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[kirkt]

One of the most uncool musicians to admit to liking to many people, probably because of the patriotic association with Born in the USA and the awful Dancing in the Dark. Still, lyrically and musically the guy is a genius . I've been listening to We Shall Overcome (one of the bravest albums for a musician of his status) and Devil and the Dust lately. I saw a few other people mentioned him in their all time top 10 so come on, what you gotta say bout the boss?

[Humey Whilem]

Appreciation long overdue. Have been listening to one of my old springsteen minidiscs all week. Somehow he fits in snuggly between listening to coco rosie and the black keys...

[Shaki]

HE'S NUMBER 1!

The Born in the USA album is responsible for his image as an America-loving, Stars and Stripes-waving, overblown, stadium guitar hero. The Dancing in the Dark video doesn’t help of course! The songs and lyrics on that album are great though but the 80’s didn’t do favours for a lot of artists in terms of production. (funny that Reagan used Born in the USA as his election campaign song when you check out the lyrics) Quite a bit of Nebraska was written for that album too which is well worth a listen, they are like night and day but both 100% quality songwriting.

Darkness on the Edge of Town is my favourite album of all time. Human Touch is the only album I never listen to. I will write an essay on The Boss later on, back to work………

“The work, the working, just the working life…” – Factory, Darkness on the Edge of Town.

[kirkt]

Originally Posted by Shaki

HE'S NUMBER 1!

The Born in the USA album is responsible for his image as an America-loving, Stars and Stripes-waving, overblown, stadium guitar hero. The Dancing in the Dark video doesn’t help of course! The songs and lyrics on that album are great though but the 80’s didn’t do favours for a lot of artists in terms of production. (funny that Reagan used Born in the USA as his election campaign song when you check out the lyrics) .

Nebraska is probably my favourite album. In his live sets he does Born in the USA acoustic and it sounds like it belongs on Nebraska. It's a shame it has been taken the wrong way by so many proud, pro-war Republicans. Lyrically, Springsteen has always been on top but as you mentioned, it was that awful production sound that let him down with Born in the USA, Human Touch and Lucky Town (I actually like Tunnel of Love).

[Larsen B]

I would a number of bands recently including the Killers and the Hold Steady have been making him more "hip" in a number of senses.

I would say I'm a casual fan, have the Greatest Hits and a couple of others. Just downloaded a Steve Earle bootleg with Bruce as a special guest the other day.

Funnily enough I would say Born in the USA is my least favourite "Boss" track, the synth sounds really crappy.

Anybody heard his original version of Pink Cadillac? It's good!

[daveofficer]

i'm partial to the boss.

[Shaki]

Originally Posted by DustyDeviada

Anybody heard his original version of Pink Cadillac? It's good!

Yeah, that's on "18 Tracks". It's quality. Buy Darkness on the Edge of Town.

Tunnel of Love is his best 80's album for me. The synth intro to the title track is a bit dodgy but every song in the album is a belting good un.

The Born to Run 30th Anniversary release is a must have for the "Making of" DVD. A mate of mihe thought he came across as arrogant but I just see him as one hard working perfectionist. I've never seen him live which is a must before I die (or more likely before he does)

For me he is the best storyteller of human desperation and hope all wrapped up in one.
I think that "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is his poorest offering songwise!

I've read quite a few books on him and must say that his music is much more interesting than his life story. I recommend "It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive" by Eric Alterman if you're interested. A basic biography detailing every album up to The ghost of Tom Joad. He also thinks Human Touch is poor.

His first 2 albums Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle are great. They have a much funkier element that any of his later stuff. Best songs are "Blinded by the Light", "Growin up" (there's a magic acoustic version on 18 Tracks), "Spirit in the Night", "The E Street Shuffle", "Incident on 57th Street" and "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)".

Then there was Born to Run which is unadulterated musical genius from start to finish. A true masterpiece. Then came Darkness on the Edge of Town which is also genius, "Racing in the Street" being one of the best songs lyrically of all time. The River is good but not one of my favourites, the second half is actually a bit boring. When you're in the mood for listening to Nebraska there is nothing more beautiful in the world. Raw emotion.


Born in the U.S.A. is his most commercially successful and you can imagine many people who own it (Reagan included?) wouldn't dig Darkness or Nebraska. The songs are really strong but if you're against 80's synth/pop production you may not see past this. The video and pop sound to "Dancing in the Dark" belie the lyrical content, as in "Born in the USA". I wouldn't have it any other way but I think he took some bad advice in the making of that album production and marketing wise. This is why people think he is shit. I remember reading an interview with Antony Costa from Blue on the release of his solo work where he claimed the rockin' guitar sound was as a result of his love for "good time American guitar boys like Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams". I guess this was the only album he'd heard. I still want to kill him.

Tunnel of Love was written when his first marriage was failing and this comes across in the themes of the songs. I took a while to come round to it but it is in my top 3 Springsteen albums now. Human Touch and Lucky Town can be ignored. The latter is a bit more gritty and has better songs but is still far from great. MTV Plugged is a quality live album but has too many Human Touch and Lucky Town songs on it. They sound a lot better on this than on the studio albums though. The opener "Red Headed Woman" is good light hearted fun.

The Ghost of Tom Joad is not as good as Nebraska but still a beautiful album. The title track doesn't lend itself well to rap/metal however.

The Rising is his answer to 9/11 and has some fantastic songs on it, mainly about the human element of the loss of lives. He tells the stories of the bereaved perfectly. His love of NYC and its people is obvious and this is the best E Street album since Darkness....

