Darkness on the Edge of Town

Am I losing my ability to have feelings about music after so many hundreds of albums? Or are a lot of albums just kind of fine? I like the first two tracks, the rest are...fine!

He’s a legend but I think I prefer his singles to an entire album. The lyrics are generally grim (not faulting that) and paint great stories. On another day it could be a 4 but no shame in a 3

It feels like I already hears this album if his before, but it just sounds the exact same as the last one that appeared on this list.

Better than I expected. Good sophomoric effort.

3.5

I can’t believe I got another Springsteen album in the same week lmao. But this one might slightly edge out the last one for me! It’s less cheesy for some reason. The guitar sounds better, I can feel the emotions more. I like the songwriting even if I still don’t love his voice. He’s so free, I feel like he’s so produced now but in this album he just feels like so much more of the rockstar that older generations see him as. Which I understand so much more now! THIS Springsteen I could see calling The Boss. It’s still not exactly my cup of tea but I respect it. Something that really helped me enjoy Springsteen more is to read the lyrics while I listen. I’ve been told that what makes him so great is his songwriting ability but he doesn’t enunciate enough for me to appreciate any of it!!! So if I read the lyrics I get a lot more out of each song. And oh my god yeah he’s actually saying really beautiful things in all that noise!! I want to like Springsteen more than I actually do and that’s okay. He’s just not for me even if I can understand why other people really enjoy his music.

I think I begin to understand why he's considered the prototypical American Man. Not sure I agree, but I think I see what those who need external affirmation of their masculinity are attracted to.

Listened to the first 4 songs. I have already performed a lot of material in a Bruce Springsteen tribute

Really solid album, I need to listen to more Bruce Springsteen. Favorite tracks were Something in the Night and Racing in the Streets. Can definitely understand why music like this was so foundational.

Don’t like Bruce, pretty good though

Every Bruce Springsteen album here reminds me that I'm too young and non-American for a solid part of this list.

It’s got some strong ones for sure but I didn’t connect with it much. 3.5

Ingen dårlige sanger, men heller ikke mange som fristet å lytte på igjen. Svak 3’er.

I'm getting more into Springsteen as I get older, but this earlier stuff of his is not as good as his later stuff. He hadn't really figured out his sound and cadence here. There's flashes, but it's just a little too down tempo on most tracks for me.

Easy listening rock. Okay.

Respect it, but it didn't pull me in enough to justify more than a 3 star review

It was okay, not to the same level as Born to Run.

Gotta say, not in to Bruce.

Hmm. It’s alright

I like his music and this is a good album. I saw him in concert a few years ago. He puts on a great show and his band can't be beat. That being said, this particular album did not rock my world.

This album exemplifies what I consider to be Springsteen’s sound. He has two types of songs, rockers and ballads and this album definitely has both. I’d probably reserve this one for a long road trip across nondescript middle America. Favorite tracks: Something in the Night, Racing in the Streets, Darkness On the Edge of Town

I'm not a huge Brucey fan. Some good songs on here.

Never was a big fan of Bruce Springsteen’s (voice)… but I like the production of the songs here

I feel like I'd enjoy this more if I'd got the hang of all the lyrics. Maybe I'll have another listen sometimes. It was ok. Felt like a bunch of Springsteen songs. Adam made a Cain though. Ooof. Great track. Reminded me more of nick cave. I'd love to hear Bruce doing an album of that style of stuff. It sounded like the saxophone had smoked 20 packs a day. I feel like all the favour the Cain song gained was lost again with a gristly sax solo. Like I said, I'll try again one day.

I very much liked this album, A few good boppers

I liked it but wasn’t my favorite

On the cover I first thought it was Bob Dylan, but the voice obviously wasn't his. This is nice to listen to, but doesn't do more for me than that.

I've never been a fan, and while this album has a few songs I recognize, I still wouldn't give it another listen.

Classic Boss.

Imagine my surprise when I found there actually were lyrics for each track.

The Boss is good.

This was alright, but nothing especially memorable to me.

It seems a lot of people love Bruce Springsteen, and I can see why. I will admit, musically, it's good. It's actually very good. It's just such a shame that Springsteen's vocals are so grating. Like, they really got on my nerves. He sounds as if he's drunk or really tired, like managing to get the words out is almost a chore or painful to him, so he moves his mouth as little as possible and what comes out is just mumbly warbles. His diction is terrible. Some tracks sound better than others but overall it's not enjoyable. I had to go back to his most popular tracks to see if he was this bad all the time. 'Dancing In The Dark'? Fine. 'Born In The U.S.A.'? Very shouty but pretty okay. 'Streets Of Philadelphia'? Lovely song. To be fair 'Born To Run' is much like this album's opener 'Badlands'. Very over the top, like when a cartoon character is about to fall and let's out an exaggerated 'woooooahhhhhh'. Anyway, back to this album. The only track where I think Bruce sounds good is 'Adam Raised A Cain'. It's a proper dirty hard rock track and his raspy blown out vocals really suit it, especially when shouting out the chorus. I actually like it a lot! 'Streets Of Fire' is also a good track. If the music was accompanied by someone who can sing, the album would be really good.

Not the best but okey to listen to. Easy listened rock.

Look, Springsteen has a vibe and his lyrics are dope, but I truly just never feel like I have the vibe he has. At some point in my life I'm sure I'll get that vibe, and all these albums will be fives, but they're not right now? Still, eminently listenable, can always throw on.

