The Gaslight Anthem might be the most overt, but here are some other acts whose members have obviously heard a Springsteen album or two:

THE HOLD STEADY

The New York-based, Twin Cities-reared quintet made it cool for indie-rock bands to bring back piano, big choruses and songs about hanging out in bars. Last year's CD "Stay Positive" even had horns on it. Springsteen himself asked the group to cover "Atlantic City" on the new benefit album, "War Child: Heroes." Key track: "Stuck Between Stations."

MARAH

These Philly rockers were originally signed and produced by Nashville's biggest Springsteen fan, Steve Earle, and they're great at incorporating the doo-wop and Phil Spector sounds that influenced the Boss on top of their desperate, workingman lyricism. Key track: "Santos de Madera."

THE KILLERS

For one record only, 2006's "Sam's Town," the Las Vegas quartet tried on Bruce's blue collar. That they've gone back to playing anthemic dance-rock tells you what most critics and fans thought of the band's short-lived stay in Asbury Park. Key track: "When You Were Young."

THE ARCADE FIRE

This nine-member Canadian band clearly owns more Bowie than Boss, but amid its arty and wonderfully archaic orchestral sounds, frontman Win Butler's evocative, religion-tinged lyrics and urgent vocals often fall squarely between "Nebraska" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town." Key track: "Antichrist Television Blues."

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND

Their last three albums sure have felt like they're imitating their old formula, for better or worse. Key track: "Working on a Dream."

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER