Reviews (page 6 of 13)
One of the best works of the Boss
Ok
I can understand why it’s held in such high regard, just not for me
Not bad, but bland?
legrbd
Already knew the hits from this one - I did discover Racing in the Streets, Candy’s Room and Something in the Night. Bruce bores me, no denying his genius though.
Another fine album and it definitely sticks together thematically across the album as a whole. Although Springsteen is an excellent writer, I find that many of his songs fall into the same kind of stylistic form--definitely one that works but somewhat repetitively formulaic. His use of piano, saxophone and other horns and the melancholy of a working middle class that wants something more from the world it has been given, do capture a picture that is unique. He is solid in his abilities both lyrically and musically. But I'm not sure the emotions of the music and of the lyrics always tie together. There is a sense in which the music presents a repeated cycle of rising to a challenge in which it seems like there might be a break-thru but which in fact is never lyrically resolved by the characters. I find the guitar parts particularly excellent on this album and much more strongly in a rock'n'roll vein. Also I feel the characters of these songs are more solidly defined and less theatrical in their construction than those on Born to Run. A strong album for certain and one worth multiple listens.
Really liked this album,the vocals really amazed me as Bruce has such a great range singing with a nice roughness at times but also a more delicate voice in others.I think Adam Raised A Cain and Racing In The Street are great examples of this and are my personal favorite tracks.
The Boss has got some good tracks.
I feel like a moron for not listening to any Bruce Springsteen before this. This is a brilliantly produced, cohesive project that makes its theme obvious throughout and it's a treat to listen to, but it's another strong 4/5 for me.
If I ever wanted a complete foreigner, an alien say to understand a certain glorious feeling of burgeoning, rangy, late teens energy of an American summer in a tight t-shirt, perfectly worn pair of jeans, a cherished moment of perfect hair and flirting from car windows? I’d play them this album and lend them my converse sneakers.
His first few albums are extremely loved by the critics and fans alike. The songs are complex and lyrics are compelling. Standouts: Darkness on the Edge of Town, Prove it All Night, Candy's Room, Badlands, Adam Raised the Cain, Racing in the Street, The Promise Land. 4.5
Ahh, late 70s Bruce. The impossible task of following up Born to Run, which means it was held to an incredibly high standard. As time has passed, I think the appreciation for this album has grown-it's classic Bruce, great lyrics and great music, telling stories from his world. Love it.
I don't know if there was one song I knew well on this album before starting. It's hard to follow up an album like Born to Run with anything, but this does a good job. It's almost as if the characters from those stories made their way out of Jersey and into the world after school and faced more wide ranging adult issues. Though it misses the peaks and valleys of some of his other work, it is undeniably Bruce 3.75/5
This was considerably better than I anticipated. Man knows how to paint a picture.
Loved it
Aching, yearning, rocking. Not the greatest Boss record but pretty damn great nonetheless.
The only Bruce Springsteen I really like is his slower, more somber stuff like "Nebraska." However, I highly respect him, his playing, and his songwriting. I just find that nothing really stands out to me on his more rock albums. Everything just bleeds together. I don't feel it has the catchy hooks of a Petty or the hard-hitting lyrics of a Mellencamp. I'd probably give this album a 3.5 based on a combination of my respect for Springsteen and my actual preferences.
Finally a Springsteen album I’m willing to claim as my own. It couldn’t have started out better than Badlands. It’s high energy and engaging. I won’t claim Springsteen’s voice though. It is OK most of the time, excels rarely, and sounds strained at other times. One thing I just realized that I don’t like about Springsteen sometimes are his lyrics. He has songs that I equate to country-typical lyrics that are a turnoff for me. It’s the my truck, my dog, my guns, and my girl stuff. It’s the most basic, straightforward, simple down home verses. Springsteen sings about a “ ‘69 Chevy with a 396” and “driving over the county line” et cetera. These types of lyrics work fine with Bruce’s rock music, but I like those passages less than the rest. Something clicked because Bruce uses, what I associate as, “country style” lyrics often and I think that’s a reason I’ve never really gotten into him. The music on this album is wonderful though. The opening to Something In The Night is great as is the aforementioned Badlands.
Born to Run was able to grow on me with time. But yesterday was my first time hearing Darkness, and it's another case of an album that has to grow. It's more of the same as Born to Run with a harder rock sound. I like how the second side essentially repeats the first side in order but with a fuller pop-accessible sound. Great vocals and lyrics that explode in emotion. Favorites: Badlands, Prove it All Night, Darkness on the Edge of Town
No Nebraska but pretty good
Great album by The Boss, massive hits and great deeper cuts.
The opening track, Badlands, is executed really well, perfectly setting the mysterious, goofily-lighthearted-yet-kinda-serious tone of the rest of the album. His distinctive singing fits the songs really well, especially on the album’s first side. The sound is slightly less “commercialised” than his later album Born in the U.S.A., which I’ve already encountered on this list (and gave a 3/5 rating). Instrumentation is good, but doesn’t vary noticeably from song to song (with the exception of the piano-ballad tracks, which are arguably the weaker tracks anyway). Still, good stuff. A jolly good time.
Good as expected
Допада ми се, пријатно за слушање, нема неки хит да грми, али за лагано слушање у позадини веома солидно. 7/10
I've always been interested in learning more about The Boss. This great album is a mix of heavy guitar jams, mellow ballads, bluesy licks and contemplative coming-of-age stories. Every song is unique and distinct but it flows great as a single album about the trials and tribulations of the working man in the 70s. Adam Raised a Cain - great guitar playing. Racing in the Street is definitely my favorite and will be added to my regular playlist of beloved songs. Factory reminds me a lot of my dad working at the BASF plant in the 80s and 90s. The only problem I've ever had with Springsteen, and maybe it's just me, but his voice is so flat in all of his songs. That's the only thing that keeps me from giving it a 5.