ITS FACTORY FOR MEEEEEE. TOOK A MIN TO LISTEN TO. NGL EVEN THOUGH IT WASNT ALL FOR ME I ENJOYED DRAWING TO IT

acho que to ficando mais suscetível ao dad rock eu achei esse melhor que o born in the u.s.a. mais dançável e bobim!!! mas ainda meia boca ao extremo

Good album, very Springsteen all about the working class, lots of sax. Not a personal taste, but he seems to be telling a story that is important.

I liked this album a little more than Born in the USA. Great songwriting

Classic Bruce. Smooth rock

BRUUUUUUUUUUUCE doin his Bruce thing. Doesn't get me fist-pumping. But I dig it well enough.

Dad- 9 Mom- 8 Mike- NA Lori- 4 Michael- 8,5 Miles- 5 Cole- 5 Avg- 6.58

Mmmm it's ok but not my tempo

Not feeling it, really. Feels weak compared to basically everything else he has composed.

- Every song on this record (and like 90% of all Springsteen): I am a sad dude stuck in my underappreciated blue-collar job. I have a girl who is as depressed as me. We talk about leaving town. We don't. I spend all my free time driving my car. - He does one thing...but he does it well. - "Something in the Night" is legitimately great. Boy, can Bruce wail.

Typischer Springsteen-Rock. Gut zu hören, aber nicht mein Lieblings-Sänger. 3/5

Bruce, Bruce, Bruce... Beste man kan een telefoonboek voorlezen en ik zou het nog steeds luisteren. Heerlijke stem heeft ie. Maar toch he, wil ik het even hebben over dit album. Het raakt me gewoon niet zo? Ik heb het idee dat zn stem op andere albums een stuk sterker is en meer centraal staat? Hier valt het toch een beetje weg op de, niet al te spannende, productie. Ja er staat mondharmonica op, en die gaat lekker hard, maar toch... Het voelt voor mij een beetje alsof dit album een tussenalbum is. Het album tussen Born to run en Born in the U.S.A. Vooral die laatste klinkt zoveel verfijnder en beter dat ik me niet helemaal er aan kan ontrekken dat dit album niet zo nodig was. FAVO: Promised Land, Prove it all night,

Meh

Didn’t hate it as much as I thought I would!

Forgettable, nothing notable or stand-out.

This was just ok for me. Not very memorable. I might give it another try down the road. 2.5/5

Gotta admit I actually like some Springsteen now. This album was good, not great. I suspect I won't like the stuff after Born in the USA (really don't like that one), but everything before is pretty good, actually, this one included. 3.49/5

c: the promised land

Typical Bruce album. Epic tune and a bunch of stuff that is kinda similar. All good, just relentlessly Bruce.

liked adam raised a cain, something in the night, darkness on the edge of town, the promised land, and my favorite was streets of fire, very polished album, not my favorite, wont listen to the full album again, great lyrics, but not really that relateable to me.

The boss, great album!

While I can see that The Boss is maturing as a songwriter on this album, I found his vocals (which were often mumbled) to be a distraction on an otherwise good album. The best three songs on the album were the three released as singles: "Prove It All Night", "Badlands", and "The Promised Land". I know this will be a blasphemy to some, but I feel like Bruce Springsteen is overrated.

Good

I did not use a private session for Spotify. I was trying to view the album from a guy who grew up in an industrial town, looking forward to get out, though I still couldn't relate that well.

Bruce doing as Bruce does.

This was exactly what I expected it to be, but very solid at that. Rating: 3.5

Very, very American. Not the very interesting... but did not actively dislike either.

Solid 3, probably wouldn't listen again

Cool old bloke. Saw him live and hes still got it. Essentially 1 song tho

5/10…heartland rock / singer-songwriter

I just kind of don't love The Boss. I really don't like his singing voice. Like at all. The music is good but not mind blowing. The lyrics are okay. Just solidly mid for me.

Huh, Bruce Springsteen used to be young?

It’s good and is exactly what you think about when you hear Bruce Springsteen. I wouldn’t say it’s exceptional, but I liked it.

Landmark record, great songs and lyrics. Memorable to the point of a few listens and makes its point across with lyrics and good music all throughout.

330/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑

Painfully average. This was going to be a 2, but I do appreciate the extensive rock sax, so it gets bumped up a notch.

Great bass lines, good sound, good songs, just not entirely my thing.

really great album, 3.5 stars. Despite not knowing many of these songs, it felt like a really consistent album

It was alright, I think it was about the same as Born To Run but I don't think I'll rush to listen to it again

Respect the man, don't like his music.

Good. Surprisingly bland.

I would definitely like his music more if his voice was different. He definitely has an overall Americana feel to his music’s instrumentals.

Cliche americana, corny piano rock, cheesy sax solos, a big anthemic sound rises and falls over mid-tempo beats - not a promising recipe, but it works. Despite his limited range and wierd stuffy-nose timbre, the raw energy in his voice cuts through and gives this a compelling charisma that draws you in to the stories and mood of the album. Opens strong but drags in the middle.

B-puoli kuulostaa samalta biisiltä yhä uudestaan ja uudestaan. A-puoli alkaa meiningillä, josta pidän. Kiva Jess-viba kannessa.

Tällä levyllä hän antaa mahtipontisuutensa virrata valtoimenaan, mikä ei estä hyvien kappaleiden syntyä, paitsi joskus ehkä estää - eivätkä kaikki näistä ole huippukappaleita. Badlands on silti guilty pleasure -hyppely, ja muutama muukin on keskivertoa parempaa rokkia. Mahdollinen yllätyssuosikki Factory on kaikessa simplistisyydessään, naiiviudessaankin maaliin osunut variaatio.

frank sobotka core

Not for me

Very Bruce. Less mumbly than Born To Run.

Leuk album! Veel afwisseling.

