I feel better after seeing the Accountant's and Mario's latest rankings regarding my coolness to Janey Needs A Shooter. By some margin, for me the least of the old songs. It's ok, but nothing really exciting. I like Priest a lot and Orphans quite a bit. Actually, Orphans more and more where if you substitute "America" for wherever Bruce uses "axis" it becomes a whole different thing.
Mind you, my judgement is probably suspect at best because I like House Of A Thousand Guitars. A lot. In a return tribute, it's like a day after hangover to any number of Jim Steinman songs.
I have just been watching Breakfast on BBC TV and for the first time made a complaint about accuracy.
Not on politics or anything but on Bruce. Kylie Minogue has just achieved the feat of five number one albums in five separate decades the first female to do so. After the item it was stated that Paul McCartney was the only other one (though not soloi). THEY DID NOT MENTION BRUCE!
So, why didn't the Beeb mention Bruce's achievement? 😪
Now I have stopped playing the album all the way through I am mostly going to Burnin' Train, IIWTP and ISYIMD. Also regulars are Ghosts, Rainmaker, SFO and TPOP. As you see I am already using just the initials due to familiarity and bone idleness.
Yes, too many long song titles on this album. I encourage use of initials so we all get used to it, because we all eventually will be doing the same. We need to get to the point where we are so familiar with the initials version that we don't need to think.... I mean, I know instantly what is referenced by WOAD, DOTEOT, WIESS etc. from long time use.
Rainmaker strikes me as being loosely influenced musically by Native American/tribal music, much like Worlds Apart was - again, loosely - influenced by Middle Eastern music, I can kind of imagine John Trudell doing this one.
But, since I really don't have a clue - can anyone say something about this?
The only two references I have to Bruce concerning Native Americans, is an interview with one of the Amnesty tour organisers in 1988, who said Bruce asked him towo questions before agreeing to join; one question was regarding Native Americans. The other reference, is Alan Vega of Suicide, who said that the Reason To Believe on the D&D tour had a real Native American vibe to it.
Bruce Springsteen is sending us a letter we had previously already received
I have the most fun when I read phrases about Bruce Springsteen’s new album, such as the one that the famous American rocker presents one of his most intimate song collections. The problem is twofold. The first is that Springsteen is already on his twentieth album with the work Letter to You. Other, however, is that all of his nineteen so far could not be more intimate than they are. In addition to being a great showman, a good singer, and an even more skillful songwriter, Bruce Springsteen is also a composer and even a poet. Because he composes his verses in simple terms or words, it is not difficult to understand him. After all, he has been grinding the same parables for half a century. The train, the guitar, the boots, the jeans, the bar, the view (across, over, far away, into it, behind it, etc.) and the memory of home and, his favorite, coming home are the confessional pillars on which Letter to You is also fortified. Nothing new in this regard. Train, by the way, is the third word Springsteen utters in the first piece on this new collection, the third piece on the same is called Burnin ’Train. Springsteen's reflections are apolitical and could be described as love songs. But nothing special or distinct about them. The seniors remain timidly unarticulated and a little confused. The legendary messenger of white working-class America does just as much. This old-fashioned call from the album Letter to You is supported by terrible music. After six years, the Boss called his E Street Band again, which is no longer helpful. All we hear is a rough guitar blast and a predominantly Springsteen's screams. The only special one seems to be the song House of a Thousand Guitars. At last year’s Western Stars album, the rocker’s characteristically wheezing voice was extremely likably polished. After all, all his songs presented last year were softly reduced. But that was Springsteen’s solo swing. Ops, even there is a third consecutive light-rail piece, namely Tuscon Train. Even now, I like his Downbound Train the most of all the trains. Anyway, Bruce Springsteen’s sense of balanced construction of musically thoughtful and lyrically comprehensive albums has not left him. The Boss has written too many songs, and these are more or less the same. The dilemma that a great musician has is just what kind of sound image he will give them. And here we run into the most intimate dilemma of the musician’s being, character, and work. Should the Springsteen Inc. punch, that is, hyper-produce, go on, and on? Or, however, production should rather remain more boutique, more intimate? The corporation decided: let him work, let him work. And the worshipers agree. All is good.
@Tom Joad I would love to have been able to listen to this album without the prejudice of being a life long fan. I do admit to being biased and clearly, I understand that I can't produce an objective review. Even though I don't believe everything on this record is perfect, I get sucked up emotionally, and then it's bye-bye logic for me.
This record hit me on an odd day. A family freind passed away during the night the day before this record hit the internet. Oddly, it came in perfect FLAC lossless quality, I had just heard of the friends passing. Her fight, her strength as she passed into the ether. We have people around us and then we don't. No more smiles or what could have been. It is gone, and it feels like the end. All of these days do. Amidst a death filled virus. The crushing hand of fate. It has been here since I was conscious. The week I have had with "Letter to You" has been engulfed in loss. I am aware of my feelings and this feeling of loss is a hurricane. I cannot separate the loss from it's music. Once again my hero is speaking to me. I am in fear of my own end. To be gone would be one answer. The other answer is found on this albums 12 tracks. The end is there at the beginning. Death is not the end....
I am surrounded by sacred things....I am in the garden with my grandparents, my Mother, my friends. We will meet again. But now I am earthbound...It is through art where the answers come. This Springsteen guy has been here since I was small and it is the magic of it that finds me and serves me. He knows me where I live. I read his words and it all makes sense.
The album opens with seeing the loss and feeling it. Walking hand in hand at an Autumnal fair on the boardwalk. It reminds me of the county fair where our hero came to grips with his mental illness. I can smell it, feel it and live it. I was once in a recovery meeting where I fell to my feet, fearful to accept the truth of this loss. It's just a kiss away. Accept it, or get drunk or drug it away. These truths are self evident. This song sets the stage for the road to acceptance.
