Bruce Springsteen album by album

I first became aware of Bruce Springsteen in 1975 with Born To Run. I was blown away. He was for me, truly, the "future of rock n roll". A friend who already knew him and had his previous two albums, agreed to swap those albums for three used porn mags and a pint of milk.  Little was I to know that Springsteen would never again produce an album the equal of those first three, let alone improve on them, but would slowly evolve into middle of the road meaningless rawk or that racist right-wing timid obscenity called "heartland rock", which is the refuge of the inadequate American red neck. For a man who held such hope and promise it is a sad decline. With the release of the confused and inept Born In The USA he became the champion of gun-toting inbred nationalists

There is a marked change in Springsteen's work before and after the success he experienced following the making and release of Born To Run. Before, Springsteen was a writer and musician waiting and hoping for his break, living in washed out hope in a run down sea-side resort where people went to escape their reality, and where people lived, hoping to escape their reality. The songs are full of desire and hope and fear and tension, very much lived from within. After Born,  there was an enforced delay before he was able to get to work on his next album due to financial wrangles as he moved from one manager to another. During this period he became famous, and established. His concerns now were somewhat different to what they had been before and during Born. His songs were no longer viewed from inside - he was now a more conventional observer and commentator on the conventional everyday life of other people. Writing now about people's hardships, albeit informed by his own pre Born realities, gave an outside view rather than an inside one. His songs, in both structure and themes, became more conventional. The songs were good, and the first album after Born - Darkness On The Edge of Town - still has some of the drive, fire and creativity of Born, but is not its match, let alone its successor.

Bruce Springsteen  is a singer and songwriter born in 1949 in  New Jersey, United States. 

Springsteen's recordings have included both commercially accessible rock albums and more somber folk-oriented works. His most successful studio albums, Born to Run (1975) and Born in the U.S.A. (1984), showcase a talent for finding grandeur in the struggles of daily American life. He has sold more than 64 million albums in the United States and more than 120 million records worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling artists of all time.^[3][4] He has earned numerous awards for his work, including 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, and an Academy Award as well as being inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

He is best known for his work with his E Street Band. Nicknamed "The Boss", Springsteen is widely known for his brand of poetic lyrics, Americana, working class and sometimes political sentiments centered on his native New Jersey, his distinctive voice and his lengthy and energetic stage performances, with concerts from the 1970s to the present decade running at up to four hours in length.

Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.  (1973)

A tentative and slightly patchy first album, which catches Springsteen at a time of uncertainty when neither he nor his manager nor his record company knew how best to present him, and when Springsteen is still finding his lyrical voice. Springsteen instinctively moved toward having a big band, and that is how he had performed for years. But, partly through economics, and partly a desire to find himself as a singer-songwriter, he went through a solo performer period. It was during this period that he started recording Greetings. He had been signed to Columbia as a solo singer-songwriter - more than that, he had been signed by the man who had signed Dylan, and had been signed as "the new Dylan". His manager and the record company loved his ability to write long complex lyrics - though, as more astute critics and observers noted, his lyrical style was borrowed from Van Morrison rather than Dylan. Anyway. The idea was to record an acoustic solo album. But Springsteen was starting to invite to the studio some of the musicians he had previously played with. He wanted to return to rhythm. Disputes and arguments developed, and the resulting album reflects all these doubts and uncertainties. It's not a good album, and while most critics didn't think much of it - those in the know comparing it unfavourably with what they knew Springsteen could do live in concert, it was something of a marker for a considerable talent. The album may not be perfect, but it showed that Springsteen was a man with promise - someone to watch. 

Good tracks: "For You"; "Growing Up"; 

Lyrics

Manfred Mann's cover of  "Blinded By The Light"
Bowie's cover of "Growin' Up"

Released	January 5, 1973
Recorded	June 7 – October 26, 1972[1]
Studio	914 Sound Studios in Blauvelt, New York
Genre	Rock
Length	37:08
Label	Columbia
Producer	Mike Appel · Jim Cretecos

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Blinded by the Light"	5:06
2.	"Growin' Up"	3:05
3.	"Mary Queen of Arkansas"	5:21
4.	"Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?"	2:05
5.	"Lost in the Flood"	5:17

Side two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Angel"	3:24
2.	"For You"	4:40
3.	"Spirit in the Night"	5:00
4.	"It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City"	3:13
Total length:		37:08

• Bruce Springsteen – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, piano, keyboards, handclaps, bass guitar on “Blinded by the Light” and “Spirit in the Night”

• Clarence Clemons – saxophone, backing vocals, handclaps
• Vini Lopez – drums, backing vocals, handclaps
• David Sancious – piano, Hammond organ, keyboards
• Garry Tallent – bass guitar
• Richard Davis – double bass on "The Angel"
• Harold Wheeler – piano on "Blinded by the Light" and "Spirit in the Night"

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 10 

Score: 6

The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle (1973)

Huge leap forward. On the debut album there was an uncertainty on how to present Springsteen, but for this album Springsteen was firm that he wanted his full band. He got little support from his record company as the first album hadn't performed well commercially, so again there was tension during the recording, but that seems to have motived Springsteen, as there is a lot of fire and determination in this album. More so than any other album of his. The record was generally well received critically, but again didn't sell. At least not until the success of Born To Run.  

This is an awesome record in the same vein as Born To Run, though more gritty. The song themes are the run down and colourful world of New Jersey, and Springsteen mentions various real characters he knew from the Boadwalks of New Jersey.  There is a sense of entrapment and wanting to get out. A working class sense of despair and romanticism. The music and lyrics match in perfect union. A wonderful blend of Van Morrison, Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, and Lou Reed, with plenty of Springsteen's own swash and sway and eye for a romantic realism. Masterful.   


Rolling Stone: 

Just months after Bruce Springsteen's 1973 debut LP, Greetings from Asbury Park, tanked in record shops, Springsteen and the E Street Band returned to 914 Sound Studios in Blauvet, New York to begin work on the follow-up. The group was completely broke by this point, and some of the band even slept in a tent outside the studio to save money. They worked at night, not even officially booking time at the studio. "It was kind of a clandestine operation," bassist Garry Tallent told Rolling Stone in 2009. With this album Bruce set aside the folky sounds of his debut album, writing songs with a more soulful, epic vibe. Songs like "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" and "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" had been road-tested all year, and he'd cooked up epic New York tales with "Incident on 57th Street" and "New York City Serenade." On this record Van Morrison was more of an influence than Bob Dylan, but it didn't matter much at the record stores. It too bombed, leaving Springsteen with one last chance to prove himself. 

Lyrics 

Released	November 5, 1973[1][2]
Recorded	May 14 – September 23, 1973[2]
Studio	914 Sound Studios, Blauvelt, New York
Genre	Rock
Length	46:47
Label	Columbia
Producer	Mike Appel  Jim Cretecos

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The E Street Shuffle"	4:31
2.	"4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)"	5:36
3.	"Kitty's Back"	7:09
4.	"Wild Billy's Circus Story"	4:47

Side two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Incident on 57th Street"	7:45
2.	"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)"	7:04
3.	"New York City Serenade"	9:55
Total length:		46:47

• Bruce Springsteen – lead vocals (all tracks), guitar (all tracks), recorder (track 2), maracas (track 1), harmonica (track 4), mandolin (track 4)

• Clarence Clemons – tenor saxophone (tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 7), backing vocals (tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 7)
• Danny Federici – backing vocals (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 7), accordion (tracks 2, 4) organ (tracks 3, 5), second piano (track 5)
• Garry Tallent – bass guitar (all tracks except 4), tuba (tracks 1, 4), backing vocals (track 3)
• David Sancious – piano (all tracks except 1, 4), clavinet (track 1), soprano saxophone (track 1), electric piano (tracks 2, 3), backing vocals (track 1), organ solo (track 3), mellotron (track 7), string arrangement (track 7)
• "Mad Dog" Vini Lopez – drums, percussion (all tracks), backing vocals (tracks 1, 3, 7), cornet (track 1)

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 10 

Score: 10 

Born to Run (1975)

Born to Run is The Wild but even more magnificent.  Given the hugely positive critical reception to the first two albums the record company decided to put money and time behind Springsteen in a last bid effort to get some commercial success. He had signed a three record deal. So far it hadn't worked out. The record company didn't hold him in high regard. But they'd noted the critical comments - particularly Jon Landau's legendary review of Springsteen's support act performance for Bonnie Rait in which he declared: "I have seen the future of rock and roll and its name is Bruce Springsteen" -  and were prepared to put in the money for one last attempt. If this flopped, Springsteen's contract was over. So Springsteen now had the opportunity to make the album he'd always wanted. But, like so many of the desperate characters in his songs, he knew this was his last chance, so there is fear, desperation, focus, and hope etched into the grooves.   

Rolling Stone:

After the commercial failure of his first two albums, Bruce Springsteen knew he was at a make-it-or-break-it point in his career. He wrote the title track to Born to Run in early 1974, inspired by Duane Eddy's 1960 hit "Because They're Young." "I had these enormous ambitions for it," Springsteen told Rolling Stone in 2005. "I wanted to make the greatest rock record that I'd ever heard. I wanted it to sound enormous, to grab you by your throat and insist that you take that ride, insist that you pay attention — not just to the music, but to life, to being alive." He cut the song in a New Jersey studio with the E Street Band, but soon afterwards drummer Ernest "Boom" Carter and keyboardist David Sancious quit the group to start a jazz fusion group called Tone. Springsteen was quickly running out of money, and now he couldn't even play gigs until he found two new bandmates. It was around this time that former Rolling Stone writer Jon Landau entered the picture. He helped Springsteen move the sessions to the prestigious Record Plant in New York City and became the co-producer of the album. They crafted a Phil Spector-inspired Wall of Sound masterpiece that (very loosely) tells the story of one hot and muggy day in New Jersey and New York. "I was interested in songs with a variety of movements, which you can trace back to the way Roy Orbison records were composed," Springsteen said in 2005. "There is something about the [piano] melody of 'Thunder Road' that suggests a new day — which is why that song ended up first on the record, instead of 'Born to Run.'" Needless to say, the album was a huge success, and it turned Springsteen into a superstar. 

