Devils & Dust
by Bruce Springsteen
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Apr 26, 2005
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 105 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 94 out of 105
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 105
  3. Negative: 5 out of 105

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  1. B.B.
    Apr 27, 2005
    9
    This record is not for the masses. It's for people who listen to "records" rather than download a song here and there. If you sit through this from start to finish, with the lyrics in hand (or watching them off the dvd on your tellyscreen) you'll be struck in awe. Great lyrics, great poetry. Standout tracks: "Reno" great story of sadness and sure ti stirr up a lot of emotions in This record is not for the masses. It's for people who listen to "records" rather than download a song here and there. If you sit through this from start to finish, with the lyrics in hand (or watching them off the dvd on your tellyscreen) you'll be struck in awe. Great lyrics, great poetry. Standout tracks: "Reno" great story of sadness and sure ti stirr up a lot of emotions in puritan circles; "Long Time Coming", an instant classic; "Matamoros Banks", a narrative told in reverse, from the corpse at the bottom of the river 'till the man trying to cross the Mexican- American border, "All I'm Thinkin' About" a sneer/ode to Neil Young, Van Morrison, Canned Heat???, "Jesus was an only Son", Bruce goes Waits/Zevon,... Definitely NOT a rock record: two rock tunes, couple of ballads, some alt-country, folk, but mainly brilliant storytelling and characterdepiction. Nice packaging too. Good job, once again, Boss.… Collapse
  2. CurtM
    May 10, 2005
    8
    Nice, but a bit monotonous singing.
  3. FortunateSon
    May 1, 2005
    10
    Bruce's best record since "Tunnel Of Love".
  4. DougD
    May 2, 2005
    9
    A serious upgrade from the musically schizophrenic and need I say plodding, The Rising. This is lean and - at times - harrowing musical imagery that is far from perfect. But in its imperfection seems to perfectally encapsulate life during Bush II: War, prostitution, death; and man's struggles therein. A stunning achievement.
  5. TimM
    May 3, 2005
    8
    This album needs to be listened to many times and in many venues to be apreciated. Another gem.
  6. LukeS
    May 8, 2005
    10
    Like sitting around a campfire, staring at the stars, and contemplating life with Bruce--nothing better.
  7. MattP
    Jun 30, 2005
    9
    Devils & Dust is Simple and beautiful . 'Reno' reads and sounds like a harder edged version of 'Blind Willie McTell'. Alone woth the price of admission.
  8. BillyB
    Jul 8, 2005
    9
    Springsteen fan for many, many years. The lyrics are the best he's done. Black Cowboys? is there any other song in recent memory that inspires more reflection? He's the greatest!
  9. JanF
    Jan 10, 2006
    10
    Fantastic!
  10. zenrazz
    Feb 8, 2007
    0
    turnoff
  11. GeorgiaW
    Apr 28, 2005
    6
    It's not nearly as good as "Nebraska," but "Devils & Dust" is a step up from "Ghost of Tom Joad." "GOTJ" had good stories, some good lyrics, but was severely lacking musically, and sounded too affected. "Devils & Dust" has some more memorably melodies, and the songs are better, but it doesn't get under your skin like "Nebraska." It also feels affected: the singing doesn't It's not nearly as good as "Nebraska," but "Devils & Dust" is a step up from "Ghost of Tom Joad." "GOTJ" had good stories, some good lyrics, but was severely lacking musically, and sounded too affected. "Devils & Dust" has some more memorably melodies, and the songs are better, but it doesn't get under your skin like "Nebraska." It also feels affected: the singing doesn't sound natural, it often sounds too studied. Though the production is minimal, it still adds a little too much polish, too. Regardless, the title track, "The Hitter, the explicit but sad and depraved "Reno," and a few others are good songs worth hearing over and over again. Taken on its own terms, it's still a fine album, but very flawed.… Expand
  12. MarkR
    May 15, 2005
    8
    Some of the songs are among his best, and none among his worst, but many could be better with a different voal treatment, such as Silver Palomino, All I'm Thinkin' About and Matamoros Banks. But overall, an excellent album.
  13. MicahK
    May 20, 2005
    9
    Springsteen' s stripped down music, clear melodies, and intensely personal themes of life and death, and the love which binds events occurring between these, reflects unnervingly true of America's disposition in 2005. What resonates in this album is Springsteen's advocacy that American ideals should not be sacrificed--not in the interest of national securitiy, not ever. And Springsteen' s stripped down music, clear melodies, and intensely personal themes of life and death, and the love which binds events occurring between these, reflects unnervingly true of America's disposition in 2005. What resonates in this album is Springsteen's advocacy that American ideals should not be sacrificed--not in the interest of national securitiy, not ever. And it confirms that the personal relationships cultivated between each mother/son, each man/woman, each person/America, is valuable. 'Devils and Dust' is bleak. 'Matamouros Banks' for instance, tells of a Mexican immigrant dying in search of a better way/life for his family, by escaping across the border in search of the American dream. Didn't we used to root for this guy? Why don't we care about him anymore? When did our fear of terrorism overrun the ability of 'land of opportunity' and 'home of the brave' to embrace him? ' Have we lost already, and can we gain it back?' I don't know, but Springsteen's America has clearly changed for the worse in recent years. 'Devils and Dust' reminds us that in 2005, fear controls America, and its once lofty ideals no longer seem relevant to the powers that be. And the world is suffering along with us because of it.… Expand
  14. LornaA
    May 3, 2005
    10
    Love it Love it, a bit more sexy and mature like me!
