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Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
1982
Wikipedia
Reviews
Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!“Nebraska” by Bruce Springsteen (1982) I’m familiar with Bruce Springsteen’s hits, but I’ve never listened to this album. Based on what I know about Springsteen, my expectations are low. In the title track “Nebraska”, Springsteen sets the mood with a forlorn ballad about a man condemned to death for murdering ten people. No redemption, no meaning. Lower middle class nihilism. Poor poetics (sounds like it was written on a single afternoon, with sloppy meter and clunky phrasing). Poor recording quality. I’ve never been impressed with Springsteen’s vocals, and I’m not surprised here. It’s ok to affect a Southern accent if it’s done well, but here it’s not. Has Springsteen ever been to rural Nebraska and Wyoming? You couldn’t tell from this song. He’s from Jersey, for God’s sake. Shake my head. More of the same on “Atlantic City”, which is at least set in more familiar territory. Distracting microphone pops and gimmicky howls in the background. Guitar work perfectly unrefined. I think on this album, Springsteen imagines himself taking the baton from Dylan. Springsteen drops it. A little background might be helpful. At the time this album was released, Columbia Records had both Springsteen and Dylan under contract. Dylan had been recording his “evangelical Christian” music for several years, and one can imagine that Columbia executives were anticipating that Dylan was on the way out. They needed someone to carry the baton, and Springsteen might fit the bill. “Nebraska” has so many marketing parallels to Dylan’s earliest work, one can’t help but see here a chance for Columbia to keep the folk-rock-prophet-poet franchise going. Find a replacement for Dylan that would satisfy the market that had Dylan had made lucrative at the start. Springsteen failed. With numerous irritating flubs on harmonica, primitive three-chord compositions, completely derivative melodies, the only thing ‘creative’ about this album is the lyrics, and while they’re shockingly despondent, they just ain’t that good. In “Johnny 99” we’re treated to a reprise of the underwhelming phrase “I’ve got debts no honest man can pay” (previously used by a different crook in “Atlantic City”). What, Bruce, did you think it was so clever you had to use it twice? Come on, man, if a guy gets drunk and murders a night clerk because he’s unemployed, we can’t muster sympathy for him because he’d rather be executed than serve 99 years. The attempted pathos is simply too implausible. Likewise in “Highway Patrolman”, we’re supposed to feel good about a cop who lets his brother escape to Canada after a murder. Doesn’t make sense. Note to Bruce: On “Highway Patrolman”, “Shortwave” radio is not used for local communications. The music is monotonous, the production is completely amateurish, the lyrics beg pathetically to be taken seriously, and the instrumentals sound like they were all performed by the same person in one or two takes (they were). My low expectations were justified and satisfied. Don’t waste your time, young ones. This boomer says “Nebraska” is a dud. 1/5
Holy cats, I didn’t listen to this record for a long time and I love it. The stories of blue collar families being downtrodden is incredibly sad but I really like Bruce’s voice on this album. This is super intimate and I really like it. Favorite song: Atlantic City Least favorite song: Open All Night
Springsteen would be a legend just for this album, I swear. Can't-miss songwriting with its soul in the blues.
I love everything about this album. The tunes are strong, the subject matter is dark, it was recorded on 4-track. Spooky Americana about desperate people. And some cars. If I have a favorite Springsteen album, it's this one.
I don't know what to say if you can't appreciate how great this is. It's Bruce Springsteen doing dark lofi folk about nihilistic class struggle pulling inspiration from Suicide! That's just an incredible sentence by itself!
C'est avec un enthousiasme certain que je lançais cet album du beauf le plus célèbre des Etats-Unis, monsieur Bruce Springsteen. Malheureusement, cela ne s'est pas déroulé comme prévu. Dès les premières notes de l'album, c'est le drame. Bruce coince les cheveux de sa coupe mulet dans sa guitare. S'en suivent des hurlements de douleurs, qui ne seront interrompus que par la fin de l'album. Un véritable coup du sort.
Je n'ai pas pour habitude de faire une analyse d'album piste par piste mais celui-ci s'y prête bien : Nebraska - Bruce Springsteen lâche un pet gras et s'en réjouit. Atlantic City - Il coince sa coupe mulet dans sa guitare et hurle à la mort pendant quelques minutes. Mansion On The Hill - Bruce décapsule une bière. Johnny 99 - Il rend hommage à son ami Johnny Halliday avec qui il a remporté en 1999 le concours du plus grand nombre de hamburgers ingurgités en une heure. Highway Patrolman - Il lâche encore une fois une énorme caisse. State Trooper - Il se poste à la fenêtre de son appartement et siffle chaque demoiselle qui passe dans sa rue. Used Cars - Il discute avec ses amis de la couleur des flammes qu'il compte dessiner sur les portières de sa voiture. Open All Night - Il développe en chanson une comparaison entre le sexe féminin et une soirée porte ouverte. My Father's House - Il raconte la façon dont son père frappait sa mère et tente de justifier son comportement. Reason to Believe - Bruce Springsteen lâche encore un pet détonnant avant d'éclater de rire.
I've loved this album since it came out in 1982. Really what got me into Springsteen. Such a great album. 5 stars.
Really liked this one. Funny enough the songs weren't my favorites but the general atmosphere of slow, melancholic story telling really strikes a chord for me.