First off, I can't believe this album is 45 years old and it's his FOURTH studio album. Bruce is undeniably one of the greatest American Singer-Songwriters alive. And he is still making music. This album is a whirlwind of emotions. It's overall probably a little darker than his previous albums and it's gritty—a real blue-collar rock and roll album. The songs vary between darkness, hope, love, and loss. I don't know that I've ever listened to this album front-to-back, but I played it 3 times in a row at work yesterday and heard new things each time. Standout tracks for me - Racing in the Street, Something in the Night, and Streets of Fire
Really enjoyed it
Known before: Standouts: 1.Badlands 5.Racing in the Street Rating: 6.5
He is the boss after all. Never realized how bad he sung though
If only for the lyrics of "Adam Raised a Cain"!
Bruce Springsteen has somehow consistantly escaped any album listening experience for me. It is pretty much everything I'd expect from springsteen, as even from his big hits you can tell he nailed his sound down very early. It's sung from the heart, it's grand in scale, and there's so much going on in every track. The guy was born to write songs like these.
Some absolute classics on here. A couple haven't aged as well. Great album
luv da boss man
Enjoyed it very much.
4++
Really enjoyed this album, more so than I was expecting to! I went in thinking, "OK, The Boss is an American institution, but I never really jived with his big hits! Born in the USA (song) kind of sucks." Listening to one of his albums start to finish really helped understand the appeal. It's well paced, diverse, and carries an overall common vibe.
It’s not my favorite Springsteen, but at the same time there’s nothing to really complain about. I am a true son of NJ, four stars.
So I came into this thinking it’s not one of my favorite Bruce outings, but man does it hit a sweet spot for me right now. When Bruce’s songwriting hits for me, it REALLY hits. From the opening track Badlands (maybe my favorite song of his) I just was rocked to my core. Such evocative and vibrant lyricism on every song. I don’t think I’ll be revisiting a lot of the slower storytelling songs out of context of the record, but listening as a whole they flow and vibe very nicely. It certainly feels like a very complete and deliberate album experience. Side note, ridiculous that Because The Night was written for these sessions and Bruce is such a good songwriter he could give it to Patti Smith because he already had enough love songs. Anyway, final verdict? VERY strong 4, almost a 5 but I dock it a little because I didn’t really connect with some of the album cuts. Top tracks: Badlands, Adam Raised A Cain, Something In The Night, Candy’s Room, The Promised Land, Prove It All Night, Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Really great album, a couple tracks left me wanting more, but this can be a 5 depending on my mood. Either way, this is a great driving in the middle of the night when your sad about your cashiering job
‘murica! The Promised Badlands are anthems.
It's a milder sound than the Boss I love most, but not in a very bad way. Just different.
Really feels like a complete album. I liked this way more than I would've thought. Storytelling was great, tons of musicality and variation in instruments, some excellent solo music sections. Thoroughly enjoyable, even with a few slow spots for me. Fav tracks: Adam Raised a Cain, Badlands, Streets of Fire
buena voz buen guitarreo buenas melodías
Great album, really enjoyed the more complicated lyrical content in comparison to his other albums that I've heard, particularly liked songs like Racing in the Street. My only complaint is the production on some songs sound off, almost like the song was recorded for another album, I found this most particularly with Adam Raised A Cain.
If you only ever hear Bruce Springsteen on the radio you might think his Americana energy is good old boy music for blind patriots. There is patriotism there, but it's the sort of self-reflective, introspective patriotism that fuels the fires of change. It's a battle cry to overcome the grim beat of the paranoid streets, rise up from this broken system, reclaim what is rightfully ours. He echos the cognitive dissonance of the American ideals with the American reality. It's about freedom, truth, beauty and love. America is Bohemia if you want it to be, and Springsteen's words and music make me think it's still possible.
I feel like this is an album where it would grow on me with many repeat listens. Since I'm doing this 1001 thing I'm not really able to do that in the same way (although I will come back to it) I'm giving it 4 stars. I could see a future me giving it 5.
I'm told there are five Springsteen albums on this list an this is likely the best of them? Well being my first I've got nothing to compare it to so here we go. Badlands stands out for me so much that I feel like this album needs a few more listens to get more out of the other songs. Certainly Adam Raised a Cain, Racing in the Street, and The Promised Land piqued my interest. Certainly the album deserves another listen.
This is my fifth and, I think, final Springsteen album from the list. I liked it! The infusion of old timey religion definitely adds something - gives it a Tom Waits/Nick Cave murder ballad kinda vibe in places. Fave track - "Adam Raised a Cain" is my immediate stand out fave. "Streets of Fire" was another standout... I think this album is my fave of the five on the list!
It was fun, felt good
He’s a blast he’s a beauty he’s the boss. Awesome album a lot of fun he just fuking crushes it. I love how much emotion he puts into his music it’s contagious. Not much to say other than thought it was great would fuck it up again. Would love to see him live. -B Street Band
God! What an album! This album is so dynamic, you could listen to this passively to study or chill out, or you can listen to it actively and rock out if you want. Springsteen is highly unique and doesn’t really fall into a specific genre or generation. I listened to this album back-to-back 5 times today. It felt like the right album in every situation I was in. It is both energetic and fun while also being relaxing and somber. My family loves Springsteen but I’ve never really given him much of a thoughtful listen until now. Definitely changed my perspective and I can see myself listening to this album for the rest of my life.
Bueno
Love Bruce. I'm having a hard time listening through all the way to these albums, though. Maybe it's just my short attention span. Not sure.
Was a decent album 4/5
Not my favorite Springsteen album but he’s still The Boss.
Classic, young, everyman Springsteen.
I thought I would hate it but I kinda loved it at the end
Not a big fan of Springsteen - I don't "own" a single album of his and almost never ever purposefully listen to any of his songs, but he does make some quality music even if it doesn't resonate with me. But for what this is, it's good stuff. Bruce turning into a political liberal is a bit of a disappointment given his working class roots (?), but that's what the luxury of financial success can buy you.
This is a great album! A bit more rocking than some of his other material
Bruce is Bruce. Need I say more.
Excellent, engaging, enjoyable. Great collection of stories that feel really relatable. Loved it!
Familiar with Bruce Springsteen but not heard this album. I quite liked Badlands, Racing in the Street and Streets of Fire.
Don't listen to a lot of Springsteen but from what I heard here, great powerful voice. I like the arraignment of the music. But there was something that didn't really grab me in this album. I'd probably give it a strong 7 to a light 8.
Great album. Springsteen really doesn't miss, in over 50 years of professional music. Great listen! Might be biased because I already like Springsteen, but solid album. Would listen again, 4 stars.
