Bruce Springsteen: Ranking His Albums From Worst To Best

5. The River

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEqsEQyIxLI Year of Release: 1980 Key Tracks: The River, The Ties That Bind, Ramrod The River was the continuation of Bruce's attempt to establish himself after the barnburning Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town. Not set on resting on his laurels and giving more of the same, Bruce made a very different record than his previous two hits. Tonally, the (double) album is an album of contrasts. There are relentlessly upbeat anthems like Out in the Street, The Ties That Bind and Two Hearts mixed in with downbeat ballads like Point Blank, Drive All Night and the haunting title track. Importantly, there isn't a weak song amongst the twenty on the album. Bruce recorded enough material for another album and the selection process sounded like it was a nightmare. Some of The River's outtakes turned up on Tracks and are brilliant in their own right. He really should have found a place for Restless Nights, Loose Ends, Take 'em as They Come and Bring on the Night. Not that those omissions take anything away from what was one of the best albums of the 1980s, by Bruce or anyone else.