The Promise - Bruce Springsteen
The  Promise Image
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 34 Ratings

  • Summary: As a collection of recordings from 1978, The Promise has been heralded as the great lost Springsteen album, comprising previously unreleased B-sides from the Darkness on the Edge of Town sessions.
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Genre(s): Singer/Songwriter, Pop/Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Album Rock, Rock & Roll, Heartland Rock
  • More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Dec 20, 2010
    100
    Ultimately, the official album remains the crucible of the artist who flourishes to this day. [Dec 2010, p.112]
  2. Dec 23, 2010
    100
    The Promise demonstrates how wide-ranging Springsteen's musical interests and abilities were when he was 27.
  3. Dec 8, 2010
    100
    The Promise is as compelling an advert for the Boss's beautiful, blue-collar soul as you're likely to find outside of the hits; an indispensible portrait of an artist at the top of his game. File this one under American Greats.
  4. Jan 4, 2011
    80
    In the end, the artificial pop of The Promise makes it, as a whole, a more realistic album.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome! Listened to the whole thing front to back last night. The vinyl pressing sounds great, so anyone reluctant to throw down almost $50 for it, know at least that you are getting an excellent sounding, very good quality pressing. No extras, just the songs, but that's all that matters. There's also a bonus song at the end making it an even 22 songs.

    There are maybe two just ok tracks on the entire set. The rest are either good, great, or among his best. I've read a couple of mixed reviews stating that there are not many standouts here besides the ones (Because the Night, Fire) that everyone already knows. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are many moments of pop brilliance throughout this set. Anyone who gives this set less than they gave 'Working on a Dream' is out of their freaking mind.

    You'll be listening to this lost album for years and years to come, it's worth it. Go buy it! Now!!!!!!!!
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  2. This amazing box set is worth it for the full live concert from Houston '78 alone...an absolutely amazing performance showing Bruce & The E Street Band at the height of their powers. Totally scorching. Add in the remastered original album, 2 CDs of unreleased material, the behind-the-scenes documentary, more live/rehearsal footage and the beautiful packaging giving a glimpse into Springsteen's songwriting notebooks and this is a BARGAIN at $80. An absolute must-have for any Springsteen fan.
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  3. 10
    The deluxe boxed set is a revelation in several ways. First, thereâ
  4. Bruce Springsteenâ

See all 9 User Reviews