Devils & Dust is good. I've never managed to get properly into it though. The lyrics are wonderful but it just doesn't quite do it for me.

We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions is an absolute nailer if you like that sort of thing and proves that he is a master of 3 musical styles. The DVD you get with it is quality too.

I could go on but I don't think I'll ever make it as a music journalist and I'm needin my dinner.

BRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCEEEE

BUY DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN

[kirkt]

Originally Posted by Shaki

Yeah, that's on "18 Tracks". It's quality. Buy Darkness on the Edge of Town.

Tunnel of Love is his best 80's album for me. The synth intro to the title track is a bit dodgy but every song in the album is a belting good un.

The Born to Run 30th Anniversary release is a must have for the "Making of" DVD. A mate of mihe thought he came across as arrogant but I just see him as one hard working perfectionist. I've never seen him live which is a must before I die (or more likely before he does)

For me he is the best storyteller of human desperation and hope all wrapped up in one.
I think that "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is his poorest offering songwise!

I've read quite a few books on him and must say that his music is much more interesting than his life story. I recommend "It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive" by Eric Alterman if you're interested. A basic biography detailing every album up to The ghost of Tom Joad. He also thinks Human Touch is poor.

His first 2 albums Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle are great. They have a much funkier element that any of his later stuff. Best songs are "Blinded by the Light", "Growin up" (there's a magic acoustic version on 18 Tracks), "Spirit in the Night", "The E Street Shuffle", "Incident on 57th Street" and "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)".

Then there was Born to Run which is unadulterated musical genius from start to finish. A true masterpiece. Then came Darkness on the Edge of Town which is also genius, "Racing in the Street" being one of the best songs lyrically of all time. The River is good but not one of my favourites, the second half is actually a bit boring. When you're in the mood for listening to Nebraska there is nothing more beautiful in the world. Raw emotion.


Born in the U.S.A. is his most commercially successful and you can imagine many people who own it (Reagan included?) wouldn't dig Darkness or Nebraska. The songs are really strong but if you're against 80's synth/pop production you may not see past this. The video and pop sound to "Dancing in the Dark" belie the lyrical content, as in "Born in the USA". I wouldn't have it any other way but I think he took some bad advice in the making of that album production and marketing wise. This is why people think he is shit. I remember reading an interview with Antony Costa from Blue on the release of his solo work where he claimed the rockin' guitar sound was as a result of his love for "good time American guitar boys like Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams". I guess this was the only album he'd heard. I still want to kill him.

Tunnel of Love was written when his first marriage was failing and this comes across in the themes of the songs. I took a while to come round to it but it is in my top 3 Springsteen albums now. Human Touch and Lucky Town can be ignored. The latter is a bit more gritty and has better songs but is still far from great. MTV Plugged is a quality live album but has too many Human Touch and Lucky Town songs on it. They sound a lot better on this than on the studio albums though. The opener "Red Headed Woman" is good light hearted fun.

The Ghost of Tom Joad is not as good as Nebraska but still a beautiful album. The title track doesn't lend itself well to rap/metal however.

The Rising is his answer to 9/11 and has some fantastic songs on it, mainly about the human element of the loss of lives. He tells the stories of the bereaved perfectly. His love of NYC and its people is obvious and this is the best E Street album since Darkness....

Devils & Dust is good. I've never managed to get properly into it though. The lyrics are wonderful but it just doesn't quite do it for me.

We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions is an absolute nailer if you like that sort of thing and proves that he is a master of 3 musical styles. The DVD you get with it is quality too.

I could go on but I don't think I'll ever make it as a music journalist and I'm needin my dinner.

BRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCEEEE

BUY DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN

Haha that's an amazing post. I've had Darkness on the Edge of Town on vinyl since I was 13 but I've not listened to it in ages. I really need to dig it out again. I can see why many people associate Springsteen with the likes of Bryan Adams just because of born in the USA. Its really tragic.

I had a copy of the MTV Plugged on tape when I was about 11 but I'm not sure if I kept it. Atlantic City was my favourite song on it and then I realised that it was miles better on Nebraska.

I think The River is his most underrated album. Point Black is an absolutely amazing track.

Is 41 shots available on The Rising? That's one album I've yet to check out (or the 18 tracks CD for that matter).

Spot on about Born to Run. I've not yet got the re-mastered edition though...one day!

[Shaki]

Originally Posted by kirkt

Haha that's an amazing post. I've had Darkness on the Edge of Town on vinyl since I was 13 but I've not listened to it in ages. I really need to dig it out again. I can see why many people associate Springsteen with the likes of Bryan Adams just because of born in the USA. Its really tragic.

I had a copy of the MTV Plugged on tape when I was about 11 but I'm not sure if I kept it. Atlantic City was my favourite song on it and then I realised that it was miles better on Nebraska.

I think The River is his most underrated album. Point Black is an absolutely amazing track.

Is 41 shots available on The Rising? That's one album I've yet to check out (or the 18 tracks CD for that matter).

Spot on about Born to Run. I've not yet got the re-mastered edition though...one day!

"American Skin (41 Shots)" isn't on any studio albums. It's on the latest "best of" which is a double disc "Essential Bruce Springsteen" which I don't own (part-timer ). It's better on "Live in New York City"

18 Tracks is worth a look. Or if you're feeling flush get "tracks" (68 songs!).

The Band also do a great cover of Atlantic City on the album "Jericho".