Bruce Springsteen – Nebraska
Overview
“Nebraska” released in 1982, is a notable departure from Bruce Springsteen’s usual rock sound, featuring stripped-down, acoustic songs recorded on a four-track cassette recorder. The album is known for its somber and introspective tone, tackling themes of despair, isolation, and the struggles of the American working class. Characterized by its raw simplicity and poignant storytelling, as evident in tracks like “Atlantic City” and “Highway Patrolman,” “Nebraska” is critically acclaimed and stands as one of Springsteen’s most powerful and influential works.
My Take
For me, Nebraska has always been a super personal record. It’s not the kind of album you fire up at a party. It’s just way too dark. I know he didn’t record this in Nebraska, but I always have this idea of Bruce in some Midwest hotel room, holed up for weeks on end, laying down the tracks on some shitty little Tascam 4-track recorder – and it all comes out just perfect. The weird part about this record is there really are no heroes or villains, just people, laid out in stark relief, no judgment, no glorification.
I really hope Penn and Quinn discover this someday. The Boss is a universe you explore and Nebraska (along with The Ghost of Tom Joad) has a unique place there.
– Eric
The Purchase
I picked this up online from the folks at VMP and I totally dig it. Their notes on this release..
“Nebraska, the massively influential 1982 album from Bruce Springsteen, is the VMP Essentials Record of the Month for October 2022. Celebrating the record’s 40th anniversary, our edition is half-speed mastered by Barry Grint at Alchemy Mastering at AIR and pressed on exclusive Black Smoke vinyl, with an art print by Justin A. McHugh.”
Overview
“Nebraska” is a stark, acoustic album by Bruce Springsteen, released in 1982. It represents a departure from his more polished, band-driven sound, offering instead raw, minimalist compositions recorded on a four-track cassette recorder. The album’s tone is somber and introspective, reflecting themes of despair, poverty, and isolation, mirroring the American landscape during economic and social hardships of the early 1980s.
Springsteen’s storytelling in “Nebraska” is poignant and gritty, painting vivid narratives of characters on the margins of society. The title track recounts the story of spree killer Charles Starkweather, setting the tone for the album’s exploration of the darker aspects of the American experience. Other notable tracks include “Atlantic City,” “Highway Patrolman,” and “Used Cars,” which delve into the struggles of everyday people facing moral dilemmas and economic hardships.
Critically acclaimed for its emotional depth and simplicity, “Nebraska” is considered one of Springsteen’s most powerful works. It’s a significant departure from his earlier E Street Band-backed anthems, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter and the breadth of his empathy for the human condition. The album has influenced numerous artists and is often cited for its raw, unfiltered approach to storytelling through music.
Track Listing
1. Nebraska – 4:32
2. Atlantic City – 3:56
3. Mansion on the Hill – 4:08
4. Johnny 99 – 3:43
5. Highway Patrolman – 5:40
6. State Trooper – 3:17
7. Used Cars – 3:10
8. Open All Night – 2:58
9. My Father’s House – 5:07
10. Reason to Believe – 4:11
Release Notes
Exclusive Retailer – Vinyl Me, Please
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Bruce Springsteen
Copyright © – Bruce Springsteen
Manufactured For – Vinyl Me, Please
Manufactured By – Sony Music Entertainment
Pressed By – GZ Media – 242071E
Mastered At – Alchemy Mastering
Mastered At – Atlantic Studios
Published By – Bruce Springsteen
Artwork [Art Print] – Justin A. McHugh
Design [Album Design] – Andrea Klein
Lacquer Cut By – Bazza*
Liner Notes [Listening Notes] – Peter Ames Carlin
Mastered By [Half-Speed Mastered By] – Barry Grint
Mastered By [Mastering Consultant (Masterdisk)] – Bob Ludwig
Mastered By [Mastering Consultant (Precision Lacquer)] – Steve Marcussen*
Mastered By [Original Album Credit] – Dennis King
Photography By – David Kennedy (10)
Recorded By – Mike Batlin
Words By, Music By – Bruce Springsteen
Packaged in gatefold tip-on jacket with record housed in anti-static sleeve.
Comes with an obi strip, an art print, and a listening notes booklet.
Hype sticker:
• 40th Anniversary Edition of Springsteen’s Haunting, Homespun Masterpiece
• Half-Speed Mastered by Barry Grint, Alchemy Mastering at AIR
• Pressed on Exclusive 180g Black Smoke Vinyl
• Listening Notes by Peter Ames Carlin; Art Print by Justin A. McHugh
© 1982, 2022 Bruce Springsteen. ℗ 1982 Bruce Springsteen. Manufactured for Vinyl Me, Please by Sony Music Entertainment, 25 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010-8601./”Columbia” and [logo] Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. Marca Registrada.
All words and music […] © 1982 Bruce Springsteen (ASCAP)
Recorded in New Jersey […] on a Teac Tascam Series 144 4-track cassette recorder
Mastered at Atlantic Studios […]
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, variant 1): 19658704921-A2 242071E1 1273320 BAZZA
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, variant 1): 19658704921-B2 242071E2 1286895
Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, variant 2): 19658704921-A2 242071E1 1336297 BAZZA
Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, variant 2): 19658704921-B2 1336295 242071E2
Rights Society: ASCAP
Critical Reception
“Nebraska,” Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 album, received widespread critical acclaim upon its release and has since been lauded as one of his most powerful works. Critics praised its stark, minimalist approach, a significant departure from Springsteen’s previous rock-oriented albums. The raw, acoustic nature of the recording, done on a simple 4-track cassette recorder, was highlighted for adding emotional depth and intimacy to the songs.
The album’s dark and somber narratives, focusing on the struggles and despair of everyday Americans, resonated with listeners and critics alike, especially during a time of economic hardship in the U.S. Tracks like “Atlantic City” and “Highway Patrolman” were singled out for their storytelling and lyrical prowess.
“Nebraska” is often cited for its influence on the genres of heartland rock and Americana. It paved the way for other artists to explore more stripped-down and introspective approaches in their music. Over the years, the album has not only maintained its critical standing but has also grown in esteem, now considered a seminal work in Springsteen’s catalog and in the broader landscape of American music.