Bruce Springsteen - Classic or Dud ?

fall '04

Closer to 30. Tunnel of Love has some questionable decisions too.

love that production actually

Yeah, it might be '80s cheese, but the arrangements are so spare that it doesn't really smother the record.

Is Springsteen the only major stadium-level act with an explicitly political stance? Anyway, the guy's lefty credentials are being overstated a little, Alfred: Kerry was the first president he'd ever endorsed, which is more than you could say for Neil Young and Prince.

Springsteen's politics were never in doubt. When Reagan won in '80 he said during an Election Day concert, "I don't know about you, but the results frightened me."

Silly argument. They were never in doubt to you, maybe, but they long toed ambiguity. I mean, "Darkness," his "angriest" record, came out in 1978. Was that his response to, what, the Ford administration? It's just a vague expression of frustration. Even the alleged politics of "Nebraska" are sort of nebulous.

Landau did famously politicize him, but even all these years later I wouldn't be surprised if a huge segment of his fanbase either has no idea of his politics or disagrees with him. Which is why I say he still has some potential to influence the debate: his audience isn't exactly homogenous, politically. I mean, Springsteen and Pearl Jam are the only two big acts I've seen booed for something they said from stage. But Springsteen, unlike Pearl Jam, more actively courts mainstream attention, which at least sets the stage for a bit of frisson. Whether a mere boomer act has the power to do that, I'm not so naive as to believe that. But I do believe Springsteen has a greater potential to do that than, say, Dylan, the ur-boomer protest singer.

you know what bruce doesn't get enough credit for? not acting in horrible movies. he has never really diluted the brand. and you gotta figute people have pitched him scripts for decades. and offered him tons of money. "you play a magical drifter from the 1930's..." luckily michael pare was around to take up the slack in the 80's. plus, bruce has the perfect dimensions for the movies. short with a big head. kudos to you, bruce!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZE7OchG3DY

he has made a lot of unfortunate decisions over the years, it's true

yeah but that was just silly in high fidelity. i mean "acting".

lotsa springsteen fans have no prob w/ cognitive dissonance on the politics see: gov christie

I've been long thankful that he has (I think!?) always said no to what I'm sure is a steady stream of people looking to make BitUSA into a cash cow musical.

"Working on the Highway" is just begging for the BIG DANCE NUMBER treatment

see and the funny thing is i think he would be better in movies than 90% of musicians. he's a good actor on stage. totally charismatic, riveting, etc. good speaking voice. strong face and big head. i would watch him in movies. or even if he reprised walker texas ranger. the fact that he hasn't done it, despite the fact that he could probably get a $$$$$$$$ movie made with one phone call says a lot about the dude.

The video for "I'm On Fire" should've been feature length.

xpost yeah Bruce is undeniable on stage, even now. I've seen him twice in the last 10 years, and both times really surprised by the energy level, and how even in a big venue he can make it seem like a tiny club. Dude has charisma for days.

Springsteen and Pearl Jam are the only two big acts I've seen booed for something they said from stage

Crosby Stills Nash and Young did a tour during the height of the Iraq war that was a hell of a lot more overtly political than anything Bruce or PJ has done. There was a pretty cool documentary about it.

CSN hasbeen holdovers from the heyday of protest. Their only claim to relevance - aside from the occasional assist from Young - has been a connection to that bygone era. Springsteen and certainly PJ don't have "the '60s, maaaan" to fall back on, but to say neither of them has done anything political on par with touring during the Iraq war is nonsense.

also C and S (and sometimes Y) are genuine article Insane People

New Boss album features a buncha samples. Lyn Collins, Alabama Sacred Harp Players ...

Some good quotes from a European press conference:

"There is a feeling of patriotism underneath... in my best music, but at the same time, it's a very critical, questioning, often angry sort of patriotism. That's not something that I'm prepared to give up for fear that someone might simplify what I'm saying.... My work has always been about judging the distance between American reality and the American dream. How far is that at any given moment?"

"I never campaigned for politicians previous to John Kerry and at that moment it was such a blatant disaster occurring at the top of government, you felt that if you had any cachet whatsoever, you had to cash it in because you couldn't sit around and watch it.... I'm not a professional campaigner and every four years I don't think that I'm going to go and pick a guy and go after him. I prefer to stay on the sidelines. I genuinely believe an artist (is) supposed to be the canary in the coalmine, and you're better off with a certain distance from the seat of power."

don't really understand how N did it all those years. money is one thing, but, ehhhh....

x-post

For a guy who used to be kind of shy offstage, sort of, he's become a well-spoken, introspective, thoughtful dude.

lyn collins! if bruce goes baltimore club....

i don't know if i'm more excited by mention of lyn collins or sacred harp (and then disappointed bc it's going to blow no matter what)

Oh, yeah, lower expectations.

Actually, in this album's defense, there are few tracks that won't kill live.

how's the studio "land of hope and dreams"?

i mean maybe you don't know, couldn't tell from that post if you had actually heard it or what

I have. It's a highlight.

is the production and mastering on this one as dreadful as the previous album's?

Yes - that battle may be lost. But it sounds pretty good on a stereo, an improvement over the last couple.

i could literally not bear to listen to that last album. like a horrible ringing in my ears.

well that and "lonesome pete" or whatever the lead-off track was. jesus h. christ.

After Broadway week ends, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon will pay tribute to Bruce Springsteen during the week of Feb. 27.

In support of Springsteen's new album, Wrecking Ball, the NBC late-night show will have its musical guests perform select songs from his catalogue. Springsteen, along with the E Street Band, will drop by Monday, Feb. 27 with two performances before capping off the week on Friday, March 2, with an interview segment and several songs.

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, Kenny Chesney will perform "I'm on Fire," from Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A. CD. Chesney covered the song for his album, When the Sun Goes Down, released in 2004.

Elvis Costello will perform "Brilliant Disguise" with The Roots on Thursday, March 1.

outlaw pete is a great song fyiud

WAIT, iatee, you're from california, right?

yesm why

Shakey Mo advanced a theory on ilx today that californians just don't get/don't like springsteen but you are my counterevidence!

yeah I mean californians are normal people for the most part

I have never understood Springsteen fandom. Dude is the musical equivalent of the color beige to me.

^^^

I just write it off as some east coast thing. I don't know anyone born in California who gives a shit about Bruce.

― Artful Dodderer (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, February 24, 2012 11:30 AM (8 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

oh yeah I missed that the first time cause I was reading ilx w/ special glasses that filter out total bs

springsteen could sell out a stadium in sf

Californians are really into Human Touch/Lucky Town, his slick LA studio musician albums

but to say neither of them has done anything political on par with touring during the Iraq war is nonsense.
― Josh in Chicago,

Stick with your midwest heartland rockers man. I'm here in Jersey....I'm living it man.

just how many Californians does Shakey know exactly

Only the ones with individual utility meters.

ha

When's Bruce gonna do his Crazy Horse album, that's what I want to know.

Figures the Californian would like "Outlaw Pete."

i moved to california specifically because i never cared for bruce

would love springsteen to cover papa don't preach

― buzza, Friday, January 13, 2012 11:09 PM