Oh wow. Bruce has ALWAYS had the old man voice. This is the sound I associate with classic rock. I never realized it was just Bruce. Whenever someone mentioned him I always wondered if I had ever even heard him. Yes. He's everywhere, I just didn't know. This feels like discovering the heart of classic rock. The Thing is, I cannot tell the difference between any of the songs. I feel like this album is one amazing song twelve times.
Interesting mix. Not many thoughts on it but would probably listen again.
Once you get past the weird style of singing he has some pretty good songs
Good with a couple of songs that are almost great. Favorite song: Candy's room
not bad
Väldigt bra album Favorit: The promised land
This is Angry Bruce!! Enjoyable, but geez, this guy deserves his own genre. Not something I’d listen to for relaxation. Maybe for reflective times.
Bleak but optimistic like a lot of his Springsteen’s work, this is a grower and I ended up enjoying it quite a lot in the end.
New Jersey blue collar rock at its best. I've never had a huge draw to "The Boss" but I always enjoyed his radio hits. This album had a nice bluesy-sounding rock feel to it. "Racing in the Street" is probably my favorite track. I enjoyed the album quite a bit.
I like this more than Born In the U.S.A. It feels warmer, more consistent and personal. A good progression from Born To Run as well. Overall, not too big on Springsteen but I like hearing his music occasionally and I enjoyed this. One thing for sure...Max Weinberg is seriously great. https://youtu.be/0fTs5o9UjMI?si=2NOfzt7kigUQxt8H
After having only listened to “Nebraska”, it’s great to hear what everyone means when they mention “The Boss”.
Darkness on the Edge of Town is more than just a great album. It is a cultural touchstone that has inspired generations of musicians and fans alike. The album's themes of hope, determination, and resilience continue to resonate today, making it a timeless classic.
If you don't like Springsteen, listen to musicians like Justin Vernon, Steve Earle and Eddie Vedder talk about his influence on them. Go listen to Arcade Fire's Neon Bible and Suburbs. Or listen to the wordy, dark and complex lyrics of The National. Watch how similar the Foo Fighters live performances are to Bruce's live shows. His impact on music is undeniable, and it's possible you love his music and don't even know it. I'll admit this isn't my favorite album of his, but DAMN it's good!
Very high 4! 4.5/5
A lot of Springsteen sounds the same to me
Seen him multiple times but never listened to this album. Good but not as great as I’d hoped
This took a few listens but it's a strong album. Standouts include Badlands, Adam Raised A Cain, Something In The Night, Prove It All Night, and Darkness On The Edge Of Town.
Absolute classic
Honestly, this was great! Receiving it after all the 1 star albums lately was a massive relief, and almost made me rate it 5 stars. I would still say it's not quite 5 stars as there were several songs that didn't particularly interest me, and I'm not sure if I can see myself listening to it regularly. It's a very high 4, however- probably a 4.5. I've just got to say that, although I found some songs less interesting, the songwriting on here is solid. Everything on here is very well written. The instrumentation is tasteful, and the lyrics are so beautifully haunting and evocative. They delve into the trials of life in a way I'm not sure I've heard anyone do before. The metaphors are unique and intriguing, each song clearly has a lot to dissect and the emotion he describes feels utterly palpable. This is an album about longing, about suffering, about heartbreak, about the struggles that everyday people go through. It's an album about that existential yearning for something greater. About the feelings we try to ignore and push aside because they're too painful to acknowledge. These feelings are the "darkness on the edge of town" referred to in the album title. There were four songs on this album I particularly liked. One of them, "Factory," struck me as particularly resonant about halfway through the song. I was already enjoying it, then I suddenly realised how the whole thing was a metaphor for the lives of everyday people as part of the establishment. And then I loved it even more. Favourite tracks: Something in the Night, Racing in the Street, The Promised Land, Factory
Great album, my favourite. Grittier, more mature reflections on urban/small town America backed up with some marvellous musicianship
A subtle classic, this is probably my favorite Springsteen record because of its melancholic undertones. Any upbeat moments carry anger more than anything else, and demand answers from an unrelenting world. Springsteen is true Americana and he shows a side like no one else really could. Stand out track: The Promised Land
Classic Bruce Springsteen right here. Very cool.
4/5
Badlands Adam Raised a Cain The Promised Land Streets of Fire Prove it All Night Darkness on the Edge of Town
Very somber album. It's great to have singers like Bruce Springsteen because he sings with very frank and direct lyrics usually and it's always obvious what the themes of his songs are.
Amazing album by Bruce.
a few standout tracks, but mostly standard bruce thoroughfare (which is still very good!!!) Favorite Tracks: Badlands, Streets of Fire, Darkness On the Edge of Town 4/5
Super solid album from The Boss.
Bruce is the man!!!
4.75
Solid, if unspectacular. Somehow sounds more like The Killers than The Killers do! A worthy inclusion, but not one I'll be rushing back to. Very hard to settle on a score, but I guess it's better to be generous
-something about bruce springsteens vocie….. so comforting -a lot of his songs and lyrics are So rejuvenating -guitar in second half of badlands is GREAT -adam raised a cain is SO GOOD -like the yelling and intensity of it WORKS -favorites: adam raised a cain -something in the night feels holy -overall loved this album and tbh it almost got 5 stars……
It's really good Bruce, but not elite Bruce.
Own on Vinyl
This album doesn't have as much of the anthemtic, fist-pumping quality of his music before or after this, and that benefits Darkness... greatly; allowing for Springsteen's lyrical and storytelling ability to shine through. Springsteen doesn't mince words or bother with parables and similes, which makes his words all the more relatable to the middling blue-collar worker like you or me. Personal highlight: Something in the Night.
Interesting Bruce record. Exists at a crossroads between Born to Run and The River and stylistically feels like an appropriate inflection point. I'm docking it a little bit because it feels a little worse than both of those records; it lacks the ambition and urgency of Born to Run and the sheer scale and personal reckoning that I feel characterizes the River, but it's obviously still a great batch of songs. Standouts: Badlands, Candy's Room, Racing in the Street, Darkness On the Edge of Town
A powerful, raw and earnest record. Ranging from the gritty Adam Raised a Cain, to desperation on Something in the Night - a personal highlight.
