Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska

Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska (Columbia-19982)

So back to business in classic albums people have missed and another big name. Many (if not all) have heard this mans output before. But have you heard the best stuff?

I rate three albums he has done as his best the River (1980), Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) and this album. All were done very close to each other. But this album was very different in many ways.

Much of the output Springsteen has done after his first couple of albums were severely agonized over in the studio. Some albums taking six months or more to make but this one was done in a month. Not only in a month but on a home studio device. Very new technology back then here used to lay down his ideas before hitting the studio. The E Street band did get a chance to record this album but it was felt the demos were better. So what this album is at the end of the day is a demo tape that was released on a major label by a major artist. Big risk after the previous multi platinum selling albums.

The gamble did pay off but more for fans of music as many artists have gave this album credit. Based  mostly around a folk style music it tells tales in a first-person narrative style.

Mostly in a very bleak and real tone the music is basic with Bruce only using guitar, harmonica, mandolin, glockenspiel, tambourine and organ. And even then very sparsely. "Nebraska" kicks sets the albums whole pace with a very bleak story of a serial killer that was taken from a true story. Aged only 19 you can be forgiven for feeling a little bit uncomfortable. More stories follow till my highlight.

"Highway Patrolman" rings bells with me as I do have a brother but the story of a patrolman who's brother is on the wrong side of the law. Bruce is fantastic at telling you the story in a way it feels like you will never forget it. Little bits of info portray the life the men have. His voice is very controlled and direct as are all the instruments on the album, the harmonica sounds at times like he did record it as he was playing the song.

"Open All Night" is the only song to move from the folk style and has more of a rockabilly guitar riff to it. Electric guitar makes an appearance here and it does feel fresh to get a track that shows a little positivity.

One thing the Springsteen is one of the best in the world at is taking a song or tune from his head and placing it into the studio. He is one of very few in th world who can do this THAT well.  But this album is everything as far away from that you can get. All these songs could be adapted to a country style and sell millions. But his heart wanted this out as it makes most sense to him and to most others. Give this album a try and get an idea that he is not just a stadium rocker.

This style of album really can't be done by many, listen to many big bands who split and go solo this is what they hope to be able to accomplish. Again this was done on a four track studio at home with a little mixing for a commercial release. He had the balls to do it so you should have the courtesy to give it a go.

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