Letter to you is deceptively beautiful. Again, the band lights him up. I cannot imagine what it must be like to steer that train, as it burns down the rails. That tool he holds in his pocket. He tells us his truth and walking through the rain and to surrender to his gift. We have our own. We will not stand in front of 20,000 people. We will do our work. This is where life is lived.
Burning Train will open a show we will attend at some time. I can feel being inside the crowd as he shows us his magic trick. This band is on fire as it burns down the tracks. I look forward to one day be in it again.
"With our shared faith
Rising dark and decayed
Take me and shake me from this mortal cage"
Faith in this life to be alive, Faith that we shall overcome.
Janey, where do I begin with Janey?? She's broken but at who's hand? We in a community see her falling. She could be in Point Blank, or Shes the girl in Price you Pay. She is real to me. I used to know a girl so broken like her. I got caught in her broken pieces. I am the singer and I mourn for her.
"He provides consolation and he hears her confession at any time
In the pages of his Bible he holds from what Janey hides
And with her doors open wide she begs, "Come inside"
But he's been frozen so long on the outside"
I lost her. But I got straight soon after...That record is the bedrock of my Springsteen fascination, that dirty cassette tape from when they were young lions. Now, older and clearer, thay attack this song unlike anything in his cannon. I know it's a reminder that we can all shine like this. I thank him for doing it. That hypnotic going over the chorus at the end. My god, the power of E Street and the shared value of caring for those lost in the mire. How he wishes to save her in some way. Its hard to let go and his repetition is a tool to express the obsession. I wish the song ended as it did in the tape from my youth. But fading is part of growing old so it works here.
Last Man Standing is where the work begins. It is so close that it scares me. Those memories of being young and wild. Taking that crowd on the mystery ride. We are surrounded by these sacred things. They bring us back and I see my friends lost in passion of friday nights. Admitting to be the last one to know they fell. We all do. We will meet again my friend. I will carry you inside me. The memories will pull us through. That ringing in my ear.
Music is a prayer. The religious nature of the nights out amidst this life in the crowd. The power of that moment. He is spectacularly honest in this song. That sax and those chords. How does he do it?
"It's a fixed game without any rules
An empty table on a ship of fools
I'm holding hearts, I play the pair
I'm going all in 'cause I don't care"
House of a Thousand Guitars..Here is the problem and here is the solution. Where his spirituality meets his politics and mine. The idea that we can solve this is so simple and I hope it comes true.
"Here the bitter and the bored
Wake in search of the lost chord
That'll band us together for as long as there's stars
Yeah in the house of a thousand guitars"
I feel like the world of our dreams is in sight. I see that light coming towards us collectively. We have the courage to go there together. The La la la's is gospel and we will be redeemed in some way.
Rainmaker depicts a world where the wrong choice has been made. A snake oil salesman has been given the throne. I could go on with this. This along with a thousand guitars are the only political songs on the record. We dont need to be sold on this. 60 million have already voted. I just hope that the will of the public reigns supreme. I can't wait until they walk him out.
I have been listening to "If I Was the Priest" for 25 years in various forms. It is along with "Janey" and "Orphans" the greatest unreleased songs in his song book. Hearing it now in perfect quality is one of the true miracles of this record. Honestly it is something to behold here on this autumn night. Reminds me of life in it's beauty. It makes me happy to witness that insane creativity. Him surrounded by his friends in the studio. My god it is that good. The last 50 seconds of it is one of the greatest moments in E Street history, and yes they are over 70.
Ghosts is another moments with the past, paying homage in hindsight. I am again with the angels of mercy. I am reminded of my youth as misspent as it was. I am alive with you all, we are drunk and dancing on the tunnel of love, we are there on Sunset going to the record stores or the clubs. These are my memories. This song makes the memories real again. I am alive, but I am on my own. But we will meet again.
Songs for Orphans. A majestic masterpiece. He must have been lonely out there on the wire. To be talented and afraid of this power to tell these stories. This song again moves me and amazes me. To think it can be heard like this on this record. I feel my muscles play, whatever that means. I am reminded of rock stars in waiting and sweet girls toiling in mundane jobs and then shining on the strip at night. We are alive indeed. Remember us when we are old and those tatoos start to sag as we age. He was there writing it all down in his magic vision. Take your shot my friends, leave no bullets in the chamber, your dreams are waiting, they may come true. The axis needs a stronger arm do you feel your muscles play???
The album closer is a Springsteen specialty. I'll see you in my Dreams is another, almost as good as Wreck on the highway or Moonlight Motel. The end is where the toll is paid. I have your guitar and all the books you have read. I am reminded of a similar idea but I can't place it. Maybe thats the point. Our lost partners are alive and inside us. In dreams we are on the other plains with them. They guide us in the dark, letting us grab for them and be open to realize death isn't the end.
Maybe this has been vague and just my musings in the midst of a deeply scary time. Maybe he wrote this for himself. But I think he has written it for us as we travel down these dark roads nursing our pain. Maybe we will all be together at a show with a thousand guitars. All I know is this music is sacred. It is eternal. Thank you for being here and sharing it with me.
Buddha, we can feel the abundance of pain and love simultaneously. Only together they become meaningful, it seems...
I love the part when you write about acceptance. The road to acceptance is dark, long, and lonely. But we do get there, eventually. I believe this is the key.
I'm here if you need me. Thank you for writing this.
Louisa, you're the first one that I've seen point out the brilliance of the way he sings "some kind of magic." I listened to that little beauty a lot, just brilliant no matter how we slice and dice it that song is.
@Louisa As I wake this morning, thinking of what to write about this magical record, I saw your words and I put down my pen for now. Your love of this music inspires me. You always inspire me. Thank you.
