For all its pop doldrums, Springsteen’s seventh studio album finds him clarifying his position: Yes, times often feel hopeless, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be hopeful.

Across the seven weird tracks featured on Springsteen’s second studio album, he ushers you through a dream world with complete sincerity.

Springsteen’s fourth LP finds a man fighting his demons, resulting in a record that rips apart the scrawny, boardwalk kid image of the early years and finds its creator a brooding, revved up fighter.

Springsteen’s debut studio affair is singular in his prolific oeuvre because it has everything to prove but has no idea what “prove” really means.

‘Nebraska’ is the only Springsteen album without reasons or answers. In every other case, there is a justice or a dignity to fight for, but not on ‘Nebraska.’

The question “is there anybody alive out there?” is meant to be genuine, and you’re supposed to respond. Now, fifteen years later, ‘Magic’ is a clear portrait of what happens if we don’t.

Upon its arrival, ‘The Rising’ was an extended, sensitive record, with Springsteen embracing a new sound to match the new world that we had woken up in, in the wake of the tragic events of 9/11.