*Wing For Wheels - The Making of Born to Run Part 1 

 

Released	August 25, 1975
Recorded	May 1974 – July 1975
Studio	914 (Blauvelt, New York) The Record Plant (New York City)
Genre	Rock
Length	39:23
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen · Mike Appel · Jon Landau

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Thunder Road"	4:49
2.	"Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"	3:11
3.	"Night"	3:00
4.	"Backstreets"	6:30

Side two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Born to Run"	4:30
2.	"She's the One"	4:30
3.	"Meeting Across the River"	3:18
4.	"Jungleland"	9:34
Total length:		39:23

• Bruce Springsteen – lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitars (tracks 1–6, 8), harmonica (track 1), horn arrangement (track 2)

• Roy Bittan – piano (tracks 2–4, 6–8), glockenspiel (tracks 1, 3), harpsichord (tracks 3, 6), organ (tracks 4, 6), Fender Rhodes (track 1), background vocals (track 1)
• Clarence Clemons – saxophones (tracks 1–3, 5, 6, 8)
• Garry Tallent – bass guitar (tracks 1–6, 8)
• Max Weinberg – drums (tracks 1–4, 6, 8)
• Ernest Carter – drums (track 5)
• Danny Federici – organ (track 5)
• David Sancious – keyboards (track 5)
• Steven Van Zandt – background vocals (track 1), horn arrangement (track 2)
• Mike Appel – background vocals (track 1)

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 10 
Score: 10 

  

Hammersmith Odeon, London '75 (2006)

This is the legendary Hammersmith Odeon concert. It was the band's first gig outside of the US, and came at a time when the band were locked in legal wrangles which meant they couldn't perform in America. They were also subjected to mega hype by the record company, CBS, which the British press were mocking. They were excited and  anxious to live up to and rise above the hype, but also scared. Springsteen infamously pulled down some of the CBS promotional posters in front of the Odeon.  It was the first of a four venue mini tour of Europe, though they would return within a few days for a second concert at the Odeon because this date had sold out so quickly. Springsteen says he was so scared he has little memory of the concert, though feels that it was a poor performance, while the second is the one he rates. Despite that, it is this date that has passed into legend, with bootleg tapes fuelling the legend. In 2006, the tapes were cleaned up, and a DVD and album released. 

I've not yet gone through other live Springsteen albums, but I'm inclined to lean more towards Springsteen's assessment than the legend. The band and Springsteen are clearly nervous and not at ease. There is a lack of confidence and fluidity here. Lots of errors. There's no fire, but there is a sense of nerves, tension, and awkwardness. The opening song, which is just Springsteen and piano, benefits from the nervous tension by nature of the delivery and the song, but the other songs which demand bravado lack it. The songs are good enough to survive it all, and as a record of a full gig just after Born To Run was released, this is an invaluable if at times exhausting and awkward album.  

Film of the concert. 

This is a bootleg of the second gig on the 24th.  

Released	February 28, 2006
Recorded	November 18, 1975
Venue	Hammersmith Odeon, London
Genre	Rock
Length	124:52
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Barbara Carr, Thom Zimny

All songs by Bruce Springsteen, except where noted.

Disc one

1. "Thunder Road" – 5:51
2. "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" – 3:51
3. "Spirit in the Night" (Contains a portion of Lloyd Price's version of the traditional song "Stagger Lee") – 7:36
4. "Lost in the Flood" – 6:16
5. "She's the One" – 5:24
6. "Born to Run" – 4:17
7. "The E Street Shuffle/Havin' a Party" (Contains a portion of "Having a Party" by Sam Cooke) – 12:52
8. "It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City" – 5:28
9. "Backstreets" – 7:23

Disc two

1. "Kitty's Back" (Contains a portion of "Moondance" by Van Morrison) – 17:14
2. "Jungleland" – 9:35
3. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" (Contains a portion of "Come a Little Bit Closer" by Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart and Wes Ferrell and "Theme from Shaft" by Isaac Hayes) – 9:51
4. "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" – 7:03
5. "Detroit Medley" (Consists of: "Devil with a Blue Dress On" by William Stevenson and Frederick "Shorty" Long, "Good Golly, Miss Molly" by Robert Blackwell and John Marascalco as performed by Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, "See See Rider" by Gertrude "Ma" Rainey and Lena Arant, and "Jenny Take a Ride" by Bob Crewe, Enotris Johnson and Richard Penniman) – 7:02
6. "For You" – 8:26
7. "Quarter to Three" (Originally Recorded by Gary U.S. Bonds) – 6:44

• Bruce Springsteen – guitar, vocals, harmonica, piano on "For You"
• Roy Bittan – piano, backing vocals
• Clarence Clemons – tenor, baritone and soprano saxophones, percussion, backing vocals
• Danny Federici – keyboards
• Garry Tallent – bass guitar, tambourine on opening of "She's the One"
• Steven Van Zandt – guitar, slide guitar, backing vocals
• Max Weinberg – drums

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 9 
Score: 6 

Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) 

I was disappointed with this at the time, and am still somewhat dissatisfied with it, though it is a fairly decent album with decent songs. Its problem, of course, is that it's not Born To Run, even though it contains much of the same elements. But, more than that, Springsteen has left behind all the elements that made Born to Run such a landmark of human creativity.  Where Born was an open album, speaking out to all those disaffected, frustrated, yet still hopeful, using the symbols of his own situation as a young wannabe rock musician and writer in Ashbury Park, Darkness feels much more closed. I have never recognised its content - it doesn't seem to speak to me let alone for me. Darkness is an American heartland album, and speaks for a much narrower audience. Yes, there are those not from the American heartland who identify with the music and lyrics, though I suspect the range is much narrower than those who can and do identify with Born. I also find it disappointing that the song structures and performances are so ordinary and unadventurous after the creative exuberance and freedom of Born.   All that being said, there are solid songs on the album, and despite the overall feel of grimness and lack of perspective, it is a respectable album. Some people consider this to be Springsteen's best album. 

Released	June 2, 1978
Recorded	June 1977 – March 1978
Studio	Atlantic and Record Plant (New York City)
Genre	Rock,  heartland rock
Length	42:29
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen Jon Landau Steven Van Zandt (assistant)

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen^[116]

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Badlands"	4:01
2.	"Adam Raised a Cain"	4:32
3.	"Something in the Night"	5:12
4.	"Candy's Room"	2:45
5.	"Racing in the Street"	6:52

Side two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Promised Land"	4:24
2.	"Factory"	2:17
3.	"Streets of Fire"	4:03
4.	"Prove It All Night"	3:57
5.	"Darkness on the Edge of Town"	4:28
Total length:		42:29

• Bruce Springsteen – lead vocals, lead guitar, harmonica

• Roy Bittan – piano, backing vocals
• Clarence Clemons – saxophone, backing vocals^[26]
• Danny Federici – Hammond organ, glockenspiel
• Garry Tallent – bass guitar
• Steven Van Zandt – rhythm guitar, backing vocals^[26]
• Max Weinberg – drums

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 9

Score: 6 

The Promise (2010) 

Released in 2010 with some overdubs, this is an album of songs recorded during the sessions for Darkness, and so belongs here. It's not a compilation, which is how it is normally presented. It is a unified album which holds together. It's a definite companion piece to Darkness, and also has some of the sound and feel of The River. It's overlong. But it is attractive. 

Released	November 16, 2010
Recorded	1977–1978, 2010
Genre	Heartland rock
Length	88:05
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau

All songs written by Bruce Springsteen, except where noted.

Disc One

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Racing in the Street ('78)"		6:49
2.	"Gotta Get That Feeling"		3:17
3.	"Outside Looking In"		2:16
4.	"Someday (We'll Be Together)"		5:35
5.	"One Way Street"		4:19
6.	"Because the Night"	Springsteen, Patti Smith	3:25
7.	"Wrong Side of the Street"		3:34
8.	"The Brokenhearted"		5:19
9.	"Rendezvous"		2:37
10.	"Candy's Boy"		4:38

Disc Two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Save My Love"	2:36
2.	"Ain't Good Enough for You"	4:01
3.	"Fire"	4:08
4.	"Spanish Eyes"	3:50
5.	"It's a Shame"	3:14
6.	"Come On (Let's Go Tonight)"	2:18
7.	"Talk to Me"	4:20
8.	"The Little Things (My Baby Does)"	3:17
9.	"Breakaway"	5:30
10.	"The Promise"	5:52
11.	"City of Night"	2:58
12.	"The Way" (hidden track)	3:42

• Bruce Springsteen – lead vocals, guitars, harmonica
• Roy Bittan – piano
• Clarence Clemons – saxophone, percussion
• Danny Federici – organ, glockenspiel
• Garry Tallent – bass guitar
• Steve Van Zandt – guitar, harmony vocals, horn arrangement
• Max Weinberg – drums

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 9

Score: 5 1/2 

The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts (2021)

The second live album from Springsteen's peak period to be belatedly released.  This one comes 15 years after the release of the 1975 Hammersmith Odeon concert which really had passed into legend, though is actually quite a tense and messy gig, which Springsteen himself doesn't like.  Not quite sure why this one is legendary. Perhaps because it's shorter than his normal gigs, so people don't get a chance to become weary or bored. The band and Springsteen deliver everything tightly and professionally with great vigour and muscle, but no delicacy. There appears to be little refinement in a Springsteen concert. And I recall seeing him at Wembley in 1981, and found him energetic and earnest, but somehow, perhaps the venue, though perhaps just the workmanlike approach he takes to live concerts, that it lacked intimacy and authenticity. Same here. It feels more like a hard working performance rather than an interaction with the people in the audience. I wonder when and why the "legendary" part of the title was applied to the concert. It may originally have referred to the entire No Nukes Concert which included CS&N, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Doobie Brothers, Ry Cooder, Gil Scott -Heron, Chaka Khan and others. Selections from the concert, including two tracks by Springsteen have been released on a six sided album.  A film of parts of the concert was released in 1980. Here's James Taylor and Carly Simon doing Mockingbird. I love this clip of Springsteen doing "Quarter To Three". Yes, that's legendary!  OK, I'm in.... 