Much better than the last album we rated. I enjoyed this.
Thought I hated Bruce Springsteen but there were actually a lot of good songs on here. Sorry Bruce.
Did I just become a Bruce fan? It’s such a crazy mix of melancholy sadness with Americana rock. Then it throws in some sax and keys. Need to give it a couple more listens to confirm, but I’m looking forward to them!
Pretty good
Strong 7
better than i thought it would be, for sure enjoyed it more than most springsteen I've heard before. This is all that the midwest emo kids used to have
Top Springsteen.
After wading through a bunch of garbage, finally something good to listen to. Good story telling and music.
Some real heat. Great story teller and great tunes
Great album, not as many catchy riffs as born in the USA, but some great singing and songwriting on this track.
"Mister I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man." If I could summarize this album with one line, that would be it. Bruce Springsteen's follow up to 'Born to Run' expands on his themes of disillusionment and unfulfilled promises with added maturity. Bruce Springsteen is one of my favorite artists, but this was my first time listening to this album in its entirety. Where 'Born to Run' has a title track that speaks of an optimistic love, 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' has "Prove It All Night," where the narrator and his love have to make things work between them, just to survive. Springsteen sings with the emotions of a man who had optimism, but now just has himself to rely on, in a world where the down-on-their-luck are left behind, unable to reap the benefits of a society whose collective wealth grows. The lyrics on this album are great, and the instrumentation and stripped down production gives it a much more raw feel than its predecessor.
Not my cup of tea, but a truly beautiful album
Good album, I liked the ballads on it and surprisingly I like Springsteen’s voice on the album.
Very solid album! The only flaw really is the vocals, he kind of just mumbles his way through everything, but the instrumentals throughout the whole album is fantastic. 7/10
Pretty good 70’s rock. The only Bruce Springsteen album I’ve ever completely loved is Nebraska, but this is good. ‘Adam Raised a Cain’ can be a bit grating, though.
4.5/5. Not my favourite record from the Boss but it's part of his fantastic canon from the late 70s to mid 80s, undeniably a classic.
Couldn't possibly say anything negative about the boss. Thoroughly enjoyed this album - hadn't heard much of it before.
Springsteen is always the same -- the really famous stuff is hot trash, but when you listen to the albums they're loaded with unheralded great tunes. This one is a famous album without many famous songs -- most played track on Tidal is his #23 highest. Sure enough, this is a REAL pleasant surprise. I only knew Badlands and the title track. Abel Raised a Cain and Streets of Fire are kickass hard rock.
the boss
I’ve been relying on the generator to provide me with a proper, overdue Springsteen education, so here we go… Badlands is a good example of The Boss doing that rousing, anthemic thing he does best, and the second half of the album when the music gets more immediate and soulful actually works really well too, especially on The Promised Land and Streets of Fire. I find a couple of tracks a bit tedious, and struggled to make out some of the lyrics in Bruce’s drawl. But overall, a very decent start to my Springsteen album odyssey.
The first time I ever heard a Bruce song was on the radio in 1980 - later than this album came out. The song I heard was The River which just resonated somewhere in my gut. In the days when you could tape off the radio, I had just won a tape deck in a raffle and The River was one of the first tracks on my mix. I know it’s not on this album but because of that Bruce always has a bit of a special place in my nostalgic heart. The songs on this album have seeped into my subconscious in the subsequent years, and I still feel very warm when I listen to them. I love the melancholy and vibe and underlying desperation sprinkled with love and hope and of course the voice.
I was always ambivalent about Bruce until I saw him in concert. Someone gave me tix to see him when he toured for his 50th birthday. I wasn’t excited to go but they were really good tickets, and a gift, so I went. The show was fantastic and I gained a new appreciation for him. It was very confusing to hear all of his ‘fans’ booing him during the concert…until I realized that they were just chanting ‘Bruce’. I’ll never be a super fan, but I will always attend a show of his if given free tickets!
I resisted Bruce Springsteen for so long that I still feel like I'm learning these songs even though they were so much the soundtrack to the high school parties, the South Jersey ethos I grew up in, and the massive icon that he is. But it seems I always find a new appreciation for Springsteen these days even though I've heard it all before. Highlights on this album for me: Badlands (duh...who can't say that?!!) Adam Raised a Cain Candy's Room
This is Bruce Springsteen album number four in the project so far. I have had to admit I have grown in my appreciation for his work through this, but today took a bit more effort. We've had the breakthrough album, the blockbuster album, and the reflective mature album, all of which made sense. This one was more of a challenge to get. There was that pained and strained wailing moan of an intro (and outro) in "Something in the Night" and the oh-so-morose drag racing dirge, "Racing in the Street," and I thought I was really done. When I worked to take it for what it was, and listen to it through the ears of those who love it, I got to appreciate more the intimate empathy for the struggling souls he was singing about. The music is barer, Springsteen's lyrics are clearer, and the affection is absolutely sincere.
Very Bruce Springsteeny.
A really entertaining entry into Springsteen’s canon. Quite darker than Born to Run, which I appreciate, but also shares so much in common, and not sure it ever quite reaching those heights. Still really enjoyed this listen.
Liked the album. The intro to something in the night was especially good.
More solid overall than Born to Run with sharper tunes. Pretty good
Classic Springsteen with solid tracks, the mix is a bit better than on Born In The USA. I liked this. 4/5
A much better Bruce album
Never really heard Bruce Springsteen before, it was surprising, not sure why
folksy and elvis-y. really hard to understand his lyrics tho. something in the night is nice racing in the street is also nice
LP
Bruce definitely knows how to write a catchy tune with lyrics that kinda of bring you into the scene of the song. A really good mix in the style of the songs with some bangers and some ballads, all of which are done pretty well. And those sax and harmonica solos, my goodness! 7/10
Good first impression, couldn’t remember much but overall I liked it sonically and would give it another go to see if it really sticks.
Never heard this. Not as instant/commercial as Born to Run but its cut from the same cloth. Wholesome 'merican urban tales with muscular musical support and the Bosses throaty singing. Its unfamiliar after one listen (it demands more) but I think its pretty damn good. 4.3
better than Nebraska, but still most of the song sounded the same to me.