Bruce Springsteen is such a classic artist, though not as good as born to run. Solid but not the bessttt of his

The album is fine. I don't pay much attention to the lyrics and the music is just OK. The bookend tracks are a bit better ("Badlands" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town") but not close to a 4.

I just have a Springsteen-sized soul hole. His music just fails to move me 95% of the time. Not bad, just nothing that sticks with me. Maybe he does that moaning bellow thing. Maybe a sax or harmonica plays. I promptly forget either way.

Some of these are great (Badlands, Adam Raised a Cain) and some really show off the limitations of Bruce's singing (Something in the Night.) The storytelling of his lyrics is, as always, really great - but ultimately repeated listens didn't make much of this stick.

Banat’s a dick

3 stars

Bruce doesn't do much for me. I just struggled to engage with this. 3/5

This marks #4 from Springsteen on this list for me. Surely Born to Run and Born in the USA would have been enough? Maybe I'm just grumpy. Springsteen seems like a super cool dude in general, I just don't really like his music. It's not that I don't like it, I guess it's more just indifference. I do really like his voice, I just would never choose to listen to an album of his. This one, same as the rest. 2.5/5, and I guess I'll round up?

I didn't think i was going to like springsteen, but a few of these are great songs

Zelfs z'n betere albums (zo classificeer ik 'Darkness on the Edge of Town') zijn voor mij een constant geworstel tussen aan de ene kant zijn charismatische persona en pakkende 'small-town USA' vertelwijze, en de andere kant dat dit allemaal net iets over de top is. Het is eigenlijk hetgeen waar ik altijd over heen val bij zijn muziek: de grandioze doch overbodige (tenminste, als je thuis aan het luisteren bent en niet in een overvolle arena in New Jersey) explosies van instrumenten vallen niet altijd heel lekker bij mij. Het klinkt voor mij soms wel echt te veel als de feestband van Guus Meeuwis, hoe raar die vergelijking ook lijkt. Echter is de stem van Bruce - die vaak een struikelblokje is bij andere platen van hem - wel on point bij sommige songs op dit album, zoals de titelsong. De 'Tom Waits growl' lijkt soms niet heel ver weg, en brengt wat 'pure' energie te midden van de weinig originele crescendos. Een album van Bruce Springsteen is altijd net iets te veel Bruce Springsteen om echt helemaal overtuigd te zijn, maar deze doet het op die schaal wel aardig. En 'Racing in the Street' is hands down z'n mooiste compositie. 7/10 Highlights: Racing in the Street Streets of Fire Darkness On the Edge of Town

Met Eliminator van ZZ Top in het vooruitzicht ben ik blij dat ik wat albums in te halen heb. Plaatje van Bruce erop dan maar. Als er zoiets bestaat als Amerikaanse volksmuziek, dan is (misschien buiten de country gerekend) Bruce misschien wel de belichaming daarvan. Daarom gaat de vergelijking met Meeuwis ook wel op denk ik. Met Bruce is het altijd een thin line, soms raak in de roos, soms in de irritatie. Die sax solo's kunnen ook helemaal verkeerd schieten. Op deze plaat doet Bruce vooral veel moois, maar voelt het ook wat ingehouden. Misschien zelfs voorzichtig, dat komt tegen goede aan de composities, maar maakt niet alles even spetterend. Ik knijp dan ook in mijn handjes dat de 80's nog niet waren aangebroken, dan was dit cringe geworden (bijv Factory, nu ook al dieptepuntje). Het rockt en swingt niet (misschien alleen Badlands maar is ook wel weer sterk. Dan kom je op een ... 7/10 Highlights Badlands Racing in the Street Darkness on the Edge of Town.

not my kind of music but i did really like some tracks. candy’s room was 🔥. so was streets of fire!

Unremarkable

Music isn't bad, but that's because it can't afford to be. Bruce Springsteen's vocals over trash instrumentals is a one-way ticket to being trash.

Nice album with Bruce's classic sonority, tons of piano and strings arrangements.

It’s an alright album. Very much a classic Springsteen, some fun upbeat tunes and some slow down ones as well. Doesn’t quite have the hits that some of his other albums have. 3/5 Might listen again

who gives a shit

My fourth Springsteen album on this list. How many do you need? As the last 2 that I received were decidedly sub par I wasn't looking forward to this one. I had never heard any of the songs on this album before, yet they're the type of songs that sound like you already know them. He sings with passion but without enunciation. Nothing truly exciting here.

I still don't dig on Bruce. It's not as bad as his later hits where he's straining to get the music out. It's just him talking about how hard life is in Jersey, but it's hard everywhere, man.

Оригинал песни Livin' On A Prayer, вайб Dire Straits и остальные 8 треков Альбом Darkness on the Edge of Town можно описать примерно так: смесь крутости главных хитов Dire Straits, интересный интсрументал в духе Стинга (но в менее джазовом исполнении) и невероятная яркость и громкость музыки, приправленная сеттингом похожих рок песен рубежа десятилетий. Для меня весь сок альбома хранится в первых двух треках, которые делят 10 треков на совсем не равные части: в первом треке показана яркость и громкость, во втором - крутость и пафос, а последующие показались мне однотипно спокойными относительно первых двух жемчужин, поэтому из хорошего могу сказать только про первые треки. К слову, заглавный трек Badlands уж очень сильно мне напоминает песню Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer, которая вышла через 8(!!!) лет после выпуска альбома Брюса Спрингстина и стала более известным хитом (в интернете о плагиате никакой информации я не нашел, что весьма удивляет). Вторая композиция с альбома мой любимчик, так как своим основным гитарным рифом заставляет испытать настоящий кайф от прослушивания. Отдельно хочу отметить, что у данного исполнителя есть отличные лайв версии данных треков, настоящих рокеров эта черта и отличает от других. Но большим меня этот альбом не зацепил, поэтому выше тройки поставить не могу. За классный EP в начале 3/5.

