Due to extreme laziness I'm virtually retired from Ciao, although I'll still read and post the odd o...
Due to extreme laziness I'm virtually retired from Ciao, although I'll still read and post the odd op every now and then......
Member since:16.01.2001
Reviews:369
Members who trust:124
Recorded a in 1989 , post “Born In The USA” and “Born To Run” and “The River”, Springsteen didn’t have to take any risks with this album. However it was recorded alone, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar with occasional harmonica on a portable four track recorder. Although the United States of America is the richest and most populous nation in the world, it has some of the worst poverty, human rights abuses , and illiteracy there is. Springsteen is from a blue collar background and address subjects of poverty and desperation and varying ways throughout this album.
In my opinion it is one of his finest triumphs and the critics of the time were approving of the album, but it is anything but easy listening , a million miles away from the swagger of say “Born in the USA”, and an obvious major commercial risk.
The cover of the album is black and white, and the album does nothing to lift the spirits , but the intensity of the stories that Bruce tells make for probably his most riveting listening, not one for the car, but one to listen to at home where you can devote your full attention. It provides no answers but presents the listener with some of the bleakest aural paintings that you will ever hear.
We have the story of “Johnny 99” about a man going wild with a gun who “has debts no honest man can pay”. Lets face in the credit hungry world of consumerism that can happen very easily when your laid off from your job for “economic reasons”.
“Used Cars” dreams of the only way to actually own a new car is to win the state lottery. Remind you of anywhere? The beautiful , plaintive despair of “Atlantic City” results in one of Springsteen’s most enduring songs.
The album in undoubtedly Springsteen , but he recalls the spirit of Woody Guthrie and creates one of the most intense albums ever recorded. You cannot fail to be moved by this collection of songs.
Recorded in the days of vinyl limitations, so you only get ten songs, but they are worth their weight in gold, very black gold.
The album is available on mid price and should have a place in everyone’s music collection. As I’ve stated it is not easy listening , but a rewarding experience nonetheless.
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great album - recently got into Springsteen alot, and learnt to appreciated a truly great artist who does it how it should be done. Alex
Pelenya 27.07.2001 05:23
This is an excellent album. If you've never experienced it, see Springsteen live. I saw him 20 years ago, and it was a show with more energy and enthusiasm than any other. Nebraska was recorded in a different vein at that time, but the change in style was a welcome surprise. Thanks for a wonderful op!..............Pelenya
seagulls-lost-horizon 22.07.2001 23:07
I've never really listened to much of his stuff, ok there's a couple, So maybe I'll start with this, good op
Nebraskais a cruel landscape of serial killers, shady deals, jobless workers pushed to the ... more
edge, brothers who finally just look the other way. Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar and little else, Bruce Springsteen mixes together his own Jersey myth...
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Nebraskais a cruel landscape of serial killers, shady deals, jobless workers pushed to the ... more
edge, brothers who finally just look the other way. Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar and little else, Bruce Springsteen mixes together his own Jersey myth...
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Nebraska is a cruel landscape of serial killers, shady deals, jobless workers pushed to ... more
the edge, brothers who finally just look the other way. Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar and little else, Bruce Springsteen mixes together his own Jersey myt...
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