- Vinyl
- Label: CBS
- ASIN: B004ER0F8W
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 634,520 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
First off I should say that I'm a pretty big fan of Springsteen, and my opinion of this album was formed after having listened to, and grown attached to his best known works such as Born to Run, the River, Darkness on the Edge of Town etc. However I think my opinion is just as relevant to people who know little of the great man's music as it is to the cognoscenti.
As the other reviews say this is the first album from the boss & the E street band, and it's got the same early sound which as The Wild, The Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, and which is lost in the production of Born to Run. The band incidentaly are truly excellent throughout the album, from the funky style of It's hard to be a saint in the city to the urgency of Lost in the Flood.
I strongly disagree with those who criticise the album for having simple, or bad lyrics. I think the songs have the classic springsteen mix of poetry and gritty realism as any of his finest works, you've really got to be looking for weaknesses to find any bad points, rather than enjoying the beauty of songs like Spirits in the Night of It's hard to be a saint.
As for the songs, the pick of the bunch for me is Lost in the Flood! If you're a fan of his urban epics, à la Jungleland or Born to Run then this song is simply awesome! The ultimate version of this is on the Hammersmith '75 live CD, it's so powerful it's incredible. Also It's Hard to be a Saint in the City, Spirit in the Night, Blinded by the Light and Grown' Up are the other real standouts, and are among my favourite Springsteen songs.
In summary, I would say if you like anything off Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town, anything before Born in the USA or rock music in general then this album really is essential listening!
As the other reviews say this is the first album from the boss & the E street band, and it's got the same early sound which as The Wild, The Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, and which is lost in the production of Born to Run. The band incidentaly are truly excellent throughout the album, from the funky style of It's hard to be a saint in the city to the urgency of Lost in the Flood.
I strongly disagree with those who criticise the album for having simple, or bad lyrics. I think the songs have the classic springsteen mix of poetry and gritty realism as any of his finest works, you've really got to be looking for weaknesses to find any bad points, rather than enjoying the beauty of songs like Spirits in the Night of It's hard to be a saint.
As for the songs, the pick of the bunch for me is Lost in the Flood! If you're a fan of his urban epics, à la Jungleland or Born to Run then this song is simply awesome! The ultimate version of this is on the Hammersmith '75 live CD, it's so powerful it's incredible. Also It's Hard to be a Saint in the City, Spirit in the Night, Blinded by the Light and Grown' Up are the other real standouts, and are among my favourite Springsteen songs.
In summary, I would say if you like anything off Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town, anything before Born in the USA or rock music in general then this album really is essential listening!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Bruce Springsteen's debut album was a solid start to his long partnership with Columbia Records. Recorded with the original lineup of the E-Street Band, featuring Gary Tallent & Clarence Clements, the songs proved to be some of Springsteen's best, and highlighted the future paths he would move towards on his later work. 'Mary, Queen Of Arkansas' is a moving acoustic ballad, which could have easily fitted in on Nebraska, while fans of Manfred Mann would have recognised the original 'Blinded By The Light' with its brilliant lyrical wordplay. Other highlights include the funky 'Spirit In The Night' & the upbeat 'It's Hard To be A Saint In The City,' contrasting with the powerful 'Growin' Up'. While he would go on to create more well known albums, Springsteen's first album is the best way to understand the true style of the man they call the Boss.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
I love the early springsteen stuff, at his best in the seventies IMHO
He's madly trying to get everything crammed into this album, probably 'cos he didn't think he'd make another lol.
I prefer this to most of his recordings, and its one CD where I'd not skip a track-simply my favourite is whichever ones playing.
You'll like its funky groove- but not if you like his later stuff _ I hate everything after human touch/lucky town releases- And like almost everything before - esp. nebraska and darkness and born to run and greetings you get the picture
He's madly trying to get everything crammed into this album, probably 'cos he didn't think he'd make another lol.
I prefer this to most of his recordings, and its one CD where I'd not skip a track-simply my favourite is whichever ones playing.
You'll like its funky groove- but not if you like his later stuff _ I hate everything after human touch/lucky town releases- And like almost everything before - esp. nebraska and darkness and born to run and greetings you get the picture
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great from the first to the last minute
Most will say there are a lot better Springsteen albums. For me this album flows superbly. There isn't one song I would skip unlike most of his albums. Its raw, its emotional. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Sue
My favourite Springsteen album gets better and better with listening
I've heard most of his albums and I don't like or rate any as much as this one. There are more gems on this album than any other of his I've heard. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Lou Knee
An american soundscape ......
Often pigeon-holed as a 'would be neo-Dylan ' , Springsteen's first album shows him with a far wider array of influences , with nuances of c/w , soul , funk and even ocasionally... Read more
Published 12 months ago by John
Asbury park
I am a massive Bruce fan and get more and more into his early material as i get older , this is a great album to show the depth and emotion to the man's music , alot of the tracks... Read more
Published 12 months ago by jk1985
Greetings From Halfbaked Park
I bought this album on the strength of one track I heard on the radio - Growin' Up. Thinking, this guy is different, I bought the album. What a disappointment. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Arlan
poor
This is on my list of worst albums ever. If I had found this one first I would never have progressed to all the others I've bought over the years. Read more
Published on 29 July 2009 by L. Richardson
a start
Released in 1973,this debut is rough around the edges in parts but contains some notable jewels for sure. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2009 by sean paul mccann
Breathtaking 5 Stars
Did I listen to the same album as some others who have commented on The Boss's debut. This is an absolute masterpiece. 5 stars, bettered only by Born to Run.
Published on 19 Jun 2008 by C. Johnson
A Classic Debut Album
An album you can listen to over and over again. The intricate and colourful collection of lyrics bring real life to the stories behind the songs. A really underated album. Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2006 by Mr. Stewart D. Jones
Highly Underated
This is a totaly overlooked underated album and frankly despite being his 1972 debut, far better by miles than anything Bruce has put out in recent years. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2006 by Vodkabite
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