What a haunting album. Kudos Mr. Springsteen, kudos. Incredible lyrics and his stripped down (mostly) acoustic approach adds a perfect sombre tone. I was totally blown away by how good a story-teller he is. After listening to the album a couple times I decided to read up on it and was glad he decided to keep it in demo version, rather than rocked-up with the E-street band. I might not have minded if Open All Night got moved to another album - I like it, but it's a bit too rockabilly for the rest of the album's tone. It sounded a lot like Pink Cadillac to me, and apparently that was another track he recorded along with these ones but kept for a later album. The other songs he recorded with these ones but kept for Born in the USA are also some of his best - I'm on Fire would easily fit right in on this album and I'd love to hear the stripped down version of Glory Days. I patted myself on the back for thinking that State Trooper sounded a bit like that weird Suicide album with his shrieks near the end - yep, one of the songs influenced the Boss on this one. I don't know if I knew too many of these songs, but I instantly loved Highway Patrolman and My Father's House. Something about the emotion-tugging lyrics and his raw sound - just beautiful. The title track was close behind these two; a great opener. I also really liked how he layered in self-harmonies and backing vocals to Atlantic City.
What begins dark and mournful, ends dark and... not as mournful? Without knowing the artist, if you would have told me this was by the same guy that sang Born in the USA, I would have called you a dang dirty liar (you rascal, you). But this is raw, hardly-accompanied BOSS, and even if it ain't about his life, who's to say its not? And even though I'm not from a blue-collar mining town like the subject of most of the songs, I may as well be now. Shit's a real deep bummer, man.
Gamblers, recidivists, mass murderers, troublemakers, brand new used cars, and state troopers who took the job after rising wheat prices killed off their farm deferment. Taking his cue from Badlands, Bonnie and Clyde, and a bunch more movies that don't match his warmth and empathy, Springsteen carries these sketches as far as he can. Eventually, the melancholy and sparsity pulls them up. But what's there is sad, bountiful, and some kind of gift. He creates a hell of an atmosphere with the harmonica, too. Is he a good player? I've no idea. But I hardly think this is the place to go for technical perfection.
I received this album at 14 through Columbia house subscription way back in the day. I didn't choose it, they sent it as the record of the month. I think I listened to it once. I didn't "get it" and to be honestly I've never listened to it again. I've never really been a Springsteen fan. This should be interesting This didn't make me a fan and I'm still not sure if I get it.
That was a really boring album. Like Bruce has some good stuff but this was not engaging at all.
This album is like sitting around a campfire with just Bruce and his guitar. Which is to say, way to ruin a good campfire.
Just bruce and a guitar. Music hell, cant even give credit to this one. I hope my hate for bruce is misguided but this album proves nothing.
Never been a big Bruce Springsteen fan. I don’t know what it is about him; maybe the flagrant American patriotism, the complete yer’da-ness of it or just the lack of substance to his music. I appreciate what he does and by all accounts he’s a decent & down to earth dude but I don’t even think an album full of his greatest hits would ever inspire me to listen to it more than once let alone this acoustic mess where he just lists American place names for some reason. Maybe if I was sinking my 5th Miller-Lite on the 4th July, flipping a few patties on the ol’ grill whilst I tell my buddies Greg & Dale about the new Chevy truck I’ve just bought to fit the fishing rods & golf clubs in, then I might appreciate this album a bit more. But I’m not and therefore I don’t.
So this album is basically Bruce Springsteen sitting around a campfire acoustic style, telling stories that make little sense and sometimes he feels like playing his harmonica, and that's basically the whole album.
I like some of Bruce Springsteen's music in general, but this was a snoozefest. 1/5 stars.
Acoustic albums aren't for me, ideally would have listed as listened and not have to submit a star rating. I've given it a one, but I don't think it's a bad album necessarily.
2nd time ever listening. timely with the whole super bowl and DWI story floating around with the boss. Really liked this album 2nd time and will be adding to regular rotation. very chill
I loved this album back in 1982, and still love it today. I am probably in the minority, but THIS is my favorite Springsteen album.
Superb, an introspective delight. If you're looking for more of Born In The USA there will be disappointment to start with but stay it's worth it.
I enjoyed this album the most out of what I've listened to so far for this project. Beautiful music, vocals, emotion
I started the album feeling very skeptical. It sounded like he was trying to emulate Bob Dylan. The faux Southern accent rubbed me the wrong way. The characters in the songs were terrible people that didn't get my sympathy. As the album went on and the harmonica started to die down I started really enjoying the album and Bruce Springsteen's own unique style started coming through. The album is a wonderful cohesive sorrowful listen.
There are times when this is my favorite Springsteen album. It creates a certain dark, foreboding mood in a way that none of his other work does except for maybe “The Ghost Of Tom Joad.” This album also might have his strongest songwriting of his career. It’s sort of amazing that only one of these songs has been adapted into a movie. Ever since reading Bruce’s book, “My Father’s House” kills me every time
I love this stripped down, acoustic Springsteen. The imagery of these songs are all so vivid. Beautiful album
I was truly surprised at how much I enjoyed this album. it's not at all the genre I usually go for, but this album tells a story in such an effective way.