Released	November 19, 2021
Recorded	September 21–22, 1979
Venue	Madison Square Garden
Genre	Rock
Length	90:12
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen, except where noted.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Prove It All Night"		5:58
2.	"Badlands"		5:45
3.	"The Promised Land"		6:21
4.	"The River"		6:05
5.	"Sherry Darling"		6:11
6.	"Thunder Road"		5:26
7.	"Jungleland"		10:10
8.	"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" (with a snippet of "Stagger Lee" as introduction)	"Stagger Lee" by Lloyd Price, Harold Logan	12:07
9.	"Born to Run"		4:59
10.	"Stay"	Maurice Williams	4:28
11.	"Detroit Medley" (consisting of "Devil with the Blue Dress On", "Good Golly Miss Molly", "C.C. Rider" and "Jenny Take a Ride")	William Stevenson, Frederick Earl Long ("Devil with the Blue Dress On"); Robert Blackwell, John Marascalco ("Good Golly Miss Molly"); Traditional ("C.C. Rider"); Enotris Johnson, Richard Penniman, Robert Crewe ("Jenny Take a Ride")	9:41
12.	"Quarter to Three"	Gene Barge, Frank Guida, Joseph Royster, Gary Anderson	9:56
13.	"Rave On"	Sunny West, Bill Tilghman, Norman Petty	2:57
Total length:			90:12

• Bruce Springsteen – guitar, harmonica, vocals
• Roy Bittan – piano
• Clarence Clemons – tenor and baritone saxophones, percussion, backing vocal
• Danny Federici – organ, glockenspiel
• Garry Tallent – bass
• Stevie Van Zandt – guitar, backing vocal
• Max Weinberg – drums

Additional musicians on "Stay"

• Jackson Browne – co-lead vocal
• Tom Petty – co-lead vocal
• Rosemary Butler – backing vocal

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 9
Score: 5
  

The River (1980)

A solid and attractive album. Good traditional songs well crafted and professionally performed. Has a feel of Nick Lowe / UK pub rock / UK New Wave - Graham Parker, Elvis Costello, etc, but with an American heartland sensibility. I like this album, though it doesn't excite me. It feels conventional and old fashioned. There's a 50's, early 60's vibe about it.   

"This record was sort of a gateway to my future writing," Springsteen said in 2009. "It was a record made during a recession, hard times. It was a record where I first started to tackle men and women and families and marriage. There were certain songs on it that led to complete records later on. 'The River' led to Nebraska. 'Stolen Car' led to Tunnel of Love . . . I wanted to capture the themes I'd been writing about on Darkness [on the Edge of Town] and keep those characters with me, but at the same time add the music that made our live shows so enjoyable and fun for our audience." 

Released	October 17, 1980
Recorded	April 3, 1979 – May 9, 1980
Studio	Power Station, New York City, New York
Genre	Heartland rock
Length	82:58
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen Jon Landau Steven Van Zandt

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Ties That Bind"	3:33
2.	"Sherry Darling"	4:02
3.	"Jackson Cage"	3:04
4.	"Two Hearts"	2:42
5.	"Independence Day"	4:46
Total length:		18:07

Side two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Hungry Heart"	3:19
2.	"Out in the Street"	4:17
3.	"Crush on You"	3:10
4.	"You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)"	2:36
5.	"I Wanna Marry You"	3:26
6.	"The River"	4:59
Total length:		21:47

Side three

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Point Blank"	6:05
2.	"Cadillac Ranch"	3:02
3.	"I'm a Rocker"	3:34
4.	"Fade Away"	4:40
5.	"Stolen Car"	3:53
Total length:		21:14

Side four

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Ramrod"	4:04
2.	"The Price You Pay"	5:27
3.	"Drive All Night"	8:26
4.	"Wreck on the Highway"	3:53
Total length:		21:50 82:58

• Bruce Springsteen – vocals, electric 6- and 12-string guitars, harmonica, piano on "Drive All Night"

• Roy Bittan – piano, organ on "I'm a Rocker" and "Drive All Night", background vocals
• Clarence Clemons – saxophone, percussion, background vocals
• Danny Federici – organ
• Garry Tallent – bass guitar
• Steve Van Zandt – acoustic and electric guitars, lead guitar on "Crush on You", harmony vocals, background vocals
• Max Weinberg – drums

• Flo & Eddie (Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman) – background vocals on "Hungry Heart"

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 10

Score: 7 

  

Nebraska (1982)

Apparently this is  Springsteen's favourite album (or the album he's most proud of or something). It's a bleak, sombre, mature album that I've listened to a few times, and it doesn't really appeal to me or speak to me. I don't dislike it, but it simply does not engage my interest or admiration. It's worthy but boring. 

Rolling Stone 

Bruce Springsteen became incredibly famous and successful after Born to Run broke in 1975, but a nasty three-year lawsuit stalled his momentum and cost him a fortune. He didn't make any real money until 1980, when he scored a big pop hit with "Hungry Heart" and launched a long arena tour. Most people would have followed that right up with another album full of similar songs, but Springsteen went in a radically different direction. He recorded a series of stark, stripped-down songs about poverty and desperate criminals at his New Jersey house. What happened next depends on who you ask, but it's probable that the E Street Band attempted to record at least some of this material before Bruce decided to just release the home demos as an album. He didn't even tour to support the disc, though he did release his first music video, for the single "Atlantic City." Two years later he made the album that everyone wanted, but today Nebraska is widely regarded as an absolute masterpiece. Even many people who hate Springsteen begrudgingly admit that they like it. 

Released	September 30, 1982
Recorded	December 17, 1981, to January 3, 1982, in Colts Neck, New Jersey, except "My Father's House", May 25, 1982
Genre	Folk[1] heartland rock[2] lo-fi[3] indie rock[4]
Length	40:50
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Nebraska"	4:32
2.	"Atlantic City"	4:00
3.	"Mansion on the Hill"	4:08
4.	"Johnny 99"	3:44
5.	"Highway Patrolman"	5:40
6.	"State Trooper"	3:17

Side two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Used Cars"	3:11
2.	"Open All Night"	2:58
3.	"My Father's House"	5:07
4.	"Reason to Believe"	4:11
Total length:		40:50

Bruce Springsteen – vocals, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, glockenspiel, tambourine, Hammond organ, synthesizer on “My Father’s House”

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 10

Score: 4 

   

Born in the U.S.A. (1984)

 

I kinda hate the title song. The lyrics. The sound. The stupid Eighties drum front and centre banging monotonously. The video. And, whatever Springsteen says he intended, it's a jingoist piece of shit, and in the video he's pumping his fist in the air to the beat of "born in the USA!" while images of Americana play. It sure doesn't speak for me or to me. It's aggressive, and in my face, and I hate it, and all it stands for. The rest of the album is plodding and dull and very synth Eighties. A smothered smooth the cracks Eighties production seals the deal on this being Springsteen's worse album. This all feels so false and slick and commercial. Hey, guess what, this is Springsteen's best selling album! What a fucking surprise!   There's a certain similarity with Tina Turner and Bonnie Tyler releases.  And that's kind of where Springsteen is at in this period - slick, commercial pop rock. 

Released	June 4, 1984
Recorded	January 25, 1982 – March 8, 1984
Studio	Power Station and Hit Factory (New York City)
Genre	Heartland rock
Length	46:57
Label	Columbia
Producer	Jon Landau.  Chuck Plotkin, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Born in the U.S.A."	4:38
2.	"Cover Me"	3:29
3.	"Darlington County"	4:48
4.	"Working on the Highway"	3:13
5.	"Downbound Train"	3:35
6.	"I'm on Fire"	2:40

Side two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"No Surrender"	4:01
2.	"Bobby Jean"	3:48
3.	"I'm Goin' Down"	3:30
4.	"Glory Days"	4:15
5.	"Dancing in the Dark"	4:04
6.	"My Hometown"	4:34
Total length:		46:57

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 10 

Score: 3 

Live 1975-85 (1986)

A phenomenon on release due to the advance and initial sales and the sheer size. It broke records for the sales of such a large recording (five LPS), and record shops were swamped with people. This is the first official full album release of Springsteen live. A few tracks from the No Nukes had been released on the official No Nukes Concert album in 1979 and the film of the event in 1980,  but other than that, it was bootlegs. Given the popularity and the legendary status of his live concerts, this release was a huge event, so the size of the release and the size of the response are fitting. 

It's clearly way too long. While some enthusiasm can be maintained whilst in a live concert, it's a different thing listening at home. And, sadly, there's not an awful lot of variety in Springsteen's delivery, so after a couple of hours fatigue sets in. In the days of vinyl people would play their favourite side or two. These days people will select their favourite tracks and make up their own playlist or CD. If doing that, I think I'd prefer to make a playlist of the album recordings which tend to be better. 

