Darkness on the Edge of Town

Loistava julkaisu Springsteeniltä. Born to Run ja USA ovat vielä parempia, mutta sijoittaisin Darknessin miehen kolmanneksi parhaaksi levyksi. Vaikka kappaleiden aiheet pyörivätkin samojen aiheiden ympärillä, kokonaisuus ei tylsistytä. Tekstit eivät ole yhtä toiveikkaita kuin Born to Runilla, mutta eivät yhtä lohduttoman synkkiä mitä Nebraskalla.

I enjoyed the blues influences. Not sure if out of all Springsteen's albums this one had to be included, but it was still good.

Some powerful songs but nothing too entertaining for me.

Спрингстин, наверное, делает самый американский рок по моему мнению. И вот прямо совсем мимо меня. Я понимаю, что в нём нравится американцам. Но мне это совсем не близко

He's talented but I am not a fan

Love me some Bruce! He was one of the first older legacy artists I felt compelled to check out. Maybe that's why I've developed a bit of an emotional attachment to his music, and he was also one of the first times classic dad rock captured my attention, both in sound and lyrics. This one is more solemn than an album like "Born to Run", but still a goodie!

The album launches with the Bruce Springsteen Big 'Ol Polished Rock and Roll Band sound that I don't like much, but it gets simpler, quieter, and more dynamic, which I do like, much indeed. Don't know if I'd put it on my personal list, but it's good Springsteen.

Not the best Springsteen album (there aren't any memorable singles or songs). In my opinion, not sure it's a must-hear album. Didn't change my life. It's worth a 2.7 score.

Solid Bruce. Never lets you down.

Springsteen, hmmm... For many this is judged as his best album. For me, it's what you get from Bruce Springsteen (I don't feel sufficiently familiar to call him Bruce, or Broooce even). Enjoyable enough

Rock solid

Of course it can be bombastic. But it can be nostalgic, and it can be tender. Hell, it can even borrow from punk (Candy's Room could surely have been a Patti Smith track). This guy can do anything needed to give his extraordinary lyrics the emotional heft they deserve. Possibly the only artist that can move me from melancholic tears to anger at social injustice at the switch of a track. And that, my friend, is a 5.

Decent album, not a difficult listen through, no significant hits, but good sound.

i don't get the appeal

Er nok det sterkeste albumet mener jeg

Bruce is odd to me, I can't really get into him but I appreciate the way he sings; always sounding like he's given it his all to tell a story. Never anything I'd put on, but kind of puts me in nostalgic mood for a different life

Couple of really good tunes

Top

One of my favourites. Saw him play the entirety of this album at Wembley and the person infront of me was using shazam

not rlly my type of music but i love the instrumental behind it all and certain melodies he uses

Not his best album, but still a couple good songs.

The Boss!

Not always a big Bruce Springsteen fan but I was Shocked at how much I enjoyed this. Less of the shout vocal he often has.

Just an average rock album...

Living in Philly for 5 years, I actively avoided Bruce Springsteen as to not adhere to the cult following. However, after finally listening to Springsteen that isn’t one of his big hits, I can confidently say it makes sense why he is a New Jersey/Philly suburbs folk hero. These fucking people have no taste whatsoever, and could quite literally be the stupidest motherfuckers I’ve ever surrounded myself with. His lack of talent is so distracting that I couldn’t even properly listen to the lyrics or music. New Jersey can keep this guy as long as he stays far far away from me. Was gonna give it a 2 but my hatred for New Jersey knocks it to a 1. Fuck all the way off

If literally anyone else was dying singing this it would be really good. Unfortunately for me I have to listen to hot fucking ass again. Why is he in here so many times? Adam Raised a Cain was okay, but the others were so bad I stopped listening halfway through the album.

Outro álbum de Springsteen. Não vou mentir, não sinto entusiasmo nenhum em ouvir mais um disco dele, mas sempre tento manter a mente aberta. Bob Dylan me mostrou que não dá pra descartar a discografia inteira de um artista por um bocado de álbuns. O grande problema que tenho com ele são seus vocais, de fato. Este álbum até possui uns momentos ótimos no quesito instrumental. Umas partes de guitarras bem incríveis, solos fortes mesmo. Não vou ser dramático e dizer que Bruce estraga essas canções, mas também não vou mentir que sinto que ele não adiciona muito. Seu estilo vocal não me agrada totalmente, mas vejo o valor. Cansativo, mas não ao todo ruim. Dá pra resgatar algumas faixas específicas, mas não acho muito legal ouvir tudo de capa a capa. 3/5

Springsteen is an artist I respect more than I enjoy. This album is okay, I think it's one of his better ones, but still every song sounds the same. He does this weird vocal inflection on every song that got old after a while. I swear every song here has the exact same melody. Mid 3.

Hey, it's the Boss. And the Boss always delivers. So: 3/5

As with the other two Bruce albums I've listened to, I respect what it is but its still not for me. I believe I recognize a couple of the songs but the overall mood of the thing doesn't move me at all. It does sound very late 70s though and must have been standard for the time.

