top 25 albums of all time. I think this album is borderline perfect, though unfortunately for all its praises it doesn't even have my favourite Springsteen song on it. But as an album? I have almost no complaints. 43 minutes of some of my favourite piano work ever, this album and Thunder Road are the closest I've ever been to wanting to learn the piano. Best songs: The whole album. But the six songs mentioned above specifically. Worst Songs: N/A Rank compared to everything else so far: 1/62 above Band on the Run Seriously this might sit at the top for a while.

3,9 - Ich könnte kein Lied erkennen, wenn ich es hören würde. Aber in seiner Gesamtheit ein cooles, unterhaltsames Album Highlights: Badlands, Prove It All Night

Eine solide 4 von 5; guter Rock

Ну, не лучший альбом

A super easy album to get into the groove of. A fun listen

Liked this a lot, really cohesive album, enjoyed racing in the street a lot, would listen again

I know it’s important but whewww, wanted to get through that quickly.

I never realized how much this man cannot sing.

Great album. Loved ‘Factory’ the most.

It's really easy to overdose on Springsteen

I think this is the most tolerable Springsteen album but its still not something I really enjoy.

MY FAVORITE MAN!! maybe besides my husband but maybe not

Favorite songs: Badlands, Candy’s Room, The Promised Land, Prove It All Night

3/10

I will always feel something when Bruce Springsteen talks about dreams. He just refuses to ignore that primal desire, true self actualization, and honestly it speaks to me now as much as it did when I was just starting to really believe in my dream to be a successful artist. He is like a monk that I must return to often so that I do not forget the way. I think the first three songs on this album aren’t as good as the last seven, and I don’t know whether to give this a five or a four.

Bruce at his best

Im not a great fan of The Boss but he's ok. He gets a bit samey

There's just something about Springsteen that I don't enjoy. It's not one element that I can pinpoint, it's more that it's sort of dull, even when it isn't.

Not the hugest Springsteen fan, as when it comes to bands dubbed "heartland rock" I'd much rather rock out to someone like Tom Petty who pursued a much harder/louder sound with his Heartbreakers. Regardless, I can't deny The Boss has got some great pipes and catchy lyrics, and there's always some tasty guitar, piano or organ riffs and licks to go along with those lyrics. 8/10.

Kinda liked this

2 from me

Going rogue on this one with a lower score. Yes, this is a generational talent and yes it's lyrically amazing... it's just not my sound preference and is very predictable dad-rock. I've seen Bruce live and had an incredible time (won 2 tickets, limo ride, and dinner at PF Changs for winning a Guitar Hero contest back around 2009!). The album just falls flat for me.

Not as instantly memorable.

This is rather good, wasn't a fan of the first few songs but it gets a lot better from Candy's Room onwards. Racing in the Street, The Promised Land and the title track are all great. Very American and a bit melancholic at times, but that's not entirely a bad thing. A pretty cool album.

Thought it was pretty consistent and enjoyed it enough, but kind of all blurred into one song for me.

This was pretty mediocre actually surprised it made the list. 2 1/2 good songs maybe. Adam raised Caine is a straight groaner. He has better songs in his repertoire that express the exact same things. Pretty one note slow and half baked retread ideas.

I enjoyed this

Badlands sounds like Meatloaf’s blue collar step brother. Like the majority of Springsteen its fine, straight down the middle rock. Adam Raised the Cain is more straight Bruce, but somehow lowers the interest level as a result From here on in it’s pretty much Springsteen by numbers

There is nobody that can tell a blue-collared story like Bruce Springsteen, and this album is full of them. Opening with a barnstormer like “Badlands”, then moving into “Adam Raised a Cain” is an absolutely brilliant way to start an album. As the album progresses, the brashness of the music quietens, allowing the lyrics to shine through but not quite hitting in the same way for me. The album’s title track will always be a favourite, however. And despite all that brilliance, my favourite thing on all Springsteen albums is Clarence and his trusty saxophone. One of the best to ever do it.

So it turns out I don't really like Bruce's voice very much. This project has been full of surprises. It was alright. I didn't particularly love anything and I didn't particularly hate anything: it just wasn't for me. I liked Adam Raised A Cain, though I couldn't tell you why. 2/5