Released	November 10, 1986
Recorded	October 18, 1975 – September 30, 1985
Venue	Various in USA
Studio	(Additional recording) New York and LA
Genre	Rock
Length	216:13
Label	Columbia
Producer	Jon Landau  Chuck Plotkin Bruce Springsteen

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen, except where noted

Side one

No.	Title	Recording date and location	Length
1.	"Thunder Road"	Oct 18, 1975, Roxy Theatre, California	5:44
2.	"Adam Raised a Cain"	July 7, 1978, Roxy Theatre,  California	5:26
3.	"Spirit in the Night"	July 7, 1978, Roxy Theatre, California	6:25
4.	"4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)"	Dec 31, 1980, Nassau Coliseum,  NY	6:34

Side two

No.	Title	Recording date and location	Length
1.	"Paradise by the "C""	July 7, 1978, Roxy Theatre, California	3:52
2.	"Fire"	Dec 16, 1978, Winterland, San Francisco	2:51
3.	"Growin' Up"	July 7, 1978, Roxy Theatre, California	7:54
4.	"It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City"	July 7, 1978, Roxy Theatre, California	4:39

Side three

No.	Title	Recording date and location	Length
1.	"Backstreets"	July 7, 1978, Roxy Theatre, California	7:35
2.	"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)"	July 7, 1978, Roxy Theatre, California	10:00
3.	"Raise Your Hand" (writers: Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd, Alvertis Isbell)	July 7, 1978, Roxy Theatre, California	4:56

Side four

No.	Title	Recording date and location	Length
1.	"Hungry Heart"	Dec 28, 1980, Nassau Coliseum,  NY	4:28
2.	"Two Hearts"	July 8, 1981, Meadowlands, New Jersey	3:06
3.	"Cadillac Ranch[e]"	July 6, 1981, Meadowlands  New Jersey	4:52
4.	"You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)"	December 29, 1980, Nassau New York	3:58
5.	"Independence Day"	July 6, 1981, Meadowlands  New Jersey	4:52

Side five

No.	Title	Recording date and location	Length
1.	"Badlands"	Nov 5, 1980, ASU, Arizona	5:17
2.	"Because the Night" (writers: Springsteen, Patti Smith)	Dec 28, 1980, Nassau, New York	5:19
3.	"Candy's Room"	July 8, 1981, Meadowlands New Jersey	3:19
4.	"Darkness on the Edge of Town"	Dec 29, 1980, Nassau , New York	4:19
5.	"Racing in the Street"	July 6, 1981, Meadowlands, New Jersey	8:12

Side six

No.	Title	Recording date and location	Length
1.	"This Land Is Your Land" (writers: Woody Guthrie)	Dec 28, 1980, Nassau  New York	4:21
2.	"Nebraska"	Aug 6, 1984, Meadowlands, New Jersey	4:18
3.	"Johnny 99"	Aug 19, 1985, Giants Stadium, N. J.	4:24
4.	"Reason to Believe"	Aug 19, 1984, Meadowlands, N. J.	5:19

Side seven

No.	Title	Recording date and location	Length
1.	"Born in the U.S.A."	Sep30, 1985, Los Angeles Coliseum	6:10
2.	"Seeds"	Sep 30, 1985, Los Angeles Coliseum	5:14
3.	"The River"	Sep 30, 1985, Los Angeles Coliseum	11:42

Side eight

No.	Title	Recording date and location	Length
1.	"War" (writers: Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield)	Sep 30, 1985, Los Angeles Coliseum	4:53
2.	"Darlington County"	Sep 30, 1985, Los Angeles Coliseum	5:12
3.	"Working on the Highway"	August 19, 1985, Giants Stadium, N.J.	4:04
4.	"The Promised Land"	Sep 30, 1985, Los Angeles Coliseum	5:36

Side nine

No.	Title	Recording date and location	Length
1.	"Cover Me"	Sep 30, 1985, Los Angeles Coliseum	6:57
2.	"I'm on Fire"	August 19, 1985, Giants Stadium, NJ	4:26
3.	"Bobby Jean"	August 21, 1985, Giants Stadium, NJ	4:30
4.	"My Hometown"	Sep 30, 1985, Los Angeles Coliseum[	5:13

Side ten

No.	Title	Recording date and location	Length
1.	"Born to Run"	August 19, 1985, Giants Stadium, NJ	5:03
2.	"No Surrender"	August 6, 1984, Meadowlands NJ	4:41
3.	"Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"	August 20, 1984, Meadowlands NJ	4:21
4.	"Jersey Girl" (writer: Tom Waits)	July 9, 1981, Meadowlands NJ	6:30

 

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 9
Score: 5

Tunnel of Love (1987)

Professional, well crafted, but ultimately a little lacking in interest and ideas. Fairly ordinary mainstream commercial country-pop-rock. There's a feel of Roy Orbison about many of the songs. But without the grandeur and soul. 

Released	October 2, 1987
Recorded	January–July 1987
Studio	New Jersey A&M, Los Angeles Kren, Hollywood The Hit Factory, New York City
Genre	Rock
Length	46:25
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen Jon Landau  Chuck Plotkin

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

Side one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Ain't Got You"	2:11
2.	"Tougher Than the Rest"	4:35
3.	"All That Heaven Will Allow"	2:39
4.	"Spare Parts"	3:44
5.	"Cautious Man"	3:58
6.	"Walk Like a Man"	3:45

Side two

No.	Title	Length
7.	"Tunnel of Love"	5:12
8.	"Two Faces"	3:03
9.	"Brilliant Disguise"	4:17
10.	"One Step Up"	4:22
11.	"When You're Alone"	3:24
12.	"Valentine's Day"	5:10
Total length:		46:25

• Bruce Springsteen – lead vocals, backing vocals, guitars, mandolin, bass guitar, keyboards, harmonica, percussion, drum machine, sound effects on "Tunnel of Love"
• Roy Bittan – acoustic piano on "Brilliant Disguise", synthesizers on "Tunnel of Love"
• Clarence Clemons – backing vocals on "When You're Alone"
• Danny Federici – Hammond organ on "Tougher Than the Rest", "Spare Parts" and "Brilliant Disguise"
• Nils Lofgren – guitar solo on "Tunnel of Love", backing vocals on "When You're Alone"
• Patti Scialfa – backing vocals on "Tunnel of Love", "One Step Up" and "When You're Alone"
• Garry Tallent – bass guitar on "Spare Parts"
• Max Weinberg – drums on "All That Heaven Will Allow", "Two Faces" and "When You're Alone"; percussion on "Tougher Than the Rest", "Spare Parts", "Walk Like a Man", "Tunnel of Love", and "Brilliant Disguise"
• James Wood – harmonica on "Spare Parts"

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 10 

Score: 4

Human Touch (March 1992)

After years of playing with the same people, Springsteen felt he needed a break, so he phoned up each of the members of the E Street band and told them it was over (apart from Patti and Bitten). This was the start of his period without the band.

There's still an Eighties feel and sound to Springsteen at the start to this album, but skipping over the opening commercial synth hit "Human Touch", the rest of the album is solid if uninspired middle of the road adult rock with ugly guitar solos and plodding drums. It's uninspired but mostly listenable. It's on a par with Tina Turner releases around this time. 

Released	March 31, 1992
Recorded	September 1989 – March 1991
Studio	A&M Soundworks West Ocean Way Recording Westlake Recording Studios Record Plant (Los Angeles)
Genre	Rock, Pop
Length	58:49
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Roy Bittan

All music and lyrics by Bruce Springsteen, except where noted

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Human Touch"		6:31
2.	"Soul Driver"		4:39
3.	"57 Channels (And Nothin' On)"		2:28
4.	"Cross My Heart"	Springsteen  Sonny Boy Williamson (lyrics)	3:51
5.	"Gloria's Eyes"		3:46
6.	"With Every Wish"		4:39
7.	"Roll of the Dice"	Springsteen  Roy Bittan	4:17
8.	"Real World"	Springsteen  Bittan	5:26
9.	"All or Nothin' at All"		3:23
10.	"Man's Job"		4:37
11.	"I Wish I Were Blind"		4:48
12.	"The Long Goodbye"		3:30
13.	"Real Man"		4:33
14.	"Pony Boy"	Traditional, arrangement and additional lyrics by Springsteen	2:14

• Bruce Springsteen – guitar and lead vocals, bass guitar on "57 Channels (And Nothin' On)"

• Randy Jackson – bass guitar
• Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion
• Roy Bittan – keyboards
• Sam Moore – harmony vocals on "Soul Driver", "Real World" and "Man's Job"
• Patti Scialfa – harmony vocals on "Human Touch" and "Pony Boy"
• David Sancious – Hammond organ on "Soul Driver" and "Real Man"
• Bobby King – backing vocals on "Roll of the Dice" and "Man's Job"
• Tim Pierce – second guitar on "Soul Driver" and "Roll of the Dice"
• Michael Fisher – percussion on "Soul Driver"
• Bobby Hatfield – harmony vocals on "I Wish I Were Blind"
• Mark Isham – muted trumpet on "With Every Wish"
• Douglas Lunn – fretless bass guitar nonpareil on "With Every Wish"
• Kurt Wortman – drums and dumbeck on "With Every Wish"

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 4

Score: 4 

  

Lucky Town (March 1992)

Released on the same day as Human Touch,  the songs here were recorded during final sessions for that album, so the two together could almost be considered a double album, with this album being the more folky disc, though it's still quite rocky, and also has some of the left over feel of the Eighties. But, to be fair, it also has a sort of an indie Nineties feel, and is the slightly more attractive and accomplished of the two albums. Not a great album by any means - this is small scale stuff, but it's reasonably attractive in a modest way. 

Released	March 31, 1992
Recorded	September 1991 – January 1992
Studio	Thrill Hill (Colts Neck), A&M (Hollywood)
Genre	Rock
Length	39:38
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Roy Bittan

All songs are written by Bruce Springsteen.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Better Days"	4:05
2.	"Lucky Town"	3:24
3.	"Local Hero"	4:02
4.	"If I Should Fall Behind"	2:57
5.	"Leap of Faith"	3:22
6.	"The Big Muddy"	4:04
7.	"Living Proof"	4:44
8.	"Book of Dreams"	4:20
9.	"Souls of the Departed"	4:16
10.	"My Beautiful Reward"	3:55

• Bruce Springsteen – guitar, lead vocals, keyboards, bass guitar, harmonica, percussion

• Gary Mallaber – drums
• Roy Bittan – keyboards on "Leap of Faith", "The Big Muddy" and "Living Proof"
• Patti Scialfa – backing vocals on "Better Days", "Local Hero" and "Leap of Faith"
• Soozie Tyrell – backing vocals on "Better Days", "Local Hero" and "Leap of Faith"
• Lisa Lowell – backing vocals on "Better Days", "Local Hero" and "Leap of Faith"
• Randy Jackson – bass guitar on "Better Days"
• Ian McLagan – Hammond organ on "My Beautiful Reward"

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 6

Score: 4 1/2 

In Concert/MTV Plugged (1993)

A promotional spot on MTV to advertise the upcoming Human Touch / Lucky Town tour. The hired band are not playing acoustically to Springsteen's liking, so the Unplugged session becomes a Plugged session. It's patchy (and unpopular with "fans" because of the lack of the E Street Band), but there are moments. "Light of Day" is awesome. 