La pièce titre est juste incroyable, juste ça fait que c'est un excellent album. Un Springsteen acoustique c'est difficile à battre. 5
There is a darkness to Bruce Springsteen's music that has always been there, from the earliest albums. But there's a period between Darkness on the Edge of Town and Born in the USA where he really leans into it. I would recommend listening to these albums as a group, to get the full impact of what he was doing. Nebraska is the apotheosis of this period. It's stripped down, mean, Steinbeck-level naturalism. Instrumentation is minimal, no Clarence Clemons solos to temper the dark stuff. The mood of course is pretty bleak. It's a hard, uncomfortable listen if you're looking for the Springsteen anthems of old. There are images from these songs that will haunt you long after you hear them. As a songwriter, Springsteen is at his best here. He drops some of the flowery turns of phrase that turn up in the earlier albums in favor of a more plain-spoken style. There are no "ghosts in the eyes of the all boys you sent away" here (I adore that line, btw, but it has no place here). These stories stare hard into the eyes of the struggling, the desperate, the broken, not necessarily with sympathy, but with honesty and pathos. Springsteen covers a lot of thematic territory with a purposefully limited lyrical and musical palette, and yet somehow spins complete narratives populated with some pretty memorable characters. The few mood breakers he offers are brief but impactful. The way he ratchets up the tension in "State Trooper" and then busts it open with a holler is nothing short of brilliant. Try listening to that riding in your car at night and see if you don't feel your hands tighten on the wheel. I also enjoyed the whistling in the dark exuberance of "Open All Night." Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Atlantic City, Johnny 99, Open All Night, State Trooper, Highway Patrolman, Nebraska, Reason to Believe, Used Cars, My Father's House, Mansion on the Hill
The 8 album sequence starting with From Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J and ending at Tunnel of Love is 5-star album only, and this is number 6, so five stars.
small-time criminals, desperate people, desperate times, love and love lost. But, in the end, somehow, we find a reason to believe.
One of my favourite folk albums beautiful subject matter about crime and pain in america. It’s so raw and insensitive because of the fact That all the songs are demos. Nebraska and Atlantic City are amazingly good, I love this album
4/12 I’ve never been to Nebraska, but man, there were some moments where he took us there. Standout Tracks: Nebraska, Atlantic City, Highway Patrolman, State Trooper
Enjoyed this one. Definitely want to listen again in order to listen to the lyrics more intently.
Great record. Not super close to the top of my Springsteen album list because the second half lags a tad bit for me. Love the bare bones production, though.
Solid album great folk songs. Up there with Dylan easily. Only 4 stars as there are no mindblowing tracks but definitely something I'd want on vinyl.
Awesome acoustic Bruce album. Lots of good stuff on here, I like the road theme throughout the album. Highlights: -Atlantic City -Johnny 99 -My Father's House
Nebraska is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on September 30, 1982, by Columbia Records. Springsteen recorded the songs as demos on a 4-track recorder, intending to rerecord them with the E Street Band, but decided to release them as they were.[3] Nebraska remains one of the most highly regarded albums in his catalog. The album begins with "Nebraska", a first-person narrative based on the true story of 19-year-old spree killer Charles Starkweather and his 14-year-old girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate, and ends with "Reason to Believe", a complex narrative that offers a small amount of hope to counterbalance the otherwise dark nature of the album.[5] The remaining songs are largely of the same bleak tone, including the dark "State Trooper", influenced by the vocal stylings of Alan Vega and Suicide's "Frankie Teardrop".[19] Criminal behavior continues as a theme in the song "Highway Patrolman": even though the protagonist works for the law, he lets his brother escape after he has shot someone.[5] "Open All Night", a Chuck Berry-style lone guitar rave-up, does manage a dose of defiant, humming-towards-the-gallows exuberance.[5] Springsteen stated that the stories in this album were partly inspired by historian Howard Zinn's book A People's History of the United States.[20] A music video was produced for the song "Atlantic City"; it features stark, black-and-white images of the city, which had not yet undergone its later economic transformation.[21]
Good to compare this minimalist Springsteen with the maximallist "Born in the USA" which came from the same sessions. Again, I can see why he's been so acclaimed and has the reputation he does. Fave track - "Atlantic City" - great track!
No conocía el disco. Aunque por momentos me resultó algo monótono, se convirtió en una grata companía.
Fins avui no havia escoltat mai un disc sencer de Springsteen. M'ha sorprés el so íntim i proper, i crec que hi ha un grapat de temes força inspirats. També he llegit que van ser grabats en un quatre pistes i que en principi eren només demos, i van acabar covertint-se en les versions oficials. Això diu molt de la qualitat interpretativa de Bruce en aquella època. Mha fet venir ganes d'escoltar més coses seves.
I always think about Bruce Springsteen like something like bad country songs (don't know why), but this album is very different from my expectations and it is a very good piece of good songs.
Muutama vuosi sitten tein kulttuuriteon ja asioikseni kuuntelin Born In the USA -levyn, mutta muihin Bruce Springsteenin levyihin ei ole tullut tutustuttua satunnaisia kappaleita lukuunottamatta. Tämä menee siihen kategoriaan, että vanhemmat ainakin jollain tasolla tykkäsivät, eli itse ei voinut kuunnella yhtään. Ihan ok tarinankerrontaa, enemmän minä tästä tykkään kuin Bob Dylanista. Kiva että tulee syy kuunnella tällaisiakin artisteja tässä listan mukana.
I've never listened to this album before, but I've always known that Bruce wasn't afraid to go deep with his lyrics. Wow. I love the rawness, both of the recording and the subject matter.
I've tried and failed many times to like Springsteen. However with an open mind I can see this is a classic. Also fair play to having the balls to release an album of home demos at this time of his career.
