Diminishing returns with the Boss.
Posted by: Malky on 18 January 2006
I've always admired Bruce rather than being a fan. However, at Xmas I received the Born To Run box set, which blew me away. It was one of those occasions when you just play it again and again for days.
Following a friends recommendation I then bought Darkness on the Edge of Town and Wild, Innocent and E Street Shuffle. I've played these through a few times but they just ain't doing it for me.
Maybe its the Spectoresque production of BTR, but it seems to be miles apart from the other two.
Was thinking of buying The River, but now I'm not so sure.
Following a friends recommendation I then bought Darkness on the Edge of Town and Wild, Innocent and E Street Shuffle. I've played these through a few times but they just ain't doing it for me.
Maybe its the Spectoresque production of BTR, but it seems to be miles apart from the other two.
Was thinking of buying The River, but now I'm not so sure.
Posted on: 18 January 2006 by Chris Kelly
Malky
"the River" was an excellent selection of songs on a double vinyl album but I always thought the sound was too thin. My CD copy is similar. A remaster is well overdue.
"the River" was an excellent selection of songs on a double vinyl album but I always thought the sound was too thin. My CD copy is similar. A remaster is well overdue.
Posted on: 18 January 2006 by PJT
The River is well worth a listen
Posted on: 19 January 2006 by stephenjohn
Nebraska, for the dark side. Won't do nothing for your Naim tho'
Posted on: 19 January 2006 by Squonk
The River would be a serious contender for my favourite album ever. It is where I started with Bruce and I am now well into a 26 year love affair with the (as far as I am concerned - many will disagree) the greatest rock musician ever.
Darkness on the Edge of Town is an excellent CD, but maybe one you may appreciate even more after having seeing tracks like Prove It All Night, Badlands, Darkness and Promised Land live.
I agree with the comment on The River being a bit thin, but I would not wait for a remaster (you will likely wait a long time) and go and buy some great rock and roll.
Darkness on the Edge of Town is an excellent CD, but maybe one you may appreciate even more after having seeing tracks like Prove It All Night, Badlands, Darkness and Promised Land live.
I agree with the comment on The River being a bit thin, but I would not wait for a remaster (you will likely wait a long time) and go and buy some great rock and roll.
Posted on: 19 January 2006 by Sicey
I have never really liked his rocky stuff but think his slow tracks like secret garden,Philadelphia,I'm on fire are excellent.
John
John
Posted on: 19 January 2006 by Wolf
I enjoyed him when he was hot on TV and radio tho never bought any of his albums, he was everywhere. His legend of playing till exhaustion by a friend that saw him at least twice gets my kudos. On one vinyl buying spree I noticed a copy of the River. It's really nice without being over the top. Wish I'd seen him live. Maybe I'd be more of a fan.
glenn
glenn
Posted on: 19 January 2006 by TomK
His first 2 (Greetings from Asbury Park and the Wild, the Innocent etc) are both very different from the rest but they're definitely worth persevering with. Some of his finest and bitterest lyrics are there (although on occasion he should have stopped a couple of verses before he did). I've been a fan since those early days and frankly it's been nice to grow up with him, seeing his change of style and mood over the years.
Every one of his albums has something to offer. I tend to neglect Born in the USA because it was his first mega seller and he changed from being a cult to a mega star. However there are some fabulous songs on it although I still don't care much for the title track. Over the years my favourite has changed many times but I keep going back to Born to Run. It was one of those albums that completely blew my mind the first time I heard it.
I'd suggest you give your other 2 albums a few more listens yet. They're both full of good stuff although the sound on Darkness is a real test of your preamp. It's only now I've got my 282 that it doesn't sound unbearably harsh.
Every one of his albums has something to offer. I tend to neglect Born in the USA because it was his first mega seller and he changed from being a cult to a mega star. However there are some fabulous songs on it although I still don't care much for the title track. Over the years my favourite has changed many times but I keep going back to Born to Run. It was one of those albums that completely blew my mind the first time I heard it.
I'd suggest you give your other 2 albums a few more listens yet. They're both full of good stuff although the sound on Darkness is a real test of your preamp. It's only now I've got my 282 that it doesn't sound unbearably harsh.
