Why do people who otherwise dislike Springsteen give "Nebraska" a pass?

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It happens all the time. But why?

― Amateurist (amateurist), Tuesday, 17 December 2002 23:50 (twenty-three years ago)

Because it rules.

― slutsky, Tuesday, 17 December 2002 23:56 (twenty-three years ago)

'cause his band, the way they sound, the way they're produced, sucks but his songs are pretty good. like DUH.

― doorag (lucylurex), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 00:09 (twenty-three years ago)

Subject me to "Hungry Heart", "Dancing in the Dark", "I'm on Fire", or "Born in the U.S.A." anyday over "Nebraska". I gave that album a chance, and now I want that 40 or so minutes back... please. The only good thing to come out of it was Refrigerator's cover of "State Trooper"

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 01:01 (twenty-three years ago)

Nebraska don't need no pass from nobody.

― Curt (cgould), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 01:26 (twenty-three years ago)

It's pretty obviously of a diferent genre than most Springsteen records, that genre being oh-so-dark authentic Folkie stuff. This being a genre which spawned the likes of Gillian Welch, I want no part of it, even though Nebraska's ok. I wonder what these folks you talk of think of the similar, but superior The Ghost Of Tom Joad, though...

― Daniel_Rf (Daniel_Rf), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 01:42 (twenty-three years ago)

ok i'll listen to it some time (never heard it)

― (doorag), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 01:57 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't dislike Springsteen, I'm just a little turned off by his image. Which is probably grossly unfair, I know. I have and like Nebraska, haven't listened in a while as my copy is MIA. (same with my copy of Loveless, incidentally - if you find them, please send them back to me!)

― Justyn Dillingham (Justyn Dillingham), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 06:19 (twenty-three years ago)

I think that's because Nebraska is considered his masterpiece; so they are probably a little hypocrites.

― Panagiotis Pileidis (Panagiotis Pileidis), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 06:47 (twenty-three years ago)

What is your impression of Springsteen's image?

― Amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 08:21 (twenty-three years ago)

interesting question. i quite enjoy nebraska, too, and i don't have much love for the rest of his production (with the odd exception, of course).
just as johnny cash's first rick rubin record, nebraska is cut down to the basic elements of vocal and guitar. no saxophones, cheesy keyboards or little steven. that sort of gives a chance to listeners who are repelled by springsteen's usually more dramatic 'knives-flashing-in-the-torchlight-kills-high-school-prom-king-turned-alcoholic-in-front-of-the-ol'-diner-in-the-smalltown'-kind of aesthetic.
i basically consider nebraska a folk record, not a usual bruce springsteen rock record, and that's why i like it, i guess.

― Jay K (Jay K), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 10:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Bruce Springsteen's OTT aesthetic is the good thing about him! I am suspicious of Nebraska for this reason but I like the song on the G Hits well enough so I'll probably buy it sometime.

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 13:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Vocals and guitar and harmonica, of course.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 18 December 2002 14:55 (twenty-three years ago)

well, forGIve me !!!! (i would have made a smiley here if i didn't hate them so much)

― Jay K (Jay K), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 15:15 (twenty-three years ago)

I don't mean this in a nasty way, but: who cares? If people don't like the Boss, sod their silly opinions of his individual records.

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 18 December 2002 15:24 (twenty-three years ago)

Sorry, Jay K, I'm just a music snob. Can't help it.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 18 December 2002 15:35 (twenty-three years ago)

I think that's because Nebraska is considered his masterpiece; so they are probably a little hypocrites.

Well, that's why I first got Nebraska, sure. I already had Born in the USA, which I picked up on the cheap. I hated the production but the songs seemed fine and it was mostly a nostalgia trip. I had low expectations for Nebraska, but I got it and, you know, it was terrific.

So I went out and picked up several more Bruuuuuce albums. Couldn't stand the sound on most of them, especially Born to Run. The first album was OK. I never got into Ghost of Tom Joad despite everyone's recommendations, but I probably should listen to it some more. I got a free ticket to see him live, and it was a really good show -- the man can arena rock -- even though he didn't do any of my favorite songs.

So, in short: I think doorag was OTM in his first post.

― Chris P (Chris P), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 18:58 (twenty-three years ago)

a good chuk of doorag's money seems well placed
but it doesn't cover the personal reason i happen to give Nebraska "a pass" -- 'Born in the USA' is not on Nebraska!

― t\'\'t (t''t), Wednesday, 18 December 2002 23:34 (twenty-three years ago)

What do you dislike about "Born in the USA"?

What about Bruce's bigger productions do people not like?

― Amateurist (amateurist), Thursday, 19 December 2002 17:22 (twenty-three years ago)

The horribly recorded/mixed drum sound, for starters. It's a snare, not a fucking howitzer.

― hstencil, Thursday, 19 December 2002 17:35 (twenty-three years ago)

IMHO...Bruce is lame, all of it. esspecially the E street band. all wankers. and the new? "the rising" is the audio equivalent to a bowel movement.

― chad (chad), Friday, 20 December 2002 03:24 (twenty-three years ago)

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