Where to start with Bruce Springsteen?

Brisk.
Brisk. Posts: 11,578
Where to start with Bruce Springsteen?

And go..
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Comments

  • RobbyD462
    RobbyD462 Victoria BC Posts: 4,812
    Just started recently and I went
    Born in the USA
    Born to Run
    The River
    I'm still progressing I'm thinking Nebraska next.
    Very talented song writer!
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  • red mos
    red mos Posts: 4,953
    edited April 2016
    I'd get the essential Bruce springsteen to start off. Gives you a really nice overview.
    For albums:
    Greatings from asbury park
    Nebraska
    Born to run
    Born in the USA
    The river
    Some later works:
    I really liked
    Magic
    Wrecking ball
    High hopes (Tom Morello) plays on this album.
    Post edited by red mos on
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  • Zod
    Zod Posts: 10,909
    My favourites are Nebraska, Born in the USA, Darkness on the Edge of Town, and the Rising.
  • SVRDhand13
    SVRDhand13 Posts: 27,009
    Nebraska and Darkness are my two favorites but I'd suggest starting with Born to Run.
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  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,717
    I think you should start with Nebraska.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,888
    Ahh... Bruce. Nebraska is a wonderful place to start. But in some ways that's sort of like giving someone Yield to learn PJ. Will they appreciate it right off the bat? Maybe, maybe not.

    If Bruce lived in the 19th century, we would have studied him in school, like Emerson and Thoreau. Our great grandchildren may study Bruce and Bob as examples of late 20th century poetry. The man is the best storyteller in rock history, IMO. Neil is a great songwriter, but Bruce is the ultimate storyteller.
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,717
    I actually said Nebraska specifically because I think someone new to Springsteen would appreciate it the most and it would act as a good lead-in album (so it's like giving someone Vs., not Yield, lol ;) ). I think it is the most accessible album of his (as well as the best). I find most of his other albums are the ones that would need more warming up to.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,888
    PJ_Soul said:

    I actually said Nebraska specifically because I think someone new to Springsteen would appreciate it the most and it would act as a good lead-in album (so it's like giving someone Vs., not Yield, lol ;) ). I think it is the most accessible album of his (as well as the best). I find most of his other albums are the ones that would need more warming up to.

    That is an interesting take. I always thought because it was straight acoustic, you'd have to understand the depth of his lyrics to appreciate it, once you get past Atlantic City. I always thought Greetings, Born to Run or even Born in the USA, full of his pop hits, would be the starter package.

    Either way, I agree that Nebraska is a masterpiece. It was the first record I bought when I got into vinyl.
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,717
    edited April 2016
    mrussel1 said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    I actually said Nebraska specifically because I think someone new to Springsteen would appreciate it the most and it would act as a good lead-in album (so it's like giving someone Vs., not Yield, lol ;) ). I think it is the most accessible album of his (as well as the best). I find most of his other albums are the ones that would need more warming up to.

    That is an interesting take. I always thought because it was straight acoustic, you'd have to understand the depth of his lyrics to appreciate it, once you get past Atlantic City. I always thought Greetings, Born to Run or even Born in the USA, full of his pop hits, would be the starter package.

    Either way, I agree that Nebraska is a masterpiece. It was the first record I bought when I got into vinyl.
    I think that if it were still the 1980s you'd be right. But now, I think the very 70s-ness and 80s-ness of those albums are what might turn a new listener off until they got deeper into what he's all about (especially born in the USA) .... Nebraska seems more timeless to me compared to those other albums, hence, more appealing to a modern new listener who is just learning his stuff. :)
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,888
    PJ_Soul said:

    mrussel1 said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    I actually said Nebraska specifically because I think someone new to Springsteen would appreciate it the most and it would act as a good lead-in album (so it's like giving someone Vs., not Yield, lol ;) ). I think it is the most accessible album of his (as well as the best). I find most of his other albums are the ones that would need more warming up to.

    That is an interesting take. I always thought because it was straight acoustic, you'd have to understand the depth of his lyrics to appreciate it, once you get past Atlantic City. I always thought Greetings, Born to Run or even Born in the USA, full of his pop hits, would be the starter package.

    Either way, I agree that Nebraska is a masterpiece. It was the first record I bought when I got into vinyl.
    I think that if it were still the 1980s you'd be right. But now, I think the very 70s-ness and 80s-ness of those albums are what might turn a new listener off until they got deeper into what he's all about (especially born in the USA) .... Nebraska seems more timeless to me compared to those other albums, hence, more appealing to a modern new listener who is just learning his stuff. :)
    Agree and excellent point. They do sound a bit dated. Acoustic never does.
  • RobbyD462
    RobbyD462 Victoria BC Posts: 4,812
    mrussel1 said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    mrussel1 said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    I actually said Nebraska specifically because I think someone new to Springsteen would appreciate it the most and it would act as a good lead-in album (so it's like giving someone Vs., not Yield, lol ;) ). I think it is the most accessible album of his (as well as the best). I find most of his other albums are the ones that would need more warming up to.

    That is an interesting take. I always thought because it was straight acoustic, you'd have to understand the depth of his lyrics to appreciate it, once you get past Atlantic City. I always thought Greetings, Born to Run or even Born in the USA, full of his pop hits, would be the starter package.

