Happy New Bruce Album Day

At church this morning we had a short memorial for the four members who have died this year, in my head throughout I could hear Bruce singing 'I'll see you in my dreams' , it was lovely.

In the netherland of coming up out of a deep sleep, I finally realized what "Burning Train" reminded me of: Living Proof. Does anyone else hear that?

Any interpretations about Burning Train? I am still puzzling about the lyrics.

Woot, woot! Look what arrived yesterday!

The vinyl is gorgeous. Beautiful package, and the discs are black streaked with white. I’m sure it’s his nicest presentation ever. (Certainly the best one I own.)

I'm going to say it.

I'm finding the album disappointing.  😕

The opening and closing songs are both heartbreakingly lovely, and I loved "Letter To You" straight away. I love "Burning Train" as well.

But then .... oh dear.  I hate the Janey song and I've said enough about that elsewhere. "Last Man Standing" and "Power Of Prayer" sound almost exactly the same to me.  Some nice lyrics but the songs don't stand out. Same goes for "House Of A Thousand Guitars" which could have been much better.

"Rainmaker" is a pretty good song that's growing on me.

"Ghosts" - the music is great but the lyrics don't seem to be very well thought out.  Are the ghosts/spirits with Bruce, or is he on his own? Which is it?  And what's all that about coming home?  That seems to have strayed in from a different song.

I'm not a fan of early Bruce songs and find the wannabe Dylanesque word salad lyrics embarrassing - unless they have meaning.  "Song For Orphans" is sailing close to the wind, it's so derivative.  I like "If I Was The Priest" better, but I would like it more if Bruce could explain all the references, and what it means.   It needs to mean something, otherwise it's just a load of pretentious nonsense.

There, I've said it. 😟

Watching the documentary made me realize that these days Garry might just be my favorite. I remember being surprised to realize his commentary over the years has often seemed the most insightful (and funniest). And although he rarely gets a chance to really shine on his instrument, when they cut to him, he's often playing a much cooler and more intricate line than you'd have thought. (Also, having heard a few IEMs from his feed, he seems to play the root a whole lot less than I'd thought.)

I thought it was impossible for another album to move me in the way WS did when I first heard it - once again Bruce has proved me wrong. I just can't get enough of this one.

My favorite band member was and always will be - in memoriam - Danny. And there is something to be said for Garry, who usually gets overlooked, but his baseline is essential for many songs. I worry about Max because he has been seriously ill several times, and he does heavy physical work during the shows. Just the way he pays attention to Bruce is phenomenal, and to be on top of every tune Bruce calls is really a tall order.

So now I'm left to contemplate the larger than life Clarence, the professor, Stevie and Nils, and I couldn't do without any of them.

And yes. I was at a show when Jay was at the drums and it was a totally different feeling.

The E-Street Band is irreplacable, hasn't the new Album shown that? Having absorbed Jake and Charlie - and leaving a yearning for the old days while being thankful that the remaining members all still perform.

Gots to say after last night's listening party, Last Man Standing has grown on me, a lot. Didn't stand out to me at all last week but not last night, have seen a lot of comments praising this and now think I will be adding to them.

Indeed, have had a soft spot for them myself.

I always liked the professors. Right, @Kay ?

My favorite band member is Roy.

Max is definitely my favorite of the band members. That said, I saw them with Jay and was blown away. And he was only 19 at the time. Now he is in a different league than Max.

I got a spoiler for Christmas - I'm getting the vinyl.

I guess I'll be collecting the discography now in that format? 😁

My vinyl and CD will be here today. I feel complete.

I’ve often though that since Clarence and Danny passed, the most musically indispensable member of the band was Roy, but listening to the new album I now think it could be Max. I know the overall band sound is far greater than any of the individuals but Max’s contribution here is phenomenal.

I first noticed how vital he was on the WOAD tour when Jay stood in for a few shows. Jay did really well but I don’t think anyone could adequately replace Mighty Max.

@MagicRatAFC did your copy arrive from Badlands or do I have to go on the naughty step?

That sound, those riffs have swept me away. Usually the strength of an album for me lies in its lyrics, but this time the music takes precedence. I will unravel the lyrics in time ("Burning Train?"), but right now the sheer happiness about the tunes and the band performing with such power has me on a high. 🌝

I'm just so grateful. It's an unusual feeling for welcoming a rock record....

I‘ve listened to it four times and by now I would usually be cherry picking my favourites and swerving the ones I‘m not as keen on, but that‘s just not happening with this one as I love it all.

"THE HOLY GHOST IS THE HOST WITH THE MOST HE RUNS THE BURLESQUE SHOW!"

Sorry, just had to get that out this morning.

Three full listens so far. Outstanding tracks for me, at the moment, and subject to change are 'I'll see you in my dreams' - I wonder whether I will ever listen to this without shedding a tear, and 'Song for Orphans', the arrangement of which I think is stunning.

I really like Janey, but I find it very disturbing, especially the opening verse. Anyone else? Maybe more so if you are a woman? I know it's a song which has been around a good while, but I had never heard it previously.

I can't get House Of A Thousand Guitars out of my head right now. I love it more every time I hear it.

Hearing about that, @Brown Eyed Boy, made a stark way to end the day, and not at all what I wanted to write about, because I was filled with a total feeling of well-being and satisfaction after I finally got a chance to listen to the album.