I like Bruce Springsteen but I was previously only familiar with Badlands from this album. This is a good album but I prefer others of his more. I would listen to it again, but it would not be the first Springsteen album I would choose.

I think I prefer the Bruce songs that have a bit more life. Apart from the first track here a lot of it is a bit of a snoozefest. Some nice tracks mixed in but overall not one to get too enthusiastic about.

Great classic album from the boss. Lotsa epic songs on this one

Bruce Springsteen is very overhyped by Americans 3/5

Not a Bruce fan generally - but a few more interesting songs on here. Otherwise generally bland but inoffensive, superb arrangements and instrumentation and a satisfying production but turned off generally by the direction of the songs (with a few exceptions.) This kind of dad-rock for the arena with a sprinkle of open-road country needs to exist, but is just not for me.

Listened to this while playing The Loop. I lost...again. I enjoyed this album a fair amount. I was not familiar with any of the songs, and this album honestly isn't something that will stick with me for a long time...but still not bad.

meh 3

I've never understood why this fuss is being made about Bruce Springsteen. His music isn't bad. But I find it a bit boring. I also don't like Bruce's voice. I wasn't particularly interested in the album. It's very easy for me to imagine a life without having heard this album. 3/5

Adam Raised A Can and Something In The Night are great songs. Rest ok 3/5

He ain't the boss of me. "Prove it all night" is pretty cool, and when the sax pops in on "The Promised Land" it's great. Big songs that aren't my sort of big. You won't see me re-enacting scenes from "Blinded by the Light". Sorry Brooooooce. Highlight: The Promised Land.

Feel I'd need to give it a few more listens to tell these songs apart, sorry Bruce

🤘

Это было приятно

Easy listening, not lifechanging. Standout Tracks: - Badlands - Candy's Room

I can see how people can love this but going into this I knew I wasn't a Springsteen fan and this just reinforces that for me. It's very booming, slow, stadium music that is good at what it is but what it is isn't for me.

The boss in his early years shows his talent with epic rock songs and lyrics.

3 stars

Answering a question no one was really asking: what if Meatloaf was handsome? I kind of want to like the guy but this is too earnest for me.

Badlands, and Adam Raised a Cain, were decent enough, but it really all feels like proto-Born in the USA. His next album, The River, is excellent, and I'm also a big fan of Wrecking Ball (2012), but this one was seemingly a step on the way to the impact of Born in the USA.

The middlest of middle of the road from Bruce here. Didn't grab me at all like born in the USA did, might just be bad timing as on the face of it it, it is fairly similar, both in sound and themes. Not bad at all though and I enjoyed the final couple of tracks the best; prove it all night and darkness on the edge of town. The whole racing cars thing doesn't resonate with me At least 3.5

2.5/5

What a cool, ominous title for an album. Tye title track was my favorite, and the rest of the album was fine.

3.7/5 i am pleasantly surprised by this, i’ve never listened to anything bruce other than hearing some hits on the radio. i don’t think i recognised a single song on this album except maybe “the promised land”. it felt slightly familiar but i have no clue. it’s a good album, great in places, i enjoyed it a lot! honourable mention to “racing in the street” - a very, very beautiful song!

Good songwriting but I'm not too fond of the album for a reason that's hard to pinpoint. I quite like his voice but the songs get a bit boring-rocky and I'm not a huge fan of the instrumentation even thought this makes it "the" Springsteen sound (the sax, bells etc.). The Springsteen album I like most is Nebraska, which makes me not a real Springsteen fan I suppose. Still a 3 (could have been a 4 if I enjoyed it more). Just an album I won't put on but I won't zap away from it either.

So, this strikes me as harder than Born to Run, but the songs just… aren’t as good? There isn’t anything groundbreaking here. The topics are basically standard BS-fare. Which is fine, but not outstanding.

alright

Man, this is so familiar, like (insert worn simile here). It’s so easy and well worn and…predictable and…kinda boring. Other than Clemmon’s sax playing, this could be anyone from 1970-2025. Maybe Springsteen been so influential that there’s too much of his progeny between here and there but the effect of his success is also his downfall - we’ve all heard all of this too many times to find it anything more than nostalgia. And, while I love me a good sniff around the 70s, I’m looking onwards and upwards for new sounds so…it’s out to the dark edge of town with 70s Bruce.

all sounded the same. nothing in comparison to his usa album, but good background music

Not any better than I remember.

"poor man wanna be rich/rich man wanna be king." If that don't just sum it up? I have maybe 5-6 songs from Bruce that I love (I've always been more of a Zevon guy*). None of these rose to that level, but they're all, y'know, they're all good! They're all Bruce. * That said, Springsteen's cover of Zevons "My Ride's Here" is up there for the best either of them sound to me.

Badlands is a peppy iconically voiced banger 4/5. Prove It All Night is good if a bit samey. The slower tunes are ok. His voice is peak Springsteen. Overall 3.5/5

Eh, a lil too Elton john for me

Not as good as Nebraska but it’s nice

It got better the longer I listened, but there is something about Bruce that doesn’t do it for me, but I can’t put ly finger on it. I know he is an excellent songwriter, so maybe it’s his vocal style, but that seems odd since I don’t usually mind non traditional voices.

Det var da udmærket. Det er klart musik til gamle mennesker. Måske kan en stadion koncert åbne musikken ordentligt op for mig... Det ser vi til når jeg en dag er gammel nok....