We were bound to receive an album dealing with the transience of life, there was really no doubt about it if only you were listening to what Bruce has been saying during the past few years. Letter to You is actually not what I was anticipating in that department. I assumed his album about the end of life would be a down to earth experience, dark, and utterly painful.
Letter is exactly the opposite. It feels almost joyous, redemptive, it is filled with hope and catholic imaginary so vivid, the idea of a rock & roll heaven, heaven existing as the house of a thousand guitars, an afterlife where all your friends and loved ones will reunite with you, ghosts of departed friends still visiting at night, with a promise of seeing one another again. The narrative idea is so strong, cohesively present throughout the album. And it doesn't hurt at all.
There are certainly some very good songs on the album, and the experiment of adding the ancient ones is a full success, all three are just fabulous.
The Priest is the song I would qualify as the best on this album.
It has grabbed me, and I can't get enough of it. It just sounds amazing, I love how it starts, the story is phenomenal. It contains the most appealing image of Jesus in R&R history. The way he sings "by some kind of magic", Cheyenne, and the choir just after... wow. The back vocals also just perfect.
I love the opening song, you have to love it if only for the Baby, baby, baby part. Love it for the intimacy of his voice, and the soft music.
Both Letter and Ghosts are really good, but I am now probably too familiar with them, and I keep skipping them because I want to get familiar with the rest of the album.
Burnin' Train is really forceful, with a strong beat. I like the "take me and shake me from this mortal cage". Nice song for running - great pace.
Last Man Standing - I am glad that he used "snakeskin vest and a sharkskin suit, Cuban heels on your boots" instead of... in my opinion overused buckskin jacket, boots, and the spurs on this album. I have my theory of why The Priest ended up on this record. While Bruce played Ghosts to the band for the first time they started to scratch heads where that apparel was mentioned before. Then they played The Priest a couple of times and realized how great it was. 😊
The Power Of Prayer is my least favorite. Not unexpectable, considering I don't particularly like WOAD style of songs and singing. And Bruce has been teaching me my whole adult life that I have to work hard for my relationships to work, and now he's telling me to start praying for marital bliss instead?
The irony that makes me smile every time, is how The House of a Thousand Guitars starts with the most beautiful piano into.
The Rainmaker has a stunning beginning, is also very interesting lyrically, but it develops into a chorus I don't particularly enjoy.
The last song is just beautiful, I can get very emotional listening to it. Or if it's not appropriate for me to cry, I try to convince myself that death is not the end.
I am thrilled that his voice is in such a good shape and strong, he sounded wearier on WS, but that was probably the kind of voice that the record required.
I absolutely love the sound of the band, especially the piano parts, drums, also the back vocals, when they all sing together, and the way Steve and Patti's voices stand out, in a good way this time.
I do have some reservations about the lyrics, though. Even if we have some brilliant individual lines, I don't think the new songs are lyrical masterpieces. And even if the repetitions of his own previously used lyrics work well in some songs, I think that some of the lines have been heard and used so many times before, and he could have omitted it.
With WS and now this album, there are plenty of high-quality new songs, so I hope that when the next tour happens, we will be hearing more of these, and not a nostalgia setlist.
Bruce, if you don't play Moonlight Motel and The Priest for me at my next gig, I'm going to find you in that house of a thousand guitars, and you'll have eternity to play them to me.
@Jerseyfornia Didn't notice this last week (I said I'm keeping up to date awfully on here!) but you're spot on once again what with that idea being confirmed by the documentary.
I'm listening to "Prayer" right now. It might be in my top 4.
Wow wow wow. The last ten seconds of this album, when everything drops away and it's just our hero promising "I'll see you in my dreams". I just sat in gobsmacked silence staring at my Bluetooth speaker as I let the lump in the throat and misty eyes resolve themselves. Thank you for everything, Bruce. Thank you.
I also like just about everything of "The Power of Prayer" apart from the actual title.
Do we think it's about anything in particular? Does it have relevance to the passing of George Theiss in any way? I'm struggling to properly figure this one out.
@Jerseyfornia Agree, the song disn't strike me as Christian rock at all (except that I could label Bruce's entire output as Christian music, in the sense that my name is Christian and that Bruce's music appeals to me...) As an atheist, I was reflexively worried that this song was going to be religious (too religious!), very happy that it wasn't. And prayer isn't exclusively Christian either, so... Anyway, thanks for the explanation.
Nice song .... And lets face it there is a lot of Roman Catholicism floating around in the Springsteen/Scialfa clan .....But i did find the idea of praying to pick up a girl in a gin mill sort of amusing. 🤣
@Jerseyfornia Firstly, thanks for the feedback regarding what I said in the review. Always nice to have people reading them, and at times its even nicer to get some critique. Honestly I wouldn't say the song in general is Christian Rock. It's fine, and as I wrote the other day, the lyrics are solid, it's catchy, and it's growing on me with each listen - it's just the actual title I can't help but associate as something Third Day would write.
I still prefer it tons to "House of a Thousand Guitars" mind.
@Jerseyfornia I've been hearing "Rock" too, but I checked SpringsteenLyrics before posting this and it said "Flock". Of course, this fandom is particular with opinions on lyrics swaying back and forth, but on this occasion I opted for what the masters of lyrics decided.
Springsteen and The E Street Band have long had a "bar band" reputation, but never have I been able to envision them sitting together in a bar playing music like I can when I listen to "Priest". It's a reunion, a gathering, a toast to old times, and when I hear this song I can vividly imagine the location, the laughs, the instrumentals, and the smiles as they sing together towards the end.
Massive hyperbole incoming, but right now it's one of my absolute favourite Springsteen songs.
Oh, and just fwiw, the bar I'm picturing is the one from An American Werewolf in London 😮
If I Was The Priest last night almost made me speechless while disclosing some thoughts to friends. Don't even think it's up for debate that this may be one of his best recordings, ever. If anyone thinks that is pure hyperbole, too bloody bad. Some stuff deserves all the praise in the world.