Posted on: 19 January 2006 by Rico
the river is a great album.
My favourite (although my bruce collection is not exhaustive) remains the tunnel of love. As well as being an excellent performer, he really is a very good songwriter, IMHO.
YMMV.
My favourite (although my bruce collection is not exhaustive) remains the tunnel of love. As well as being an excellent performer, he really is a very good songwriter, IMHO.
YMMV.
Posted on: 20 January 2006 by Naimed-In-NY
Having seen Bruce live 24 times and counting, I have to weigh in. First, in comparison to the remastered version of Born to Run, I can understand why one might find the other albums paling in comparison in terms of sound quality. Unfortunately, some of Bruce's best work is really poorly recorded, and I have not yet figured out why so many lesser-known and mediocre bands/singers have had their entire output remastered, while most of Bruce's albums are in the original, poor form. (Better Bruce recordings IMO are Tracks, Live in NYC, Essential Bruce Springsteen and The Rising.)
In terms of quality of his music, some love him, some don't. I can accept that. Most (but not all) Bruce die-hards that I know seem to have a particular love for Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town (which are my two favorite albums of all-time). Give Darkenss another chance if you have it. Darkness may lack some of the epic, better known Bruce songs (like Thunder Road, Born to Run and Jungleland), but song-for-song is excellent and has some truly great songs (that are even better live).
In terms of other Bruce albums, most die-hards love the first two albums (Greetings, Wild & Innocent), but they may be more of an acquired taste. Other Bruce albums that may be more "accessible" for newcomers are: Tunnel of Love, Nebraska and The Rising, although all three are very different from one another. Live in NYC may be a good album to pick up to get a nice overview of Bruce's music live. It is not a full concert, but a nice representation with better-than-average (for Bruce) sound quality. (I attended the last of the shows taped for that album and it was incredible.) The Essential Bruce Springsteen, which is not live, is a two-disk greatest hits package with a third disk of unreleased material (some good, some not so). This also is a nice overview, and some of the earlier material is remastered.
Mike
In terms of quality of his music, some love him, some don't. I can accept that. Most (but not all) Bruce die-hards that I know seem to have a particular love for Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town (which are my two favorite albums of all-time). Give Darkenss another chance if you have it. Darkness may lack some of the epic, better known Bruce songs (like Thunder Road, Born to Run and Jungleland), but song-for-song is excellent and has some truly great songs (that are even better live).
In terms of other Bruce albums, most die-hards love the first two albums (Greetings, Wild & Innocent), but they may be more of an acquired taste. Other Bruce albums that may be more "accessible" for newcomers are: Tunnel of Love, Nebraska and The Rising, although all three are very different from one another. Live in NYC may be a good album to pick up to get a nice overview of Bruce's music live. It is not a full concert, but a nice representation with better-than-average (for Bruce) sound quality. (I attended the last of the shows taped for that album and it was incredible.) The Essential Bruce Springsteen, which is not live, is a two-disk greatest hits package with a third disk of unreleased material (some good, some not so). This also is a nice overview, and some of the earlier material is remastered.
Mike
Posted on: 20 January 2006 by Malky
Hi Mike, it's not the recording quality (though the remastered BTR is superb). I just find it strange that I love that album but the other two I tried just didn't connect with me.I can fully appreciate why others rate them so highly and that the songs mean so much to people. Incidentally, I really like Bruce's image. He is possibly the least pretentious superstar in the world and his social conscience means he is unafraid to speak out about political issues.
My brother-in-law had all the albums and I remember liking what I heard of 'The River'. I won't be giving up just yet.
My brother-in-law had all the albums and I remember liking what I heard of 'The River'. I won't be giving up just yet.
Posted on: 20 January 2006 by stephenjohn
I can't compare to Mike, but I did buy Born To Run and all the other Bruce albums as they came out [only seen him once tho,' 85, good concert] I have found that Darkness has really lasted, better than most for me. Although I said it as a [hopefully] quippy one liner I meant what I said about Nebraska, I think there a few better songs, by anyone.
Stephen John
Stephen John