10 More Perfect Rock Albums Of The 70s With No Bad Songs

This was Springsteen's last ditch attempt to make a hit album before his record label gave up on him. In his book, Springsteen details the recording process of this album as one of the most arduous experiences of his life. His perfectionist attitude to laying down takes, led to hundreds of redos on tracks like Born To Run. But, with the help of Steven Van Zandt's creative contributions to song structure, Springsteen pulled it off. It would set the first gleaming stone in the path to Springsteens Stardom.

If you stripped things down, there was a simplicity to this records. It was full of stories of the every person getting through the daily grind of American life, all set to defiantly joyful music. It was a concept everybody could get onboard with. Who hasn't felt like the underdog at some point during their life? Music that celebrates facing down life's struggles is the perfect remedy for when the grind gets too much.

Saxophones, pianos, harmonics, guitars, you had something for everyone. The onus wasn't on any particular instrument, it was all about how the band came together to create a sound that washed over you with a sense of shared optimism.

This was the album that became the epitome of American-heartland rock.