Released	April 12, 1993
Recorded	September 22, 1992
Venue	Warner Hollywood Studios, Los Angeles
Genre	Rock
Length	71:38
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau

All songs written by Bruce Springsteen

1. "Red Headed Woman" (previously unreleased) – 2:51
2. "Better Days" (from Lucky Town) – 4:27
3. "Atlantic City" (from Nebraska) – 5:38
4. "Darkness on the Edge of Town" (from Darkness on the Edge of Town) – 4:40
5. "Man's Job" (from Human Touch) – 5:43
6. "Human Touch" (from Human Touch) – 7:30
7. "Lucky Town" (from Lucky Town) – 5:08
8. "I Wish I Were Blind" (from Human Touch) – 5:14
9. "Thunder Road" (from Born to Run) – 5:28
10. "Light of Day" (from the soundtrack to the film Light of Day – originally performed by Joan Jett & Michael J. Fox) – 8:17
11. "If I Should Fall Behind" (from Lucky Town) – 4:45
12. "Living Proof" (from Lucky Town) – 6:05
13. "My Beautiful Reward" (from Lucky Town) – 5:58

• Bruce Springsteen – lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar and harmonica

• Zack Alford (as Zachary Alford) ^[7] – drums
• Roy Bittan – keyboards
• Shane Fontayne – lead and rhythm guitar
• Tommy Sims – bass
• Crystal Taliefero – acoustic guitar, percussion and background vocals
• Gia Ciambotti – background vocals
• Carol Dennis – background vocals
• Cleopatra Kennedy – background vocals
• Bobby King – background vocals
• Angel Rogers – background vocals
• Patti Scialfa – acoustic guitar and harmony vocals on "Human Touch"

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 6

Score: 4

"Streets of Philadelphia" (1994)

Written for the the film Philadelphia, and released as a non-album single, then included on the Greatest Hits album put together the following year. Rather sentimental and middle of the road commercial. No real edge to it, and nothing of interest. It's pap. But it sold, people liked it, and it won awards. People like the smooth, the slick, and the sentimental. 

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 

Score: 4 

Greatest Hits (Feb 1995)

Springsteen's first compilation album. It's not actually a proper greatest hits as it contains four new songs. And some tracks, such as "Thunder Road", were not released as singles. While songs which were successful singles, such as "I'm On Fire", are not included.  It's an odd-collection, and not definitive by any means. A number of essential songs are left off. But, hey, it's a single CD of some of Springsteen's essential songs. It's not perfect, but it's not that bad either. 

Released	February 27, 1995
Recorded	1974–1995
Genre	Rock
Length	76:35
Label	Columbia
Producer	Various

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

No.	Title	Original album	Length
1.	"Born to Run"	Born to Run (1975)	4:30
2.	"Thunder Road"	Born to Run	4:48
3.	"Badlands"	Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978)	4:03
4.	"The River"	The River (1980)	5:00
5.	"Hungry Heart"	The River	3:20
6.	"Atlantic City"	Nebraska (1982)	3:56
7.	"Dancing in the Dark"	Born in the U.S.A. (1984)	4:03
8.	"Born in the U.S.A."	Born in the U.S.A.	4:41
9.	"My Hometown" (Early fade-out)	Born in the U.S.A.	4:12
10.	"Glory Days" (Early fade-out)	Born in the U.S.A.	3:49
11.	"Brilliant Disguise"	Tunnel of Love (1987)	4:15
12.	"Human Touch" (Edited Radio Version)	Human Touch (1992)	5:10
13.	"Better Days" (Edited Version)	Lucky Town (1992)	3:44
14.	"Streets of Philadelphia" (Single Edit)	Philadelphia soundtrack (1993)	3:16
15.	"Secret Garden"	New song: Recorded in January 1995 at The Hit Factory, New York City[18]	4:27
16.	"Murder Incorporated"	New song: Recorded at The Power Station in April/May 1982	3:57
17.	"Blood Brothers"	New song: Recorded in January 1995 at The Hit Factory, New York City	4:34
18.	"This Hard Land"	New song: Recorded in January 1995 at The Hit Factory, New York City	4:50

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 6
Score: 5

 

The Ghost of Tom Joad (Nov 1995)

Soft country rock ballads. Wistful and somewhat melancholy.  

Released	November 21, 1995
Recorded	March–September 1995
Studio	Thrill Hill Recording
Genre	Folk  folk rock
Length	50:16
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen, Chuck Plotkin

All songs are written by Bruce Springsteen.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Ghost of Tom Joad"	4:23
2.	"Straight Time"	3:25
3.	"Highway 29"	3:39
4.	"Youngstown"	3:52
5.	"Sinaloa Cowboys"	3:51
6.	"The Line"	5:14
7.	"Balboa Park"	3:19
8.	"Dry Lightning"	3:30
9.	"The New Timer"	5:45
10.	"Across the Border"	5:24
11.	"Galveston Bay"	5:04
12.	"My Best Was Never Good Enough"	2:00

• Bruce Springsteen – vocal (tracks 1-12), guitar (tracks 1-12), harmonica (tracks 1, 10), keyboard (tracks 3, 5-7, 11, 12)
• Danny Federici – keyboard (tracks 1, 2, 8, 10), accordion (track 10)
• Chuck Plotkin – keyboard (track 4)
• Gary Mallaber – drums (tracks 1, 2, 4, 8, 10), percussion (tracks 2, 4)
• Marty Rifkin – pedal steel guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4, 10)
• Garry Tallent – bass (tracks 1, 8)
• Jim Hanson – bass (tracks 2, 4)
• Jennifer Condos – bass (track 10)
• Soozie Tyrell – violin (tracks 2, 4, 8, 10), backing vocal (track 10)
• Lisa Lowell – backing vocal (track 10)
• Patti Scialfa – backing vocal (track 10)

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 6

Score: 4

18 Tracks (1999)

A selected and more digestible version of the 66 song Tracks box set, which is widely regarded as being for hard core fans only. It's listenable, but the best songs he recorded, and the demos of those are mainly of academic interest rather than being genuine alternatives. So, while Tracks is for hard core fans, this album is for regular or casual fans. But it's not for the general listener. It's not a uniformed work with recordings from 1972 up to 1999. I like some of the early stuff, and find the later stuff not so attractive. Pretty much mirroring my response to the main releases.  

1. "Growin' Up" (Demo Version) - May 3, 1972 Columbia Records, Studio E, New York   – 2:38
2. "Seaside Bar Song" - July 24, 1973 The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle outtake   – 3:33
3. "Rendezvous" - December 31, 1980 Recorded live at Nassau Coliseum, NY   – 2:48
4. "Hearts of Stone" - October 14, 1977 (+ 1997 horns) Darkness on the Edge of Town outtake   – 4:29
5. "Where the Bands Are" - October 9, 1979 The River outtake   – 3:43
6. "Loose Ends" - July 18, 1979 The River outtake   – 4:00
7. "I Wanna Be With You" - May 31, 1979 The River outtake   – 3:21
8. "Born in the U.S.A." (demo version) - January 3, 1982 Nebraska outtake   – 3:10
9. "My Love Will Not Let You Down" - May 5, 1982 Born in the U.S.A. outtake   – 4:24
10. "Lion's Den" - January 25, 1982 Born in the U.S.A. outtake   – 2:18
11. "Pink Cadillac" - May 31, 1983 Born in the U.S.A. outtake   – 3:33
12. "Janey, Don't You Lose Heart" - June 16, 1983 Born in the U.S.A. outtake   – 3:24
13. "Sad Eyes" - January 25, 1990 Human Touch outtake   – 3:47
14. "Part Man, Part Monkey" - January 1990 Human Touch outtake   – 4:28
15. "Trouble River" - Recorded April 1990 Human Touch outtake   – 4:18
16. "Brothers Under the Bridge"  – 4:55
17. "The Fever" - Recorded May 1973   – 7:35
18. "The Promise" - Recorded February 1999   – 4:48

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 7

Score: 4

Live In New York City (2001)

The return of the E Street Band.  Muscular stadium rawk. Has some of the jangle of U2. It's a decent album. Digestible and restrained. Comfortable as an old cardigan. Homely.  "Murder Incorporated" feels a bit like electric Neil Young. 

Released	March 27, 2001
Recorded	June 29-July 1, 2000
Genre	Rock
Length	143:57
Label	Sony Records
Producer	Bruce Springsteen and Chuck Plotkin

Disc one

1. "My Love Will Not Let You Down"
2. "Prove It All Night"
3. "Two Hearts"
4. "Atlantic City"
5. "Mansion on the Hill"
6. "The River"
7. "Youngstown"
8. "Murder Incorporated"
9. "Badlands"
10. "Out in the Street"
11. "Born to Run"

Disc two

1. "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"
   • Contains a portion of "Red Headed Woman", "Take Me to the River" by Al Green and Mabon "Teenie" Hodges and "It's All Right" by Curtis Mayfield
2. "Land of Hope and Dreams"
3. "American Skin (41 Shots)"
4. "Lost in the Flood"
5. "Born in the U.S.A."
6. "Don't Look Back"
7. "Jungleland"
8. "Ramrod"
9. "If I Should Fall Behind"
10. "My Hometown"
11. "This Hard Land"

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 6

Score: 5 1/2 

The Rising (2002)

Good start. Richer, more dramatic than much of Springsteen since Born to Run. But then develops into the usual American pop-rawk that has become his mainstay. It's a bit maudlin. The topic is  9/11, which in American eyes makes it worthy.  This feels rather like some of Cliff Richard's Christian songs. Ho hum. It wasn't as well received outside of America as it was within.  

