When you are Bruce Springsteen, anything is inevitable. Bruce's sixth record, a stripped down folk record, recorded entirely in his garage in his New Jersey home with a guitar, harmonica and microphone, would be one of his finest achievements, yet always overlooked. 1982's Nebraska doesn't contain his raging E Street Band, no roaring choruses and fancy guitar licks, its all Bruce. Its one of his most political and social records containing songs like "Johnny 99," "Highway Patrolman," and "State Trooper." Nebraska would later pave the way for some of his other inner monologues; 1994's Ghost of Tom Joad and 2005's Devils and Dust. Yet, Nebraska has a twang unlike his other folk records, upon its release it was his most honest and venerable efforts and is displayed in songs like "Mansion on a Hill," and the haunting "Atlantic City." I find this to be the record I always go back to from Bruce's studio collection, it happens to also be my favorite release of his. Nebraska sounds like it was recorded with a bad Radio Shack recorder and the songs sound more like demos than polished radio singles. Perhaps, this is what draws me into the record. It's stories are masterpieces, they are very complex and disturbing and yet poorly engineered. Bruce unfortunately will never be able to remaster or re release Nebraska, the songs have never been properly mastered, however, that is what could make the album so intriguing. If you are looking to hear Bruce in a new sound, look to Nebraska and I promise you will not be disappointed.Sunday, July 15, 2007
Underrated Classic - Bruce Springsteen "Nebraska"
When you are Bruce Springsteen, anything is inevitable. Bruce's sixth record, a stripped down folk record, recorded entirely in his garage in his New Jersey home with a guitar, harmonica and microphone, would be one of his finest achievements, yet always overlooked. 1982's Nebraska doesn't contain his raging E Street Band, no roaring choruses and fancy guitar licks, its all Bruce. Its one of his most political and social records containing songs like "Johnny 99," "Highway Patrolman," and "State Trooper." Nebraska would later pave the way for some of his other inner monologues; 1994's Ghost of Tom Joad and 2005's Devils and Dust. Yet, Nebraska has a twang unlike his other folk records, upon its release it was his most honest and venerable efforts and is displayed in songs like "Mansion on a Hill," and the haunting "Atlantic City." I find this to be the record I always go back to from Bruce's studio collection, it happens to also be my favorite release of his. Nebraska sounds like it was recorded with a bad Radio Shack recorder and the songs sound more like demos than polished radio singles. Perhaps, this is what draws me into the record. It's stories are masterpieces, they are very complex and disturbing and yet poorly engineered. Bruce unfortunately will never be able to remaster or re release Nebraska, the songs have never been properly mastered, however, that is what could make the album so intriguing. If you are looking to hear Bruce in a new sound, look to Nebraska and I promise you will not be disappointed.