Solid, I see why so many people love Bruce. Vocals are a little muddy
There is a darkness not on the edge of every song of this album, but in the center of every song. After the first track, it's just unrelenting. There are a few moments where Springsteen mumbles too much, making it hard to hear the lyrics clearly the first time through. But repeated listenings would make it easier, I am sure. The album is one I had on cassette, but I think I listened to it only a few times as a tweener. I don't think I "got" it. It wasn't like "Born In The USA" or "Born To Run", even though the instrumentation was the same. It's definitely more of an "adult" album, I think. I can see why fans go to this one so easily, but "Born To Run" is (to me) what the typical Springsteen album is. It does go across all ages, as opposed to this which is definitely a more mature album. The themes are more mature, and because of that I am still giving it a 4.
They can't all be winners. Apparently this album rates high with critics but I don't think it's quite as good as the others on this list. Good lyrics as always, but some boring compositions. Badlands is a great opener but I was a disinterested afterwards until Racing in the Street (an awesome number, reminiscent of some of his other more popular sad ballads). So the bookends of Side One are great but I could do without the rest. Side Two is better, with the energy picking back up with the first track The Promised Land (power sax); and Factory ain't too shabby either, at least paired with the former. Really that energy, despite a little rough around the edges storylines in the lyrics, carries through until the final track. And that title track is another one of Springsteen's despairing beauties. He still knows how to open and close an album (or each side). So really for me it's a so-so middle to Side One, but that's enough to make this not quite a 5-star effort.
Will listen again.
Listen to this again when you have more time on
Now, this is some Bruce I can get behind. I do think there is a blend of rugged and soft that really kicks this one up a notch from the others I've heard so far.
4 really nice album
Very good.
Yes, I enjoyed it. Yes, it's a high quality release. Does it pull its weight against Born to Run, Born in the USA, and Nebraska? Not sure it does - maybe this one drops off the list.
This feels like alt-classic rock. Some of those guitar riffs don’t sound like Springsteen at all. It’s an odd bit of magic - you’re not sure about the music and then something like Racing in the Streets tugs on your chest and you’ve got a lump in your throat. That’s Springsteen’s power.
De Boss meldt zich dan eindelijk. Dit steekt voor mij boven het maaiveld uit, en moet toch minstens een ster hoger krijgen dan die George Michael. Zelfs als geen van zijn echte meesterwerken erop staat.
A true innovator of real-life working class people, all set to muscled up rhythm sections.
Bruce’s voice is so good
not bad, feeling generous
Springsteen is rough while also being vulnerable. An album that undeniably feels alive. Every aspect of every song works. 4/5
Okay after Dylan’s virtuosic and passionate review of Darkness on the Edge of Town, I felt both excited to listen and a little intimidated by writing my own review. That’s what he’s going for, right? Making others intimidated through his own success? Too bad the whole review was undermined by his inexplicable 1/5 stars. What’s he on?? I’m listening to this while walking to my chorus dress rehearsal in the early morning, which is fun and romantic. Crazy guitar on Adam Raised the Cain. It makes me want to dye my hair black and take up electric guitar. Something in the Night is one of my favorites on the album. Streets of Fire has some fire-y vocals with some big round and resonant sounds I don’t usually hear from Bruce. Promised Land—I could hear those Boss harmonies all day long. What a masterpiece. I gave this album a 4.5 stars, which I know will ruffle some Finley feathers. It’s not a 5 because I love Born to Run and Born in the USA more than this album.
8/10 Once a Springy always a Springy
I liked this way more than I thought I would. Overall I wish it was less poppy, because the harder moments are really good. Adam raised a Cain is pretty crazy.
Very very Springsteeny. He’s never been my scene but he’s on form here and that’s fun to listen to.
More solid overall than Born to Run with sharper tunes. Pretty good
Pretty alright classic rock.
Enjoyable Bruce. Don’t think I’ve ever really listened to him aside from the occasional hit so it was good to hear a full album.
Fantastic work. Probably his best, outside of "Nebraska"
Didn’t listen
Racing in the Street a classic 👌
pretty good
Some fun tunes on here, not my fav but still good
A remarkable album indeed. Lyrics and music combine to make powerful statements about life’s meanings. Need to listen again.
Pretty good. Springsteen wasn't always my favorite, but I appreciate this album.
Not my favorite Bruce Springsteen album but easily in the top 3. Bruce is excellent as always and the E-street band delivers.
Old Good Bruce Springsteen. Very good album
The Boss
Nobody needs to see the whole of The Darkness taking on that geezer from U2, have some standards Bruce you fucking pervert. The album was surprisingly good though, much better than the big hitter Brucy albums we have had so far on this list.
Интересненький альбомчик — интересно его послушать ради разнообразия в плейлисте Если просто слушать, не обращая внимание на тексты — скучновато, по музыке не мое И не все песни по смыслу понравились, Candy's room странноватая (как и Prove it all night), а по звучанию напоминает что-то типа bleachers, racing in the street сопливая (...) и слишком спокойная promised land — гармошка в начале песни .. и потом в конце)) вообще какой-то кантри, бе
Sequencia carregada de potência com instrumental de hard rock.
4.5
Enjoyed half the songs
Very Bossy. Which to me is mostly a good thing.
Bruce Springsteen has grown on me in the last few years, at least to the point where I started to understand the crazy die-hard fanbase he's got. I mean, Iiked plenty of his songs, but I didn't really start to understand the deep loyalty of his fans until I heard Nebraska, I think, which is still one my favorite albums. I started to see how much of a connection he's constantly going for with the audience. I don't know if there is another musician out there today that is this earnest and this sincere in just being barely more than a person in the audience himself? The hell am I talking about? Anyway, this is a good album, too, even though it doesn't really get its hooks into me. I'd listen to it for the mood itself.
