Bruce Springsteen at his best
350748
Born to Run is the album that started Bruce Springsteen to the fame he enjoys now.
The album has a raw charm, but it is a kick back to the Rock of the 50's and 60's.
Bruce at one time wanted to become a premier guitarist but realized his efforts were in vain. He decided to concentrate on writing and performing instead. In time he has become one of the very best writers in Rock.
This is his signature album (arguably with Born in the USA).
If you like Bruce Springsteen this album is a must.
64636
I have been a Springsteen fan for 20 years. I have seen him live 3 times, and own Live 75-85, In Concert, and the Chimes of Freedom EP. I just purchased Live in New York City. This is a blistering Live Album. The alternate arangements are breathtaking. The power and conviction Bruce and the band have sound as if this was the last rock and roll show. In the early 90's Bruce wierded out on us, left the E Street band and formed a new one. Following a few low points in his recorded output, including the less than inspired MTV Concert cd, Bruce is back with the old band mates and in top form. The "other" band just did not have the ability of the E-Street band. Buy this one and play it loud!!!
1872102
This is a must buy for any Bruce Springsteen fan. This is the last tour with Clarence Clemons. A great souvenir and quality show with great video and sound. Love you Bruce.
3621390
Stunning, as good as anything he has ever done. He brilliantly captures the raw searing pain and insurmoutable grief of that  horrific day in September.  To get  background for some of these songs  he contacted  widows of firefighters whose dead  husbands were big Springsteen fans. Hence a lot of the lyrics are based on the lives and histories of real people and real familes trying to cope with their loss. Bruce Springsteen has always preached the healing powers of Rock and Roll. In "The Rising" he succeeds in sharing our loss of 9/11, and giving us the hope that things will get better set to gorgeous lyrics and music.  I can't think of another artist who could have taken on such a huge project and succeeded with such dignity and grace. An 11 on a scale of 1-10
1499247
This is the best album by Bruce Springsteen, titled 'Born In The Usa' by far, following on another excellent album 'Born To Run', he was unstoppable! 'Born In The USA' thrusted Bruce Springsteen into the stratosphere, selling more than 24 million copies world wide. There is no weak song on the whole album with mega hits "Born In The USA", "No Surrender", "Glory Days", "I'm On Fire", "Dancing In The Dark" & "My Hometown". Even then the younger Bruce Springsteen then remarked "There will never be another (Born In The USA)", indicating the musical mastery in the album that even him as prolific singer-songwriter may not be able to match or better. This is by far a classic rock album of note, one of the best by far, not only by Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen but in rock as a whole! This album will please many rock enthusiasts, new & old ones on how a rock album should be, a highly recommended album if you like "The Boss"'s music, a landmark album of note!
3254694
This album comes at a perfect time for me. I'm a longtime Springsteen fan, but I've lost interest in his music lately, finding it a bit repetitive and, well, uninteresting. On the other hand, I've been discovering and loving American Roots music via "O Brother" and later Dan Zanes (check out his "Parades and Panoramas"). So of course I was interested in Bruce's new experiment.

The joy and energy on this record are infectious and uplifting. This kind of music is a perfect match for Springsteen, and it's great to hear his voice backed by such a full range of sound.
3749061
Eric Alterman has achieved in this book what I belive no other author has been able to achieve when it comes to analysing the music of Bruce Springsteen. In it he delves into the lyrics to Bruce Springsteen songs and  how they reflect what stage of life he was experiecing at a certain time in  his career. In addition, each albumn is analysed in terms of success and  artistic merit, as well as a look at the tours conducted following each  record. A must for any long time Bruce Springsteen fan, as well as any new  fans of the "Boss".
3157665
Anyone who likes or loves Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will enjoy this book. Clemons tells the story of the origins of the band and his relationship with Bruce, stories that any fan will appreciate.
4639345
I always wondered what it would take to get me to submit a review, and this CD is it.
I think Bruce's work on this album is understated brilliance, and I alternately cried and danced in my chair on the first listenings (3 consecutive). As an artist, Bruce internalized the events of 9/11 and was inspired to create what few could ever hope to; a stunning compilation of songs that masterfully and beautifully articulates the confusion, pain, aftermath, and subsequent hope of a relief worker, a loved one, a nation.
Bruce's songwriting skills are top-notch, and the lyrics on this album really display his capacity for tapping in to the depth of the human spirit and emotion. But the theme here is healing, so while  many of the lyrics bring you back emotionally to the events of last year, in typical Bruce style, the music also has the power to rejuvenate.