Bruce in his rawest form - shame the first album we got wasn't with the mighty E-Street band, but his lyrical genius is on show here. I'd give my left ball to be able to tell stories as well as this guy with just a guitar and a harmonica.
The spare sound of Bruce and his guitar fits perfectly with the stories told in these songs.
Jesus it's like 1001 albums but 400 will be Bruce Springsteen. Once you here 1 Springsteen album is hard to separate the rest. The album is named after one of the most boring places on earth. Loved it
Those who dislike this album will argue it is incomplete and somber. And while I certainly agree that it is though things, I think that’s what makes it beautiful. Springsteen had some unplugged demos ready to go for his next E Street Band album, but decided that this is the way he wanted Nebraska to be put out. And although it is bare on instrumentation, “simple” is the worst word to describe this album. Lyrically, he covers serious topics like death, crime, corruption, familial bonds, and finding hope. Very heavy stuff, all from the perspective of average people who are the product of their environment. He presents it with such naked vulnerability and the tiredness of a blue-collar worker, that you feel a sense of compassion for some of these blemished characters. Springsteen draws you into these stories with beautiful presentation, you get an emotional stake in these stories. To me, it’s a true songwriter album accompanied by beautiful composition that is presenting a story of connection and redemption; even if its full of characters that have little redeeming qualities for the surface. Favorite Song: Nebraska, Reason to Believe Least Favorite: Johnny 99
In my top 3 for Springsteen. Strongest in the lyrics: a lot of the music and delivery are great too. Some of the story songs get a little dull and plodding though, less songs than monologues, but it’s a minor quibble.
I've listened to this album at least once before, and some of the tracks more than once. "Open All Night" is the one song from Springsteen that I've learned to play on the guitar. "Nebraska" and "Reason to Believe" are tracks that I would definitely come back to for a second listen. I'm not a huge Springsteen fan, but this album fits in well with what I like. I'd listen to the whole album again.
Much quieter Springsteen than Born in the USA, Nebraska continues on I'm the tradition of Bob Dylan with the singer-songwriter with a harmonica, and the outlaw country of Johnny Cash, with heavy blues influences. Lots of themes of criminality and moral murkiness. Some of the tracks like "Open All Night" could have used the full E-Street Band treatment, but it might have felt jarring on this quieter record.
Raw, gut wrenching and agonizingly haunting. I think this is truly one if Springsteen's best work.
The first thing you need to know about this album is that these songs are basically DEMOS. And many songs from the same demo session eventually became full fledged E Street Band songs on "Born In The USA" two years later. So there's no Big Man or Silvio Dante here. Just The Boss, his harmonica and acoustic guitar. And it all works in terms of creating what it feels like to be on some back road in desolate, Western Nebraska (as someone who was born in raised in Nebraska, I'm a little too familiar with these trips). State Trooper, Reason To Believe, Mansion On The Hill and Johnny 99 belong on any Best Of The Boss list. This album isn't always my go-to-Springsteen (I prefer the energy and enthusiasm the E Street Band brings out of him). Fun, somewhat related, fact: When I was in college, my roommate and I went to Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska just to literally take a piss all over Charles Starkweather's grave. It's an experience I recommend highly. I'm sure The Boss would be proud.
Atlantic City is one of my all-time favorite songs of his. Great album. Of his acoustic works I might rank The Ghost of Tom Joad a little higher, but I liked this one a lot. Definitely would listen to again.
Very good, this was his only album I'd listened to before this challenge. A slower pace than most of his other stuff but at least there is no sax.
Bruce managed to create a album not full of hits but full of atmosphere, storytelling and great music
A fantastic album. Great storytelling from the heart, a genuine artistic expression from beginning to end. Dylan-esque musically, but Bruce makes it his own as always.
Americana at some of its finest. Some blues, solemn harmonicas, overwhelmingly suggestive of the USA in parts where opportunity and dreams were either squandered or just forgotten. There is not much else to say here, this album is neither happy or sad, yet it carries a type of reverence or gentle observance of life in general. Circumstances, injustices, sewn between moments that should be cherished, the album is very down to earth. That makes it great.
As far as an outro to 2021 goes, it couldn't get better than this. I read the back story to the recording of this iconic album and doubled down on the gear. Plugged some hard to drive AKG702 headphones into my phone. This showed the flaws and fancy of the recording process like some kind of magic. The 4 track, the tape dubbing, the carry me in your pocket sound was just something special. My fave Bruce experience without a doubt.
I really like the storytelling on this album and the raw presentation style. I think it shows a lot more maturity than what most people assosciate with Springsteen, and reminds me of The Rising in that sense.
Gritty folk to a hard harmonica and acoustic guitar. Lyrics struggle with morality and tough choices at the margins of blue collar life. Love the drawl of Nebraska intro with an American the beautiful feel and Falsetto open of Johnny 99. Different version of Atlantic City for me sounded a little faster and tinnier but still delivers. Nice storytelling on patrolman and trooper. Nebraska, Atlantic City, mansion on the hill.
I know Bruce's classics, but haven't heard anything on this album before. Not a lot of happy songs. Have to listen to this album a few more times to see if it'll be on the permanent list.
