Born to Run Review: Big Dreams in the Rear-View Mirror
9.5/10 — Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run (1975)
Pros
- Anthemic title track
- Clemons's saxophone
- Cinematic storytelling
Cons
- Overblown production
- Romantic lyricism
Recorded over 14 months of obsessive work, Born to Run turned Bruce Springsteen from a cult favourite into a star. It’s a collection of tales of young dreamers longing to break out of small-town life.
What works
The title track is a wall-of-sound anthem, ‘Thunder Road’ is a heart-on-sleeve opener, and ‘Jungleland’ is an operatic closer. The E Street Band, including Clarence Clemons’s sax, give the songs a thrilling, communal punch.
Where it falters
The production is dense and grandiose, and some of the lyrics are overly romantic.
Verdict
A thrilling, widescreen rock record by an artist reaching for greatness.