For a long time I have tried really hard to like Bruce Springsteen's music, but it just have never clicked for me. I have tried to figure out what it is. Other than I feel like he mumbles when he sings I'm not sure. He is a very talented guy and the E Street Band is great. I have heard they were amazing to listen to live. Steven Van Zandt was Silvio in the Sopranos! What more do they need? Some consider this album to be one of his best, but I still don't get it. I tried.

A lot of fine to good songs but also some really boring uninteresting ones.

Maybe I'm just not a Bruce Springsteen fan. Another decent album but doesn't stir anything in me

I like the themes and the lyrics more than the music itself, but it's decent.

Solito buon lavoro del Bruce, anche se non raggiunge le vette di Born in The USA

6/10 - It sounds like a Springsteen album. Springsteen is just so alright. I liked badlands but the rest of it was not that good.

It’s ok. But it’s overproduced and bombastic.

Sound like Bruce Springsteen and so do his other albums, so why do we need to have him on here a million times?

Always anthemic and representing the heart & soul of America, the Boss set out for exactly that here. There's a decent mix of louder rock and softer, ballad-y rock here, all consisting of various stories of the usual "small town" personas that Springsteen loves to tell. A bit more somber than the other albums of his that I've heard. Never the greatest vocalist, Springsteen and his E Street Band still capture the mood appropriately with their musical direction nonetheless. The album is a bit up and down early on, but I think it finishes strong with the last three tracks specifically, starting with the powerful "Streets of Fire". Bruce was already a mainstay at this point, but this album signaled what was to come with his music for the next decade or so. Primarily from a songwriting standpoint. I'm not sure how to rate this, as I don't consider it as strong as "Born In The U.S.A." which would release later. The last few tracks aren't enough to carry an album, I fear.

Average

Fine. Kind of meh for me. I do like some of Bruce’s other albums, but this one didn’t do it for me.

I’m kind of take it or leave it with the Boss, and this one is more on the leave side. Nothing wrong with it, but just didn’t grab me.

I’m realizing the major flaw of this list is that it over represents well known artists. The fuck is this doing here? Trying to figure out how to rationalize putting as many Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, and Elvis Costello albums as you can on here doesn’t seem like the way to go about making this list. Anyway, I’m sure Bruce doesn’t have more than two or three 2 star albums and there’s no way this is one of them. So, here’s a 3 for it. Congratu-fucking-laciouns.

Don't love it, don't hate it.

Bruce had never been my favorite, but I’ve always understood his place in rock history. Just not sure why this album made the list. It’s just ok. Without Prove It All Night, I’m guessing it wouldn’t have made it. 3. Barely.

3.3 stars rounded down. Early Boss is still a good boss. “Badlands” is a great song. The title track is the other standout. The rest is decent but not that memorable.

Hann hljómar smá eins og Cher í fyrsta laginu hahahhahah Racing in the street er geggjað úlala Ekki eins gott og born in the USA

decent!

I love Bruce Springsteen but I would never consider myself a fan, ya know?

Solid Bruce. Sounded exactly as I expected.

A couple of all-timers. The rest are alright. There’s a baseline quality to early Springsteen, but because he’s made things I know I love without reservation, I have to score this accordingly.

A very straightforward and generally uninteresting rock/pop album of the time. At its best when Bruce is singing passionately. At its worst when the repetitive portions come in. It felt exceeding long. 2.5/5 -> 3/5

I don’t know with Bruce. I recognise he is good at what he does and that it has appeal. It just leaves me a bit cold. Did grow on me over two listens though. Funny how that works

entertaining but not my favorite, Bruce is overrated

Strong album, but not near his best, which is world class

This artist is so very average, and I don't get why there is such a die hard following, but more power to you Bruce, just never gonna get it for my ears.

Very dramatic. There were a few songs I enjoyed, but mostly it was just ok.

Muss man mögen.

Badlands is on here, which is a Bruce banger, but the rest is eh

Spruce, uh.. let me see here.. Spruce Bingstein

First half was pretty groovy

Average

I don't really have anything to add her. Darkness on the Edge of Town is a cool album title. I've never heard these songs and think they are slightly better than the few Springsteen singles I've heard in the past. It's fine. I bet there are geriatrics at these concerts still dancing in their seats.

Okay brucie ill give you this

It's Springsteen, rotational

It's ok

This album made me fire off my hot take of not really liking Bruce Springsteen. I understand my minority take but most of the time I can’t really understand what he’s singing. Overall though, listenable album but outside the singles, I find the music repetitive

Liked it well enough, but beginning to realize that Bruce Springsteen’s reputation precedes him. His appeal relies heavily on in-group lore and shared fandom

I just don't like Bruce Springsteen. That's my personal taste. This album is well-made and everything, but I just don't like Springsteen.

Know his name, obviously, but never listened to him He sings a bit like he’s drunk. It’s special I like: Badlands, Something In The Night, the outro to Racing In The Street, The Promised Land 6/10 because it has great songs but suffers from good start boring finish album syndrome

It's alright. It's adequate. I hate to be rating all these albums 3 out of 5 - 4 is a bit much for an album I just kind of thought was okay, and 2 would make it out like I disliked the album. Ah well.

Harder than I remember. Not bad and nice straight jersey rock n roll.

I've never listened to this album before, but it's another instance of me simply liking Bruce Springsteen as an American icon more than I actually like his music.

Bruce seems a bit more aggressive/angry here. Nothing more really stuck out for me.

So I’ve learned that I like the Bruce Springsteen Sound. I’ll be happy to get any of these songs on a shuffle, but there wasn’t anything about the album as a whole to elevate it.

Was okay

Just good old rock and roll. A nice listen when you're listening to it but not altogether memorable or no stand-outs that got stuck in my head.