One Minute You’re Here - Every time I hear the intro, I start singing “I slipped on her show, she was a perfect size seven”. I liked the original better, but this is one of the album’s highlights.
Letter You - This hasn’t got any better since the first I heard it. Generic Bruce record that would have ended up locked in a vault somewhere 40 years ago.
Burnin’ Train - The way Bruce chooses to sing most of these songs is reminiscent of Human Touch. As if he couldn’t be bothered to spend some time perfecting the delivery. Again, feels forced and generic.
Janey Needs a Shooter - I like this one. I really wanted to like the newer ones better than the old ones, but this maybe shows that ’78 Bruce was better at writing ’78 Bruce songs than ’19 Bruce is. In any case, a Bruce harmonica break can never be a bad thing.
Last Man Standing - Again, it seems like Bruce put no thought to the melody. I really dislike the way he sings this. Again generic. It feels like the sax is there because Bruce thought he needed to have sax somewhere.
The power of Prayer - Intro has been used on I’ll work for your love. But not nearly as good. Poorly sung and awkward.
House of a Thousand Guitars - Again… again… “meet me darling come Saturday night” sounds like something someone would write to emulate a Bruce song. The riff reminds of Working on a Dream. Not a good thing.
Rainmaker - Someone please get Max to stop doing these tom breaks. They didn’t sound go in the 80’s. I again get the sense Bruce didn’t spend too long on how to sing these lyrics.
If I was a Priest - Probably the best song of the album. There was a certain romanticism in young Bruce’s the voice that is missing here. But it’s still a great song. That descending bass line on the chorus is gorgeous. Oddly, this sounds like more of a Dylan imitation than the early versions.
Ghosts - See Letter to You.
Song for Orphans - See If I was the Priest.
I’ll See You in my Dreams - It feels like these lyrics deserved better music. Musically, it’s just more of the same. Leaves me completely indifferent.
Ha ha, I reckon that came up in the Brian Hiatt interview where he called it out to Bruce asking if it was a deliberate call back to Jungleland and Bruce made some comment along the lines of 'I was wondering where I heard it before'. I think I even posted here somewhere that either Bruce is taking the piss or we should really be thankful for the teleprompter use over the years.
Like many of you I couldn't help myself, I intended to wait for the official release but well here we are lol. Gonna buy it anyway so what's the harm. Maybe they'll learn from this and just drop the new album when it's done next time around - I bet that would create more of a buzz these days.
Anyway - very good album! Spoilers ahead.
Top 3: Burnin' Train, Ghosts, Priest - no surprise that I like the songs that need to be played loud the most. Blast those speakers - it's what they're there for.
Have to say that I don't like One Minute You're Here and Letter To You as the first two songs. The intro and outro of Letter To You are longer than on the Youtube video and that's good cause it works better this way. Love the added guitar at the 7 second mark! Nice little touch. They're both solid songs but nothing more than that.
I think it would have been a better choice to open with Burnin' Train. Now that's a song! The build up during the first 30 seconds is ace. Come out swinging and open the album with this one! Turn it all the way up when you listen to that one for the first time.
The 3 old songs sound great, I was a bit worried about that but it's very well done.
If I Was The Priest - Favorite one of the three. Just wow. Love it when the band kicks in!
Janey Needs A Shooter - My favorite part of the '78 version was the way he sang 'only through his stethoscope' - it's a bit different now which is a bit of a bummer for me. But overall a great version. Love the harmonica!
Song for Orphans - I liked the performance on the Trenton archive release but I prefer this version. 'Least favorite' of the three but still very well done.
Last Man Standing, Power of Prayer, 1000 Guitars are all good.
Rainmaker still has to click for me I think.
Ghosts kicks ass, love that one.
I'll See You In My Dreams is a nice way to close a great album.
After Western Stars another very good release. I'll be listening to this one a lot. Since they can't tour for a while they should give this one the Darkness Paramount '09 treatment and just play the whole thing live and release it. We can't go to the show so bring the show to us.
Christ it’s leaked, and it seems like a pretty huge leak with a few big Bruce social sites advertising it (I saw Greasy Lake’s Twitter got a mighty fuck you from Amy Lofgren) - wonder how Bruce Inc. will respond? Early streaming release, perhaps?
I’ll probably check out of the forums for a week as I’m holding out until release day for my album to arrive in the post - I’ve got some good records arriving between now and the 23rd to keep me occupied.
A leak is a leak, so I’m not here to preach or judge or anything like that, everything‘s cool with me so long as we all legally buy/stream it which I’m sure will be the case - the only thing I hate about leaks is that they break that group anticipation which is sad. Given that this could potentially be the last E Street album, I was really looking forward to waiting up late for midnight on the 23rd together!
Really? Leaked this early? Thought it would only happen one or two days before the release date. Anyway, I'm not going to listen to it until it is on Spotify, but can't lie that I'm tempted!
I really like the "tried to summon all that my heart finds true" lyric. I think it shows humility from Bruce's point of view, as while we'd probably all agree he succeeded in this task very easily, his opinion of his musical efforts with this line is very similar to what he's told us about his dad: "You did the best you could".
You make a very good point. That line could be about any writer, whether of songs, books, plays and sums up, to me, what makes a great writer - write from the heart.
I go to a singing group, part of the natural voice network, which is just singing for pleasure. We haven't been able to meet up much recently, but on Sunday we sang in a garden. During the break we were asked to say something we were looking forward to, so you can guess my answer!
Yeah reading it again I can definitely see how that's a daft statement to make. What I should have said is "They've absolutely nailed the Springsteen and E Street sound from every era here".
