My problem with Bruce & E Street Band is their sound is just so big and blasting. It is hard to hear any separate instruments. Just bombastic. I can name countless large bands where you can pick out each instrument and follow it over the course of a song. Not so with Bruce & band.
But, I will say, he is one hell of a performer. 3+ hours of Rock n Roll. Quite enjoyable. Only went to one show during the River Tour, but what a show. By the third song he was being body passed in the audience. One Hell of A Performer.
With all that, a few of his early things are great. The Thunder Road with just harmonica & piano from Max's Kansas CIty (I think) is a great Americana song. I can't deny that.