Released	July 30, 2002
Recorded	January–March 2002 Southern Tracks Recording Studio, Atlanta, Georgia
Genre	Rock heartland rock
Length	72:52
Label	Columbia
Producer	Brendan O'Brien

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Lonesome Day"	4:08
2.	"Into the Fire"	5:04
3.	"Waitin' on a Sunny Day"	4:18
4.	"Nothing Man"	4:23
5.	"Countin' on a Miracle"	4:44
6.	"Empty Sky"	3:34
7.	"Worlds Apart"	6:07
8.	"Let's Be Friends (Skin to Skin)"	4:21
9.	"Further On (Up the Road)"	3:52
10.	"The Fuse"	5:37
11.	"Mary's Place"	6:03
12.	"You're Missing"	5:10
13.	"The Rising"	4:50
14.	"Paradise"	5:39
15.	"My City of Ruins"	5:00

• Bruce Springsteen – lead guitar, vocals, acoustic guitar, baritone guitar, harmonica
• Roy Bittan – keyboards, piano, mellotron, Kurzweil, pump organ, Korg M1, crumar
• Clarence Clemons – saxophone, background vocals
• Danny Federici – Hammond B3, Vox Continental, Farfisa
• Nils Lofgren – electric guitar, Dobro, slide guitar, banjo, background vocals
• Patti Scialfa – vocals
• Garry Tallent – bass guitar
• Steven Van Zandt – electric guitar, background vocals, mandolin
• Max Weinberg – drums

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 8

Score: 4

The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003)

 

A decent double CD collection of Springsteen's output. The 2015 version has a different selection, so could and perhaps should be regarded as a different album. Spotify have the 2015 version which, for example, swaps three tracks from the debut album for one track, "Growing Up", and swaps "Jungleland" for "10th Avenue Freeze Out". Would I buy it? No - it contains too much from his weak period, and not enough from his good period. I'd prefer to make my own essential CD.

Released	November 11, 2003
Recorded	1972–2002
Genre	Rock
Length	3:21:01 (2003) 2:36:22 (2015)
Label	Columbia/Legacy

2003 Track order	Title	Original album	Length	2015 Track order
—	"Growin' Up"	Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ, 1973	3:05	disc 1, track 01
disc 1, track 01	"Blinded by the Light"	Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ	5:04	—
disc 1, track 02	"For You"	Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ	4:40	—
disc 1, track 03	"Spirit in the Night"	Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ	5:00	—
disc 1, track 04	"4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)"	The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, 1973	5:37	disc 1, track 03
disc 1, track 05	"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)"	The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle	7:04	disc 1, track 02
disc 1, track 06	"Thunder Road"	Born to Run, 1975	4:51	disc 1, track 04
disc 1, track 07	"Born to Run"	Born to Run	4:33	disc 1, track 05
disc 1, track 08	"Jungleland"	Born to Run	9:36	—
—	"Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"	Born to Run	3:11	disc 1, track 06
disc 1, track 09	"Badlands"	Darkness on the Edge of Town, 1978	4:05	disc 1, track 07
disc 1, track 10	"Darkness on the Edge of Town"	Darkness on the Edge of Town	4:31	—
disc 1, track 11	"The Promised Land"	Darkness on the Edge of Town	4:31	disc 1, track 08
—	"Prove It All Night"	Darkness on the Edge of Town	3:56	disc 1, track 09
disc 1, track 12	"The River"	The River, 1980	5:01	disc 1, track 10
disc 1, track 13	"Hungry Heart"	The River	3:21	disc 1, track 11
—	"The Ties That Bind"	The River	3:34	disc 1, track 12
—	"Out in the Street"	The River	4:20	disc 1, track 13
disc 1, track 14	"Nebraska"	Nebraska, 1982	4:30	—
disc 1, track 15	"Atlantic City"	Nebraska	3:57	disc 1, track 14
—	"Johnny 99"	Nebraska	3:44	disc 1, track 15
disc 2, track 01	"Born in the U.S.A."	Born in the U.S.A., 1984	4:42	disc 1, track 17
disc 2, track 02	"Glory Days"	Born in the U.S.A.	4:17	disc 1, track 16
disc 2, track 03	"Dancing in the Dark"	Born in the U.S.A.	4:04	disc 1, track 18
disc 2, track 04	"Tunnel of Love"	Tunnel of Love, 1987	5:13	—
—	"Tougher Than the Rest"	Tunnel of Love	4:37	disc 2, track 01
disc 2, track 05	"Brilliant Disguise"	Tunnel of Love	4:16	disc 2, track 02
—	"One Step Up"	Tunnel of Love	4:22	disc 2, track 03
disc 2, track 06	"Human Touch" (Edit: 5:11)	Human Touch, 1992	6:31	disc 2, track 04
disc 2, track 07	"Living Proof"	Lucky Town, 1992	4:48	—
disc 2, track 08	"Lucky Town"	Lucky Town	3:29	—
—	"Better Days"	Lucky Town	3:48	disc 2, track 05
—	"If I Should Fall Behind"	Lucky Town	2:58	disc 2, track 06
disc 2, track 09	"Streets of Philadelphia"	Philadelphia soundtrack and Greatest Hits, 1994/1995	3:18	disc 2, track 07
—	"Murder Incorporated"	Greatest Hits	3:59	disc 2, track 08
disc 2, track 10	"The Ghost of Tom Joad"	The Ghost of Tom Joad, 1995	4:24	disc 2, track 09
disc 2, track 11	"The Rising"	The Rising, 2002	4:48	disc 2, track 10
disc 2, track 12	"Mary's Place"	The Rising	6:01	—
disc 2, track 13	"Lonesome Day"	The Rising	4:08	disc 2, track 11
disc 2, track 14	"American Skin (41 Shots)"	Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: Live in New York City, 2001	7:53	—
disc 2, track 15	"Land of Hope and Dreams"	Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: Live in New York City	9:22	—

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 10 

Score: 4 1/2 

Devils & Dust (2005)

A respectable and solid album of American-folk style songs. A little weary and dull. A bit too worthy and serious in attitude and execution for my taste. This is a long way from Born To Run. 

Released	April 26, 2005
Recorded	1996–1998, March–August 2004, January 2005
Studio	Southern Tracks Recording Studio, Atlanta, GA Thrill Hill Recording, Los Angeles and New Jersey
Genre	Rock folk rock
Length	50:55
Label	Columbia
Producer	Brendan O'Brien, Bruce Springsteen, Chuck Plotkin [

All songs are written by Bruce Springsteen.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Devils & Dust"	4:58
2.	"All the Way Home"	3:38
3.	"Reno"	4:08
4.	"Long Time Comin'"	4:17
5.	"Black Cowboys"	4:08
6.	"Maria's Bed"	5:35
7.	"Silver Palomino"	3:22
8.	"Jesus Was an Only Son"	2:55
9.	"Leah"	3:32
10.	"The Hitter"	5:53
11.	"All I'm Thinkin' About"	4:22
12.	"Matamoros Banks"	4:00

• Bruce Springsteen – vocals (tracks 1-12), guitar (tracks 1-12), keyboards (tracks 1-12), bass guitar (track 8), drums (tracks 8, 11), percussion (tracks 2, 5, 7, 9, 10), tambourine (track 3), harmonica (uncredited)
• Brendan O'Brien – bass guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4–6, 11)
• Steve Jordan – drums (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6), percussion (track 5)
• Nashville String Machine – strings (tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12)
• Soozie Tyrell – violin (tracks 4, 6), backing vocals (tracks 4, 6, 8, 11)
• Mark Pender – trumpet (track 9)
• Chuck Plotkin – piano (track 2)
• Danny Federici – keyboards (track 4)
• Patti Scialfa – backing vocals (tracks 4, 6, 8, 11)

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 8

Score: 4

    

We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006)

Springsteen was signed as a Bob Dylan clone, and 35 years later delivers something approximating Dylan's first album. Springsteen's rending of the songs make them sound old and corny rather than  refreshed with new eyes and a contemporary styling. Compare his version of "Jesse James" with that done by The Pogues. 

Released	April 25, 2006
Recorded	November 1997, March 19, 2005, January 21, 2006
Studio	Thrill Hill Recording
Genre	Americana, folk
Length	60:34
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen

All songs traditional or public domain with unknown songwriters and arranged by Bruce Springsteen, unless otherwise noted.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Old Dan Tucker"		2:31
2.	"Jesse James"		3:47
3.	"Mrs. McGrath"		4:19
4.	"O Mary Don't You Weep"		6:05
5.	"John Henry"		5:07
6.	"Erie Canal"	Thomas S. Allen	4:03
7.	"Jacob's Ladder"	Traditional; Pete Seeger version	4:28
8.	"My Oklahoma Home"	Bill and Agnes "Sis" Cunningham	6:03
9.	"Eyes on the Prize"	Traditional; additional lyrics by Alice Wine	5:16
10.	"Shenandoah"		4:52
11.	"Pay Me My Money Down"		4:32
12.	"We Shall Overcome"		4:53
13.	"Froggie Went A-Courtin'"		4:33

American Land Edition bonus tracks

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
14.	"Buffalo Gals"		3:12
15.	"How Can I Keep from Singing?"		2:19
16.	"How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?"	Blind Alfred Reed; additional lyrics by Bruce Springsteen	3:22
17.	"Bring 'Em Home"	Pete Seeger with new verse by Jim Musselman & elements from "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"	3:35
18.	"American Land"	Springsteen, inspired by "He Lies In The American Land" by Andrew Kovaly/Pete Seeger	4:44

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 9 

Score: 4

  

Magic (2007)

Standard stadium rock sound. Bits of U2, REM, and other Eighties guitar bands. There's some heft and musicality to it, but also a bit too much Buggles pop. It's an OK album. 

Released	September 25, 2007
Recorded	March 12 – May 2007
Studio	Southern Tracks, Atlanta, Georgia
Genre	Rock
Length	47:47
Label	Columbia
Producer	Brendan O'Brien

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Radio Nowhere"	3:19
2.	"You'll Be Comin' Down"	3:46
3.	"Livin' in the Future"	3:56
4.	"Your Own Worst Enemy"	3:19
5.	"Gypsy Biker"	4:32
6.	"Girls in Their Summer Clothes"	4:20
7.	"I'll Work for Your Love"	3:35
8.	"Magic"	2:46
9.	"Last to Die"	4:17
10.	"Long Walk Home"	4:35
11.	"Devil's Arcade"	5:08
12.	"Terry's Song" (Hidden track)	4:11

• Bruce Springsteen – lead and backing vocals, guitars, pump organ, harmonica, synthesizer, glockenspiel, percussion
• Roy Bittan – piano, organ
• Clarence Clemons – saxophone, backing vocals
• Danny Federici – organ, keyboards
• Nils Lofgren – guitars, backing vocals
• Patti Scialfa – backing vocals
• Garry Tallent – bass guitar
• Steven Van Zandt – guitars, mandolin, backing vocals
• Max Weinberg – drums

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 7 

Score: 5

  

Working on a Dream (2009)

Another mainstream rock album, albeit with touches of American folk-rock, country, and pop. This fits in well with the sound of Magic and The Rising, the same stadium rock production, and feeling of earnest worthiness. Opinions were divided among critics, with some loving it, and others hating it. It is a mixed bag, but as with Magic and The Rising it's essentially an OK album, but nothing special. Good songs, well delivered, and well produced. 

