Retire in Nebraska

Nebraska

Description

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve.

Hot on the heels of The River, his commercial breakthrough, Springsteen's decision to release the stark, demo-quality Nebraska seems downright perverse. But the genius of the album is unmistakable--with just an acoustic guitar and his howling harmonica to back him, Springsteen tells the stories of characters walking on both sides of the law, some of them directly on the line in between. The effect is that of a powerful series of black-and-white photographs--the details are bleak in and of themselves, but they ignite the imagination in ways that are more satisfying than full-color shots would be. "Mansion on the Hill," "Highway Patrolman," "Atlantic City," and the frightening "Nebraska" are among the most sharply rendered and memorable works of Springsteen's career. --Daniel Durchholz

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-27
Summary: "Uncut magazine story on this album, as I remember it :-)."

Sometime in the 2000's Uncut magazine once devoted the cover and the main story to Bruce and the making of this album. As noted in other reviews, this album was recorded at home on a cassette using a 4-track machine (apparently in a single, 4 hour session including two other songs that would appear in BitUSA) and the intention was that this recording would serve as a demo to later record full band versions of the songs. The songs got the full-band treatment but Bruce and Jon Landau agreed that the tape had a special feeling to it that got lost in the newer versions and in a very brave move they decided to release the original versions, hence the particular sound of this album that IMHO conveys very well the intentions and meaning of the songs. A note on the sound: a few years after it's original release, while mastering the CD version of the album, the engineer in charge found big challenges given the very low level and high hiss of the original tape so this is one example of an album that NEEDS to be heard on vinyl.

Reading a local business oriented newspaper in 2002 I came across a review of this album by their music critic, he began by saying: "Nebraska, one or rock's perfect albums...". In a sense I agree, it is rock and roll, the stories have an universal appeal and it's sound make it ageless.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-22
Summary: "Pure, Timeless Classic , American masterpiece"

I will not ramble on so everyone will think I am clever. I will simply say this is magnificent from beginning to end. This was a landmark album and the songs have influenced and been covered by everyone from Johnny Cash to U2.
It's the Boss stripped down to his bare essence and highlighting what he does best, story telling. It's an American music masterpiece, pure and simple. I love to listen to this when I drive, windows open, and just cruise. No matter where you are or what your circumstances, whether you are high or low, this album never fails to hit the spot and you simply feel the better for having listened.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-07-26
Summary: "Mansion on the Hill"

Bruce fans are often divided as to how they like Bruce. There are the fans that like the Rockin Bruce complete with the bells and whistles of the E street band, and there are fans who prefer Bruce with just him and his guitar. I am one of the latter. It's the more subtle Bruce I find mesmerizing, the beauty of his simplicity.

The whole album is a masterpiece. But "Mansion on the Hill" is the real diamond of the set.

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Rating: 3 / 5
Date: 2010-05-03
Summary: "An okay album if you are used to Springsteen's louder, more rock and roll albums"

Nebraska (in my opinion) is an okay album at best, if you are used to Springsteen's louder, more rock and roll albums such as Born in the U.S.A. and The Rising. The best song this album in my opinion is Atlantic City. Overall, I recommend that if you are used to Springsteen's louder, more rock and roll albums that you choose whether or not you want to buy it - I didn't like this album enough to do so. If you are a fan of Springsteen's quieter albums, then I do recommend you buy this one.

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Rating: 3 / 5
Date: 2010-04-18
Summary: "Springsteen's Pizza Tapes ???"

Let me preface by stating that I'm not a hugh Springsteen fan. But based on the high ratings by obviously bigger fans, I got a steal on this CD (Sony/BMS Japan 2005 version) at Half Price Books for $7. Nebraska is clearly not mainstream for a casual fan like me. Sound quality is marginal given that it was recorded on a 4-track cassette recorder. Lyrics are heavy, music is Bruce up close and personal (mostly accoustic). I give a 3-star rating out of professional courtesy until this one has a chance to soak in...I wonder what kind of pizza he ordered.