Super rolas. Bien chavo, bien inspirado :D

Having spent an exchange year in New Jersey, I cannot help but feel personally identified by the Boss' discography. On such a note, this record resonates with me beyond the music in a very tangible way, and despite not being his most noteworthy collection of songs, it does really make for a great listening experience. 9/10 [KEEP]

Tiens, Bruce Springsteen ! Encore un artiste que j'étais certain de retrouver dans la liste. C'est la première fois que j'écoute sérieusement un album du Boss. Honnêtement, je n'en suis pas très fan. C'est bien, c'est pas un mauvais album, mais c'est un petit peu mi-cuit, pour moi. C'est un brin hard rock, mais pas trop, c'est énergique, mais aussi bourré de ballades qui ne me parlent pas... Donc voilà, pas foufou pour moi.

This was so much better than Born To Run (aside from the actual song Born to Run, of course). This is The Boss!

A Springsteen album is probably going to start from a high score for me. But then, as my expectations are high, it needs to live up to his amazing catalogue, or be judged harshly. I know this album has become critically acclaimed in retrospect, but honestly, it's not one of my The Boss favourites. So, it starts at a 4, is harshly marked down to a 3.5, then rounded up to a 4. Trust me, it's perfectly logical 😂.

I like Bruce's music and his ability to tell a story through a short song. Some great moments on this album (Adam raised a Cain) and some great playing from the band. But somehow, even though I liked the songs on it I thought there is something missing, but I can't put my finger on what it is. 3.5

In my review of Nebraska I noted that all the songs individually were great, but as a whole record it was less than the sum of it's parts. The album went from "this is a great piece of writing" to "this is an oppressive weight on my shoulders". Darkness... is not quite as extreme in the bleakness, but it's still an oppressive album. I am learning I don't come out of Springsteen albums feeling lifted. I don't come out thinking "things are bad but they could be worse". I come out feeling like I've been cycling negative thoughts through my head on repeat. Which is a really negative way of saying, Springsteen is pretty great at what he does. But what he does sometimes speaks TOO close. It's not an escape, it's not a perspective realignment, it's a harm cycle.

5/10 Sorry to my mom, a fan of Bruce for something like 45 or 50 years: I just don't really like his music. It's not bad, but it's not good, either. Once you've heard one song (/album) you've heard 'em all.

The first album after his breakthrough third studio album.

he SUCKS

No enunciation in most of these songs. I'm not a blue collar man so I'm not the target audience anyways. Decent musically.

Bruce's vocal expression is my favorite thing about this album. He channels the dark, moody, and angry emotions of this album. I suppose I've been so accustomed to hearing his voice, but there's emotions through his vocals that you don't get from anybody else. There are no better examples of this than "Adam Raised a Cain", "Streets of Fire", or the closing track, "Darkness on the Edge of Town", which is one of my absolute favorite Springsteen songs. It's just pure emotion. I could never get into "Nebraska" like many, but to those who think that's his best album; I say, THIS is his best album.

Not my FAVORITE Bruce album, but still really moody and evocative of a very specific feeling.

I’m not the biggest Springsteen fan general, and this album didn’t really shift the needle one way or another for me. 3/5

Probably some of Bruce’s best vocals and writing. Glorious album

Highs and lows.

One of Springsteens better albums but not my fave (cause born to run exists). It’s so damn close to a 5 but theres a track or two i don’t fully love. Standouts are Adam Raised A Cain, Something In The Night, The Promised Land and Prove It All Night.

New to me. Perfectly fine but not something I'm in a rush to listen to again

No not for me, I didn’t mind it, but I found it a little dull. 1.5 stars

First heard this a couple of years ago when doing a similar list - had always dismissed Springsteen as a lot of bombastic nonsense but this really resonated with me. Was great to revisit again. Excellent songwriting, great album.

Beyond dreary with rather more than an added dash of pomposity. One star. Tom.

Meh

Maybe controversial but I don’t like Bruce Springsteen. I do like him as a person and I do like two of his songs neither of which were on this album, but I don’t like his voice. I didn’t know any songs on here.

Très, trop rade pour Springsteen

It’s The Boss himself! After 43 minutes of powerful, strained vocals, soaring guitar solos, soaring saxophone solos, and distinctly American lyrical content that chronicles just about everything from working class life in New Jersey, I see why he earned such a nickname. He was undeniablely the face of American culture and music especially in the east coast during the time, and it definitely wasn’t all sunshhine and rainbows either, and maybe that’s what makes a guy like Bruce Springsteen so compelling musically. Is it a little over the top and showy? You bet it is, but it also happens to be really great.

It’s an even good album. Favourites: Something In The Night, Badlands, Racing In The Street and Darkness on the Edge of Town.

With this list being my first time listening to any Springsteen albums, I've got to say I found this one a lot more enjoyable than Born in the USA and Nebraska. It felt a lot more varied musically, and I certainly liked the energy here a lot more than on Nebraska. Way catchier, but still with a bit of an edge to it. 3.5 out of 5 for me. Favourite tracks: Adam Raised a Cain, Candy's Room, Streets of Fire

Bored in the USA

Rock and roll truly all does some the same to me. I'm sorry.