Released	January 27, 2009
Recorded	Summer 2007–Fall 2008
Studio	Southern Tracks, Atlanta, Georgia Avatar, New York, New York Henson, Los Angeles Thril Hill, New Jersey
Genre	Rock
Length	51:20
Label	Columbia
Producer	Brendan O'Brien

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Outlaw Pete"	8:00
2.	"My Lucky Day"	4:01
3.	"Working on a Dream"	3:30
4.	"Queen of the Supermarket"	4:40
5.	"What Love Can Do"	2:57
6.	"This Life"	4:30
7.	"Good Eye"	3:01
8.	"Tomorrow Never Knows"	2:14
9.	"Life Itself"	4:00
10.	"Kingdom of Days"	4:02
11.	"Surprise, Surprise"	3:24
12.	"The Last Carnival"	3:11

• Bruce Springsteen – lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards, percussion, glockenspiel

• Roy Bittan – piano, Hammond organ, accordion
• Clarence Clemons – saxophone, vocals
• Danny Federici – Hammond organ
• Nils Lofgren – guitar, vocals
• Patti Scialfa – vocals
• Garry Tallent – bass guitar
• Steven Van Zandt – guitar, vocals
• Max Weinberg – drums

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 6 

Score: 5

   

Wrecking Ball (2012)

A continuation of the heartland themes and the easy stadium rock with the country, American-folk rock, and pop elements sound he started with The Rising in 2002. It's a worthy and solid album - well crafted mainstream songs well delivered and produced.  But it doesn't excite or interest, especially with the jingoist lyrics of songs such as "We Take Care Of Our Own": "Wherever this flag's flown
We take care of our own" - as though other countries don't? I'd like Springsteen and his followers to get a bit of perspective, and to stop being so ignorant and insulting.  Superficial and cliched man-in-the pub beliefs such as "The banker man grows fat, the working man grows thin" which are empty and inaccurate observations (some workers get very rich and fat such as train drivers), but which appeal to the ignorant masses who vote Trump, are not just ugly, but worrying.  I do like some of the tunes though - I like the moody Nick Cave atmosphere of "Swallowed Up", and the joyful Dubliners/Pogues muscle of  "American Land". There is a tension in the album for me - and I see this as an album by a talented and interesting individual, who somehow lost his way after Born To Run, and felt he found it in tales of oppressed American workers (as though oppressed American workers are really top of the mind for most of the world, who see real, genuine oppression and poverty in many countries. 1.4 million people die each year from lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation - but they are not the fat, beer swilling, doughnut eating, gun toting, intolerant, God-fearing Americans) - he found it even more so after "Born In The USA", which made his fortune. So he continues down that line. Sadly. I wish he'd put his mind and his talents to more global and important topics. 

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

No.	Title	Length
1.	"We Take Care of Our Own"	3:54
2.	"Easy Money"	3:37
3.	"Shackled and Drawn"	3:46
4.	"Jack of All Trades"	6:00
5.	"Death to My Hometown"	3:29
6.	"This Depression"	4:08
7.	"Wrecking Ball"	5:49
8.	"You've Got It"	3:48
9.	"Rocky Ground"	4:41
10.	"Land of Hope and Dreams"	6:58
11.	"We Are Alive"	5:36

Bonus tracks

No.	Title	Length
12.	"Swallowed Up (In the Belly of the Whale)"	5:28
13.	"American Land"	4:25

• Bruce Springsteen – vocals, guitars, banjo, piano, organ, drums, percussion, loops
• Ron Aniello – guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, loops, backing vocals (tracks 3, 5, 7, 8, 13), percussion (track 13), hurdy gurdy (track 13)
• Matt Chamberlain – drums & percussion (tracks 3, 5, 8)
• Max Weinberg – drums (tracks 7, 11, 13)
• Steve Jordan – percussion (track 2)
• Kevin Buell – drums & backing vocals (track 5)
• Charlie Giordano – piano, B-3 organ (tracks 3, 5, 7, 9–11, 13), accordion (track 12), celesta (track 13)
• Marc Muller – pedal steel guitar (track 8)
• Tom Morello – electric guitar (tracks 4, 6)
• Greg Leisz – banjo, mandola, lap steel (tracks 8, 11)
• Rob Lebret – electric guitar (track 7), backing vocals (tracks 5, 7, 8, 12, 13)
• Steve Van Zandt – mandolin (tracks 10, 13), backing vocals (tracks 7, 10, 13)
• Darrel Leonard – trumpet, bass trumpet (track 11)
• Curt Ramm – trumpet, cornet (tracks 3, 4, 7–10)
• Clark Gayton – trombone (tracks 3, 4, 7–10)
• Stan Harrison – clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax (tracks 3, 4, 7–10)
• Ed Manion – tenor sax, baritone sax (tracks 3, 4, 7–10)
• Dan Levine – alto horn, euphonium (tracks 3, 4, 9, 10)
• Art Baron – euphonium, tuba, sousaphone, penny whistle (tracks 3–5, 9, 10)
• Clarence Clemons – saxophone solos (tracks 7, 10)
• Soozie Tyrell – violin (tracks 2–7, 10–13), backing vocals (tracks 1–3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13)
• Patti Scialfa – backing vocals (tracks 1–3, 6, 7, 10–12), vocal arrangements (tracks 2, 6)

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 6

Score: 4

  

High Hopes (2014)

This is a sort of mish-mash of some of the musical approaches Springsteen has used over the years, so it's not surprising to learn that it is based on unrecorded or uncompleted demos and covers dating back to at least 1995. As with pretty much all of Springsteen's music, it's well made, well crafted, and attractive. And, as with pretty much most of what Springsteen has produced since his peak period, it's worthy but unexciting. 

Released	January 14, 2014
Recorded	March–June 2013
Studio	Thrill Hill; Thrill Hill West; Stone Hill Studio; Southern Tracks Recording Studio; Studios 301[1]
Genre	Rock
Length	56:24
Label	Columbia
Producer	Ron Aniello, Brendan O'Brien, Bruce Springsteen

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen, except where noted

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"High Hopes"	Tim Scott McConnell	4:57
2.	"Harry's Place"		4:04
3.	"American Skin (41 Shots)"		7:23
4.	"Just Like Fire Would"	Chris Bailey	3:56
5.	"Down in the Hole"		4:59
6.	"Heaven's Wall"		3:50
7.	"Frankie Fell in Love"		2:48
8.	"This Is Your Sword"		2:52
9.	"Hunter of Invisible Game"		4:42
10.	"The Ghost of Tom Joad"		7:33
11.	"The Wall"		4:20
12.	"Dream Baby Dream"	Martin Rev, Alan Vega	5:00

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 7 

Score: 5

Chapter and Verse (2016)

A career spanning compilation album compiled by Springsteen to accompany his autobiography, Born To Run.  Tracks include previously unreleased recordings of his early bands The Castilles, Steel Mill, and The Bruce Springsteen Band. It's an interesting album because of those early tracks, and because these are tracks that Springsteen has chosen, but it's essentially an album for fans. The album proper starts at track 7.  I think the songs are chosen for the impact they had on Springsteen's career, rather than for their intrinsic quality. It's a little random. 

Released	September 23, 2016
Recorded	1966–2012
Genre	Rock
Length	1:17:51
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen, except where noted.^[8]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Original album	Length
1.	"Baby I" (The Castiles)	Springsteen, George Theiss	1966; previously unreleased	1:55
2.	"You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover" (The Castiles)	Willie Dixon	1967; previously unreleased	2:54
3.	"He's Guilty (The Judge Song)" (Steel Mill)		1970; previously unreleased	4:38
4.	"The Ballad of Jesse James" (The Bruce Springsteen Band)		1972; previously unreleased	5:30
5.	"Henry Boy"		1972; previously unreleased	3:17
6.	"Growin' Up" (demo)		1972;  18 Tracks (1999)	2:42
7.	"4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)"		The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle (1973)	5:34
8.	"Born to Run"		Born to Run (1975)	4:30
9.	"Badlands"		Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978)	4:01
10.	"The River"		The River (1980)	4:59
11.	"My Father's House"		Nebraska (1982)	5:03
12.	"Born in the U.S.A."		Born in the U.S.A. (1984)	4:37
13.	"Brilliant Disguise"		Tunnel of Love (1987)	4:14
14.	"Living Proof"		Lucky Town (1992)	4:44
15.	"The Ghost of Tom Joad"		The Ghost of Tom Joad (1995)	4:21
16.	"The Rising"		The Rising (2002)	4:47
17.	"Long Time Comin'"		Devils & Dust (2005)	4:13
18.	"Wrecking Ball"		Wrecking Ball (2012)	5:49
Total length:				77:48

Wikipedia
AllMusic: 7
Score: 4 

Springsteen On Broadway (2018)

Recording of a long series of illustrated autobiographical talks Springsteen gave Walter Kerr Theatre in New York in 2017-2018 and again in 2021. The theatre held an audience of less than 1,000 people, so tickets were resold at prices well over $1,000.  The album consists of more talk than performance, so has a limited appeal. No doubt the performance in the flesh was warm and intimate, and Springsteen is animated and revealing and entertaining, but - unless you're the sort of person who likes podcasts, this album has limited appeal. The recording is surprisingly muddy and spacious, as though a bootleg. 

I would have liked to have been in the audience, but I find it difficult to retain focus on the album because there's no physical or visual presence. But that may be due to my aural dyslexia and my autism.  

A number of performers, especially during the singer-songwriter peak of the early Seventies, would give autobiographical introductions to songs. I recently saw Cliff Richard and he did it very well. This feels a little theatrical and artificial. I don't feel we're getting close to Springsteen here. I feel we're experiencing a Springsteen performance of the Springsteen rock god persona, which he performed five days a week for a year. And that weary automatic repetition is felt in his performance here.  The introductions often don't appear to relate to the songs, and the introduction to "Born To Run" mainly consists of a religious story, ending with a prayer and a blessing. Even Cliff Richard wasn't as awkwardly religious as this. God, guitars, and luck made Springsteen great.  