The album is thoroughly modern in its approach, yet elements of the "old" Bruce  - the great E-Street Band sound, Clarence's provocative sax, the knock-your-socks-off guitar solos, the memorable rock-n-roll anthems - are here again, too. While listening, I can't help but picture myself dancing and singing along to many of these songs with friends at a live show. (And if you've ever been to one of his shows, you know what I mean!!!)
A lot of care and thought has gone in to the production details as well. Songs thread seamlessly in to one another. Additional musicians and musical styles are used to full effect. And lyrics are included.
THE RISING is a modern classic, in my opinion ranking right up there with Bruce's best - but will stand on it's own. More than ever, it should solidify Bruce's place in musical history. It's an album that Neil Young, Billy Joel, and certainly Bon Jovi, among others, will wish they'd made.
Buy it.
4657011
I have been a huge Springsteen fan since before his first album was released in 1973.  I have watched him mature into the poet of his generation, and a showman beyond compare.  I believe The River, his fifth studio album,  was a transformational period for him personally, and whatever was going on inside him allowed him to produce some of his finest work.  If you have the original The River release from late 1980, you have heard all these songs.  They have all been meticulously remastered, however, and now sound better than they ever have.

My favorites are The River, Hungry Heart, Point Blank, and Fade Away, but there are a total of 20 superb recordings on these 2 CDs that continue some of the stories he has told before, and Bruce has started some new ones.  His writing is heartfelt and masterful.  I am hard pressed to think of another recording artist who possesses the Boss's combination ow lyric writing talent (the poetry part), music writing ability, musicianship, and showmanship.

There is no mistaking Bruce has really refined his vocal performances over the decades. I have no idea who his vocal coach is, but he or she is performing an awesome job.  I think The River album marked the onset of the progressive improvements I noted in his vocals.  In case you were wondering, Rolling Stone Magazine has ranked The River as the 250th greatest album ever recorded.

The only downside of this remastered masterpiece is that the boxed set, The Ties That Bind: The River Collection, will be released in time for the holiday season of 2015.  That means anyone owning this double CD and wishing to purchase that boxed set will already possess the heart of it.  I guess this is the doing of the "record machine" Bruce has warned us of in the past.

Anyway, if you haven't purchased this yet, you might think about waiting a few weeks and buy The Ties That Bind: The River Collection when it is released.  You will get all these marvelously remastered songs, much more never previously released music (a total of 4 CDs), and 3 DVDs or 2 Blu-Ray discs containing 4 hours of never before seen video including a the River Tour concert from Tempe, AZ.  Sounds like too much fun!
3141421
Interesting how everyone has a different sense of Bruce. So all I can do is say how it hits me and then let it go.
I felt the first four songs are just ok. Ok is ok. I like them, but they could just be more Tracks.

Then the album starts with a great song: What love can do. And continues on from there with song after song filled with passion for life. If you aren't an old guy, like Bruce, then you might not get Kingdom of Days; that makes me cry. Then so does the Last Carnival. The Wrestler is a classic on par with Bruce's best.

Bruce has gone through changes, he actually has done some growing up, he shares himself and he's extremely good at doing that. So I listen and find some truth. It's great.
3663346
Yes, I am a diehard Springsteen fan, so this is going to be far from a critical review (not that I can't be critical of even my most favorite performers; trust me, I can and have been). And I actually thought twice about buying this one after hearing a couple of songs, and even after seeing him perform on Jimmy Fallon's show; I just wasn't that taken, and wondered how many times I'd actually want to hear "Jack of All Trades."

Yet here I am, giving the CD its first full listen and knowing I'll be seeing him live on May 2nd -- in NJ, the promised land -- and damn, I'm just smitten! If the only good thing I got out of it was his tribute to Clarence in the liner notes, it would have been enough. But he and his newly composed band are rocking hard, and as I turn 54 next month it gets more and more important for me to have a hero like Bruce keeping the heart and soul of rock 'n roll alive and well.

He may not be perfect but he's still vital and fresh and working it like his life and our emotional well-being depends on it. This is no oldies act -- the man does not rest on his laurels, and Lord knows he could after all these years. "Baby You Got It" is on now, and it lands right in the pantheon of "Cross My Heart" (similar rhythmic line), "She's The One," "Fire," etc. I love that he tries new sounds, different back-up singers and players. I love that, while it always sounds like Springsteen music, it's not the same old, same old. Oh my, I am one happy Jersey girl...while it's no longer my home, he makes me proud to have been born and raised there.
4711925
For the Springsteen fan a perfect gift

This is a must have for the Springsteen fan. The movie shows clips from classic performances as narrated by the fans who were part of them.

My 6 year old has watched so many times since we got this, he knows all the lines.