It’s a good album but probably wasn’t in the mood for it

The album you play while drinking Yuengling at a new jersey dive bar after your shift unloading cargo ships or making Taylor Ham.

Favourite tracks: Racing in the street Streets of fire

Got nothing against Brucie, he seems like a nice bloke, but damn - this was some of the most boring stadium dad rock I've ever had to endure in my life.

Sounds perfectly 1978 in style, the sound of the guitars and the rhythms. Rick Springfield must have studied this album as a pass/fail course, down to the cover. That semi-poppy sound Bruce would eventually leave behind still sounds good and raw, and he belts his vocals with hungry ambition. He's still in that life as he sings about it. I kind of have to laugh at the cover, though, it's like he gave his girlfriend the camera and told her to get a couple shots in the TV room. Looks like he's several beers in, too. "Good enough!"

4/5

J'aime pas sa voix, et j'aime pas spécialement ses chansons.

I think something was off with the mixing. Could barely understand a word he was saying

Springsteen always a bit of a headscratcher for me. But I actually found a track that I quite like... 2: Adam Raised a Cain. 3?

Bra

Klassiskt album med 2-3 riktiga anthems. Tyvärr lite för många långsamma låtar, man skulle velat ha lite mer drag.

Det var ett jävla ylande!!

Full disclosure: I don't like Bruce Springsteen. I know Bruce Springsteen fans feel like this is in his top 3 albums, but I keep have trouble seeing it. He has some good songs but not enough for me to fully understand the hype. I tried going into this one unbiased but it got the better of me. 1.) Badlands: He almost mumbles at times in this song and with the harmonizing on this one, he almost sounds like what I would imagine Dracula sounds like singing this song. Good horns. 2.) Adam Raised a Cain: The beginning almost sounds like a Tom Petty song. Not bad, chorus has some energy behind it. Should play this in a Raising Cane's (I've only been in a Raising Cane's for less than 5 minutes because the guy ahead of me in line wanted to fight the cashier so it would fit in that situation). 3.) Something in the Night: I like the piano intro in this song. I like the part break with the bass drum. Not a fan of him hollering at times in this song, sounds like Wario. 4.) Candy's Room: Not a fan of this one. Weird exposition in the beginning. 5.) Racing in the Street: Found this one to be too long. For a song about racing, it is pretty slow. 6.) The Promised Land: Dracula is back and he's a racer. Especially when he says "blow away". Not bad story on this one. Don't mind the sax or the harmonica on this one. 7.) Factory: Fine song, I don't know why I never liked his portrayal of blue collar work. 8.) Streets of Fire: Another slow song that felt like it dragged on. Too much belting in the 2nd verse. 9.) Prove It All Night: I did know this one before listening. Its a fine song. I feel like this would be someone's go-to karaoke song. 10.) Darkness On the Edge of Town: Fine song, alright as an album-ending song.

I collect vinyl, and recently I realized I had no Bruce Springsteen in my collection. I bought a few records and realized why I didn’t have him in my collection. Outside of a few songs, he doesn’t do much for me. I have not heard this album yet so I was open to see if this one changed my mind. It didn’t. It was fine, just not what I was in the mood for. 3 stars

3.5

Can’t go wrong with The Boss. My second favorite of his for sure.

The Boss!…again. This one did even less to impress me than Born in the USA. It doesn’t even sound as good as that one which was its main saving grace. These songs aren’t empirically “bad” but they are all unnecessary to me. This album has a lot of that fake ass “I’m an Everyman!” bent to them that I find particularly irksome. Who buys this shit?! Apparently a lot of dummies.

Again, I do not understand this man’s appeal. This album is awful. Each song—awful. It’s all bad.

Favorite Track: Prove It All Night

Not bad. Kinda like Bruce Springsteen, but I don’t know if I’ll be listening to him regularly.

7/10

5/10

The Rocky Balboa of dad-rock: held on a pedestal of greatness, enough mumbling to consider a brain injury… didn’t enjoy this one much.

Another excellent album. Not Born to Run, but that’s a harsh comparison

not into rap

Loved the band. Not 100% sold on Bruce’s voice, but his writing is great. I’m between a 3 and a 4

I'm rounding up. It's really a 3.5. But I enjoyed it.

Liked it a lot more than expecting.

One of Bruce’s best. First and last songs are the best but the entire album is amazing.

Great album, front to back. Not a weak track. I'd personally pick this as my favourite of his albums

Mediocre mumbling.

Not the best Springsteen album for sure.. couple of interesting songs I hadn’t heard before…I would spin again

I've tried, but there's really only one or two Bruce songs I like.

un poco peor

Another very enjoyable album from Springsteen!

Fav: Streets of Fire L: The Promised Land 2.5 Too goofy to hate, not goofy enough to respect. Maybe there's something charming about it, but I'm not sold. Cover: 2 Name: 2.5 Minecraft Parody: Zombie Jockeyed a Pig (Adam Raised A Cain)

This album is kinda dumb. Bruce's voice is kinda dumb. It ain't for me. W: Adam raised a cain L: racing in the street, factory 2/5

Heard before?:❌️ Will listen again?:❌️

The best one

Masterpiece of masterpieces.

My favourite album by the boss