Another fine album from Springsteen. Not my favorite of his discography, but a good listen nonetheless.

I’ve always thought Bruce Springsteen, for me, was just OK. So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that, for me, this album was just OK. For whatever reason the song that landed for me emotionally was “Racing in the Street.”

I hate to say it, but I’ve never really connected with this album, and that’s coming from someone who considers himself a Bruce Springsteen fan. I enjoy “Badlands,” “The Promised Land,” and the title track quite a lot, but the rest of the songs do very little for me.

6.5/10. It has a lot of great tunes on it, but it wasn't that intriguing for me, personally. :)

I always really want to love Springsteen, but I'm often underwhelmed by him. Lyrically very good, musically fine, it just doesn't click for me though.

Meh

This was fine. It just seemed to be missing something. I've never really been able to get into Bruce Springsteen.

More bleak and moody than his previous albums but still a belter. Needs a good listening to but worth it.

This is fine. Nothing too "wow" 3/5

I can't really find anything for me here. I respect the single theme of the album and probably the calmest song about streetracing.

It was alright. Just didn't feel like there were any notable songs or something I'd like to listen to again very much

It’s growing on me. I’m the kind of listener who doesn’t hear the lyrics right away, but I know I’ll appreciate this album more when I’ve really heard them. My score might be a little bit harsh.

Never heard this album, but I know “badlands”. This is ok, but nothing exciting. I dig promised land. I knew that. I’m enjoying factory.

🤮 boring sludge

Not the Bruce I expected, a bit lower in energy

I mean, cannot really complain about anything specific. Not my jam but I don't hate it either

13/9/24 Don't understand the Springsteen hype.

This is #day36 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it's a sullen September morning in Lviv, I'm listening to a full Bruce Springsteen album for the first time. Until today, I've only heard "Born In The U.S.A." (a single song), and never an entire album. Knowing, however, that this is heartland rock, I viewed it as a musical reflection of personal places and memories: home, childhood, and beloved people... themes that I relate to. This perspective deepened my appreciation for the music, I guess. What struck me was Springsteen's vocal delivery. It varies from mumbling to singing to screaming, which is a rather unpredictable versatility, whether due to production choices or Springsteen's style, we'll see (I believe this isn't his only album on the list). I found the backing band, especially the keys, the sax, and the drum and bass sections, particularly enjoyable. I also started to understand where The Killers might draw their influences. On the other can't, I couldn't help labeling this as a case in point of "dad rock," mainly due to the release date, stylistic elements, and the "working-class" leitmotif. But, overall, it was a nice discovery. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day37.

Badlands is a fantastic song. I'm quite the fan of Springsteen, and I see this album is widely declared to be among his best work, but this isn't his strongest album in my opinion. I prefer the wall of sound opposed to the more raw-style production.

Just can't with the boss

i'm a sucker for springsteen but this isn't one of his top-tier for me

I mean it is good, but I am not a fan of Badlands and a few of the other songs. Still I would say a 3.5, not a 4 star album although could be close.

Bruce Springsteen’s voice -1, “Badlands” +1, most overrated artist

Not the biggest Bruce fan but I do think this is the best of his early stuff.

★★★½

Meh. Not sure I get it

not really my thing i can see the appeal though

He’s certainly got a lot to say here. Unfortunately, I can only understand about 40% of it. The passion is there though and the band is rockin. I especially enjoyed “The promised land” and “streets of fire”.

Exactly what I expected

An easy listen

Not very convinced. The album mostly goes by. Not bad, but not exciting.

I like this one better than the previous album 'The Rising' that I got. Fave song 'The Promised Land'. 3/5

this was...y'know, fine. i mean, i feel like it was supposed to be something special, but to my ear, it was kinda just another rock album. i wish i had something more to say about it, because i genuinely respect the bruce as an artist, but...i mean, meh, know what i mean?

I’ve never really loved Bruce

The older I get the better bruce gets.

Good oldies, this is what people mean when they say america had culture. Will listen to this when I'm 70 and on a porch.

I don't think I've ever properly looked at a picture of Bruce Springsteen before I saw this album cover. Badlands - nice but feels a bit flat Adam raised a Cain - this goes hard Something in the night - whiny Candy's room - hmmm Racing in the street - ... boring? The promised land - not feeling this Factory - not much to say about this Streets of fire - liking this one Prove it all night - I was kind of ready for this song to be over two minutes in. Maybe I'm just in a bad mood Darkness on the edge of town - not my fave I'm sure this was cathartic to write and perform but it wasn't for me. That's okay though! 2.5/5, rounded up to 3/5

before final boss

Bruce has never really been my guy. I saw him live in 2011 or so, and the show blew me away, but that never translated to being a listener. In that vein, this didn't move me. I like Adam Raised a Cain quite a bit, but the rest was very 3 stars for me. He also does some bellowing/caterwalling throughout this album where he feels like he's losing control of his voice. I enjoy it cause it sounds goofy, but it makes it harder to take this really pretty serious album seriously. Album cover: A-. Bonus points for Bruce being really hot here. Also I read its wikipedia, and he wanted this one to be a return to the grunge after Born to Run being such a shiny album. Comparing this cover versus the Born to Run cover, he nailed that aesthetic goal.