Springsteen has long posed something of a conundrum to me, and 'Darkness...' does little to contradict this notion. But first, let me say that this album is damn good. As a Brit, I see Springsteen, for better or worse, as the rocker who most embodies a version of America that is hardscrabble and tough, but nonetheless finds time to dream. My issue is that the music scoring this widescreen movie can either feel extraordinary or utterly prosaic - often on the same album. So 'Badlands' is enjoyable but sounds like a Meat Loaf album track; the next joint, 'Adam Raised a Cain', is superlative. The E Street Band always sound best when they're revving their engines, a coiled knot of potency just ready to explode. The best example here - and my favourite song - is 'Candy's Room'. Still, despite my carping the ebb and flow of 'Darkness...' works and the sound is as distinctive as it is big. Highly recommended, flaws 'n' all.
Wow, "Racing in the Street" is something else. How have I not heard this song before?
Sólo conocía Badlands, pero el resto me pareció muy bueno. Sus historias son la mejor parte.
One of my favourite albums of all time. A bleak 70s dustbowl drama in musical form, with flashes of sunlight and hope. I revisit it often, and it never fails to floor me.
Baita sonzao
While listening to this I was looking at my notes to Born to Run and trying to decide which was the better album, but it's a toss-up. Roy Bittan on piano and Clarence Clemons on sax are featured prominently on both records to good effect. Bruce also continues with his paean to Mid-American working class hero. I didn't live that life, but I can almost experience it vicariously through his heart-felt music.
doesn't leave the impact that jungle land did but still good
Omg I hated it... JUST KIDDING, chill your tits James. Nah this was excellent and a first listen to lots of Bruce songs. Really enjoyed it, what a talented song writer and magnificent voice
It's fine. Cool 70s rock, but nothing that really jumps out and makes it feel unique.
Great album though not my favorite, I like how musically experimental it gets in places, but there are also some dull points that kill the momentum.
Swag
They don’t call him ”The Boss” for nothing 🤟 hahhhaaaa nah but seriously, this is tasteful and well-aged take on hard rock :)
Swag on the Swag
It's weird, the more bruce I listen to the less excited I am for it. Did I just listen to my favourite work of his first? I think in a broad sense I prefer my music a little more lively and bombastic and my vocals a bit less mumbled and slurred, so this is not the Bruce which most suits my tastes. A very tenuous 4 for now , with the expectation that this will grow on me with relistenings.
Wow, it took 300+ albums before we got one from the Boss. I've got a lot of respect for Springsteen and his slice of the americana pie. His style is always resonant to some degree for me, and even though there weren't many tracks on here that I knew going in, there's plenty to bite off and chew. He can sound a bit marble-mouthed at points but for me that adds to his everyman charm. Great energy and emotion throughout. This is a great album, and I'm looking forward to more from Bruce on the list. Favorite tracks: Darkness on the Edge of Town, Candy's Room, The Promised Land, Racing in the Street. Album art: Dang he looks so young in this. For some reason this cover always reminds me of the music video for "I'm On Fire" even though that's on a different album. I think this is iconic though, and even though I hadn't heard this album as a whole before today this is probably my favorite of his album covers. 4/5
4.5
Great singer with a social compromise in his songs
It happened. I liked a Bruce album. Granted, his vocals are muddled and I still am not a fan, and he lacks the hooks of Petty. That said, there's a mood and a concept to this album that's wholely enjoyable. Very surprised.
Frábært albúm. Þessi afmælisböddí er alltaf góður.
Uhh, olipa huikea yllätys. En oo tykännyt Brucen uudesta musasta niin en oo koskaan vanhaan matskuun kajonnut. Mut siis ebin rockia ja laatuu jenkkikamaa.
Started out great. Title track was a good closer. Killers-esque at times.
7.5/10
No i kolejny Springsteen wlecial na liste, tym razem rowniez chronologicznie jak w przypadku trexa, bo Darkness on the Edge of Town z 78 jest czwartym studyjnym krazkiem artysty, na ktorego troche bylo trzeba czekac po sukcesie born to run, jak nie wiadomo czemu, to zawsze bedzie chodzilo o piniadze i zle wytwornie plytowe, wiec dopiero po trzech latach udalo mu sie wydac kolejny material, slucham albumu pierwszy raz i nie potrafie skojarzyc zebym slyszal cos z niego wczesniej, wiec prawdziwym jest stwierdzenie, ze nie byl az takim sukcesem komercyjnym jak poprzednia plyta, ale jak dla mnie jest tylko lepiej niz bylo na runie w ktorym dominowaly idealy hamerykanskosci, pogon za marzeniem, pieniadzem, ladnym samochodem, czy szybka baba, tutaj natomiast troche zmienia sie perspektywa, o czym juz informuje tytul czy okladka z wczorajszym panem Brucem, idealistyczna pogon za czyms zostala zastapiona szara rzeczywistoscia, ktora najlepiej oddaja kawalki takie jak factory czy streets of fire, chociaz nie jest to koncept album, to jednak czuc jaka byla mysl przewodnia przyswiecaja kreacji bohaterow tych Springsteenowych opowiesci, sporo mozna sie doszukac w liryce odniesien biblijnych, ktore takze sa czyms charakterystycznym dla heartlandowego rocka, do ktorego mozna zaliczyc ten krazek, ktorego protagonistami sa zwykle chlopy ze zwyklymi problemami, kolejny raz zaskakuje jak wokalna ekspresja moze byc elastyczna na przestrzeni jednego albumu czy nawet piosenki, jesli nawet ciezko czasem przez to zrozumiec tekst, to jednak niesamowicie oddaje emocje taki wokal, jak na kawalku adam raised the cain, z ktorego bije kainowosc, instrumentalnie takze slychac zmiane w podejsciu do nagran, o wiele krotsza lista personelu, pojawia sie jedynie The E Street Band, ktora nagrywa teraz bardziej na zywca, a nie tak bardzo overdubowo, co nadaje materialowi autentycznego brzmienia, E Streetowa banda, to szesciu muzykow, ktory brali udzial w poprzednich nagraniach pana Springsteena, wiec nie zabraklo saksy Clemonsa czy pianina Bittan, ktore na tym albumie wydaje sie byc nawet wazniejsze niz gitara Springsteenowa, ktora jednak ma swoje epickie solowki, jak na candys room, czy streets of fire, jak muzyka o prostych ludziach, to nie moglo zabraknac ulubionego instrumentu country, wiec harmonijki, ktora takze ma swoje swietne solowki jak na the promised land, 42 minuty solidnego materialu, ktory zmienil moje postrzeganie pana Bruca jako artysty szlagierow typu born in the USA, na plejke leci otwierajacy badlands, ktory ma jedne z lepszych linijek refrenowych plyty, jesli ktos wie jak tworzyc openingowe traki, to wlasnie ten pan, oraz wspomniane juz kawalki factory i promised land
Springsteen holds his own in this memorable album. It has several iconic tracks from the eponymous "Darkness on the Edge of Town", to "Prove It All Night", "Promised Land", and "Badlands". What isn't explored is his beginning motifs of Americana themes and inner-contemplative melancholy. This album is a solid recommendation for folks, although not his highest water mark.
