Bruce Springsteen 'Nebraska'

 

VINYL: NM SLEEVE: NM PRESSING: 1982 US LABEL: COLUMBIA GENRE: POP / ROCK

Are you in the mood for some bleak, haunting and powerful music? Then you'll want to check out Bruce Springsteen's 'Nebraska'. This album is a stark departure from Springsteen's usual rock and roll sound, featuring only his voice, acoustic guitar and harmonica. Springsteen recorded the songs as demos in his home, but decided to release them as they were, without any studio polish or band arrangements. ¹ The result is a raw and intimate album that explores the dark side of the American dream, with stories of outlaws, killers, losers and loners. Springsteen sings with empathy and honesty, creating characters that are both tragic and compelling. Whether he's channeling the infamous Charles Starkweather in the title track ('Nebraska'), lamenting the loss of his father in 'My Father's House', or expressing his desire for redemption in 'Reason to Believe', Springsteen delivers some of his finest and most personal songs ever. This is not an album for the faint of heart, but it is a masterpiece of folk music that will stay with you long after you listen to it.

Some trivia about the album:

- The album was released in 1982 by Columbia Records¹, but it was not a commercial success, reaching only number three on the Billboard 200 chart¹.
- The album was inspired by Springsteen's personal struggles with depression and loneliness, as well as his fascination with crime and violence².
- The album was influenced by folk singers like Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, as well as movies like 'Badlands' and 'The Executioner's Song'¹².
- The song 'Atlantic City' was covered by The Band on their 1993 album 'Jericho', and by The Killers on their 2009 album 'Live from the Royal Albert Hall'¹.

The track listing:

Side one
1. Nebraska (4:32)
2. Atlantic City (4:00)
3. Mansion on the Hill (4:08)
4. Johnny 99 (3:43)
5. Highway Patrolman (5:40)

Side two
6. State Trooper (3:17)
7. Used Cars (3:10)
8. Open All Night (2:58)
9. My Father's House (5:08)
10. Reason to Believe (4:11)