I hear Mellencamp circa Check It Out era on Rainmaker. Not a bad thing whatsofreakinevah.
My top 3 are 1000 Guitars, I'll See You In My Dreams and Power of Prayer. Bottom 3 would be Last Man Standing, Janey and Rainmaker.
I'm now able to listen to Janey and Rainmaker without feeling the need to skip them.
I feel better after seeing the Accountant's and Mario's latest rankings regarding my coolness to Janey Needs A Shooter. By some margin, for me the least of the old songs. It's ok, but nothing really exciting. I like Priest a lot and Orphans quite a bit. Actually, Orphans more and more where if you substitute "America" for wherever Bruce uses "axis" it becomes a whole different thing.
Mind you, my judgement is probably suspect at best because I like House Of A Thousand Guitars. A lot. In a return tribute, it's like a day after hangover to any number of Jim Steinman songs.
Well, House of a Thousand Guitars is not doing too well so far.
Okay, overcoming my indolence, here is my list (no quotation marks to save time).
1. If I was the Priest
2. I'll See You in My Dreams
3. Burnin' Train
4. Ghosts
5. Song for Orphans
6. The Power of Prayer
7. Rainmaker
8. One Minute You Are Here
9. Last Man Standing
10. Letter to You
11. Janey Needs a Shooter
12. House of a Thousand Guitars
I have just been watching Breakfast on BBC TV and for the first time made a complaint about accuracy.
Not on politics or anything but on Bruce. Kylie Minogue has just achieved the feat of five number one albums in five separate decades the first female to do so. After the item it was stated that Paul McCartney was the only other one (though not soloi). THEY DID NOT MENTION BRUCE!
So, why didn't the Beeb mention Bruce's achievement? 😪
Now I have stopped playing the album all the way through I am mostly going to Burnin' Train, IIWTP and ISYIMD. Also regulars are Ghosts, Rainmaker, SFO and TPOP. As you see I am already using just the initials due to familiarity and bone idleness.
Rainmaker strikes me as being loosely influenced musically by Native American/tribal music, much like Worlds Apart was - again, loosely - influenced by Middle Eastern music, I can kind of imagine John Trudell doing this one.
But, since I really don't have a clue - can anyone say something about this?
The only two references I have to Bruce concerning Native Americans, is an interview with one of the Amnesty tour organisers in 1988, who said Bruce asked him towo questions before agreeing to join; one question was regarding Native Americans. The other reference, is Alan Vega of Suicide, who said that the Reason To Believe on the D&D tour had a real Native American vibe to it.
Well.
"Last Man Standing" / "The Power of Prayer" / "House of a Thousand Guitars" is becoming my most revisited section of the album.
Who'd have thought it back on October 15th?
"House of a Thousand Guitars" is starting to grow on me.
Watch this space.
You could play a drinking game as well, while listening to Bruce's song shuffle. Take a shot for every river or bones etc.
A review in The Observer today which I enjoyed, but it made me smile as it said yiu could play 'Bruce Bingo' trains, snakeskin, river, edge of town!
Playing "Song For Orphans" from Trenton 2005, and I currently think this full band version is stronger.
Amazing to have both in 2020.
Everyone, I am ok.
How fucking wrong can a journalist be? This is a 'critique' of a Slovenian so-called entertainment journalist Matjaž Ambrožič.
I just put it in Google translate, so the translation isn't perfect.
https://www.24ur.com/popin/glasba/bruce-springsteen-nam-posilja-pismo-ki-ga-ze-poznamo.html
Bruce Springsteen is sending us a letter we had previously already received
I have the most fun when I read phrases about Bruce Springsteen’s new album, such as the one that the famous American rocker presents one of his most intimate song collections. The problem is twofold. The first is that Springsteen is already on his twentieth album with the work Letter to You. Other, however, is that all of his nineteen so far could not be more intimate than they are. In addition to being a great showman, a good singer, and an even more skillful songwriter, Bruce Springsteen is also a composer and even a poet. Because he composes his verses in simple terms or words, it is not difficult to understand him. After all, he has been grinding the same parables for half a century. The train, the guitar, the boots, the jeans, the bar, the view (across, over, far away, into it, behind it, etc.) and the memory of home and, his favorite, coming home are the confessional pillars on which Letter to You is also fortified. Nothing new in this regard. Train, by the way, is the third word Springsteen utters in the first piece on this new collection, the third piece on the same is called Burnin ’Train. Springsteen's reflections are apolitical and could be described as love songs. But nothing special or distinct about them. The seniors remain timidly unarticulated and a little confused. The legendary messenger of white working-class America does just as much. This old-fashioned call from the album Letter to You is supported by terrible music. After six years, the Boss called his E Street Band again, which is no longer helpful. All we hear is a rough guitar blast and a predominantly Springsteen's screams. The only special one seems to be the song House of a Thousand Guitars. At last year’s Western Stars album, the rocker’s characteristically wheezing voice was extremely likably polished. After all, all his songs presented last year were softly reduced. But that was Springsteen’s solo swing. Ops, even there is a third consecutive light-rail piece, namely Tuscon Train. Even now, I like his Downbound Train the most of all the trains. Anyway, Bruce Springsteen’s sense of balanced construction of musically thoughtful and lyrically comprehensive albums has not left him. The Boss has written too many songs, and these are more or less the same. The dilemma that a great musician has is just what kind of sound image he will give them. And here we run into the most intimate dilemma of the musician’s being, character, and work. Should the Springsteen Inc. punch, that is, hyper-produce, go on, and on? Or, however, production should rather remain more boutique, more intimate? The corporation decided: let him work, let him work. And the worshipers agree. All is good.
