Where to start with Bruce Springsteen?

PJ_Soul

mrussel1 said:

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.

True, but that said, originals always sound great, so if you can get one in good condition for less than a new pressing, get it. All about balancing expense with quality, and for someone like Springsteen, who had so many albums pressed, originals are often a good way to get quality sound for little money. I.e. On discogs, Darkness on the edge of town, original US pressing, for NM- copies, they are going for $8. I'd say in such a case, it would be a real waste of money to buy a reissue.

Croos1226

thanks mrussel1, newbury has some left over rsd stock and everything is 30% off today, so I may pick up a couple.

PJ_Soul

Croos1226 said:

thanks mrussel1, newbury has some left over rsd stock and everything is 30% off today, so I may pick up a couple.

Just check out discogs first. You might be able to get the same album, original pressing, for less than $10 (and the other day I got an NM- copy of Nebraska for $8) .... The current vinyl industry is mostly trying to rip us all off and take advantage (with the exception of when they reissue albums where the originals are going for crazy amounts of money. Good example from Newbury was the Modest Mouse reissues, but there are plenty of examples). If you always keep that in mind, you will never make bad buying decisions.

mrussel1

Croos1226 said:

thanks mrussel1, newbury has some left over rsd stock and everything is 30% off today, so I may pick up a couple.

I actually got my Nebraska as an RSD from Newbury.. Thanks for the tip on the 30%... I'm there.

Brisk.

Thanks a bunch everyone. I will start listening tomorrow.

DewieCox

Man, get Born To Run.

I'm just getting into Bruce and it's the one that's drawing me in the most. I've got Nebraska, Born..., and Greetings. All are solid and Nebraska is probably next after Born to Run, but that's just been my mood lately and my listening Windows have been more suited to mellowed stuff.

Brisk.

Tried to listen to Nebrasks today on the tube but was difficult as our trains are so noisy!!! I feel like I got through half of it and it was all acoustic. Sounded good though but maybe one for the home!

PJ_Soul

Brisk. said:

Tried to listen to Nebrasks today on the tube but was difficult as our trains are so noisy!!! I feel like I got through half of it and it was all acoustic. Sounded good though but maybe one for the home!

Lol, well then Darkness on the Edge of Town is probably better for your commute, lol. It's a lot heavier.

mrussel1

^^I've tried to listen to it on a plane a few times and can't hear squat on songs like Highway Patrolman, State Trooper, etc. Definitely one for the quiet room and 'active' listening..

2-feign-reluctance

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.

I've been so critical of Bruce over the years. Just an artist I couldn't get into. Going to give Nebraska a go per PJ Soul's rec. Thanks PJ!

2-feign-reluctance

Also, I should clarify that I have Devil's & Dust on CD and really like it. Maybe I've got issues with the E Street Band?

mrussel1

2-feign-reluctance said:

Also, I should clarify that I have Devil's & Dust on CD and really like it. Maybe I've got issues with the E Street Band?

Maybe the 'organized chaos' style of the E Street isn't your thing. Or maybe you like Brendan O'Brien who produced Devils...

2-feign-reluctance

mrussel1 said:

2-feign-reluctance said:

Also, I should clarify that I have Devil's & Dust on CD and really like it. Maybe I've got issues with the E Street Band?

Maybe the 'organized chaos' style of the E Street isn't your thing. Or maybe you like Brendan O'Brien who produced Devils...

I just figured it out. I like Bruce solo. Nebraska is outstanding. Just a few songs in. Digging it!

2-feign-reluctance

Wow, I've really missed out. Wow!

mrussel1

2-feign-reluctance said:

Wow, I've really missed out. Wow!

Every song is about a character from a different part of Americana.. it's a big, sweeping view of the country from the bottom.

Jason P

1
2
3
4!

Better Dan

2-feign-reluctance said:

Wow, I've really missed out. Wow!

Reason to Believe is one of my favorite Bruce songs. Also love State Trooper, Highway Patrolman, Johnny 99 and Atlantic City on that album. For the newbies, the story of Nebraska is this: The album was made using a 4 track cassette recorder at Springsteen's home. The tracks were intended as demos for an E-Street band album and many if not all of the songs were recorded with the full band, however Springsteen felt the raw sound of the recordings best fit the stories he was trying to tell.

The album before Nebraska was Bruce's first number 1 record in the USA so he took a big risk by releasing Nebraska the way he did. If you like the album check out it's one released outtake, Demo Version of Born in the USA, which is much better than the overplayed released one (in my opinion).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UBei3n4FOY

Better Dan

2-feign-reluctance said:

mrussel1 said:

2-feign-reluctance said:

Also, I should clarify that I have Devil's & Dust on CD and really like it. Maybe I've got issues with the E Street Band?

Maybe the 'organized chaos' style of the E Street isn't your thing. Or maybe you like Brendan O'Brien who produced Devils...

I just figured it out. I like Bruce solo. Nebraska is outstanding. Just a few songs in. Digging it!

Have you listened to Tunnel of Love? Some songs have a dated 80s style production, mainly Tunnel of Love and the synths on Tougher than the Rest, but it's really an outstanding album with great lyrics/stories that I think is closer to the spirit of Nebraska than his E-Street albums. May be his most underrated album. Highly recommended!

You may like some of the more stripped down songs on the River as well: Independence Day, The River (song), Price You Pay, Fade Away, Stolen Car, Drive all Night, and Wreck on the Highway are some great tunes.

mrussel1

Better Dan said:

2-feign-reluctance said:

mrussel1 said:

2-feign-reluctance said:

Also, I should clarify that I have Devil's & Dust on CD and really like it. Maybe I've got issues with the E Street Band?

Maybe the 'organized chaos' style of the E Street isn't your thing. Or maybe you like Brendan O'Brien who produced Devils...

I just figured it out. I like Bruce solo. Nebraska is outstanding. Just a few songs in. Digging it!

Have you listened to Tunnel of Love? Some songs have a dated 80s style production, mainly Tunnel of Love and the synths on Tougher than the Rest, but it's really an outstanding album with great lyrics/stories that I think is closer to the spirit of Nebraska than his E-Street albums. May be his most underrated album. Highly recommended!

You may like some of the more stripped down songs on the River as well: Independence Day, The River (song), Fade Away, Stolen Car, Drive all Night, and Wreck on the Highway are some great tunes.

I think "The River" has his best lyrics. Could be because I grew up in that type of area and lots of my friends went right into a union and then just sort disappeared into life.

PJ_Soul

2-feign-reluctance said:

Wow, I've really missed out. Wow!

Awesome, I'm so glad you're loving it!