Released in 1978, "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" was the fourth album from Bruce Springsteen. The only song I had previously heard from Bruce was "Born To Run", which had been a very minor hit in the UK.
Capital Radio's Nick Horne frequently played tracks from this album on his evening radio show, although my memory was it was nearly always the title track and Candy's Room. I viewed the album in a positive light, but not enough to go out and buy it.
It must have been close to 10 years after its release that I finally owned the album, the sticker showing I must have purchased it at a reduced price, but the actually price label is half missing !
I was pleasantly surprised by the record, particularly liking anthems such as "Badlands", "The Promised Land" and "Prove It All Night", which I had either never previously heard, or had totally forgotten !
A few months ago I was in a branch of Currys and the music being played throughout the store was this album. As I waited over 30 minutes without anyone coming to serve me, I was able to hear nearly all of the album before I walked out in disgust, but at least I can now remember all the songs !
Lyrically mostly songs are of the hopes and aspirations of working people, and their lives can be better, but there are occasional frustrations, misfortunes or betrayals.
Side One opens with "Badlands", a rousing anthem with great lyrics, a guitar solo followed by a saxophone break. The song slows after the instrumental break, before building up for the grand finale. "Badlands, you gotta live it every day, let the broken hearts stand as the price you've gotta pay. Keep movin' 'til it's understood, and these badlands start treating us good".
"Adam Raised A Cain" is a slower pace blues influenced song, with a raw screechy guitar intro and the bass is the dominant instrument for the verse. The chorus has a Gospel tinge to it.
"Something In The Night" has a gentle piano intro before a raw yell leading into the verse and the backing vocals are soulful. There is just the voice and a drum for third verse before the full instrumentation returns for the chorus. It's a beautiful song that I had forgotten.
"Candy's Room" starts with faint, but urgent drums with then piano and vocal for the first verse. The pace increases to become almost frantic punk.
The nearly 7 minutes long sombre piano ballad "Racing In The Street" closes side two. A Hammond joins in midway before the drums and bass come in. The piano and organ outro is beautiful.
Side two opens with a short harmonica blast to start "The Promised Land" leading into another stadium anthem, with some jazzy organ, a big chorus, then a tender piano and guitar breaks before the sax bursts in. The harmonica returns before the final verse and also in the outro."The dogs on Main Street howl 'cause they understand, if I could take one moment into my hands. Mister, I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man, and I believe in a promised land".
"Factory" is country influenced slow ballad with a piano and organ break. It's the shortest song on the album at just over two minutes.
"Streets Of Fire" has an organ intro, a slow growling vocal, and some angry guitar for chorus. There is tasteful guitar break.
"Prove It All Night" the third up-tempo rock anthem. Again there is a saxophone break before a killer guitar solo. Again the pace for the third verse slows before the rising chorus to finish. "Everybody's got a hunger, a hunger they can't resist. There's so much that you want, you deserve much more than this. But if dreams came true, oh, wouldn't that be nice? But this ain't no dream we're living through tonight. And girl, you want it, you take it, you pay the price. To prove it all night, prove it all night".
The closer and title track "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" is another piano dominated ballad with a lovely piano riff.
Overall, "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" remains a stunning album
Track Listing :
Side One :
1. Badlands
2. Adam Raised A Cain
3. Something In The Night
4. Candy's Room
5. Racing In The Street
1. The Promised Land
2. Factory
3. Streets Of Fire
4. Prove It All Night
5. Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Released : 1978
UK Chart Position : 14
