Nebraska

I would consider myself a Bruce fan. Clearly not a huge one since I've never listened to a single song off this album. It's not the exact vibe I look for when I want to listen to Bruce was it was actually better than I expected.

I like Bruce a lot and I've never heard this album before. I didn't know he had a whole album without the E-Street Band. The twang he's got going on "Nebraska" is great. I hope the whole album is from the perspective of characters. I enjoyed the album, but didn't love it. Bruce singing over acoustic sans backing did grow a little old, but it definitely wasn't bad. It was a lot of classic Bruce blue collar american stories. Maybe I'll revisit one day and listen much closer to the lyrics, and I'll up my score. Like everyone else, my favorite song was "Atlantic City". 6/10

I'm just not a fan of singer/songwriter music where it's just a dude and his guitar. Still better than Bob Dylan, though.

This bored me to tears. A few songs sounded pretty identical. Also wasn't able to glean any especially meaningful lyrics. Surprised by this one.

Oh man. I've only ever listened to Born to Run before, and I've kind of avoided the rest of his discography ("What could be as good as Born to Run?"). The most I knew of this album was The Band's cover of Atlantic City. This was a mistake. This album showed me another side to Bruce that I didn't expect. There are a number of great qualities in Born to Run, but I wouldn't really describe that album as "beautiful". This album, on the other hand? Everything from the cover, to the production, and the songwriting contribute to the same sort of dark, melancholy Americana. It was cleary inspired by Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, but it also clearly has its own vision and takes inspiration from other media as well. What a great album! I may have a new favorite Bruce album. By the way, if you like this, definitely check out "American IV: The Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash. Definitely a similar vibe. Favorite Track: Atlantic City

Disappointed with how dull this is.

Not the best but it was definitely listenable „patrolman“ was one of my favourites felt like a nice story.

Oh Bruce we're really in it now 🥲❤️‍🩹

Atlantic City is the only stand-out

not good

Not bruces best work

Really stripped down. Like it a lot. Great song writing. Lots of feeling, super intimate.

Pjeva on Everybody dies, a ja mislim da se slažem - pogotovo ja dok sam slušala ovaj album. Teški napor i najgora utilizacija usne harmonike ikad. 1/5, 2/10

This is definitely my favorite Springsteen album. Had it on while fixing a vintage bicycle, I think it helped. Definitely should put this in regular rotation.

I needed to be in the right mood for this one. Even though I still think Bruce’s strengths are in his more bombastic stuff, he’s a good storyteller and is capable of hitting some solid emotional beats here.

this album is really bad

My first exposure to Bruce and I honestly really love it the. The atmosphere and songwriting here is really incredible. Bruce's raspy voice also works really well here. 9/10 Favourite: Nebraska Least Favourite: State Trooper

Nudne, na jedno kopyto wszystko praktycznie

Pov: jedziesz na koniu pilnować swojego stada owiec

Dobre country, aż by się chciało do tej ameryczki pojechać

Haven’t heard much of the folk side of Bruce Springsteen so this was a nice surprise.

Super dull. Ashamed to say I much preferred Ryan Adams' version, even though he's a monster.

I grew up familiar with the Boss’s greatest hits, as my mom was a huge fan (at least, of the hits). This album was a pleasant surprise. I’d first listened to it as part of a “Deep Listening” project (one album suggested by a group member per week, required you to listen fully, and then provide comment). I can see why someone wouldn’t like this, but the somber intimacy of it is moving (to me, obviously). I’d recommend this album to a select group of friends, though I doubt it would move the needle for any Bruce Springsteen haters.

Een bekende 'outlier' in de discografie van Springsteen. Zet hem eigenlijk niet zo vaak op, maar wel leuk dat-ie kennelijk inspiratie haalde uit de muziek van Suicide.

Bun de fundal. Trebuie cu versuri

Not really my thing but maybe I’d need to listen a couple more times. Well-written though!

This one was good to listen to while working and I imagine it’s also good for a bad mood. Enjoyed the album more than I was expecting to after the first song which was my least favourite. Fav song: Atlantic City - I also liked Open All Night and Reason to Believe Least fav: Nebraska

Definitely has a very similar vibe in pretty much every song. Think the scene in the office uk has ruined Bruce Springsteen for me because I couldn’t stop hearing that for the whole songs. Not my favourite Springsteen. specific rating- 3.3 Fav song- open all night Least fav- nebraska

Got a little sick of the harmonica at points. Liked the upbeat songs more than the slow ones. Favourite song: Atlantic City Least: Nebraska

It's fine, and because it's Bruce you want to vote it up, but for me, its just fine.

Not my favourite album from The Boss.

Pretty decent.

Almost fell asleep, good lyricism tho

Very low key. I feel like I should like the Boss - I feel like I want to - but this isn’t getting me there.

Æ har hørt overraskanes lite på Bruce Springsteen i løpet av livet, egentlig, og det e ganske rart, tatt i betraktning kor godt æ like han. Æ e nok mest glad i det som også har litt mer lys og lyst enn det her albumet, men æ like det. Og «State Trooper» e en nær perfekt sang.

meh i mean i guess its ok but the lack of melody and his terrible vocals wouldn't be meaningful without the context of his past albums

Vale un tres, lo siento

It starts brilliantly, but does lose momentum over its runtime... At the end, it is to long to much of the same... I like the style, but there is only so much, you can do with singer-songwriter stuff, and this album does demonstrate this. Still, it is good and I enjoyed at least the first half, so it is a strong 4.0.

i can imagine this album made a lot of southern men cry. country isn’t really my thing but this one’s a lot more tolerable than other stuff i’ve heard, some songs are a bit repetitive though and they’re all more or less the same format of song but the storytelling is good

Rustig, niet helemaal mijn stijl

I loved this album! A more introspective Bruce

Oh hell no. I hate everything about Springsteen and this album is not going to make me change my mind

Big roadtrip sunset vibes

Pretty shitty compared to the rest of his work. Either that or I'm too dumb to understand this album.

Impactful experience listening to this album

I want to like this album more than I do. Falls a bit flat for me.

Some good tunes absolutely trashed by go awful harmonica playing. Fucking puling shades of Dylan this one. Had to turn it of because it was giving me a headache, and not the good kind

Nelabai patiko.

Only gave this a full listen so I could say I did and then rate it one star. Felt like you were stuck at a campfire with Bruce Springsteen while he shares some "deep" songs he came up with using his harmonica.