  15. SteveR
    May 3, 2005
    9
    Springsteen has managed to find diversity within a small toolbox. The range of arrangements, vocal styles, tempos and emotions make this a more rewarding experience than his previous explorations in this folk troubador world. With the rare exception, Springsteen succesfully crafted detailed stories while not forgetting his gift for melody. A winning combination.
  16. MikeA
    May 6, 2005
    9
    Moody, soft folk music, along with beautiful, often moving lyrics. Another great Springsteen album, which makes one wonder, can the Boss fail?
  17. daxk
    May 7, 2005
    9
    this is a fantastic album. probably destined to be a little underrated by most, and overrated by those of us who love it. the only misgiving i have about the album is that it's a little overproduced at times (like the background vocals particularly on maria's bed, leah, and all i'm thinkin' about). these songs, like most springsteen songs, are stories, and the this is a fantastic album. probably destined to be a little underrated by most, and overrated by those of us who love it. the only misgiving i have about the album is that it's a little overproduced at times (like the background vocals particularly on maria's bed, leah, and all i'm thinkin' about). these songs, like most springsteen songs, are stories, and the overproduction of them takes away from their immediacy. this is what made nebraska and, to a lesser extent, the ghost of tom joad, so chilling. the stories were the first things you heard as a listener… Expand
  18. SimonW
    May 8, 2005
    7
    Some high points, especially the title track & Long Time Coming, but Reno, why?
  19. PatrickD
    Jun 7, 2005
    5
    It's hard to rate this one. I'm giving it a five on a "Bruce scale," as compared with his other albums. But I'd give it much higher compared with most other CDs. As is always the case with Bruce, this is high-quality, thoughtful, well-produced music. But there's no way it's in the same pantheon as any of Bruce's classics. It's been compared with Nebraska It's hard to rate this one. I'm giving it a five on a "Bruce scale," as compared with his other albums. But I'd give it much higher compared with most other CDs. As is always the case with Bruce, this is high-quality, thoughtful, well-produced music. But there's no way it's in the same pantheon as any of Bruce's classics. It's been compared with Nebraska and Ghost of Tom Joad, but I'd say it's more similar to Tunnel of Love in its pacing and tone. One more thing: give it a chance...a lot of the songs really grow on you after several listens.… Expand
  20. oliviierb
    Jan 9, 2006
    10
    AMAZING
  21. GerardoL
    Nov 18, 2005
    10
    Marvelous album, Springsteen's vision of the human experience ever insightful, colorful, adventurous, an artist that's learned a thing or two along the way, yet as wide-eyed in wonderment as ever! A triumph!
  22. janicem
    Apr 26, 2005
    10
    masterpiece
  23. RussellB
    Apr 26, 2005
    10
    Better than "The Rising," possibly Springsteen's best record since "Born in the USA." The album sounds like a smarter, more polished and mature version of "The Ghost of Tom Joad," for which Springsteen won the Best Contemporary Folk Grammy when it came out.
  24. ThomasT
    Apr 27, 2005
    10
    Not as dark and dreary and as "Tom Joad", "Devils" mixes songs of despair with songs with hard won hope for better things. Richer musical textures make this the most varied and yes, enjoyable of the three "acoustic" Bruce LP's.
  25. RodD
    Apr 27, 2005
    9
    Yep...great album. Apart from All I'm thinking About .... that is ordinary...
  26. renes
    Apr 27, 2005
    10
    Devils needs several listen to be appreciated. It is not a random set of songs. They all fit together very nicely. Lyrics are simply breathtaking, and the music fits just right. Black Cowboys, Jesus, Silver Palomino are outstanding.
  27. TimG
    Apr 27, 2005
    9
    Tremendous work that really brings it you right into Springsteen's mercurial songwriting world. Agree that this will take a few listens but in the end see how it actually slips perfectly into his repertoire and wait with anticipation to see him play this live both alone and with the E-Street Band. Yo won't be disappointed.
  28. hane
    Apr 29, 2005
    10
    excellent from start to finish not for the e-street fans
  29. JonN
    Apr 29, 2005
    10
    The Boss makes _albums_. Thematically cohesive and emotionally poignant pieces that are meant to be listened to front to back in order to get the full idea of what the artist is going for. The album is filled with gorgeous imagery, some of his best. Some of the seemingly simple upbeat rocking numbers belie their complexity and darker undercurrents - the kind of songs that Reagan would The Boss makes _albums_. Thematically cohesive and emotionally poignant pieces that are meant to be listened to front to back in order to get the full idea of what the artist is going for. The album is filled with gorgeous imagery, some of his best. Some of the seemingly simple upbeat rocking numbers belie their complexity and darker undercurrents - the kind of songs that Reagan would quote in a speech without investigation a la Born in the USA - but there is more than is immediately apparent. This isn't an album for the Ipod download-one-song-at-a-time masses, it's meant for a headphones on and lyrics in hand journey. It's a brilliant album.… Expand
  30. BenH
    May 12, 2005
    10
    I give Devils and Dust an A+. Bolstering Brian
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Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best Album of 2005
63
#63 Most Discussed Album of 2005
65
#65 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Playlouder
    70
    Alas, it's not as consistently satisfying as 'Born To Run' or 'Born In The USA', and Springsteen's voice, always gravely at the best of times, has taken on an increasingly wizened air that sometimes renders it frustratingly impenetrable.
    Read full review
  2. The Guardian
    60
    The Rising sounded like a formulaic album made out of patriotic duty. Despite its flaws, formulaic is not an adjective that applies to most of Devils and Dust, an album that rarely does what you expect it to.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Devils is a more mature effort than Joad and Nebraska, for being a little less bleak. [29 Apr 2005, p.144]
See all critic reviews »