Revolucionari en el seu moment, mostra a Bruce per primer cop despullat de la banda, amb unes balades rurals a guitarra i harmònica que supuren sabor a terra endins, a pobles perduts i perdedors sense futur. Un pont entre 'The River' i 'Born in the USA' que no pot diferir més del seu so bombàstic i espectacular. Un moment de reflexió en plena època de musa inspirada del de New Jersey
This is great… it’s 1D, but I suppose that’s the idea. Just feel like it needs some E-street sometimes!
No era lo que me esperaba. Disco triste y tranquilo. 3.5 que suben a 4. Gran sorpresa.
I first listened to this as background music and my initial impression was, eh, it's ok. Give it a 3. Then I paid attention to the lyrics. Damn. What a dark album. Bleak. I went back and forth between a 4 and 5. The music isn't exactly groundbreaking (although certainly good), but the lyrics are like a gut punch about what life is like for the downtrodden and the criminal. Bruce has an almost disturbing affinity for people who feel forced into a life of crime. Is there something you want to tell us, Bruce? By the time I reached My Father's House, a truly devastating tale of estrangement, I decided I had to give this a 4 only because I think I'd be hugely depressed if I listened to this album often. (oh, and then, in case you haven't already been devastated by this album, Bruce quickly gives you 4 more depressing stories in Reason to Believe to end the album. Thanks, Bruce).
Yeah listen. Its bruce slringsteen. Its going to be good. I think they might have gone back and rerecorded some of these track and i think im more familiar with those. But yill very good.
Widely acclaimed as Springsteen's best album, I really like it but would probably put it 3rd on my list of his records.
Wonderful folk sound from Bruce Springsteen. Favorites: "Atlantic City", "Johnny 99", "State Trooper"
Listened Before? N Beautiful album. Simple and stripped down, classic Springsteen subject matter. Not a happy one, but a good one. Lots of harmonica, reminds me of Dylan. Added to library? Y Songs added to playlist? Atlantic City
Four stars An all-time classic, and an album which still holds its own many years after it was released. As is usually the case with those classic albums, I won't write a full-blown review here given that others have already written wonderful stuff about them and there's not much I can add that I feel could be relevant and interesting. Nebraska is just a timeless gem for anyone who has even a remote interest in Bruce Springsteen before he blew everything with that awful, generally cheesy-sounding *Born In The USA* album. Number of records left to review or just listen to: 939 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 28 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 17 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important to me): 17
A little less harmonica would have done it for me, but really good relaxing/driving/campfire album.
SHACK Well if he had gone dark story telling country, this would be SHACK. SHACK Where's Maddie SHACK?
This...was shocking to me. So good...really expected it to not be my kind of listen. But definitely was, and will be again at some point.
There may be bleaker albums, but probably not from a multi-million record selling major label artist of Springsteen's. Even the nominally "up" songs aren't really.
Ihan ok pläjäys ilman pohjia tai huippuja. Sen suuremmin artistin levyjä tuntematta väittäisin, että parempiakin levyjä löytyy.
I've always been pretty bored by this album. Atlantic City alone bumps it up a star. I'm glad this exercise in daily listening gave me the opportunity to listen and re-evaluate this album, because it is better than I've given it credit for, but it isn't what I want from a Springsteen record.
free expression not covered up other instruments or production values. Just a man and an acoustic guitar.
Best wel te waarderen album van Bruce, mooie diversiteit aan rustige en wat snellere nummres
Pretty sad and somber. The lyrics and stories are good, but not something I'd listen to often.
Ganske bra. Har en sjarm, en distinkt stemme, og bra tekster som en bonus. Ikke på samme nivå som Dylan, men det er ikke dårlig. Vet ikke om jeg gidder gå gjennom noen flere album. Gir denne en litt svak 3.
Somewhere between a 2.5 and a 3 for me. It isn’t really something i see myself coming back to, but i can appreciate the rawness and darkness at the same time. Not bad, just not for me.
Un disco muy tranquilo. Puede que en otro momento lo disfrute, con las letras a mano para ir entendiendo que cuenta. Me ha gustado la armónica que siempre me recuerda a Bob Dylan. De momento me quedo con "Open All Night".
Atlantic City is the best song on the album. Very artsy album - no rock - all lyrics and guitar/harmonica. 7/10.
Nunca he escuchado un disco entero de Bruce. Se me queda la espina de no entender las letras. El inglés debo mejorarlo...
Nice shizzle, amazing lyrics. The boss can’t half tell a story. Occasionally a bit repetitive
A decent album, but for me I'm still expecting more from The Boss. Maybe it's because his hits are a different vibe to some of his other stuff. Pleased I'm learning more about him, and I still want to see him live as he's meant to be ridiculous!
It feels like some artists have multiple albums because they are significant rather than the album itself. Having said that, this is quite different to the other Springsteen album, I enjoyed it more and feels more worthy of the 1001 inclusion. 6/10
Enjoyed this. Pretty bleak depiction of white working class America, almost too bleak at times
Very earnest, scaled back, lo-fi. But it's to much same-same to get top marks from me.
A lot of quiet acoustic guitar and that Springsteen grumble. Not too bad, but its hard to get excited by it. Definitely a downer rather than an upper.
Not necessarily of type of music I’m into, but I get a good feeling about it and will probably re-listen to it.
This album is soft and intimate, colorful in its storytelling, and kind of makes me want to leave a car running in the garage. That’s both a complement, because of the strong sense of hardship conveyed, and a negative because it is emotionally draining. If this album were a cologne, the name would be Absolute Despair. It’s an album I respect and am glad I heard it, but I never want to endure again.
I've never been a big Bruce fan, but can appreciate his masterful songwriting and storytelling here. Dark & moody, but soulful, this album hits hard.
Ok, so this is a tough one. It leaves a lot to unpack. Holding up to it's reputation, it an amazing slice of and glimpse at a dark America, a sadness filled with mistakes and loss and tragedy. It just has an overall sorrowful and somber mood, and the material combined with the harmonica (jeez that can really be a sad instrument huh?) left me pretty low by the end. That recognition of the dark side in the early Reagan years is remarkable. And that Springsteen makes such a constant focus on a blue-collar America that has for years been manipulated to turn against their best interests... "Open All Night" has a great energy... it's by far the shortest song on this brilliant but melancholy record.
Not sure if you know this about me, but I'm a massive procrastinator. It's pervasive, it's terrible and I hate it. I never listened to Springsteen but remember the Butt Album being promoted in stores when it came out. You know the one with the butt and the American flag on it? Anyway, I never listened to it and then people were oooh'ing and ahh'ing over him and started referring to the singer as 'The Boss' which only turned me off even more. FF to a couple of years ago when I started paying attention to the world and agreed with some of Mr. Butt Boss' politics. So, I picked some of his music and tried to listen and got bored. A friend, who I admired and had similar music tastes, pushed Nebraska as being the quintessential Springsteen album that would change my life. I procrastinated for years. I queued it up and half-assed a listen to the first song and turned it off. I wasn't in the right mindset, I couldn't do it. "What if I hated this album and it means nothing to me?" Butt Boss has been hailed as an important voice of a generation, of America even. Today, Nebraska sat in a browser tab until almost 3:00 p.m. until I finally turned it on and listened a couple times. I still don't know what to make of it. It's thematic, I understand the 'voice of generation' thing. Though it's not my generation and kinda hard to relate to. The album plays kinda like a book of short stories. Each one equally boring as it is interesting. I'm still kinda undecided about this one. The best thing about this review 1001 albums exercise is that I would've continued to put off listening to Nebraska if given the opportunity. In reality, I could listen to this a couple more times, however, I know myself and I have no plans to.
Not my favorite Springsteen album but it does show his talents of songwriting and ability to use his voice that makes the songs feel morose and tense. Springsteen always had a way of making his songs Americana but not always in the positive light. This album excels on that. Several songs are wonderful here. Overall it’s grown on me overtime. 7.4/10
Much slower and more introspective than the small amount of ‘Merica I’ve heard from the Boss. Folky, depressing, soulful.
Wow, this is the real deep americana, not "my dog died" country or "blowin in the wind" dylan but some deep dives into real life without a lot of hopeful moments. Takes a lot to write and pull off songs with this level of credibility and authenticity.
3. good songwriting as usual, though the trademark Springsteen voice gets a little much when listening to an entire album.
Pretty chill and I haven’t listened to much Bruce. I never thought of him as so mellow, even though I know he’s got some pretty chill songs.
The Boss is making a statement: “I can write songs without an E Street Band.” I dunno, and I don’t care. Nebraska is a great time-killer, especially if you’re on a long flight or drive. Put it on; forget it’s there. (6/10) Favourite Tracks: Atlantic City
A lot more relaxed than I'd expected from a Springsteen album. Was a decent enough listen although I wouldn't go back and play again
This is a nice album, gotta be in the right mood or it very easily just blends into the background tho
I should like this a whole lot more than I do. Bare bones instrumentation. Storytelling. Melodically, I wasn't totally captivated, though. Some songs hit me in the chest while others were a bit of a slog to get through. 3.5, but I'll definitely add to my library for future listens.
A softer Springsteen is more pleasant, but still does not really pump him up in any significant way.
I think the stripped-down arrangement really helps Bruce here, and the storytelling is great. But there is just something about the Boss that I can't put my finger on, something I find deeply unengaging. I liked this a bit better than some other stuff of his, but not enough for it to make a significant difference overall.
This is Bruce distilled into the simplest purest form. Definitely deserves another listen
Stripped back folk Springsteen isn't my favourite, as I really miss the E Street Band. But this is still a great album, of course, and it really showcases Bruce's writing prowess. My top pick is of course 'Atlantic City' - an excellent song despite starting with the lyric "Well, they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night" which always makes me giggle even though I know the more serious meaning.
Not sure what to make of this. It's very folk and some of the songs work but others drag
I knew nothing about this album but damn that’s some sense stuff. Very Johnny Cash-esque, and funny to hear that Cash covered some of this album. Worth a listen, but I won’t be re-listening too soon.
A fairly solid concept album from Bruce about a town on Nebraska, I think. Anyways, good listen, a nice sound, 3.5/5
Un disco muy melancólico e inclusive doloroso, acerca de la vida en USA lejos de las ciudades, las luces, las grandezas que se ven en la tele. Extrañamente, la mejor rola del disco es Atlantic City que es la que de cierta forma no cuadra con la temática completa.
This is really my shit right now but I did listen to it yesterday and entirely forgot it. Listening again and yeah, still my thing but will I remember tomorrow? Will dock a star from what I feel whilst actually listening for forgetability
When I was a kid, I had joined the Columbia House Record Club. I picked a number of Bruce Springsteen albums because hey, he's from Jersey, right? I still only listen to Born To Run and Born In The USA with any frequency at all. If I had gotten this album then I probably would have need mental help. This is the bleakest album I have ever heard. I mean, it's him trying hard to be Dylan in a lot of ways, but wow. I find it interesting that the sides are so unbalanced on the record and tape. I would have found that confusing as a kid as well. Why put them so unbalanced? I guess there was a point... It's a very stark record, compared to the bombast of a lot of his other stuff, impressive that range. But still, man, Bruce lighten UP. So yeah, it was very well made, a stark record, but it was VERY depressing. Going to have to be in a good mood before I come back to that one.
Senza dubbio grande artismo eh, però senza testi davanti non è particolarmente appassionante. Così a cazzotto non capisco come faccia ad essere così famoso. Di nuovo, mi viene in mente De Andrè, non solo ha testi della madonna, ma proprio le melodie sono belle e variate, sto qua blatera sempre allo stesso modo. Boh.
favorite songs: Atlantic City; Mansion on the Hill; Johnny 99; Highway Patrolman; State Trooper; My Father's House; Reason to Believe.
decent, but not very special Bruce album. Some songs sound like ones I heard on more recent albums of him too somehow
As far as Springsteen albums go this is not the best. It isn't a bad album just not as good as a lot of his discography. It is also a really depressing album when you read the message behind it. I do have this to thank for one of my favorite albums of 2021, "Pressure Machine" by The Killers.
4/15/2022 Today's Album: "Nebraska" by Bruce Springsteen - Let's get this out of the way. The country genre is plagued with cheap sellouts and generic 4 chord strummers, but there must be a distinction between those artists and Bruce Springsteen, who as far as I can tell, pioneered the genre and did it better than anyone could replicate. Each of his songs have the same sort of guitar and harmonica shtick to them, but they also mostly have this really depressed loner tone to them. I don't know if I would add any of the tracks from this album to my playlist, but I think there is definitely a time and a place for music like this and I can respect that this is not just a shitty country record like I might expect on first impression. I will say that the production of this project makes me sort of sick. His voice has this really weird peaking issue where there'll be a ton of compression when he sings a little louder into the microphone. He is obviously a great performer at both guitar and harmonica, but I just don't think he does a lot to impress me. It's definitely more about the story-teller aspect of his music and trying to get a deeper meaning, but on a first listen it just is sort of distracting how little there is to latch onto musically. I will also say that a lot of the subject matter built into the genre is usually pretty toxically masculine, and this album isn't devoid of that, but it definitely steers away from it more than the average country project. Overall, if you like country music you're probably going to be into this, but I haven't really met many people that like country music and aren't slightly inbred so take that as you will. Score: 5.5/10 A great country record, but a country record nonetheless. Highlights: Atlantic City, Johnny 99, Open All Night
A moody and brooding atmospheric offering from The Boss that's perfect cool down music on a rainy day when you've been fighting with your spouse before 9am. I dig that harmonica, man. It knows how I and all of Nebraska feel. Bruce is a very talented storyteller and I love his voice. But I have to say, The Band's cover of Atlantic City is far superior. I would have loved for them to cover this whole album to infuse these songs with their carefree country bumpkin Americana enthusiasm.
I think ultimately I prefer his stadium rock work, but this is a nice change of pace. Definitely more contemplative and quieter
Bob Dylan -meininkiä josta en niin kauheasti välitä. Tylsiä rallatteluja ilman mitään erityisen kiinnostavaa tai massasta poikkeavaa. Springsteenillä olisi varmasti ollut parempiakin levyjä tälle listalle.
The harmonica on this album is so shrill, it made certain songs hard to listen to. The themes of the songs, like police officers and prisoners, just don’t hit anything for me. No song stood out as good or bad throughout the album. I’d do 2.5 stars if I could.
The whole enterprise just seems kinda...silly? in a way, I’ve never really believed Bruce
I'm certainly what you would consider a "casual" Bruce Springsteen fan. This album for someone like me is just too deep a cut for my tastes. Like I said, casual.
Some nice moments, but folks I like my Bruce with a side of sax and this waiter brought me a side of harmonica instead. They are not equals. I do not like harmonica. Sending it back.
Not really my thing, a guy and his guitar with a very average voice. Perhaps the lyrics are magical, but not really what I look for in a song.
A nice surprise. I generally find Springsteen really cringeworthy and just too American. This is a nice album though, understated, thoughtful, calming, nothing I would generally associate with him. It made for a pleasant evening.
A nice collection of mellow songs with up close lyrics. But there's still something about this album that I don't find it enticing.
Just too bleak for me. Sounds underproduced. We get it, there are unemployed people in America, play Born to Run and shut up about it ffs
On an album where every track is purely vocals & acoustic guitar (and the occasional harmonica), I didn't feel that either part interested me enough for this album to be particularly engaging. I'm probably not the target audience though lets be honest. Spotify continued playing Springsteen after this album finished which I quite enjoyed, but none of the tracks from this album really did it for me.
Too early, Boss! Mouth organ, acoustic guitar & not much else. Too bluesy - not my fave genre
I liked this more than I thought I would.And by that, I mean, there was one song on this album I liked: "Atlantic City." That song's pretty good so I couldn't give this album a one. You saved this album Atlantic City. Nice work.
To me, the lyrics don't carry the album enough to justify keeping the songs in their demo form.