At least with this film, i don't mind knowing all of the movie with him
648651
While nowhere near his greatest masterpiece (Born to Run fits that bill), Devils & Dust can easily lay claim to being Bruce's best solo album, finally dethroning Nebraska.  It's a vivid depiction of heartache, the future, and the unknown by this master.  Thumbs way up.
3289940
Get it on Vinyl for the unreleased bonus tracks on a separate 45.  Eric Church is an incredible performer.  I cried during his speech during Springsteen.  What a talent.
3740773
I haven't listened to the remastered Born to Run closely enough yet to pick up the difference in the sound (what can I say- it always already sounded good to me)-  but even if there was NO difference- any Springsteen/E Street Band fan needs this set for the incredible DVD of the 1975 Hammersmith Odeon show!  Here we are only a few years from Bruce's audition for John Hammond, the band just beginning its transition from playing clubs- and you can already see the explosive energy, joy and drama that would make the Springsteen/E Street Band shows some of the most incredible shows in rock'n roll.

There are plenty of highlights, but my very favorites are the stripped down "Thunder Road" with just Bruce on harmonica and Roy Bittan's hypnotic piano, the breathtaking "Lost in the Flood" about the 1969 Asbury Park race riots, the rollicking "Detroit Medley", followed by Bruce sitting down to play solo piano on an intimate "For You", and then ending it all with a boisterous "Quarter to Three".  Throughout it all, the band is tight as a drum- you can see the look on their faces "Hey, world- get a look at US!"

I haven't yet seen the "Wings for Wheels" documentary except for the excerpt Amazon had for viewing for the past month or so- and it looks great- but even if it was TERRIBLE and you decided to use it and the BTR disc as COASTERS, the money for this set would be well spent for the incredible Hammersmith disc.  Enjoy!
3457117
From an objective point of view, Working On A Dream may not entirely please every Bruce Springsteen fan, but I don't think it will alienate many either.  From fun, upbeat pop/rock to intimate acoustic balladry, this collection takes off from where 2007's Magic ended, but also includes more than a hint of 'classic' Springsteen sound.  This is by no means a 'perfect' record, but it has more than enough substantial material to stand uniquely on its own in The Boss' discography.

Written and recorded quickly beginning immediately upon the conclusion of Magic, there's a 'raw'-ness at the core of many of these songs that no amount of production can cover up.  And yes, producer Brendan O'Brien has ordered up quite the majestic arrangement on many of the tracks...almost to the point of overdoing it at times.  The string orchestra is back in full force, and there are times where the music comes close to overwhelming Bruce's vocal.  For example, on "What Love Can Do" and parts of the second and third verses of "Life Itself", you lose a few words here and there due to guitars and/or background vocals that seem to share the same frequencies as the vocal.  But for the most part, you get to hear Bruce's one-of-a-kind vocals loud and clear.  On a few songs, we get a very 'up-front' vocal sound...especially on songs where the arrangements aren't as big, like "The Last Carnival" and "The Wrestler".  On "Carnival", I love how Bruce's voice cracks and breaks at the end of many of the lines...most tracks were recorded in only a couple of takes, and that adds up to a high 'human' factor...very real and pure, like he's singing live right in front of you.

A few tracks haven't done a lot for me yet in the short time I've been listening to it..."Good Eye" seems to be just another run-of-the-mill blues rocker, and the 'almost-country two-step' "Tomorrow Never Knows" hasn't had me doing any cartwheels either.  Then again, I initially wrote off "My Lucky Day" as overly simplistic and repetitious, but it's grown on me a bit now (and it's fun to dance to), so I think its possible to change your tune on some of the songs that don't instantly strike you.  Several did have an immediate impact on me however...the bottom of the lineup is especially strong starting from "Life Itself" (I love the different, almost eerie mood) all the way to "The Wrestler", the Golden Globe Award winner and my personal favorite song here...that one's all emotion with a wonderful vocal delivery.

"Outlaw Pete" paints a picture of the American west with guns ablazing with a bottom line message of learning to live with the sins of our past in order to move forward.  The absurd 'controversy' over Bruce stealing this from Kiss ("I Was Made For Lovin' You") has me smelling 'publicity stunt'...while the melodies share the same notes, NOTHING else is remotely similar.  Several tunes focus on a personal relationship theme...a line from "Kingdom Of Days" tells us "I don't see the summer as it wanes, just the subtle change of light upon your face."  "The Last Carnival" remembers keyboardist Danny Federici, who lost his battle with cancer last April.  "Queen Of The Supermarket" almost seemed silly at first...grocery shopping is a unique topic...but Bruce has said this song is to remind us we can find beauty where it's often ignored or passed by.  No matter how trite the lyrics may seem at times, you know the wheels were turning in Bruce's head when he wrote it...there's always a message or deeper meaning there, even with all of these pop songs he's doing now.

In any case, it appears Bruce really enjoyed making this record...I don't believe he set out to break any new ground musically or to make any grand statement here either, but that doesn't diminish the enjoyment of listening to it...minor flaws aside, Working On A Dream works well.