Was ok

Ah no pero este tipo quería que la gente sufra. Mucho peor que Born ITUSA. Nota: 1.9

I love Sad Bruce singing about losers so so much. Way better than The Boss, who is also great. Probably not a great sign for my mental health how much I identify with the loser protagonists in these songs.

Got it - not really given it a chance though

3.5 rounded up undeniably compelling, and something i sort of feel bad rating right now, because i think i’ll need to spend more time with this record to fully appreciate it.. but it also didn’t quite grab me highlights: atlantic city, state trooper, reason to believe (mar 14 2026)

J - 3/5 Best Track - "Atlantic City"

Nebraska is Bruce Springsteen's sixth album, and his best. The other albums might have the hits, but this one has an amazing dark and somber tone to it that really draws you in and covers you like a weighted blanket. Nebraska owes more to Johnny Cash and Hank Williams albums than to the typical rock and roll heritage. It exudes a country sentiment but still manages to get that Springsteen sound. An exceptional album for those looking for something a little off the mainstream Springsteen.

I think this might be my favorite Springsteen album

6 stars

This is a bit of a dirge, but I liked it. I give it 3.

Big classic. Big love.

High 2 best song: highway patrolman Would probs be great if I listened to the lyrics more

I don't normally love Springsteen, but this album was a different side of him than I'd ever heard before. It was much quieter, much more solemn and simple. Mostly just Bruce, a guitar and a harmonica, and I really kinda liked it. Three stars,

I think I prefer this to Born In The U.S.A. overall; Less standouts but i don't dislike any of these songs. I would listen to this again! Favs- Atlantic City, Nebraska, Johnny 99.

Incredible. We sorely miss real American Folk song writers. What an era this was for modern music. This is one of those things that I’m so glad was created, and exists. Truly lucky to have this.

Blandly enjoyable. Wouldn’t seek it out to listen to again but wouldn’t turn it off if it came on either

If Springsteen can do anything, he can paint a picture with words. A true poetic storyteller. However, that's the only thing good I can say about this album. You can feel that this was a personal project, with his heart and soul poured into it, but it also musically feels very empty. The songs blend together and you can't say when one song starts and the other ends. The minimalism didn't work for me here. It's a shame, this could've been a 4 or 5 star album if it had more instrumentation and variety, but solely on its lyrical merits it's a 3/5.

Ah, this album is not really my cup of tea. It's just too acoustic for me, although I can tell he's doing work with that harmonica, and just overall compared to some other country/folk stuff I've heard thus far. Some tracks I would nearly like enough to listen to more often, but just aaaaren't quite there. I can tell he's good at his work though, and the songwriting is solid, which is why he gets a 3 here where I'd usually dish out a 2.

Haunting. Made me want to jump off a bridge (positive). Great stuff.

The Boss, the king of the heartland, pares down to just himself, an acoustic guitar and a harmonica - and it works wonders! A thoroughly depressing and beaten-down album with a sound to match. Yet more proof, as if it was needed, that Springsteen is one of the greats. Easy 9/10.

Another addition to the “why the hell is this on the list?” list. No catchy tunes, no good beats or rhythms, no standout instrumentals. Certainly not unique or innovative, just a dude with an acoustic guitar and harmonica, which is something that can be found on most college campuses in America. He’s apparently telling good stories? Which is something I could get from reading a book instead. If they wanted me to like Bruce Springsteen, this was a terrible introduction.

One of those albums where you really have to pay attention to the lyrics to appreciate it. I don't really care for this flavor of stripped-down acoustic folk, but the storytelling is just something else with Bruce. Even with just two listens I kept finding little lyrical callbacks and connections between the stories that felt pretty rewarding. Musically, I want to point out how he makes the harmonica SING whenever he pulls it out. Standout: Johnny 99 • Used Cars • My Father's House

Springsteen is a great storyteller and has been appropriately recognized for that, but the way he expresses the despair of so many different people in so many ways never ceases to amaze me. He does it all - ballads, outlaw songs, dirges, and it's all good. This album has really grown on me over time.

good album not as good as bornt o run

This was pretty mellow compared to other Bruce Springsteen music I’ve heard. But I liked it. My favorite song on this album was My Father’s House.

I don't like country music, and I've never really been a fan of Springsteen either, so when I say this is okay that is a complement. This album is ok, I think it is a little boring, but whatever, I can see why people would like it. Low 3.

OK, a bit samey though

This has zero effect when the world around you is literally burning and less when you're not from the USA (like evrey Springsteen song)

A little different than the earlier Springsteen albums, but another very good album. 5 stars or A.

Really good, but gets repetitive around the halfway mark.

Pretty good I enjoyed it a lot.

Allt låter typ samma ärlig talat🫣

Not my favorite album by The Boss.

I don't like Springsteen's voice, and without good production to distract me idk what there is for me to enjoy. This album is also neverending.

Excellent album. True classic. Springsteen’s versatility is on full display. A departure from his other albums but still great.

very understated. good as always but not my favourite Bruce album

Yeah no, this isn't for me I think. I believe this is quite a boring album honestly. Not bad, but forgettable and meh. Absolutely nothing stands out to me in this album. Songwriting is good I guess, but not enough to be invested in these stories. Production is alright you know, acoustic campfire B sides vibes.

Un estilo muy estadounidense, en la línea de Bob Dylan tirando más al folk que al rock, cargado con letras llenas de significado para los que viven la cultura del lugar y el momento en que se escriben. 4/10

Not much of a Brucey bonus

I own this album and love it

This album is a beautiful and soft acoustic album with so much heart and soul.

I do believe I've liked Bruce Springsteen before now... but wow this really did the trick - definitely a really good album I'm glad to have finally sat and listened to! :)

Meh. Bit too slow for what I'm looking for when I put on Springsteen.

If one must listen to Springsteen, I guess this would be the album to listen to...

Listened in the truck via YouTube music. Very quiet album. Never attempted to listen before. Will probably need to again and really listen.

Really excited to have gone from R.E.M. to this album. Two incredible albums back-to-back. I love the minimalized sound of this album, and the lyrics are aching. This is the album of working people trying to make their way in a world that is often against them.

Better than I expected

Honestly shocked and how much I disliked this album. I was so unbelievably bored. The songs blended together so much that I hardly registered when it ended. Maybe I've just grown away from acoustic, folk-y music like this. I really hope to never listen to this album. I am not well versed in Bruce Springsteen, so the bar is set low for me now.

Wow this is vastly different from Born to Run. It's putting me to sleep.

Wow this is sleepy. I enjoyed it more in the morning vs the afternoon but I don't need to listen to this again.

Never had much time for Mr Springsteen, but this album was simple but powerful. Much preferred to other stuff I've heard from him. My Father's House was special.

Not a fan of Mr Springsteen

Its a great showcase of Bruce, the Folk singer. Nebraska captures the desolation of the plains. Atlantic City is one of my favorites of the album.

3,1/5

A journey through the heartland; a pivot but a remarkable output.

No!

Good

Springsteen is right up there with Bob Dylan and John Prine in his genius of writing about and for the Everyman. His writing is simple and cuts right to the bone. This album is genius.

This is the Springsteen album I enjoy the most, but even at its darkest there's still something "off" with his music that I can't quite put my finger on. It's like it works so hard to put me in a reflective mood but in the end I just find it well done, it doesn't really move me in any way.

It's alright. Probably his best since he's not "screaming" around.

My favorite Bruce Springsteen, more heartfelt and relaxed than usual. Still, I can't say I'm fully in love with the album. It misses something catchy... A lack of melody maybe.

I love a ton of Springsteen's music, but this whole album was flat to me from start to finish.

He wanna be Bob Dylan so bad

More mellow than Springsteen's other albums. I like it.

Like "Atlantic City"

Cana go wrong min

just not a huge springsteen fan. thought this was a very mediocre album that lives up to its title - flat and boring.

This was decent, but only 1 song I decided to add to my library from the lineup.

Kinda emotionless

A generally pleasant album with an Americana feel that I can't really relate to

In spite of Springsteens choppy vibrato and obnoxious vocal reverb, there were actually a couple songs that I liked. His voice is much better suited to this style as opposed to the style of his Born to Run album. The album started off very strong with the first track, during which there were times I forgot I was listening to Bruce Springsteen at all (a pleasant surprise). However the rest of the album felt like a dying horse limping to the finish line.

A mellow detour before Born In The USA. Evokes a mood: Wide, empty feeling. Need to be in the frame of mind to drive across Nebraska, or at least be pining for it, if that’s your thing.

This was better than the last Springsteen album I got. With harmonicas instead of blaring saxes, and actual dynamic range instead of bombastic production, it was a less jarring experience. That said, I just don't enjoy listening to the Boss. I can understand why this is on the list, but it is not something I will ever seek out again.

Bruce is one of my favorite artists. Decent album.

When I saw today's album, I was prepared to click DID NOT LISTEN. But I started it, to give it a chance ... and then called it quits, after just a couple of songs. It's a no for me.

Didn’t get it. Can’t think of what mood I’d need to be in to listen to this again and enjoy it.

...

Hyggligt!

While not the worst, this is way too close to country/folk for my comfort. Bruce has a nice voice, but I don't like most of his music at all.

Not the best Springsteen but an easy listen

I don't like Bruce Springsteen but at least this didn't make me want to rip my hair out. Definitely my favorite thing of his I've heard so far, but still not really for me.

I wanted to like this album more than I did. I honestly had a better time reading and learning about it than I did actually listening to it. I liked the idea of a moody melancholic look at middle and lower class American life with acoustic guitar, but a lot of the songs just fell flat for me. I like a good story in my songs, but for whatever reason most didn't connect for me. I think it was a combination of not really liking the vocals, and the lyrics and storytelling not being grabbing. Not a bad album, and there are a few songs I vibed with, but definitely not a standout for me. Standouts: Highway Patrolman, Reason to Believe Rating: 3.25/5

too experimental to my taste, but some great tunes there

NO. Why? This is the third time I’ve had to endure this moron, and now I get a concept album about the state of Nebraska? He was done appealing to the dementia candidates who remember tv shows about the 50s as their childhood, so now? Let’s get serious about FARMERS. Yeah, that oughta sell some records. While I hate this man, and believe that any of his criticisms of America are so veiled, and he is so interwoven into mainstream culture that he is a paragon of the very thing he is supposedly criticizing, I should take a step back. This could be uhh good. I’m sorry. I couldn’t even type that without laughing. You may proceed. One album closer to never having to hear him again. Nebraska - Jesus, turn that shit down. Each and every lyric is a complete fabrication in order to exploit uneducated record buyers and concert attendees in a brand new region. The song had a likeable melancholy to begin with and I can’t believe I’m saying that, but when you examine how disingenuous this is, and you continue to hear the increase in bravado, you understand that this is another Bruce Springsteen project. Atlantic City - They blew up chicken man in Philly last night. RIP chicken man. Not sure why the police needed to explode this eccentric hobo, but I suppose it wouldn’t even be the craziest thing to happen in America this week. His background vocals sound like the former occupant of the body that this soulless alien now occupies, screaming from beyond the void. Oh this is going to be a harmonica album, hey? Perfect. Why did he switch regions?? Careful Bruce, you don’t want to startle your new, impressionable fan base. Mansion on the Hill - ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. We did America things in America and drove around and had a car that we drove in and my daddy was there and other family members were also in the car and there was stuff we did and looked at and there were cars and did I mention daddy BUY THE NEW ALBUM 19.99 BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN PLAYS LINCOLN NEBRASKA BUY TICKETS NOW corn fields and lookin at stuff with my dad in cars and trucks and also farms and trucks REPENT AND TURN EYES SKYWARD TO FALLING ANGELS FOR THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT HAS DAWNED and I loved driving around with daddy in cars and we had chevys and fords and we love corn. Johnny 99 - More “relatable” content. Let’s talk about the music. The vocals are needlessly dramatic and the guitar riff is a lame 50’s ripoff and it sounds incredibly thin and lame. I think it’s so lazy to say “oh well he’s making a comment on how the working class has to turn to crime.” Just say you like his dumb voice. There are literally thousands of artists who have made this statement and similar ones in a more direct fashion with better music. Highway Patrolman - I know why it bothers me so much. Let me paint you a picture. I’m a white male who grew up in the suburbs in Canada. Imagine I take on the task of writing songs about the plight of the migrant worker. Or imagine, if you will, I pen an epic about the challenges I’ve personally experienced being indigenous. Sure, it’s not true, but dang it, I just feel like I want to. THEN, imagine the songs are HORRIBLE. Just rancid vocals, poor instrumental choices and lame lyrics to accompany my fraudulent message. Disgusted? Good. Now, to finish it off. Imagine that people think I’m a brave poet who details the struggle of these groups better than anybody else could because I have depression and play 3 hour concerts. If you’re not climbing a bell tower, you at least understand how I feel about Bruce Springsteen. State Trooper - Parody of yourself. Used Cars - Yes, you’ve “used” the cars in your lyrics too many times. BARF. This is pathetic. Blatant pandering. I do think rich people should use their platform for good. Nothing wrong with having more and trying to help others. Especially through political activism. This is the opposite. This is performance. And a bad one at that. Exploitation of the highest order. Open All Night - This song conjures the image of a MAGA hat levitating and glowing like a satanic entity in liminal space. My Father’s House - Was this somehow written by AI? New prompt idea for the LinkedIn psychopaths; write a song that will make guys who wear pit vipers and punisher logo t shirts feel like it’s ok to be emotional. Make sure you can sell it in middle America. Reason to Believe - hahahah the fake accent. I am literally an alien. Who likes this? Show me. Speak to me. Contact me. This is valueless and I can’t imagine a human soul who believes otherwise. This one? This one’s for the farmers. The do it your self ers. The get out and get it done-ers. This one is for getting your hands dirty, and for keeping your flag clean. For god, for country, and? For family. We here at Jizz automotive want to make sure you have a vehicle for whatever WORK you need DONE. Jizz; life comes at you fast. 0 HIGHLIGHTS: Bruce Springsteen’s net worth is a reported 1.2 billion dollars.

One paced from start to finish. I get what it is but it is quite boring. Not my favourite outing from The Boss.

Perfect album

2.5

Excelente disco. Bem tocante. Celest Pandamon

IMO (jokingly) all good albums should be made up of atleast 25% harmonica - this is at least 60% and I am so here for it - twas my first proper listen to bruce Springsteen, and lowkey I am a fan. and for real I do love the harmonica.

Incredibly boring, gets even worse with that shite harmonica blaring at me

Bummer of an album but that's the way it's supposed to be.

Decent album and I like the low fi feel. Wouldn’t listen again apart from state trooper

Bit slow for me. Liked the tune about his brother

Looks like Bruce Springsteen is about to become my first 'controversial artist' - this is miles better than all the stuff I've heard of his previously; raw, low-fi, heartfelt recordings. Favourite tracks: Nebraska, Atlantic City, Highway Patrolman, State Trooper, My Father's House.

It's a good album but not as epic or essential as the critical consensus implies

Started off really good, got a bit boring at the end. Bruce really surprised me with this one in a good way, I expect something different

I get it, but it's not for me. I think I'd rather just read a collection of short stories about these characters than listen to this. Also, does anyone actually ENJOY listening to a harmonica? At no point do I ever want to hear loud, atonal blatting just farting over the entire song. It's just unpleasant.

Rating it this low feels criminal, but honestly just not taking the time to listen super closely and this is more like spoken word folk music. It’s more artistic than the kind of music I was listening to today and deserves a closer listen

Jeg nød albummet for hvad det er. Især State Trooper er klasse. Lyden var Bruce.

Som skrevet tidligere fungere Boss’ens musik bare bedre for mig når det er strippet for saxofoner og keyboards. Det fremstår mere ærligt og nærværende. Desværre når alle sangene ikke op på niveau med State Trooper. Havde de det niveau var det en klar 5er

The Boss with a guitar, harmonica and a four-track recorder ... writing haunting tunes about drifters, murders, ne'er do wells and blue collar struggles. "Atlantic City" is right up there with his best.

Wasn’t a Springsteen fan before and this didn’t convert me, unfortunately. Not sure whether it’s his voice or my general, overpowering aversion to singalong stadium rock which colored my listen and kept me from being open to it. I did enjoy the first two tracks and I appreciate that it’s well-written though, so it’s a 6/10 for me.

A decent, albeit quiet and sparse, folk album from the Boss. I hadn't heard much of him like this; most of the songs I know are bigger, louder, and backed by the full band. He toned it down here, with most tracks barely having more to them than vocals and acoustic guitar. I can see this having a big impact on singer/songwriter types, as it showcases how even big artists can produce quieter, simpler music. Normally, Springsteen grates on me. I can only do a few of his songs before needing to change to something else. That didn't really happen here. I think it being much more subdued led to me having a higher tolerance for the album. Even so, it did start to get old toward the end. The lack of variety in song style probably had something to do with that. While I appreciated his effort and didn't hate the album, some tracks really didn't work for me. I couldn't get into State Trooper at all. Plus, with the compositions having very little differentiation, some of the songs started to blend together for me. I think that was exacerbated by its quietness; it lost me at times, and I didn't know if it was the same song when it came back or not. I'm a little torn on this one. There's nothing to really make it great for me, outside of it being different and intimate. There's also nothing really to say it is bad, other than a few tracks I didn't particularly like. It seems like a treat for someone who is a Bruce fan, but not for me, even though I did like the stripped down vibe he went with here. Thinking of repeat listenability, I wouldn't say it is something I'll come back to very much. I'm settling on fine/solid, though I'll probably go back and forth about it after I hit submit. Overall: 2.75/5

My wife calls this "sad bastard music." (39 known/83 new)

A different sound to Springsteen. Less commercial. Enjoyed the album.

This album stood back so much of what makes his music exciting and let's the storytelling shine through. Even when he gets sentimental or slows the tempo down farther than seems necessary, he's so tapped into the dynamic of hope for redemption versus wandering through purgatory as described in the idiom of the American Dream that it's still always poignant.

5 STARS. THE FIRST MASTERPIECE so far.

I’m 52 years old and this is the first time I’ve ever listened to this album or any track on this album. That’s a travesty. This is poetry. Like most people I guess, Born in the USA was my intro to Bruce and I don’t think I fully knew about the album Nebraska until now. This reminds me of Woody Guthrie, Wilco and Flannery O’Connor all rolled into one. These are not chart toppers, but they are real.

dark and foreboding. intimate performance full of masterful storytelling. this one is special.

I’m sorry, but that was just boring. I like a lot of Bruce’s stuff but this was just boring.

So glad he left these in demo form.

This album is bleak, it's violent, it's depressing, it's real, and it's exceptionally great. It is a career defining album for Springsteen. And I mean that in the truest sense of the word. It may not always be considered his best album, but it defines and explains the entire message of his career. A few years later he came out with Born In The USA where he had to put a shiny gloss on the same themes just so people would listen. Even though they often didn't get it. For anybody that still doesn't understand what Born In The USA is about, they should listen to Nebraska for an explanation.

One of Springsteen's best. This is the proto-Bon Iver story. Like, it's such a legendary career turn that even if the music wasn't that good, it would still be a must-listen. Like it set the mold for later artists to follow. But also, the songs are really good. You have to enjoy really downcast folk songs, which I do. The lyrics, the stories, the mood, the settings. I mean this is honestly one of the great 20th century American creations, in my opinion. Must-listen #169.

NICE STORY. FW IT

This one was disappointingly boring. I didn't relate to a single song nor did any of them stand out to me. The mixing seemed off. However, I'd be hard pressed to say it wasn't good.

While not my favorite Springsteen album, "Nebraska" delivers the gritty American folk one would expect from the artist. The record draws inspiration from other great American folk singers like Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, which gives it a sound that is familiar, yet with a twist. That being said, not many tracks from this album stand out and none are Springsteen's best work.

It's ok, a shame he has gotten so political.

excellent start to my foj weekend because it just gives americana and sitting around at the lake with my friends but listening to it standalone without the vibes is just boring

as far as bruce springsteen albums go, this is certainly one of them. he definitely made it and im not entirely sure why

zzz

Classic slow American rock. Springsteen is always one of the best. Unfortunately, this speaks to an America I don't experience; slow country life with nothing to look forward to other than tomorrow. Not for me but still good.

Het klinkt een beetje alsof Bruce dit op zijn slaapkamer heeft zitten opnemen. En raad eens wat... dat is ook zo. Heel minimaal, maar ook een belabberde geluidskwaliteit. De Boss maakt soms rare keuzes wat hij wel en niet uitbrengt, want kennelijk waren de naderhand gemaakte professionele studio-opnamen niet goed genoeg. Ik ben helaas niet zo onder de indruk. Heiligschennis? Vast. Maar het oor wil ook wat, en het is allemaal wat kaal.

Een verhalend en ingetogen album. Ik wil hier helemaal niets van vinden, want ik luister nooit naar de teksten. Maar we moeten de 1001 afronden, dus ik deel toch maar sterretjes uit. Eén man met zijn gitaar, zijn mondharmonica en vooral zijn stem. Dat is niet mijn genre. Was ik dit als één van de eerste albums tegengekomen in de lijst, had ik waarschijnlijk 2 sterren gegeven en snel doorgegaan. Inmiddels heb ik wat vergelijkingsmateriaal. Enerzijds van anderen en anderzijds van Bruce zelf. Als ik dan een keuze moet maken tussen die albums, dan komt deze toch boven drijven. Ja, het is verhalend, maar niet zo theatraal als vergelijkbaar werk. Bij Darkness on the Edge of Town schreef ik dat ik Bruce niet geloofde. Dat is nu wel het geval. Zonder dat het (wederom relatief) saai wordt. Het is een mooie middenweg. Zelf zal ik dit niet meer opzetten, maar laat ik dat deze keer terzijde schuiven en toch 3 sterren uitdelen.

Dit is niet het eerste album van the Boss, en vermoedelijk ook nog niet het laatste. We krijgen geloof ik Born in the USA nog. Gek genoeg staat the river er niet in. Ik kan the Boss altijd goed hebben (nou ja, de 70s en 80s boss bedoel ik dan), dus in dit geval had ik dat ene extra albumpje niet zo erg gevonden. Nebraska is een beetje een buitenbeentje in die tijd. Hele trage singer-songwriter liedjes. Niet eens voor bij het kampvuur, maar meer eenzaam mijmerend, over het harde leven van de working class. Iets dat hij zelf niet echt heeft meegemaakt volgens mij. Maar waardoor er wel een aantal absolute pareltjes tussen zitten. Atlantic City is mijn persoonlijke favoriet, 5 sterrensong. Als dit album je grijpt, dan is het een dikke 5 sterren waard. Ik kan ook helemaal begrijpen als dit te saai voor woorden is en je een 2 geeft. Aangezien ik voor the Boss al 2x een 5 heb uitgedeeld, vind ik een tandje te hoog gegrepen voor nog een maximale score. Een enkel nr van het album zou het wel verdienen, maar ik zet liever Born to Run of Darkness on the Edge of Town op. Dus ik hou het bij dit album op een keurige 4 sterren.

nice

The moody atmosphere hits like a truck, but I find it hard to return on an individual track level other than the first few ones. Definitely a great night listen front to back, especially on my record player with a few crackles here and there, but past that, not really.

I guess I’m not a Bruce Springsteen fan, it’s just a boring album to me, nothing much going on second half of the album I just started skipping songs hoping something would pique my interest. Nothing did unfortunately

Having only heard Born in the USA before, this was quite a surprise. Incredibly beautiful. I loved it.

Springsteen going a little country with all the harmonica, enjoyed it

Sad songs for sad boy. ACAB

Awesome, brooding, lonely, haunting, classic.

Eh not really for me

Very pretty I enjoyed it a ton

Meh, this album didn't really do anything for me

I liked this but I don't remember it

First time listening to an album of his, and I wish I had listened sooner.

Büro, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Okayes Bruce Album

Yay more Springsteen 😐 I can appreciate this album for departing from Springsteen's usual sound (I mean just look at what he released 2 years later), but unfortunately its still kinda dull. Favorite track: Atlantic City

Probably 4.5, but I'll round it up

Not entirely my thing, but y'know, the guy can sing.

Just absolutely awful. Albums like this show that Bruce should either quit or just hold back on his albums until he has a decent amount for an album. Not everything he writes needs recording and releasing.

Incredible funk

Ive never really fallen for Bruce, but this is the closest ive got. It strips away all the 80's pop rock and does a few things very well: gentle, evocative lyrics, well played and simple guitar and harmonica and simple songs. Its probably due to its Dylan proximity but i enjoyed this

Fish are friends, not food!

Moody, stripped down. I feel like I am not listening to the lyrics deeply enough. Really enjoyed this album. Probably won’t add to my regular rotation but glad I listened to it.

This is the first Springsteen album that I've listened start to finish. Excellent storytelling and viscerally American.

This music was so sad and mournful -- I didn't know what to expect but this really took me places.

This record is like a Cormac McCarthy novel. The spareness and desolate beauty of this album will live on forever, like Mozart's Requiem. I grew up with Springsteen but my parents didn't have this record. I knew the raucousness of Born to Run and the bombast of Born In The USA, but it wasn't until high school that I discovered this record after hearing the devastating The Ghost Of Tom Joad. While I have a deeper connection to The Ghost of Tom Joad-- I grew up in the Southwest, where that album is set, I have grown to love Nebraska's American Gothic storytelling.

Not my favorite Bruce album I’ll be real, I still appreciate it but

I love Bruce. This is an interesting album, and some of the tracks are indeed personal favorites (highway patrolman - My father's house). I do like it very much, though you gotta be in the mood.

Bruce is my favorite artist. That being said, I can be critical of him as well as any other musician. I hadn’t listened to the full “Nebraska” album in a very long time, and I found this to be revelatory. I’d recently read the book “Deliver Me From Nowhere” about the making of this album, and I listened and caught so many details I’d ignored or forgotten since 1982 when this album dropped. This album likely saved his sanity and led to his need to always follow the path his heart wanted and not what the masses wanted. Amazing song cycle and lots of therapy in there.

Not quite what I thought it was going to be. Had to listen a second time. Still find this difficult to rate. It seems almost unfinished because it kind of is. I read he wrote this thinking it would be with the band. Probably 3.5. Rounding up.

A masterclass in understated storytelling.

Springsteen sounding like he's trying to do Dylan after taking a handful of valium. Didn't like it at all

Album art:2

This was an okay album. I found it to be largely repetitive. Springsteen is overrated.

With a deep, soulful rumble, a saxophone-free Bruce Springsteen pulls a broken America apart.

I’ve never really liked the Boss. I can take or leave the E Street Band. I do like Springsteen, and I like this album. Striped and raw, simple and jagged. I could listen to this guy’s voice and guitar and harmonica all day!

At first I was like eh then I kept listening and listening and listening

There isn’t anything awful about this album by any means, but it really didn’t grip me. The Boss has had some other songs that get me fired up (Born To Run being the first to come to mind) but nothing here really had that level of oomph. It seemed to be a much milder album, but whereas other chilled out singer songwriters can write beautiful music (Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, etc.), Bruce’s venture into the more sedate scopes of music just fell a little weaker that I’d have liked. Not awful though. Fine to have on while doing things and not wanting to give you undivided attention.

Traurig, schwer, großartig

I hate BS

Nice surprise.

Yawn....

Allthe songs sound the same

Good acoustic record but not much variation in melody. The stand out song is definitely Atlantic City. But I do love the storytelling of this record.

It's Bruce at home! Apparently recorded in his home in NJ, it does sound like a really subdued acoustic performance album. Guitar, harmonica, and vocals - it's as raw a performance as you can get. It's mostly slow and grim and personal. You've got to be invested in the lyrics. I wouldn't call this a particularly fun listen, but it is a good one. Standouts for me were "Johnny 99" "State Trooper" and "Open All Night" There were some cool sounding songs. Some of the lyrics hit. I'm not a huge fan of the whole folky Americana genre, but it was an interesting listen. Probably wouldn't come back to much of it, but certainly don't hate it. 3 stars for me.

Epic and legendary Springsteen in his absolute prime. A soul searching behemoth of a record.

10/10

no me ha gustado demasiado. es un poco lento y no es mi estilo

not my style

Seriously? Right away with the harmonica? Talk about an ambush. At least if this were Dylan, I could have steeled myself first. I've never been to Nebraska, but this album captures exactly how I imagine it would be: desolate, desperate, and dull... and full of harmonicas... Atlantic City is a solid track (uncoincidentally, not in Nebraska), but a single hit does not a good album make. 4 stars for the track, 1 star for the album.

I guess this is better than the long string of one starred albums we’ve received recently. So that’s something. I’m never go to revisit this though, and I’m not feeling charitable enough to give this a 2. So….

Booooo

Fascinating story brilliant album

Bob Dylan derivative at times. Not special. Caricature of himself.

A bit slow, was it an acoustic album?

i loveddd this album

Surprisingly good. Strong country vibes. Will listen later more

Folk music where nearly all the songs are indistinguishable from each other. I would never ever ever listen to this album again

After some consideration, I decided not to use a private Spotify session. Although not a Springsteen fan, I have listened to this album before because of how revered it is. It's mumbly and mellow, I have never been to Nebraska, but if this what it is like, hard pass.

A desolate road settles upon us, a white space in front of it looking like either smoke or snow. Barbed wire fences and endless crops of land on the sideline are cropped but it evokes tales that could be told in due time. The tales told by Bruce Springsteen in Nebraska are such tales that warrant the bleakness of its cover. Bruce was no stranger to telling us about the lives of his subjects around the time of the albums release but what was new was the arrangements; where the stories would be augmented by boisterous instruments and impassioned vocals, Nebraska is just Bruce, his guitar, his harmonica and the elements. Those who many respect Bruce from afar but find themselves put out by the accompaniments will have a lot to love about Nebraska and the qualities there will keep the listener coming back to it more often.

I don’t like Bruce Springsteen

The Boss's solo album is minimal and heartfelt, only a couple of dud songs keep this from being 5 stars.

I’ll admit that I never cared for Bruce Springsteen. It’s not a hatred thing, it’s more straight apathy. Something about this album felt like it would be different. It’s more acoustic and it’s got a darker lyrical tone. So I figured I might like it. But really, it’s just ok. The album alternates between some slower paced songs and the usual Springsteen style songs, but like, more sad I guess. Honestly, I wish the whole album was just the slow stuff, because I liked those songs a bit better. And to be blunt, I didn’t really feel much from the somber lyrics. Half the songs are just about someone committing a crime, and the other half is just reminiscing on childhood. I kind of just wish Springsteen focused more on one aspect or the other. I kind of respect the idea of Bruce deviating away from his usual stuff and attempting to go into a bold direction. And I admit, it almost works in some ways. But it doesn’t change my opinion of his music that much for me. Favorite track: Mansion on the Hill Other hits: Highway Patrolman, Used Cars, My Father’s House, Nebraska

Always been more of a Bon Jovi kinda guy but still the respect the Jersey love. Shoulda known he was the original Atlantic City guy and not the The Band. But The Band does it wayyyy better Album got me nostalgic for a home I’ve never even seen but Bruce’s slow style in this jsut dosent really get me allll that into it

There's definitely some quality songwriting here and I enjoyed. Though I think that this is one that gets stronger with more listens. Highlights: My Fathers House Atlantic City Highway Patrolman

Slower version of Springsteen. Songs are well played, but a little lacking in verve. 3/5 Probably won’t listen again

A Dylanesque album of brilliant folk lyrics and soft presentation. This is no Born in the USA, it is Neil Young with a better voice. 4/5

…why did i kinda enjoyed this album??? i hate american country but this album was good, surprisingly. i was expecting to be bored (i mean, there were some boring songs) but i was looking forward to listen to the next one. this album surprised me for good and i’d listen to more Springsteen if needed :) my favourite one is Atlantic City

I like some of his other albums better

Unusual. I was prepared for a dark, morose and sombre album, which it is in places. However several tracks feel like standard 12 bar rock and roll songs, just played solo on an acoustic guitar - not a criticism, just an observation. My favourite Springsteen is when he's sad or angry - Streets of Philadelphia, Ghost of Tom Joad - and while I appreciate the sparseness of the album, I'd rather more of that vibe. High 3/low 4

A nice album - desolate ballads that don’t seem to live up to their potential mostly, dissonance without a purpose or something like that

Imagine being a fucking poser but the scene in which you choose to pose is fucking Bob Dylan's "folk." Stop with the fucking harmonica, and get this shit out of my ears.

