Bruce Springsteen - Dancing In The Dark (CBS)

King Rocker Bruce is perhaps the only mega white American rock star who succeeds in not sounding like some genetically engineered multi-corporation rock puppet to my ears. Blessed with a voice that would send the likes of Rick Springfield scampering for cover, he elevates this sometimes mediocre song with his inimitable punchy style. Fans will regard this as almost great, critics as almost average. (Pedro, Record Mirror, May 19, 1984)

When Bruce Springsteen's career was burdened with the prediction "I have seen the future of rock 'n' roll and it is Bruce Springsteen", whoever said it couldn't have imagined him recording "Dancing In The Dark". Maybe the influence of British synthesiser groups in the US charts has made him change his style from all-out guitar attack to flabby synth-rock, Whatever's made him do it, somebody should tell him to stop, and quick. (Frank Hopkinson, No 1, May 19, 1984)