Today I’m celebrating Yorkshire Day and hoped for something I could find a tenuous link with God’s own County. Difficult but I know for a fact that he once appeared at Roundhay Park, Leeds because I know someone who went and they were thrilled. I also think I’ve seen a picture of him in a flat cap but no sign of any Ferret. Sadly though I don’t think Bruce will find any of the things he’s looking for in the darkness at the edge of many Yorkshire towns. Quite the opposite but that’s another story. Anyway this is my third Springsteen album and looking back at what I wrote for the first two my relationship with BS has not changed substantially. Although distinctive and identifiable within 2 bars of music I will never like his voice. Relaying on my previous notes because I don’t really want to listen again, I think I like this album a lot more than the first two served up. There are more likeable tracks on this album. Highlight for me is the slower Racing in the Street and The Promised Land has a really cool Sax solo. Quite an enjoyable listen and probably an album I would buy if the price was right (For those who don’t know Yorkshire men are notoriously tight with their money and their favourite saying is “How Much??!!”) Happy Yorkshire Day Bruce your rating today exceeds my average so far! 3/5 1/8/24

Good album not hos best

Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.

Another good album, from the Boss' classic period.

Sometimes I just wish that Bruce would not try to sing, and what's with the crappy guitar solo on "Prove It All Night"? Though the album isn't bad, it isn't something I find sufficiently pleasing to my tender ears for repeat consumption... 2 1/2 stars ***

Najs album Bästa låtar: Badlands, The promised land

3.5 i like it but lots of nothing songs

I feel like when you see a Bruce Springsteen album pop up, you assume it's going to be a 5 due to the legacy and lore of his music. Maybe I put too many expectations on this album but it was mediocre at best. The singles are great but everything else is hardly memorable.

Geez this one was all over the place. A few phenomenal cuts, paired with a few god awful ones and some fill in-between. Album immensely improves when the guitar riffs get heavier, the piano acts as more of an accent than a lead, and Bruce starts belting it. I really do not enjoy early career BS’s voice as a whole though, and the mediocre vocal mix muddles the lyrics far too often. Still, this started off terribly and really brought it back from the brink later on. Listened to: walking to Palms. Favorite tracks: Adam Raised a Cain, Streets of Fire

He’s good at what he does, and he’s a great storyteller, but for me a little Bruce goes a long way. Badlands, Prove It All Night, and Adam Raised a Cain are great…but the working class ballads gets old after a while.

Not the Boss's best album, nor most popular, but a solid record all the same. Opening track, "Badlands", comes right out the gate and hits you in the face with a classic Springsteen sound you'd hear cranked in a packed dive bar. He doesn't give you a chance to settle in as "Adam Raised a Cain" wastes no time with a dirty rock groove that hooked me right away. "Something in the Night" is a great piano ballad of sorts but I don't care much for Bruce's nasally vocals in the opening. "Candy's Room" has good energy but is just ok and then it's another piano ballad with "Racing in the Street". Then it's more signature Springsteen with "The Promised Land" and "Factory". "Streets of Fire" is a lumbering track that throws a little Gilmour-esc solo at you with a good "soft/loud" dynamic between verse and chorus. The album closes with "Prove It All Night" and the title track, the former of which is one of my favorites from the album with a great hook and the latter sounding much like the rest of the album. Suggested tracks: Adam Raised a Cain, Streets of Fire & Prove It All Night 3/5

Good album.

Probably carries the most “authority” of the blue collar millionaire troubadour. Channelling just enough working class factory weariness before he became the mass produced multimillionaire charactuer of Bruce Springsteen.

Good in places. But he's a "greatest hits" artist for me, not someone who I want to listen to whole albums.

Kicks off with a bang and Carrie’s it through to the end. Lots of classic rock drum, guitar and piano riffs with Bruce’s signature touch of drama on the vocals.

This older Bruce is a bit more moody than I’m used to. But not bad.

3+

I thought this was middle of the road music. Nothing offensive, but nothing too great. I could go without listening to a Springsteen record for the rest of my life.

It’s pretty good, but didn’t love

I am going to say something potentially Un-American: I’ve never really been a Boss fan! I have the deepest respect for him but never listened to an album until now. I have always heard he was a great story teller and this album was an example of that. Badlands and Factory are perfect evidence of why he is considered “Working Class” Bruce. His vocals present like he took over Elvis boweled out. This band is tight and legendary. I could definitely see him live. This was a good album! I might be a Boss fan yet…😀

I want to pray at the altar of Bruce. I've seen the followers and man it looks fun. I'm hoping one day I see the light. I did listen to this and it was an enjoyable listen. "Streets of Fire" came the closer to making me a believer. Until then, I'll keep trying and see if I am ever overcome with the spirit one of these times.

Decent. Interesting vibe and sound. Instrumentals quite good. Good to listen to something new. Highlights: Adam Raised a Cain The Promised Land Factory

Couple solid winners in Badlands and Prove It All Night, with a lot of solid 3 star energy in between.

Badlands 2.8 Adam Raised a Cain 2.9 Something in the Night 2.6 Candy's Room 2.7 Racing in the Street 2.2 The Promised Land 2.3 Factory 2.4 Streets of Fire 2.4 Prove It All Night 2.5 Darkness on the Edge of Town 2.6 Score: 2.54

I have to admit I am not a fan of the Boss but I wanted to give this a fair shot. I know he’s a legend and yadda yadda yadda but whatever. Is it a bad record? Not at all. The songwriting is definitely good and the vocal harmonies are great. This one doesn’t have a ton of songs I’d heard before so I was pleasantly surprised at the upbeat tracks like the intro Badlands, but he lost me a few tracks in. Lyrically there is some beautiful stuff here. Adam Raised a Cain is a great example. I really, really tried to get into this record but it just didn’t hit. I think it’s better than the 80’s crud he pumped out later on, though. Fans of the guy would probably slap me but I wasn’t particularly impressed.

Not one of his better albums

I like Bruce. I don’t love Bruce, but I like Bruce.