Thank you for this one. I needed it today. Badlands is one of the best opening tracks I've experienced. What a great way to kick this thing off. Adam Raised a Cain is a driving, blues-based anthem track set on delivering some personal details between him and his father. Then Something in the Night softens things for a moment. The lines "Well you're born with nothing And better off that way Soon as you've got something they send Someone to try and take it away" are obviously about the music industry, but appeal to everything. Candy's Room and Racing in the Street hit a similar theme, a girl or a race is what helps make meaning out of an otherwise meaningless existence. Life is at night. Anyway, this is a solid outing for Springsteen. His style is on full display, his themes are explored with a maturation. Following Born to Run had to be some kind of impossible idea, and it's smart to do something like this.
Another album that sounds pretty good, but doesn't really blow me away either.
Muito country para o meu gosto.
Son classique de Bruce. Album solide
Early Springsteen is a lot edgier than his later work, more raw and honest. Enjoyable and one I would listen to again
Springsteen is yet another in the long list of artists I mostly missed when they were huge in the 70s and 80s. I didn't miss him entirely, though, so I'm somewhat familiar with some of these tracks. I had never listened to this album all the way through before, not by a long shot, and I really like it. It's a bit more raw and gritty rock sounding than I expected. I like the lyrics a lot. I have noted before in my mind that I've liked the lyrics on the handful of Springsteen songs with which I'm familiar. He's an excellent writer. I had worried his voice might annoy me, and sometimes when he's screaming it comes close, but it fits so well with what's going on in the song that it's not too much. And, dang, this whole band plays fantastically well. I never saw them perform live in concert and I have a feeling I would've really enjoyed the shows they did in support of this album.
This album is tight
Good background music
Très bon album que j'aurais jamais écouté de moi-même
More mellow and soft than his more popular works
fun and good
4.5/5 stars. Love this album, such raw emotion. Lyrics and delivery are full of longing. Gets me every time.
Muy buen disco
Mag den Sound, die Stimme, die Themen. Der Boss
I had never sat down and listened to this album before. Potentially the most "Springsteen writes music for blue collar America" Springsteen album. Feel like this is where he got the reputation. Really looking forward to all of the Bruce albums that show up on this list.
3.8 - This is a “big” album full of rawness and soul. Not sure how often I’ll come back, but I appreciated.
Classic Bruce. Amazing early album from the Boss. 'Racing in the Street' is the storytelling song he uses so well in many tunes. I prefer early Bruce as it was filled with a young person trying to make sense of what the rest of life will be now that childhood is over.
As a resident of NJ I am legally obligated to rate anything by The Boss a 4 or higher, not that it isnt deserved.
Beetje taaie plaat, wel mooie nummers
I enjoyed overall
Great
A classic - but is it better than The River?
Don't know why, but the inclusion of so many instruments always sounds overdone to me. Maybe it's because I'm accustomed to, or prefer, 3- or 4-piece bands. Anyway - solid album of good, listenable tunes. With plenty of brass and keyboards.
Wuchtig, pathetisch, scheut keine große Geste. Seine Stimme ist sein Wiedererkennungsmerkmal aber das Herz sein Kapital, das Springsteen komplett auf die Waagschale hievt. Das mag manche musikalische Schwäche überdecken. Bei großartigen „Something in the Night“ und dem Titelsong kommt aber alles das zusammen; Können und Leidenschaft. „Candy‘s Room“ hat eine seltsam Pulp‘esque Theatralik. 3.5 flammende Herzen
First half 10/10 but it dragged on and sounded the same so it looses a star.
I've never listened to this album before. I wasn't a fan of Springsteen back in the day, punk and post punk were more important too me. Now I'm older and wiser I really enjoyed it.
Really good album. Probably my second favorite Springsteen album. The title track is a top 3 BS song. 8/10
Darkness on the Edge of Town never has been of of my favorite Springsteen albums. I don't know why. If I look at the track listing and I see Badlands, Adam Raised a Cain, Racing in the Street, The Promised Land and Darkness on the Edge of Town, I must admit it's my mistake.
Wherein Bruce's dad gets a new camera for the holidays and says "Kid! Stand over there by the damn closet so I can try this out" and Bruce uses it as the album cover. ??? I heard so much of this as a kid, then got into a phase where I didn't want to hear his voice at all, but even if I still felt that way there is so much more to these songs - Springsteen had a way of putting a song together musically that sounded simple (read: accessible) but had enough twists and turns and use of dynamics to keep a music dork (me) hearing something new upon each listen. There's little point trying to argue that (most of) these aren't great songs. The combination of the joyous melodies ("Badlands" - those triumphant keys, soaring sax, and galloping drums) and - ok i'll admit it - the lyrics make for classic American music. The only miss for me is "Adam Raised A Cain" - droning and repetitive. There was a time I didn't give 2 shits about anything he did and even though I do enjoy it far more now, it's not music that gives me chills. That's not a knock that he'll never be a favourite but he sure could write a tune and sometimes that alone is the right play and hits just right. 7/10 4 stars
Great
Never listened to Bruce before & I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Quality dips a bit in the middle but overall it’s solid stuff. Definitely going to revisit it.
О Брюсе Спрингстине у меня ранее сложилось впечатление как об исполнителе простых прямолинейных песен чисто для американской аудитории. Возможно, из-за, вероятно, главного хита – Born in the USA. Тут же я слышу вполне годное интернациональное музло, качественный стадионный роцк. С мощной энергетикой, внятными, разнообразными мотивами, хорошим звуком. Даже оригинальным – в нём будто содержатся черты авторской песни а-ля Боб Дилан, Леонард Коэн и ориентированного на массы эпичного роцка а-ля Queen и Мит Лоуф. Слушается на одном дыхании даже при репите. Думаю, на массовый концерт в те годы вообще по кайфу было бы сходить. Вероятно, классика роцка: даёт эстетику, создаёт настрой, качает. Но всё же не настолько глубокая и цепляющая, чтобы в 2к22 на плеер кидать.
