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. Ricko
    Nov 13, 2017
    9
    One of Springsteens best solo records, after "Nebraska" I can't think of a better one. Every song on this is a carefully crafted piece of work by a true master. In his typical style, each song has a story accompanied by relatively simple but beautiful melodies. Springsteen will never win a nobel laureate but looking back over his body of work, for me he is within touching distance of theOne of Springsteens best solo records, after "Nebraska" I can't think of a better one. Every song on this is a carefully crafted piece of work by a true master. In his typical style, each song has a story accompanied by relatively simple but beautiful melodies. Springsteen will never win a nobel laureate but looking back over his body of work, for me he is within touching distance of the class of Dylan as a lyricist. "Devils and Dust" has everything you'd look for. Tuneful melodies and immaculate lyrics delivered in an atmosphere that projects a subtle brilliance. Simple but all the more outstanding for it.… Expand
  2. zenrazz
    Feb 8, 2007
    0
    turnoff
  3. LuisJ
    Nov 30, 2006
    10
    O seu melhor album a solo... Brilhante
  4. MarkK
    Feb 7, 2006
    10
    A strong sequel to Johnny Cash's spiritual side.
  5. SimenG
    Jan 28, 2006
    9
    I thought I'd heard the best of him, but this album definetely proves that he still has "it". He "paints" stories like only Dylan can... SimenG - Norway
  6. KNudP
    Jan 13, 2006
    10
    Best ever from Springsteen....
  7. JanF
    Jan 10, 2006
    10
    Fantastic!
  8. oliviierb
    Jan 9, 2006
    10
    AMAZING
  9. melissar
    Jan 7, 2006
    10
    The reason why I rate this cd a ten. because it is the greatest cd I have ever heard in my lifetime. melissa lisalove richardson
  10. 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!
  11. AndrewL
    Jul 24, 2005
    10
    With each song, the stories are so enthralling and well-told, I felt like I was there as each story was happening. It was like reading the best collection of short stories ever written, set to music.
  12. 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!
  13. 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.
  14. hatimj
    Jun 19, 2005
    9
    As a fun of the Boss, I would like to say that his new album is incredible and it concern our dialy life Devils & dust is special and deep, it reachs the heart's inside.
  15. ScottY
    Jun 17, 2005
    8
    More like Tunnel of Love and less like The Ghost of Tom Joad, which is a good tihng. This is not dark and dreary like GOTJ, and even has a rocker or two. If this were grouped with Tom Joad and Nebraska, this one buries all of them.
  16. RyanG
    Jun 15, 2005
    9
    A more reflective Springsteen provides a very deep and soul-searching Album.
  17. Matt
    Jun 10, 2005
    9
    The only slight weakness on this album is that it owes itself a lot to Dylan's sound. Otherwise, it combines the lyrical excellence of Ghost Of Tom Joad with some more punch.
  18. DavidS
    Jun 8, 2005
    5
    Village Voice critic Robert Christgau, in his review of the 1988 live EP Chimes of Freedom stated the following: "...the self-importance he's always accuded of drips from his all-American drawl like Vitalis off a DA". The hayseed accent he affects on this "little" album are no less annoying - though I'm drawn to "Leah" his "Streets of Philadelphia" remake.
  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. GeorgeBush
    May 27, 2005
    0
    Never heard it but no i won't like it. Viva la resistance, the king is not dead!
  21. 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
  22. JohnH
    May 18, 2005
    1
    A huge disappointment. I'm reminded of that 'Do you recal, when they build that ladder to heaven' post 9/11 claptrap. Bruce wants us to believe all he has left is 'Devils and Dust' keep rattling on Bruce I'm sure someone will believe your boring long winded preechy 'I've got them poor man blues' - pure fantasy. The Boss is now The Bore.
  23. MikeM
    May 15, 2005
    10
    Beauful and painful stories. Bruce evokes emotion in his music in a way that no other musician in his generation has.
  24. michaelk
    May 15, 2005
    10
    A superb album. Springsteen is a rare talent, never afraid to challange his audience. Devils and dust challange's us and more.
  25. 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.
  26. MartyD
    May 13, 2005
    10
    This is an album lover's album. Reno is one of his best.
  27. acavanah
    May 12, 2005
    10
    this is a dark album, sparse musically, but the narratives are vivid and poignant. There are one or two dire tracks, All Im thinking about and the hitter but overall I found it and thought provoking and intriguing.
  28. BenH
    May 12, 2005
    10
    I give Devils and Dust an A+. Bolstering Brian
  29. CurtM
    May 10, 2005
    8
    Nice, but a bit monotonous singing.
  30. LukeS
    May 8, 2005
    10
    Like sitting around a campfire, staring at the stars, and contemplating life with Bruce--nothing better.
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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 »