    Either way, I agree that Nebraska is a masterpiece. It was the first record I bought when I got into vinyl.
    I think that if it were still the 1980s you'd be right. But now, I think the very 70s-ness and 80s-ness of those albums are what might turn a new listener off until they got deeper into what he's all about (especially born in the USA) .... Nebraska seems more timeless to me compared to those other albums, hence, more appealing to a modern new listener who is just learning his stuff. :)
    Agree and excellent point. They do sound a bit dated. Acoustic never does.
    Sold,I'm going to buy Nebraska on vinyl!
    -Seattle,Wash-Key Arena-9/21/9 -Vancouver,B.C-Rogers Arena-12/4/13 -Vancouver,BC-Rogers Arena-5/6/24
    -Seattle,Wash-Key Arena-9/22/9 -Pemberton,B.C-7/17/16
    -Vancouver,B.C-GM Place -9/25/9 -Seattle,Wash-Safeco Field-8/8/18
    -Vancouver,B.C-Pacific Coliseum-9/25/11 -Seattle,Wash-Safeco Field-8/10/18
    -Misoula,MT-Adams Field House-9/30/12 -Vancouver,BC-Rogers Arena-5/4/24

  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,717
    ^^ Sweet! You inspired me. I just grabbed a copy off of discogs myself. :)
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,888
    PJ_Soul said:

    ^^ Sweet! You inspired me. I just grabbed a copy off of discogs myself. :)

    You guys are vinyl maniacs... If I can make a non-Bruce suggestion, but if you're into acoustic... Neil Young at Massey Hall may just be both the highest quality vinyl and the best live show I own (cd, flac, vinyl). I promise you will not be disappointed if you don't already own it. It was recorded right before Harvest was released. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Neil-Young-Live-At-Massey-Hall-Vinyl-New-/131753592031?hash=item1ead2044df:g:cXgAAOSwewJTmz8Y
  • shecky
    shecky San Francisco Posts: 2,778
    Brisk. said:

    Where to start with Bruce Springsteen?

    And go..

    The beginning.
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,717
    edited April 2016
    mrussel1 said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    ^^ Sweet! You inspired me. I just grabbed a copy off of discogs myself. :)

    You guys are vinyl maniacs... If I can make a non-Bruce suggestion, but if you're into acoustic... Neil Young at Massey Hall may just be both the highest quality vinyl and the best live show I own (cd, flac, vinyl). I promise you will not be disappointed if you don't already own it. It was recorded right before Harvest was released. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Neil-Young-Live-At-Massey-Hall-Vinyl-New-/131753592031?hash=item1ead2044df:g:cXgAAOSwewJTmz8Y
    Oooh, yes, that is an amazing album! And I have read that that might be his best vinyl, sound quality wise. And that is saying a LOT, because Neil Young's vinyl is always the best quality you can buy. That album is actually sitting in my Amazon wishlist... along with like 20 other albums, lol. That's the problem. ;) It will definitely end up in my collection sooner or later. No rush on it just because I already have a shitload of Neil Young albums, and I like to focus on variety. But one day. :)
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Mignelli14
    Mignelli14 Posts: 626
    edited April 2016
    On each of his albums there are great songs that alternate being my favourite Bruce song and there are songs I don't like at all. Don't be afraid to sample randomly! And if you don't like a particular song, try something else - Greetings sounds hella different than Nebraska which sounds hella different than The Rising.
    Also skimming here I didn't see anyone mention Tunnel of Love which I know some people who say they think that's his best album. Brilliant Disguise is probably my top Bruce song atm. Also - check out Tracks, his unreleased and B-side album - dynamite songs in there including Thundercrack, one of my all time favourite songs!
    Post edited by Mignelli14 on
  • Better Dan
    Better Dan Posts: 5,684
    I'd start with Darkness on the Edge of Town - My favorite Bruce record and doesn't sound dated at all to my ears. After that go with Born to Run and Nebraska.

    After that, in any order discover the greatness of:

    The River
    The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle
    Born in the USA
    Rising
    Magic
    Tunnel of Love

    and go on from there. These albums are all very different, and some took me a while to get into and there were others I loved right away. These 9 albums feature Bruce at his best, in my opinion although I do love much of his other stuff as well. And many of his outtakes are better than songs on his records, but you'll get there eventually :)

    Human Touch and Ghost of Tom Joad are my least favorite Bruce records and I may have only gotten through them from beginning to end once. Tom Joad has great lyrics, but is very difficult for me to sit through. I would recommend these last, and only if you insist :)





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  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,717

    I'd start with Darkness on the Edge of Town - My favorite Bruce record and doesn't sound dated at all to my ears. After that go with Born to Run and Nebraska.

    After that, in any order discover the greatness of:

    The River
    The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle
    Born in the USA
    Rising
    Magic
    Tunnel of Love

    and go on from there. These albums are all very different, and some took me a while to get into and there were others I loved right away. These 9 albums feature Bruce at his best, in my opinion although I do love much of his other stuff as well. And many of his outtakes are better than songs on his records, but you'll get there eventually :)

    Human Touch and Ghost of Tom Joad are my least favorite Bruce records and I may have only gotten through them from beginning to end once. Tom Joad has great lyrics, but is very difficult for me to sit through. I would recommend these last, and only if you insist :)





    You're right, Darkness On The Edge Of Town would be another good option (my second fave Springsteen album :) ).
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Croos1226
    Croos1226 philly burbs Posts: 346
    anyone know if the recent reissues sound any good or is it worth trying to find original pressings?
  • mrussel1
    mrussel1 Posts: 30,888
    Croos1226 said:

    anyone know if the recent reissues sound any good or is it worth trying to find original pressings?

    They are very good. I don't have them all, but the ones I have are good. They have changed the side 1/2 on a few of them to prevent loss of quality in the inner groove. Purists don't like it, audiophiles do.