Didn't resonate with me. Was a bit to monotonous for my liking. Had a few good moments though and definitely is a vibe for a sad walk in the rain

Hey wait that’s a state

one song from this album I remember hearing at the end of a Sopranos episode and I liked it so much I had to shazaam it and was surprised to find it was bruce. i don't really like bruce springsteen so was surprised by this album - the sparse voice+guitar+occasional harmonica really works.

Atlantic City is a classic, others were alright

Misguided boring Folk.

Quality album, great stories and just a pleasure to listen to.

Chill music. Probably would be better to listen on a long drive through Nebraska instead of walking through the airport. I struggle to enjoy singer-songwriter stuff more.

I think albums like this are where Country got part of its reputation as depressing music. Some of the songs are captivating but on the whole, not an album I’ll return to often.

This was not good. This was boring and this enforced the fact that Bruce Springsteen is NOT a good vocalist. He can hold a tune when the band is playing loud and in a rock style, but in an acoustic setting, he doesn't work well. I think some of the songwriting here is clever and the lyrics are REALLY good and well done, but overall this isn't great. "Johnny 99" is a great song tho. So fun. Actual rating...1.5. Liked Songs: "Atlantic City" , "Johnny 99" , "Used Cars" , "Open All Night"

Not bad 3

4 stars

Absolute classic .This is the album that opened the world of Springsteen up to me .

Non capisco come fa a piacere alla gente

Not a big country fan sorry!

Giving this a 2 - just not a fan of The Boss, but I can understand that this is good. Not for me, at all. 2/5

Probably my favourite of the three Springsteen albums so far, amazing storytelling.

The Boss did good!

Nebraska 3 Atlantic City 3.3 Mansion on the Hill 3 Johnny 99 2.9 Highway Patrolman 2.7 State Trooper 2 Used Cars 2.2 Open All Night 2.3 My Father's House 1.4 Reason to Believe 1.9 Score: 2.47

Some of my favorite Bruce songs on here. Atlantic City, Reason to Believe, and Highway Patrolman are all classics. Despite being stripped down this album has great range.

it was fine, but I don't vibe with this one too much. Sounded like a demo tape, like it was missing too much, felt empty, even though the tunes were alright

I'm not a die-hard fan, but I will listen to anything between Born to Run and Born in the USA. The bookends on this album are two of the most extraordinary songs ever written. And the decision to just release the demos was brilliant. Can't give it a five because the stretch from Highway Patrolman to My Father's House gets tiring. But I'll listen to this album from time to time until the day I die.

it reminds me to my dad as he had this vinyl. Pure legend Bruce. A classic 5/5

Just ok

As I write this, Bruce has been just up the road from me in Manchester, calling out the Trump regime for its lack of humanity. Go Bruce! Here, many years ago, he was writing about the working man, struggling to the point of desperation in the early 80s as white-collar workers were being enabled to stash away the wealth for themselves. He was also writing about characters from films that had interested him. The heart of the album is in the lyrics - some of the music is so muted and simple as to be truthfully pretty basic. But it has so much power and heart.

Realized I need to pay more attention to lyrics. This album was all acoustic and kinda sad. It was ok- not my favorite Bruce album.

I guess there's just a meanness in this world.

I have to admit that I was bored. In theory a stripped down, dark, album is a great idea, but this is a step too far for me.

A Dylanssqur collection of folk tinged short stories that is unlike most of Springsteen’s catalog. Delivered with a stripped down authenticity that fits the material

Zero stars on all Bruce Springsteen albums please and thank you.

close to a double dose of bruce...cant complain!! i think whats most striking ab this one isnt just the sound tho its a dovetail w/ the sound...a lot of springsteen material takes the mundane and elevates it to a kind of ecstatic, transcendental status, whereas the clear angle here is a much more complicated and shattered one presented with a kind of inconspicuous solemnity. even the most vivid stories on here are just One Of Many, part of a world that creates them all the time...the slightly uncanny, slightly horrifying, slightly comforting emotional alchemy is unique for bruce's catalog but also maybe just in music generally. also really love how bruce changes up his vocal styles here...a necessity ofc, but one that could have been accommodated with a lot less thought and effort than was clearly put forth here...he was looking for a New Mode Of Expression altogether. prob one of the best attempts by a distinctive artist to complicate their artistic project.

CLASSIC!! A raw and harrowing tour through middle america. One of his best.

Another awesome album from the Boss. really enjoyed this more stripped down approach.

Listened before?: No Folksy, bluesy, good listening.

He's a god damn storyteller and he makes you 'feel' the stories.

So good Jesus Christ. He is such a good writer

i can't give this a 1. but i have many thoughts and they are not positive. i will need to revisit this, but it was overwhelmingly underwhelming. boring and sad. disappointment abounds.

I like Springsteen but this didn't do much for me. Might benefit from repeat listens.

Why you would ever try to make the state of Nebraska entertaining or remotely interesting by naming an album after seems ludicrous or a long shot attempt to maybe bring something to talk about to Nebraska. Nope. It’s just as boring and unforgettable as the state. Maybe that’s what Bruce was trying to do here🤷

Non mi piace la fisarmonica 7/10 generico

Album “chill” (da chill a 2 balls ci vuole poco,ascoltarlo tutto così mmm,un brano ogni tanto può starci ) (Dipende dal brano) Nebraska e Atlantic City Used Cars le migliori Atlantic city sembra un altro brano però non male (I want it that way) Le altre mah Melodie e in generale vocals mah Chitarra niente di che Classiche melodie country americano (Che non mi piacciono) I brani più movimentati sono anche i meno riusciti secondo me Open all night sembra Mark Knopfler però scrauso. Tipo

This is clearly "good", but I don't connect with his voice, lyrics/ characters, or the production usually, though the atmosphere is pleasant and "correct" on this album. I still think the other singer/ songwriters with important bands did it better