When it drags it draaaaaaaaaags

Always enjoyable and brought back memories but I think I have moved on in terms of music I love.

easy listening corporate rock

The Boss!

Highlight: Adam Raised A Cain In a nutshell: Bruce mellows out a bit. The book described this follow up to Born To Run as “subdued”. Checks out. Bruce's lyrics are heartfelt and mumbles in most tracks. The E Street Band are as you'd expect - precise and passionate. Overall: 6/10

top level bruce is unsurpassed but let’s be honest, sometimes he just kind of warbles along

I’m a fan of Bruce Springsteen but I’ve never been a fan of his music. That said, I did enjoy listening to this album. 3

Not worth the hype - 3 stars Favorite track: Badlands, prove it all night

Long, meandering songs. So much Hammond organ, Wawa pedal, etc. Interesting format and many great moments, especially the vocals. But as a whole, not my thing.

Didn’t mind this but the Boss is not really my jam. Badlands is a great song though

Not bad, but I don’t think it’s very memorable

While I am a fan, there are at least two albums in his catalog that I would put ahead of this one. One of which came out before Darkness on the Edge of Town.

It's Bruce. What do you expect?

Whole lotta mid

The album starts out incredibly strong with Badlands and I was excited to hear more of this ode to the American blue collar working man. Springsteen looms so large in US culture and I know so many of his later albums. But ultimately I was disappointed. I understand why this gets so many accolades but I just don’t connect with it.

Sounds like the workingclass

Darkness was the best track, the rest were ok.

An ok album

Sounds like a Bruce Springsteen album.

Die Musik war gut! Aber mit den Texten konnte ich echt nichts anfangen...

Darkness on the Edge of Town is the fourth studio album by Bruce Springsteen, originally released in 1978. I've lived in Philly my whole life, which means the Jersey Shore is basically my second home. That also means that I've been subjected to Bruce's music everywhere I go. Seriously, walk into any Jersey bar and his music is guaranteed to be playing. There are probably hundreds of Springsteen cover bands in that small state. Never been a fan unfortunately. This is probably only the second time I've given his music a fair shot. One thing I appreciated right off the bat about this album is the production. Clean, but not slick. Guys, this came out in 1978, pretty much the height of the disco era. Gotta respect that he stuck to that roots-but-somehow-also-arena-rock sound. Another thing that stood out to me were his vocals. I'm not really vibing with the slurred word style a-la Van Morrison. Sounds like someone doing drunken karaoke. Sometimes it kinda works though. And the songwriting isn't too bad either. I assume seeing his live performances might change my mind. Although I've never been a fan of "The Boss", I'm glad I listened to this. He's obviously a very important part of music history.

Wanted to give it higher, but didn't quite earn a 4. Adam raised a cane goes pretty hard

Rating: 7/10 Very good album overall. There are great moments in almost every song and one fantastic song. Instrumentally this album is either fantastic or very underwhelming; most songs have elements of both and a few are just underwhelming. The slower songs are not interesting to me, Springsteen's voice is not good enough to carry a song with sparse instrumentation. Favorite songs: Adam Raised a Cain, Candy's Room, the end of Racing in the Street, The Promised Land, Streets of Fire, Prove It All Night. Worst song: Darkness On the Edge of Town.

A bruce Springsteen album that really makes you think 'gee whizz, this sure is a bruce Springsteen album.'

Not a bad album on the whole, I just find Bruce's voice grating very quickly

3.8

Badlands is such a great song - shame that the other songs do not match up to this.

Was never a huge Bruce Springsteen fan, though I try to keep that to myself being that I'm from NJ, but the album had its classics that everyone knows and some other songs that were cool to hear for the first time as well.

Fine. Wouldn’t be offended listening to this casually, but nothing spoke to me.

A touch too bland, otherwise solid

I don't think it's bad. I just didn't like it. I think I understand why people like Bruce Springsteen, but he's not for me. This music feels like how country music would feel years later. It's a collection of anthems for the working class. Very direct, no metaphor. I didn't hate it, but I listened only once and didn't feel like giving it a second go. Not interested. Three stars.

Really good. But thunder road was better

Didn’t like as much as born to run but points for cool album cover. Rating: 3.2

Just fine

7/10

Springsteen has a unique spin on rock and roll. It feels like it comes from a similar vein as some of the other rock classics from that time like David Bowie. But it's got a particular American aesthetic. Almost like if rock and roll were to cosplay as country, this is what you'd get. It's alright for me. There's some nice guitar riffs and some catchy hooks. I don't particularly love it either.

It's a good one. I preferred the first couple of Springsteen albums, before he got all racing themed, and quit him after The River, when he decided he needed everyone to know and adopt his politics. Still, this is a good album to show someone that needs an introduction to Springsteen.

I've passively listened to a lot of Bruce Springsteen. It all kind of blends together for me. This album was all good and does all the stuff I've heard. I think the strongest track is upfront.

I like Bruce. I do. But it all sorta sounds the same, musically, to me. So I get bored.

Non mi fa impazzire 3

This is my second Springsteen album and I think I have to admit now that I don't hate him after all.

I really try every time to like his music, and every time after two songs my concentration fades and suddenly the album is over. Only album the River I once maneges to really listen to. So not 1 or 2 starts as I am not annoyed, and not 4 or 5 because it is not interesting to me. 3 stars will do for the Boss.

6/10 Highlights: The Factory

Going to be wrting this a few more times, Bruce Springsteen - some people like, me not so much.

Fun, but nothing to revisit.

It's fine. Favorite tracks: - Badlands - Adam Raised a Cain - Racing in the Street

plain. nothing inoffensive. 3/5

This album sounded like Something in the Night on the way home from the Factory.