Music - great, lyrics - meaningful and often multilayered, overall feeling- festive.

More tomorrow, after I listen again and again.

Excuse the self indulgence, but I learned of the, (probably unsuccessful), suicide attempt of a friend this morning just before I had to jump into the car to drive to play tennis. Turned the new album up loud, first verse, first song -

”One minute you‘re here

Next minute you’re gone”

Bruce, just how the fuck do you do it?

I’ll See You in My Dreams...beautiful piece to end this gem.

I’m gonna have to listen to this one a few dozen times alone to avoid crying in front of people.

I know it’s completely irrational, but a bunch of stuff from this album sounds like Bruce wrote directly to me.

On first impressions....the outstanding tracks for me are:

Rainmaker -The music gives a sense of foreboding. An example of when Bruce matches the story to the music perfectly.

If I Was the Priest - It was worth the wait. The young gun is now the veteran cowboy.

I'll See You In My Dreams. Landau had tears in his eyes now I do too. Once again Bruce produces music of staggering beauty.

Overall I would't describe the album as a masterpiece (yet), but it is damn good.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/oct/22/bruce-springsteen-letter-to-you-review?utm_term=0be5db33b8fe7546483903477d0b9878&utm_campaign=SleeveNotes&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=sleevenotes_email

Wanna be in the pit with ‘Ghosts’ filling my heart, tears rolling down my cheeks....

Have we all had the email offering us the chance to write a letter to Bruce?

Now, what to say...

Cranking it up right now sitting in my car.

For first time in a really long time I have a desire to really dig into a new album....from any artist.

Ghosts alone already had me lovin this album...everything else is gravy...but so far it’s the best fuckin gravy I’ve had in eons.

Burnin’ Train....hot damn.

Just the overall sound of the whole album...euphoric. Lyrics are grabbing me...all sorts of emotions shooting through me...happy mostly...sadness too.

Thanks Bruce...you’ve restored a little something in my old Rock n Roll heart that’s been missing for awhile.

I held out for the release date, so I can't make a comparison but this sounds pretty perfect to me.

Still waiting for the post man to arrive. For some reason, he is 2 h late today. At this point I am happy if he shows up at all. Any way, how is the sound quality compaired to the leaked mp3s?

First listen completed, exactly as I wanted it to be, on vinyl, lying on the sofa, beautiful lyric booklet in hand.

I liked every track, I'll see you in my dreams had be blubbing again. Second listen on its way.

2 p.m. and I'm still waiting. Amazon promised delivery today. They didn't say when, though.

Listened to some songs on youtube, but that's not the way it should be. Glenmorangie, earphones and peace is what's called for

A first for Badlands for me, no CD delivered.

Just as well I have the leaked version.

Seriously?????? My copy hasn't arrived yet...........Wow! Somebody is getting fired.

Unless (for older UK viewers) the song really references................

Fantastic album - just finished my first listen. The 70s songs are super, especially Janey. Have seen some critique of House of a Thousand Guitars but I loved it, alongside the other 11 tracks I don’t think there’s anything particularly ‘weak’ or ‘filler’. Can’t wait to listen again, but I really should get to work.....

So two things we've found out.

1) The lyrics in the booklet are not transcribed from Bruce's notepad.

2) The proofreader knows nothing about popular music.

I must beat to a different drum to other fans. Three of the songs I'm loving the most are the ones I've seen people here or elsewhere calling out as ones they don't like...namely, Burnin' Train, House Of A Thousand Guitars and Rainmaker.

Oh, and I know Song For Orphans is actually one of Bruce's early 70's Dylanesque lyric waterfalls, but that opening verse is easily readable as current commentary if you take the 'axis' to be America. It opens up the chorus also if you see that use of 'axis' similarly.

First listen complete. Really glad I held out to listen to it in decent sound quality.

Fantastic album, “I’ll See You In My Dreams” is dangerous, a double espresso helped but I don’t think I’ll ever hear that song without thinking about Jon Landau bursting into tears and consequently struggling not to do the same.

Ok, first listen done (and first drink gone). Yep, that last ten seconds of I'll See You In My Dreams has done me in again. Damn flies.

Magnificent. To begin with, I sort of wished I hadn't caved to the leak... but that was an MP3 on my little Bluetooth speaker. This is a different animal pouring out of my trusty stereo system speakers now.

Ok, let's pour another, press play again, and let the grace of Bruce Springsteen wash over us anew...

Still holding out for the vinyl, which is due to be delivered between 10 and 2 today so, fingers crossed, only 4 hours to wait...

My Vinyl and CD will not be here until Monday. But I have the leaked FLAC files and ALAC on my phone and iTunes. I just need to watch the movie tonight.

So many days of my youth with that wild anticipation of new music by one of my favorite artists. They are few and far between now. I miss that. We are blessed that Bruce is still making music at this high of a level in his 70's.

Enjoy it Boss ......Its a special day.

Tomorrow I'll be listening to a knock on the door from Amazon like a kid listens out for Santa on Christmas Eve.

I feel guilty now for listening to the leaked album....

One more sleep to go here too, but got the day off for Bruce day tomorrow.

Still one sleep to go here. As my mum used to say on Christmas Eve, the sooner you go to sleep the sooner Santa will be here...