Some songs didn't really stick with me, but for the most part this was a great album. Very very solid. I can't give it anything below a 4.
Bruce springsteen is amazing in that even the albums that don't make it to the stream charts still have songs on them that are great.
As a person who doesn't listen to the Boss this was surprising for me. Interesting that he was so heavily influenced by punk and wanted to move away from the majestic bombast of his previous records into something darker and tighter.
There was an underlying fatigued sadness to the songs that I really enjoyed. My favorite song was Something in the Night.
I love the Americana aesthetic, the lyrical themes of aspirations and disappointments, and the euphoric blend of piano, guitar, organ, saxophone, harmonica, etc.
This fourth album from Springsteen is gritty and melancholy. A few tunes are more up beat like Candy's Room. Yet a tune called Racing In the Street which sounds like it would be up tempo is as melancholy as any. The band is tight, this is the classic E Street Band line-up; Steve Van Zandt on guitar well before he got into acting on The Sopranos; Max Weinberg on drums before he became Conan O'Brien's band leader for 17 years, and Clarence Clemons on sax who is only featured a few times here. The album stands the test of time which many from 1978 don't during an era of music defined by disco. Springsteen is the working class American singer-songwriter and here he defines and refines that role. If albums could be B-sides, this one would be perfect.
Solid album. Admittedly, I am not to familiar with most of Springsteen’s work. This album was full of great storytelling
Great album. A little more mellow and slower than previous albums.
Kind of liked this actually. Not usually a huge Bruce fan
Very good album!
As great as this is, it doesn't quite hit the heights of it's predecessor (Born to Run) due to a few too many tracks that only hit the above-average mark (Something in the Night, Racing in the Street, Factory). Badlands, Adam Raised a Cain, The Promised Land and the title track are some of Bruce's very best though so it's only a fraction away from hitting full marks. Best track: The Promised Land
Again I like this type od music from 70s, 80s. Bruce has a nice voice, songs are different from each other. Probably better than most of 4 ratings here.
I’m an extremely late bloomer when it comes to ‘The Boss’, but I am very grateful for eventually getting there. He marketed himself extremely well to myself when I watched and listened to his latest offering ‘Western Stars’. An album I have now listened to over and over again. There is a real heritage of this album in that album and that makes this one an instant hit with me. There is an emotive tone to his voice I find hard to describe...yet I doubt I need to. To any Bruce Springsteen fan, they’ve known it for decades and now I do too. The tracks here stir the same emotions I’ve felt from my limited Boss exposure and the voice has hardly changed at all. The best thing about this album and it’s lyrics is they can all tell your very own story if you let them. They are not one dimensional but familiar enough to make you feel as though they were written just for you. Pour yourself a bourbon neat enjoy! 4 Stars!
Ruwere, iets hardere rocknummers afgewisseld met wat tragere, iets meer pop-achtige nummers. Ik kende nog geen enkel nummer van dit album maar kon het wel smaken
Good album. Some classics on there.
heerlijk, niet mijn favoriete Bruce maar zeker fijn.
It was basically what I expected a Bruce Springsteen Album to be. There is definitely a vibe to Springsteen songs that is different from any other artist’s music and I thought overall this album was pretty good. I love Clarence Clemons’s solos as always! That being said some of the songs do get kind of repetitive and somewhat boring. Favorite songs: Badlands, Racing in the Street, The Promised Land, Prove it all Night. Least favorite songs: Candy’s Room, Streets of Fire. Strong 7/10
Very good this, I only knew 1 song before. Darker than Born in the USA and he has wisely toned down the sax
Todo un clasicazo. Letras profundas y todo con el sello inconfundible de Springsteen
There are some all time greats, The Promised Land and Racing in the Streets. It's really close to a 5, but I don't think it quite to that level for me.
Excellent tunes as always, and some of his best as well. "Adam Raised a Cain" still kicks.
I don’t love his voice, but I don’t mind it either. It’s definitely pretty classic, and not as hard as some stuff, so I liked it pretty well.
Nice album to listen to. I like music from Bruce Springsteen.
Some great tracks a cool 'American' album that is solid from start to finish.
Very ethereal, not what I was expecting, made the last hour of work enjoyable. And it just went into another full Tangerine Dream Album without me noticing.
I’m so uneducated on Springsteen so this was a welcome “pull”; some good stuff in here, his writing is so mature. He was a couple years younger than me when he made this one, and it was his 4th!
Nice nice nice
Very good thank you brucey
This is another album that I don't have much to say about. It's solid all the way through. There weren't any songs that particularly stood out to me, but it didn't fade into the background while I was listening to it either. I really dig his style 4/5
On the slower more soulful side of Bruce
Fedt rock album. En lille ukendt perle. Synger lidt specielt og lyder bolte gange som meat Loaf 😁 Men fest album. Et genlyt værd
3.5/5, probably sounds best after a long day at work, a lot of working class, cog in the machine themes. Standout Tracks: Adam Raised a Cain, Racing in the Street, Darkness on the Edge of Town.
While it does have some filler, the amazing songs here more than make up for it. Streets of Fire might be my favorite Springsteen Song (that ive heard so far at least). Closer to a 3.6 or 3.7
4 stars
Solid. Bruce has such a specific sound.
Enjoyed this more than the other Springsteen album I listened to!
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.
Not the album to get into Bruce
Meh. 3 stars for not actively offending me but it's a generous 3 stars.
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
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.
Good
2nd Springsteen album for me, nothing musically impressive to me this time
Enjoyed that, such a boomer
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.
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.
Probably one for the Boss purists. Too dreary and drone-y for my tastes.
It's pretty good but not in the same league as the borns
Скучно
Didn’t do it for me.
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.
Interessante!
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
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.
Classic Springsteen
It’s great just not Springsteen’s best work
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?
Middle of the road for me.
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.
mid