The song performances are weak, weary, tedious and almost as bad as the moral sermons and fake authenticity. Quite possibly Springsteen's worse album. 

Released	December 14, 2018
Recorded	July 17–18, 2018
Genre	Rock
Length	145:43
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bruce Springsteen

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

Disc one

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Growin' Up (Introduction)"	2:04
2.	"Growin' Up"	11:59
3.	"My Hometown (Introduction Part 1)"	3:44
4.	"My Hometown (Introduction Part 2)"	3:36
5.	"My Hometown"	3:59
6.	"My Father's House (Introduction)"	4:28
7.	"My Father's House"	6:22
8.	"The Wish (Introduction)"	6:09
9.	"The Wish"	4:24
10.	"Thunder Road (Introduction)"	3:19
11.	"Thunder Road"	5:28
12.	"The Promised Land (Introduction Part 1)"	3:35
13.	"The Promised Land (Introduction Part 2)"	3:34
14.	"The Promised Land (Introduction Part 3)"	4:15
15.	"The Promised Land"	3:59

Disc two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Born in the U.S.A. (Introduction Part 1)"	4:16
2.	"Born in the U.S.A. (Introduction Part 2)"	3:46
3.	"Born in the U.S.A."	4:44
4.	"Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out (Introduction)"	1:10
5.	"Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"	7:56
6.	"Tougher Than the Rest (Introduction)"	1:25
7.	"Tougher Than the Rest" (w/ Patti Scialfa)	4:29
8.	"Brilliant Disguise (Introduction)"	1:43
9.	"Brilliant Disguise" (w/ Patti Scialfa)	4:47
10.	"Long Time Comin' (Introduction)"	3:08
11.	"Long Time Comin'"	3:54
12.	"The Ghost of Tom Joad (Introduction)"	3:27
13.	"The Ghost of Tom Joad"	4:36
14.	"The Rising"	4:33
15.	"Dancing in the Dark (Introduction)"	2:47
16.	"Dancing in the Dark"	4:10
17.	"Land of Hope and Dreams"	3:57
18.	"Born to Run (Introduction Part 1)"	3:54
19.	"Born to Run (Introduction Part 2)"	3:41
20.	"Born to Run"	5:08
Total length:		145:43

• Bruce Springsteen – vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica
• Patti Scialfa – vocals and guitar on "Tougher Than the Rest" and "Brilliant Disguise"

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 7
Score: 2 

Western Stars (2019) 

A pleasant and mature mainstream album well crafted. There's some variety in the sound and approach, and it's a likeable album, and possibly it will grow on me (and I'm not adverse to listening again), but there's little about it that appeals enough for me to get engaged with it. 

Released	June 14, 2019
Recorded	2010, 2014, 2018–2019[1]
Studio	Stone Hill, Colts Neck, New Jersey; Ocean Studios, Burbank, California; Very Loud House, Woodland Hills, California; Avatar, New York City; Sage and Sound, Hollywood, California
Genre	Roots rock  folk rock  country
Length	51:00
Label	Columbia
Producer	Ron Aniello, Bruce Springsteen

All tracks are written by Bruce Springsteen

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Hitch Hikin'"	3:37
2.	"The Wayfarer"	4:18
3.	"Tucson Train"	3:31
4.	"Western Stars"	4:41
5.	"Sleepy Joe's Café"	3:14
6.	"Drive Fast (The Stuntman)"	4:16
7.	"Chasin' Wild Horses"	5:03
8.	"Sundown"	3:17
9.	"Somewhere North of Nashville"	1:52
10.	"Stones"	4:44
11.	"There Goes My Miracle"	4:05
12.	"Hello Sunshine"	3:56
13.	"Moonlight Motel"	4:16
Total length:		51:00

Wikipedia 

AllMusic: 8
Score: 5 
  

Letter To You (2020)

A blend of country and rock. A fairly American and reflective album, as with much of Springsteen's output after Born to Run. It's well done, it's eloquent, but it's so small scale, unadventurous, and somewhat cliched and mawkish that it's difficult to fully engage with it. However, I would agree with most critics that it's one of the best if not the best album Springsteen has made since his peak period pre-Born In The USA.  

The album falls into the group of nostalgic albums that established artists nearing death have made since Johnny Cash's extraordinary string of albums, the American Recordings produced by Rick Rubin that started in 1994 and went on until Cash's death in 2003.  Bowie's The Next Day (2013) is a great example, and Stewart's Time  (May 2013) is the best he made since his peak. This album has elements of all those three artist's work, though is largely Dylanesque, and "Song For Orphans" is very close to "Shelter From The Storm".  

Released	October 23, 2020
Recorded	November 11–15, 2019
Studio	Thrill Hill Recording, Colts Neck, New Jersey, United States
Genre	Rock,  heartland rock
Length	58:17
Label	Columbia
Producer	Ron Aniello  Bruce Springsteen

1. "One Minute You're Here" – 2:57
2. "Letter to You" – 4:55
3. "Burnin' Train" – 4:03
4. "Janey Needs a Shooter" – 6:49
5. "Last Man Standing" – 4:05
6. "The Power of Prayer" – 3:36
7. "House of a Thousand Guitars" – 4:30
8. "Rainmaker" – 4:56
9. "If I Was the Priest" – 6:50
10. "Ghosts" – 5:54
11. "Song for Orphans" – 6:13
12. "I'll See You in My Dreams" – 3:29

• Bruce Springsteen – guitar, vocals, harmonica
• Roy Bittan – piano, vocals
• Nils Lofgren – guitar, vocals
• Patti Scialfa – vocals
• Garry Tallent – bass guitar, vocals
• Steven Van Zandt – guitar, vocals
• Max Weinberg – drums, vocals
• Charles Giordano – organ, vocals
• Jake Clemons – saxophone

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 9

Score: 5 1/2 

   

Only The Strong Survive (2022)

Right from the off I like this album. Soulful and intimate.  It's a covers album, which, along with the nostalgia album, seems to have become a standard amongst major artists as they reach retirement age.  Springsteen's treatment of the songs is affectionate rather than substantial, so there is nothing really significant here. But it's a genuinely attractive and easy listening album. Sure it would be easy to find covers of these songs that are better done, but these are solid performances blessed with Springsteen's voice which, even at 72, is warmly soulful. It kinda outstays its welcome - I feel it would be better a few songs less, but on the whole this is a nice one. 

Released	November 11, 2022
Recorded	Thrill Hill Recording, New Jersey, US
Genre	Soul  R&B
Length	50:24
Label	Columbia
Producer	Ron Aniello  Bruce Springsteen

Only the Strong Survive track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Original artist(s)	Length
1.	"Only the Strong Survive"		Jerry Butler	2:59
2.	"Soul Days" (featuring Sam Moore)		Dobie Gray	3:58
3.	"Nightshift"		Commodores	4:56
4.	"Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)"		Frank Wilson	2:27
5.	"The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore"		The Walker Brothers	3:44
6.	"Turn Back the Hands of Time"		Tyrone Davis	3:07
7.	"When She Was My Girl"		Four Tops	3:17
8.	"Hey, Western Union Man"		Jerry Butler	3:53
9.	"I Wish It Would Rain"		The Temptations	3:24
10.	"Don't Play That Song"		Ben E. King	3:34
11.	"Any Other Way"		William Bell	2:54
12.	"I Forgot to Be Your Lover" (featuring Sam Moore)		William Bell	2:28
13.	"7 Rooms of Gloom"		Four Tops	2:39
14.	"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted"		Jimmy Ruffin	3:31
15.	"Someday We'll Be Together"		Diana Ross & the Supremes	3:33
Total length:				50:24

Wikipedia

AllMusic: 6
Score: 6 

Discography

Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (1973)  [6]
The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle (1973) [10]
Born to Run (1975) [10]  
Hammersmith Odeon, London '75 (2006) [6] 
Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) [6]  
The Promise (2010) [5 1/2]  

The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts (2021) [5] 
The River (1980)  [7] 
Nebraska (1982)  [4] 
Born in the U.S.A. (1984)  [3] 

Live 1975-85 (1986) [5] 
Tunnel of Love (1987)  [4] 
Human Touch (1992) [4] 
Lucky Town (1992) [4 1/2]  

In Concert/MTV Plugged (1993) [4 1/2]  
Greatest Hits (Feb 1995) [5] 
The Ghost of Tom Joad (1995)  [4]  
18 Tracks (1999) [4]  
Live In New York City (2001) [5 1/2] 
The Rising (2002)  [4]  
The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003) [4 1/2] 
Devils & Dust (2005)  [4] 
We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006) [4] 
Magic (2007) [5] 
Working on a Dream (2009) [5]
Wrecking Ball (2012) [4]
High Hopes (2014) [5] 
Chapter and Verse (2016) [4] 

Springsteen On Broadway (2018) [2] 

Western Stars (2019)  [5] 
Letter To You (2020)  [5 1/2]

Only The Strong Survive (2022) [6] 

My list of best albums
Born to Run (1975) [10]  

The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle (1973) [10]
The River (1980)  [7] 
Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (1973)  [6]

Hammersmith Odeon, London '75 (2006) [6] 
Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) [6]  

Only The Strong Survive (2022) [6] 

Letter To You (2020)  [5 1/2] 

The Promise (2010) [5 1/2]  

Live In New York City (2001) [5 1/2] 

Best albums

Born To Run (1975)  10,
Darkness (1978)  7, 
The River (1980)  5, 

The Wild (1973)  3, 

Nebraska (1982) 2, 

Born In The USA (1984)  1, 

Tunnel of Love (1987  1, 

The Rising (2002) 1, 

Wrecking Ball (2012)  1,  

Magic (2007)  1, 

 

Sources: 
* Rolling Stone Readers Poll (2012) 

Links

* BruceSpringsteen.net 
* 2012 Keynote Speech at SXSW (South by SouthWest) in Texas
* Lyrics  
* Aphoristic Album Reviews  

* Springsteen Archives