Sounds like bob dylan

"Nebraska" is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. Bruce recorded songs as demos using a 4-track recorder in a bedroom at his Colts Neck, NJ home, intending to record them with the E Street Band but decided to release them as they were unsatisfactory after full band renditions. The album is noted for its stark, lo-fi sound and stories of ordinary, blue-collar workers who try to succeed in life but fail. Initial reviews were mostly positive but many in retrospective think it a masterpiece and one of his best albums. Commercially, it hit #3 in both the US and UK. The album starts with the self-titled "Nebraska." A stark open with a harmonica and subdued vocals with a Southern/rural accent as Bruce tells the true story of Charles Starkweather who murdered 10 people and showed no remorse as he was sentenced to death in an electric chair. The volume cranks up a bit in the second song and first single "Atlantic City." Acoustic guitar and urgency to Bruce's voice with a more rapid delivery. I do like the background howls. A young man relocates to Atlantic City after trying to make it with an honest living. Howling appears again in the intro to "Johnny 99." Bruce shouting with a faster guitar. A hint of rockabilly. In this story, Johnny gets laid off from a Ford plant, kills a hotel clerk and gets sentenced to 99 years in prison. However, he feels remorse and begs for the death penalty. I guess I'm attracted to the songs with Bruce howling. In "State Trooper," he tells the story from the point of view of a car thief who steals a car and becomes paranoid the further he drives of being caught. And, he howls like Alan Vega does in Suicide's "Frankie Teardrop." Brilliant. Bruce had to lighten up the mood a bit and he does that in the rockin' "Open All Night." The only song where an electric guitar is used ( I believe). This is a stark and compelling album. No surprise with that statement. Bruce's vocals are emotional, subdued, howling, whispering and sometimes with a Southern accent. The music matches his vocal mood and song subject content. Bruce had been reading Flannery O'Connor, watching American movies and listening to folk music. He intentionally made the lyrics story-like and more direct which really works. I've always really liked this album and put it up there with his best. I can see why people who like anthemic Bruce may be turned off. Overall, this a great and influential album and an obvious high recommendation.

More fascinating when you learn Bruce recorded this alone with a tape recorder. Pretty vulnerable compare to his other albums. Definitely makes his next album (his best) hit harder because of the tone shift.

With this album, I can see why Bruce Springsteen is widely revered. I never really liked his music or this genre, or at least I thought I did, until I started listening and thinking about the lyrics in each of these tracks. The stories in each track are told masterfully, and the stripped-down instrumentals and the delivery from Springsteen's vocals emphasize the raw emotion in those narratives. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this album. Favourite Track(s): Highway Patrolman, Mansion on the Hill Least Favourite Track(s): Open All Night

A garage band is allowed to peak a mic, a dusty side of the road clip of the local fiddler is allowed to peak a mic. Why on earth is Columbia Records letting a Springsteen album be released with many, many, many peaks? it wouldn't be so that Springsteen could cheesily fake an identity as a blue collar country boy, would it? Is his voice only good because it's covered liberally in reverb, like frosting on a wedding cake? Are any of his woebegone lyrics as good as the poetry of the closing line of this review? @ me. I'm picturing the producer falling asleep on the mixing board during this recording session while bruce strokes himself to a 40 min 13 sec finish using only a guitar and his raspy gullet

Not my favorite Springsteen album

einfach, aber gut. tolle songs die man kennt.

Bruce wie ich ihn liebe. Einfach, ohne Firlefanz.

They blew up The Chicken Man in Philly last night

I always thought this sounded unfinished, especially lyric-wise. Makes sense now that I read the backstory. Still, there are some great songs here. Particularly Atlantic City and Reason to Believe.

Great songs, tonally bleak. I don't entirely love the recording.

Bruce Springsteen's voice, the guitar, the harmonica, it all comes together so nicely. I've heard some Springsteen, but never came across any of these songs. I'm glad I did now. Most of these songs are a little slower, sort of a sadness to them. Nebraska, Atlantic City, and My Father's House all fit that soft melancholy vibe. Open All Night and Johnny 99 were some fun faster numbers. Ends on the fun and chill Reason To Believe. All in all a solid album. Best song: Johnny 99

There are two Bruce Springsteens. There’s the happy go lucky fellow, goofing around on stage with his best mates from the E Street band, playing a four hour show to a packed stadium. Then there’s the other one, alone with his guitar and a four track recorder, wracked with self doubt and trying to write songs of pain and darkness from the heart. The original plan was to record these songs with the band, but for various reasons they never quite came together so in the end he released the original demos more or less as is. The result is haunting and deeply personal. The title track is a proper murder ballad, telling a true story of a spree killer on the run with his girlfriend, coming to a gruesome end in the electric chair. Other songs cover familiar ground of poverty, brushes with the law (from both sides) and used cars, telling authentic stories, accompanied with just an acoustic guitar and occasional harmonica. The one song that stuck with me was Highway Patrolman, with a story about a policeman and his brother Franky who ‘just ain’t no good’. Is blood thicker than water? This song might have the answer.

Honestly my first thought seeing Springsteen's name was "fuck, not another Springsteen album". Then I was taken aback by the atmosphere of the songs, the fact that it's a very raw, simple and folk album. With sometimes a surge of raw energy -- almost proto-punk in the spirit, like in State Troopers. So yeah, this is not a "yet another Springsteen" album

this is a springsteen album that i've always heard raved about but historically i couldn't quite get it. hadn't listened to it in a long time, so i was excited to give it another spin. maybe i am older, a bit wiser, a bit more amenable to the sparse sound here, but i really liked it this time. it is very sparse. just bruce and his guitar. the spotlight is entirely on the songwriting. luckily, he is a great songwriter. the highlight to me is always going to be 'atlantic city' but i also have to give a shoutout to the title track, 'state trooper,' 'open all night,' and 'reason to believe' as highlights here. although i don't think there's a bad song on here. it's raw, it's sparse. it stands alone in bruce springsteen's discography as its own thing.

After a string of hit albums, Springsteen switched it up in dramatic fashion. Gone are the electric guitars and saxophones; in their pace a lone acoustic guitar and Springsteen's voice. This stripped-down approach lends Springsteen's songs a gravitas that they don't typically carry. Murder ballads, tales of down-on-their-luck working class folks faced with moral complexities, and one hopeful attempt at escaping it all ("Atlantic City") The dour mood is powerful and the songwriting is poignant, but the vibe is one that I'm not always ready for. I do find it hilarious that Suicide inspired this album, and I get a little giddy with each mention of "Frankie". Highlight: "Atlantic City"