Rating: 3
This record hit me on an odd day. A family freind passed away during the night the day before this record hit the internet. Oddly, it came in perfect FLAC lossless quality, I had just heard of the friends passing. Her fight, her strength as she passed into the ether. We have people around us and then we don't. No more smiles or what could have been. It is gone, and it feels like the end. All of these days do. Amidst a death filled virus. The crushing hand of fate. It has been here since I was conscious. The week I have had with "Letter to You" has been engulfed in loss. I am aware of my feelings and this feeling of loss is a hurricane. I cannot separate the loss from it's music. Once again my hero is speaking to me. I am in fear of my own end. To be gone would be one answer. The other answer is found on this albums 12 tracks. The end is there at the beginning. Death is not the end....
I am surrounded by sacred things....I am in the garden with my grandparents, my Mother, my friends. We will meet again. But now I am earthbound...It is through art where the answers come. This Springsteen guy has been here since I was small and it is the magic of it that finds me and serves me. He knows me where I live. I read his words and it all makes sense.
The album opens with seeing the loss and feeling it. Walking hand in hand at an Autumnal fair on the boardwalk. It reminds me of the county fair where our hero came to grips with his mental illness. I can smell it, feel it and live it. I was once in a recovery meeting where I fell to my feet, fearful to accept the truth of this loss. It's just a kiss away. Accept it, or get drunk or drug it away. These truths are self evident. This song sets the stage for the road to acceptance.
Letter to you is deceptively beautiful. Again, the band lights him up. I cannot imagine what it must be like to steer that train, as it burns down the rails. That tool he holds in his pocket. He tells us his truth and walking through the rain and to surrender to his gift. We have our own. We will not stand in front of 20,000 people. We will do our work. This is where life is lived.
Burning Train will open a show we will attend at some time. I can feel being inside the crowd as he shows us his magic trick. This band is on fire as it burns down the tracks. I look forward to one day be in it again.
"With our shared faith
Rising dark and decayed
Take me and shake me from this mortal cage"
Faith in this life to be alive, Faith that we shall overcome.
Janey, where do I begin with Janey?? She's broken but at who's hand? We in a community see her falling. She could be in Point Blank, or Shes the girl in Price you Pay. She is real to me. I used to know a girl so broken like her. I got caught in her broken pieces. I am the singer and I mourn for her.
"He provides consolation and he hears her confession at any time
In the pages of his Bible he holds from what Janey hides
And with her doors open wide she begs, "Come inside"
But he's been frozen so long on the outside"
I lost her. But I got straight soon after...That record is the bedrock of my Springsteen fascination, that dirty cassette tape from when they were young lions. Now, older and clearer, thay attack this song unlike anything in his cannon. I know it's a reminder that we can all shine like this. I thank him for doing it. That hypnotic going over the chorus at the end. My god, the power of E Street and the shared value of caring for those lost in the mire. How he wishes to save her in some way. Its hard to let go and his repetition is a tool to express the obsession. I wish the song ended as it did in the tape from my youth. But fading is part of growing old so it works here.
Last Man Standing is where the work begins. It is so close that it scares me. Those memories of being young and wild. Taking that crowd on the mystery ride. We are surrounded by these sacred things. They bring us back and I see my friends lost in passion of friday nights. Admitting to be the last one to know they fell. We all do. We will meet again my friend. I will carry you inside me. The memories will pull us through. That ringing in my ear.
Music is a prayer. The religious nature of the nights out amidst this life in the crowd. The power of that moment. He is spectacularly honest in this song. That sax and those chords. How does he do it?
"It's a fixed game without any rules
An empty table on a ship of fools
I'm holding hearts, I play the pair
I'm going all in 'cause I don't care"
House of a Thousand Guitars..Here is the problem and here is the solution. Where his spirituality meets his politics and mine. The idea that we can solve this is so simple and I hope it comes true.
"Here the bitter and the bored
Wake in search of the lost chord
That'll band us together for as long as there's stars
Yeah in the house of a thousand guitars"
I feel like the world of our dreams is in sight. I see that light coming towards us collectively. We have the courage to go there together. The La la la's is gospel and we will be redeemed in some way.
Rainmaker depicts a world where the wrong choice has been made. A snake oil salesman has been given the throne. I could go on with this. This along with a thousand guitars are the only political songs on the record. We dont need to be sold on this. 60 million have already voted. I just hope that the will of the public reigns supreme. I can't wait until they walk him out.
I have been listening to "If I Was the Priest" for 25 years in various forms. It is along with "Janey" and "Orphans" the greatest unreleased songs in his song book. Hearing it now in perfect quality is one of the true miracles of this record. Honestly it is something to behold here on this autumn night. Reminds me of life in it's beauty. It makes me happy to witness that insane creativity. Him surrounded by his friends in the studio. My god it is that good. The last 50 seconds of it is one of the greatest moments in E Street history, and yes they are over 70.
Ghosts is another moments with the past, paying homage in hindsight. I am again with the angels of mercy. I am reminded of my youth as misspent as it was. I am alive with you all, we are drunk and dancing on the tunnel of love, we are there on Sunset going to the record stores or the clubs. These are my memories. This song makes the memories real again. I am alive, but I am on my own. But we will meet again.
Songs for Orphans. A majestic masterpiece. He must have been lonely out there on the wire. To be talented and afraid of this power to tell these stories. This song again moves me and amazes me. To think it can be heard like this on this record. I feel my muscles play, whatever that means. I am reminded of rock stars in waiting and sweet girls toiling in mundane jobs and then shining on the strip at night. We are alive indeed. Remember us when we are old and those tatoos start to sag as we age. He was there writing it all down in his magic vision. Take your shot my friends, leave no bullets in the chamber, your dreams are waiting, they may come true. The axis needs a stronger arm do you feel your muscles play???