This was more of a stripped-back acoustic album that I could tell has a lot of meaning to it. Unfortunately, it didn’t resonate with me. Atlantic City was my favorite and one track I may come back to.
definitely not a 2 star album, but i rate based on enjoyment and this just isn't my kind of music
My review for this one didn’t stick. I’ve never understood Springsteen fandom. This one is no different. It’s boring and just seems phony. It’s not offensive to the ear so it escapes a 1.
I swear I do not understand why these country musicians overuse the harmonica to this degree, it always just tears my ears a new one because I like to listen to music with the volume turned all the way up. And they never even sound nice. Harmonicas are nice in real life but so annoying on high quality productions. Sry, Thats my little rant about harmonicas. Tha album was very uninteresting to me. 2/5
1.5. - looking hard for a reason to but give it a 1 because I hated it, but I guess there's something there... Even if it's the same show, boring, mumbling, uninspiring singing and guitar for the entire album. It's like one long terrible song. At least there's a little harmonica?
Springsteen's Nebraska is in the vein of telling the story of the 'True America' not glossing over anything and telling it as he sees. Very solemn and seemingly deliberate in taking you on a journey, through mid-western USA. Springsteen doesn't hit the mark for me, perhaps, because its not really something I can relate to. Best: Nebraska; Open All Night Worst: Highway Patrolman
Okay, for the purposes of honesty, I have negative feelings about Bruce due to my ex. That being said, this isn't great. Whiny, gravely, and with a weird backwoods feel. This sounds like how someone who's never been to Nebraska would portray it.
This is the first time I've heard one of Springsteen's more slow albums and I must say that I'm not the biggest fan. I definitely like his more upbeat and energetic music but this still isn't terrible. A little boring but the lyrics are good and Bruce's voice is solid. Fav song: Highway Patrolman
Pretty underwhelming. I still don't get the appeal of The Boss. No, I'm not asking for help. I'm fine forgetting about this forgettable music.
-"Johnny 99," "Open All Night," and "Reason to Believe" gets decently groovy. -"Johnny 99" sounds vaguely Johnny Cash-like --The harmonica in quite a few songs is cool, particularly "Johnny 99" and "Reason to Believe" -Overall just not very exciting or interesting
I think I just don't like Bruce Springsteen that much... His version of Atlantic City is so far inferior to The Band's version in my opinion--less energy, more slurring of his words, less tight arrangement, less interesting. Even some of the lyrics are worse! He just seems to be whining into the mic in a lot of these. I appreciate some of his tunes but can't get behind him overall.
There are so many great albums by Bruce, and they pick this one. Just so boring ... D+
Downbeat, raw, Solomon subject matter. Not the Springsteen I like, although songwriting, musicianship and delivery are still excellent.
Attempting to bask near the glory of other albums, this one doesn’t do much for me. Feels like forced sentimentality
Had always wanted to listen to this album and get more into the boss. Going to take more than this one to get me there. Just a little too subdued for me. 2/5
Fine, if you like this kind of thing. I don't massively, but I doubt Bruce Springsteen is too upset about that. He should be though.
Stuffing ice cubes down my knickers and squealing like a burns victim is how I like to experience this record. Nothing is as exciting as the first time I heard it. I was banging a whore at the time though. I say whore, it was the remains of a small boy covered in maple syrup.
fucking hell, cheer up bruce. Nebraska must be a grim place if this is what it sounds like. not much good to say about this dreary load.
Nice folk with some beautiful moment, but ultimately too downbeat and monotonous for me.
Best Song: Highway Patrolman. I'm a sucker for these kind of simple, storytelling songs and this one's not bad, although sometimes the syllables don't line up well and it feels like he needs to rush or drag to finish a particular phrase on time. Worst Song: Reason to Believe. I would have liked something more dramatic to conclude this otherwise sleepy album, not a sort of religious diatribe. Overall: I appreciate that this has less of the over-the-top bravado that characterizes much of the other of Springsteen's work that I am familiar with, but still, I just find his voice largely uninteresting.
No es para un publico, que no esta acostumbrado a esto. Intente, sin exito, escucharlo.
De este álbum solo puedo salvar una canción, “State Trooper”, que con literalmente dos acordes tiene mucha más música que todas las demás juntas que, por culpa de esa languidez y una omnipresente armónica, parecen compuestas en la cárcel para ser tocadas en la iglesia… de la cárcel. Compraría este disco para poder prenderle fuego físicamente.
Ugh, fuck off. I just had "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" three days ago and this is literally the same thing. Boring mumbly folk rock until the harmonica starts and your entire auditory system shuts down, leaving you with lifelong tinnitus. Thanks for the headache. Harmonicas are more annoying than kazoos. Bruce Springsteen at least has a bearable voice when compared to Bob Dylan, but that doesn't make this album anything higher than a 1/5 for me.
An uninteresting slog of an acoustic album, the songs all blend together and nothing really stands out. I'll admit I only really know the hits when it comes to Springsteen, but this really fell short of any expectations I may have had.
I just couldn’t finish one track on this album. There were a few songs that I thought were gonna be ok but then he started with the dissonant harmonica and ruined it. At one point I thought the harmonica was off and it.was.his.voice (Johnny 99). This entire album sounds like someone took ambien and is trying to quickly record it before they fall asleep. I don’t get this one, not for me.
Love this. Seen it before on this list.
Very good! Perfect for Saturday mornings.
I love this one, darkest Bruce album. State Trooper has a definitive Fargo feeling. I love the acoustic, minimalistic approach in this record. It feels like Bob Dylan but wayyyyy darker.