Solid

this is the first album so far that i’ve started over immediately after finishing because i just wasn’t ready for it to be over. i just love the way bruce depicts this mythologized american space and experience. based on the few bruce albums i’ve listened to, this one feels more rooted in realism while remaining true to his previous sound. it’s just not overly shiny with optimistic anthems. i feel like ‘badlands’ is a good example of a driving anthemy song that speaks from a place of urgency rather than joy. when the urgency isn’t there, there’s a warning of stagnation & despair like in ‘racing in the street’ & ‘factory’. all of it culminates really well into a message about the need to choose for yourself what your life looks like. at least that’s what i got from it. i feel like the lyrics in “darkness of the edge of town” showcase it: “well everybody’s got a secret, sonny / something that they just can’t face / some folks spend their whole lives trying to keep it / they carry it with them every step that they take / ‘til someday they just cut it loose / cut it loose or let it drag ‘em down”. LORD GRANT ME THE STRENGTH TO CUT IT LOOSE!!!!!!! before i felt moved to really write my feelings about this album, i was going to make a joke along the lines of “take a shot every time he sings about driving in a car” but that’s actually one of my favorite parts of bruce’s music. he has a short list of consistent imagery & sings a lot of the time about the same things. he is returning endlessly to his past, which maybe we all do but bruce does it best. it reminds me of 2 quotes that i want to share that have lived in my head for years & showcase my feelings about this better than i can articulate: “If you are a private poet, then your vocabulary is limited by your obsessions. It doesn’t bother me that the word “stone” appears more than thirty times in my third book, or that “wind” and “gray” appear over and over in my poems to the disdain of some reviewers. If I didn’t use them that often I’d be lying about my feelings, and I consider that unforgivable. In fact, most poets write the same poem over and over. Wallace Stevens was honest enough not to try to hide it. Frost’s state­ment that he tried to make every poem as different as possible from the last one is a way of saying that he knew it couldn’t be.” —Richard Hugo “I used to, uh, I had this habit for a long time. I would get in my car and I would drive back through my old neighborhood, back to the town that I grew up in. And I’d always drive past the old houses that I used to live in. Sometimes late at night … when I used to be up at night [laughs]. And I got so I would do it really regularly … two, three, four times a week, for years. And I eventually got to wonderin’, What the hell am I doin’? And so, I went to see this psychiatrist, and, uh – this is true – and I sat down and I said, ‘Doc, for years I’ve been getting in my car and I drive back to my town and I pass my houses late at night and, y’know, what am I doing?’ And he said, ‘I want you to tell me what you think that you’re doing.’ So I go, ‘That’s what I’m paying you for.’ So he says, ‘Well, what you’re doing is that something bad happened, and you’re goin’ back there, thinkin’ you can make it right again. Something went wrong, and you keep going back to see if you can fix it, or somehow make it right.’ And I sat there and I said, ‘That is what I’m doing.’ And he said, ‘Well, you can’t.” —Bruce Springsteen, introducing “My Father’s House” live old faves: badlands darkness on the edge of town new faves: something in the night racing in the street the promised land streets of fire least faves: candy’s room

Sorryyy 🫣

Its the fourth of July, and I'm on the beach in Stone Harbor, and my dad is playing this from a bright yellow boombox on our beach blanket. If you take 5 steps away from our beach blanket you reach another family and their boombox and their springsteen album playing. I could cry... Favorites: The Promised Land (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

The disparity between Springsteen's superstardom and the quality of his music is wild. Sure, he's got some classic songs, but taken as a whole, this album is just not that good. Production value, lyrics, song structure...sheesh.

Bruce’s strengths as a songwriter and performer really show here

This album has to be Springsteen's best. "DotEoT" is where Bruce's style began. I usually find his albums to be average. I'm glad I listened to "DotEoT". Let's see what album I get next. 4 stars for "Darkness on the Edge of Town".

I respect Springsteen, but his style just doesn’t grab me.

It's so weird hearing the difference between this album and Nebraska. Nebraska was a cloudy gray sad blob while this album was almost happy go lucky in comparison. The instrumentation on this one seems hopeful and endearing, he sounds a lot younger, its pretty good. 7/10

Badlands Candy’s Room The Promised Land Factory Streets of Fire Prove it all night

Badlands Adam Raised a Cain The Promised Land Prove It All Night Darkness on the Edge of Town

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Never listened to Springsteen until I met Cindy. She played him all the time! E Street sounds so good..

loser

This is fine. I think I'm just not really a Bruce guy, which makes me a bit sad I suppose.

Love the boss

Definitely enjoyed this more than Nebraska. The focus of each song is really in the storytelling rather than the music, but I enjoyed the guitar/piano/bass/drums combo on some of the more passionate songs like Badlands, Adam Raised a Cain and Racing in the Street.

- good vibes, s’écoute bien - meilleure chanson: badlands

This is our fourth album so far from The Boss, and unfortunately I don't think this one quite hits the highs of the previous three we've gotten (Nebraska, Born in the USA, and Born to Run). I'd have to spend some more time with it to really sink my teeth into these songs, but they are still delights throughout.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, some good solos and his voice wasn’t as grating as usual (for most of it at least). Like… not bad, but not good enough to make me want to listen to Springsteen again.