The album closer is a Springsteen specialty. I'll see you in my Dreams is another, almost as good as Wreck on the highway or Moonlight Motel. The end is where the toll is paid. I have your guitar and all the books you have read. I am reminded of a similar idea but I can't place it. Maybe thats the point. Our lost partners are alive and inside us. In dreams we are on the other plains with them. They guide us in the dark, letting us grab for them and be open to realize death isn't the end.
Maybe this has been vague and just my musings in the midst of a deeply scary time. Maybe he wrote this for himself. But I think he has written it for us as we travel down these dark roads nursing our pain. Maybe we will all be together at a show with a thousand guitars. All I know is this music is sacred. It is eternal. Thank you for being here and sharing it with me.
Also, where's @wout?
I keep thinking of Motorcycle Emptiness whenever I hear the Rainmaker chorus.
Louisa, you're the first one that I've seen point out the brilliance of the way he sings "some kind of magic." I listened to that little beauty a lot, just brilliant no matter how we slice and dice it that song is.
@Louisa As I wake this morning, thinking of what to write about this magical record, I saw your words and I put down my pen for now. Your love of this music inspires me. You always inspire me. Thank you.
Death Is Not The End
We were bound to receive an album dealing with the transience of life, there was really no doubt about it if only you were listening to what Bruce has been saying during the past few years. Letter to You is actually not what I was anticipating in that department. I assumed his album about the end of life would be a down to earth experience, dark, and utterly painful.
Letter is exactly the opposite. It feels almost joyous, redemptive, it is filled with hope and catholic imaginary so vivid, the idea of a rock & roll heaven, heaven existing as the house of a thousand guitars, an afterlife where all your friends and loved ones will reunite with you, ghosts of departed friends still visiting at night, with a promise of seeing one another again. The narrative idea is so strong, cohesively present throughout the album. And it doesn't hurt at all.
There are certainly some very good songs on the album, and the experiment of adding the ancient ones is a full success, all three are just fabulous.
The Priest is the song I would qualify as the best on this album.
It has grabbed me, and I can't get enough of it. It just sounds amazing, I love how it starts, the story is phenomenal. It contains the most appealing image of Jesus in R&R history. The way he sings "by some kind of magic", Cheyenne, and the choir just after... wow. The back vocals also just perfect.
I love the opening song, you have to love it if only for the Baby, baby, baby part. Love it for the intimacy of his voice, and the soft music.
Both Letter and Ghosts are really good, but I am now probably too familiar with them, and I keep skipping them because I want to get familiar with the rest of the album.
Burnin' Train is really forceful, with a strong beat. I like the "take me and shake me from this mortal cage". Nice song for running - great pace.
Last Man Standing - I am glad that he used "snakeskin vest and a sharkskin suit, Cuban heels on your boots" instead of... in my opinion overused buckskin jacket, boots, and the spurs on this album. I have my theory of why The Priest ended up on this record. While Bruce played Ghosts to the band for the first time they started to scratch heads where that apparel was mentioned before. Then they played The Priest a couple of times and realized how great it was. 😊
The Power Of Prayer is my least favorite. Not unexpectable, considering I don't particularly like WOAD style of songs and singing. And Bruce has been teaching me my whole adult life that I have to work hard for my relationships to work, and now he's telling me to start praying for marital bliss instead?
The irony that makes me smile every time, is how The House of a Thousand Guitars starts with the most beautiful piano into.
The Rainmaker has a stunning beginning, is also very interesting lyrically, but it develops into a chorus I don't particularly enjoy.
The last song is just beautiful, I can get very emotional listening to it. Or if it's not appropriate for me to cry, I try to convince myself that death is not the end.
I am thrilled that his voice is in such a good shape and strong, he sounded wearier on WS, but that was probably the kind of voice that the record required.
I absolutely love the sound of the band, especially the piano parts, drums, also the back vocals, when they all sing together, and the way Steve and Patti's voices stand out, in a good way this time.
I do have some reservations about the lyrics, though. Even if we have some brilliant individual lines, I don't think the new songs are lyrical masterpieces. And even if the repetitions of his own previously used lyrics work well in some songs, I think that some of the lines have been heard and used so many times before, and he could have omitted it.
With WS and now this album, there are plenty of high-quality new songs, so I hope that when the next tour happens, we will be hearing more of these, and not a nostalgia setlist.
Bruce, if you don't play Moonlight Motel and The Priest for me at my next gig, I'm going to find you in that house of a thousand guitars, and you'll have eternity to play them to me.
2:44 into "Burnin' Train", I keep thinking that's Stevie. Every Goddamn time 😂
"Rainmaykuuuuuuuuuuhrrrrrrrrrrr"
Wow wow wow. The last ten seconds of this album, when everything drops away and it's just our hero promising "I'll see you in my dreams". I just sat in gobsmacked silence staring at my Bluetooth speaker as I let the lump in the throat and misty eyes resolve themselves. Thank you for everything, Bruce. Thank you.
I also like just about everything of "The Power of Prayer" apart from the actual title.
Do we think it's about anything in particular? Does it have relevance to the passing of George Theiss in any way? I'm struggling to properly figure this one out.
Listening to "Last Man Standing" again right now. I love it.
"ROCK OF AGES LIFT ME SOMEHOW, SOMEWHERE HIGH AND HARD AND LOUD!" - helluva vocal.
The new versions of the old songs have got me thirsting for a modern recording of Prodigal Son.
Springsteen and The E Street Band have long had a "bar band" reputation, but never have I been able to envision them sitting together in a bar playing music like I can when I listen to "Priest". It's a reunion, a gathering, a toast to old times, and when I hear this song I can vividly imagine the location, the laughs, the instrumentals, and the smiles as they sing together towards the end.
Massive hyperbole incoming, but right now it's one of my absolute favourite Springsteen songs.