I'll hand it to Bruce, this and Born To Run are some of the most beautifully produced singer-songwriter albums I've ever heard. If I was more of a lyrics guy, this whole project would properly blow me away the way Adam Raised a Cain somehow did. As it stands, though, his singing doesn't really move me much; it feels like I'm only enjoying the music to half its potential, despite trying my best to keep an open mind. Standouts: Adam Raised a Cain • Racing In The Street • Prove It All Night

Solid album but this is early in his career and he builds upon everything he does here on Born to Run and Born in the USA, so it gives me the impression of a master who is still learning.

It was fine, it was Bruce Springsteen. He had some good guitar and some saxophone, his voice was the grainy emotion I expect from him and it was good. But there wasn't anything in it that I loved. It just felt fine. The lyrics were good, but not great. Maybe if I dug into it deeper I would find more to love but for now on the surface it was fine.

Is this Bruce Springsteen's best album or his worst? I'm not really sure. It definitely has it's moments. I think the songwriting is some of his most creative but nothing seems to really click into solid songs. It's like he's searching for a sound. The music is phenomenal and has some great guitar and sax solos. The only thing holding this album back is Bruce's mumbly groany echo vocals. I can't understand what he's saying in 90% of the vocals. And the vocals seem slightly buried which I have mixed feelings about. In some ways that actually helps because it gives the music a much more upfront feel. It just sucks if you are actually trying to hear the lyrics.

This wasn’t my favorite Springsteen album. The songs are well written and I appreciate the passion he sings with, but Badlands was the only song that really pulled me in. Also, do they use the intro of Racing in the Street in a scene from Pretty Woman? It sounded so much like the sad scene in the end after they’ve parted ways. Anyway, overall it was fine but it didn’t have greatness to me.

I liked the guitar solo on Prove It All Night.

I really don’t like Springsteen. Sounds like he’s fucking wailing.

Mumbled and melodramatic delivery of so-so songs of working class troubles. Very few bright spots on this edge of town.

beginning is good, later meh

Meh, 2 stars. It sounded like some of the Adam Sandler songs lol

Never been into the boss, enjoyed the second half of the album better, the first half a bit samey, willing to give it another listen!

Oh Springsteen, you're so loved, but this album was just...okay.

very good very nice didn't move anything in particular in me

not for me but i can see the appeal

some of the songs were really impactful but a few too many of them had a honky tonk piano sound which i generally dislike

This is my second Springsteen in the project, and while this one is better, it's still one Springsteen too much. This one is better because it's earlier, and Springsteen didn't yet fully tune his "working man hit machine" system so you can hear him trying different things out which keeps it from being completely boring. However, it's still the same musician and the same voice that does absolutely nothing for me and I sincerely hope I don't have to listen to another album by him again.

Some certain songs aside, I've never liked his music. I'll try it again...and the first 30 seconds in, I'm just not into it. I've heard Badlands is some amazing song but the triumphant pianos, the mumbled lyrics. Adam Raised a Cain is pretty cool. I just can't get down with his voice, it sounds like he's drunk, almost. It's not as bad as I thought it was, but I don't like his voice. At times the raspiness is perfect and it serves the song. The next minute, he's so far into his throat that it's hard to make sense of what he's singing and it's almost comical. Like, is that for real? When he goes for those really high notes, it just doesn't sound good. I also just don't like too much piano with my rock n roll and there's always entirely too much piano with Bruce and the E Street Band and it sounds like shit. It's too theatrical, sweeping and elegant. It doesn't match his voice and it doesn't match the guitar. Combine the not so great vocals and the pianos and I just can't get into it. It's a shame, cause I really want to like it.

Decent album, enjoyable but nothing special

Nope. Not for me. Whines a lot.

Nice

Springsteen isn’t my favourite musician, but I have to admit that this album was good. Bleak, but good. 7/10

So many bops I love it

It's good. I wouldn't say its great

Sehr schön

Eh, not hella my vibe

Darkness on the Edge of Town is a much more slow Bruce Springsteen project, and for some that may be exactly what they are looking for, but personally I found this album to be a bit of a step down from his usual level of quality. If you want a slow dance of an album full of Bruce's very deep and striking vocals then maybe this will be more for you, but personally I found it to drag its' feet just a bit too much for my liking. I appreciate how much more Bruce tries to focus on his lyrics here and not so much on being a rockstar, but honestly I feel the lack of energy across this project really does hold it back as I need Bruce to pump me up to enjoy the music more. Badlands is a great start and exactly what I wish this project was more like, but then it mellows itself out. Again I don't hate this sound by any means as I think Darkness on the Edge of Town is one of Bruce's best written songs but it definitely sticks out like a sore thumb. I appreciate this album a lot but it is definitely one of his weaker entires during The Boss' prime.

Will listen again