Oh, and just fwiw, the bar I'm picturing is the one from An American Werewolf in London 😮
One Minute You’re Here - Every time I hear the intro, I start singing “I slipped on her show, she was a perfect size seven”. I liked the original better, but this is one of the album’s highlights.
Letter You - This hasn’t got any better since the first I heard it. Generic Bruce record that would have ended up locked in a vault somewhere 40 years ago.
Burnin’ Train - The way Bruce chooses to sing most of these songs is reminiscent of Human Touch. As if he couldn’t be bothered to spend some time perfecting the delivery. Again, feels forced and generic.
Janey Needs a Shooter - I like this one. I really wanted to like the newer ones better than the old ones, but this maybe shows that ’78 Bruce was better at writing ’78 Bruce songs than ’19 Bruce is. In any case, a Bruce harmonica break can never be a bad thing.
Last Man Standing - Again, it seems like Bruce put no thought to the melody. I really dislike the way he sings this. Again generic. It feels like the sax is there because Bruce thought he needed to have sax somewhere.
The power of Prayer - Intro has been used on I’ll work for your love. But not nearly as good. Poorly sung and awkward.
House of a Thousand Guitars - Again… again… “meet me darling come Saturday night” sounds like something someone would write to emulate a Bruce song. The riff reminds of Working on a Dream. Not a good thing.
Rainmaker - Someone please get Max to stop doing these tom breaks. They didn’t sound go in the 80’s. I again get the sense Bruce didn’t spend too long on how to sing these lyrics.
If I was a Priest - Probably the best song of the album. There was a certain romanticism in young Bruce’s the voice that is missing here. But it’s still a great song. That descending bass line on the chorus is gorgeous. Oddly, this sounds like more of a Dylan imitation than the early versions.
Ghosts - See Letter to You.
Song for Orphans - See If I was the Priest.
I’ll See You in my Dreams - It feels like these lyrics deserved better music. Musically, it’s just more of the same. Leaves me completely indifferent.
I'm so happy everybody is enjoying it so much! Can't wait to join in! 😄
Sorry, Miss Ann. I keep having reactions I gotta share.
"Bells ring out through churches and jails."
Nice callback.
I worry that how much his music can fill me is a sign of how empty I am.,
Like many of you I couldn't help myself, I intended to wait for the official release but well here we are lol. Gonna buy it anyway so what's the harm. Maybe they'll learn from this and just drop the new album when it's done next time around - I bet that would create more of a buzz these days.
Anyway - very good album! Spoilers ahead.
Top 3: Burnin' Train, Ghosts, Priest - no surprise that I like the songs that need to be played loud the most. Blast those speakers - it's what they're there for.
Have to say that I don't like One Minute You're Here and Letter To You as the first two songs. The intro and outro of Letter To You are longer than on the Youtube video and that's good cause it works better this way. Love the added guitar at the 7 second mark! Nice little touch. They're both solid songs but nothing more than that.
I think it would have been a better choice to open with Burnin' Train. Now that's a song! The build up during the first 30 seconds is ace. Come out swinging and open the album with this one! Turn it all the way up when you listen to that one for the first time.
The 3 old songs sound great, I was a bit worried about that but it's very well done.
If I Was The Priest - Favorite one of the three. Just wow. Love it when the band kicks in!
Janey Needs A Shooter - My favorite part of the '78 version was the way he sang 'only through his stethoscope' - it's a bit different now which is a bit of a bummer for me. But overall a great version. Love the harmonica!
Song for Orphans - I liked the performance on the Trenton archive release but I prefer this version. 'Least favorite' of the three but still very well done.
Last Man Standing, Power of Prayer, 1000 Guitars are all good.
Rainmaker still has to click for me I think.
Ghosts kicks ass, love that one.
I'll See You In My Dreams is a nice way to close a great album.
After Western Stars another very good release. I'll be listening to this one a lot. Since they can't tour for a while they should give this one the Darkness Paramount '09 treatment and just play the whole thing live and release it. We can't go to the show so bring the show to us.
Thumbs up from me!
Christ it’s leaked, and it seems like a pretty huge leak with a few big Bruce social sites advertising it (I saw Greasy Lake’s Twitter got a mighty fuck you from Amy Lofgren) - wonder how Bruce Inc. will respond? Early streaming release, perhaps?
I’ll probably check out of the forums for a week as I’m holding out until release day for my album to arrive in the post - I’ve got some good records arriving between now and the 23rd to keep me occupied.
A leak is a leak, so I’m not here to preach or judge or anything like that, everything‘s cool with me so long as we all legally buy/stream it which I’m sure will be the case - the only thing I hate about leaks is that they break that group anticipation which is sad. Given that this could potentially be the last E Street album, I was really looking forward to waiting up late for midnight on the 23rd together!
Oh, ye of little faith! You know you will like it!
(I haven't heard anything except the two songs that were released early, but I am sure there will be some good stuff! Let the 23rd roll around!)
I’m ok to wait until the official release day to hear it. I’m just happy that all the reviews and discussion are so positive. Way to go, Bruce.
I don’t see why reviews can’t be posted here now if people have heard the album already.
What to do?? I really wanted my first listen to be on vinyl, looking at the sleeve, so I am going to try to hold out...
Private conversation
smiling. all I will say.
Really? Leaked this early? Thought it would only happen one or two days before the release date. Anyway, I'm not going to listen to it until it is on Spotify, but can't lie that I'm tempted!
Oh dear, what have we got here
Apparently no leak as yet.
https://hasitleaked.com/2020/bruce-springsteen-letter-to-you/
The two songs compared, I think I prefer Letter to Ghosts, although I really like both.
I really like the "tried to summon all that my heart finds true" lyric. I think it shows humility from Bruce's point of view, as while we'd probably all agree he succeeded in this task very easily, his opinion of his musical efforts with this line is very similar to what he's told us about his dad: "You did the best you could".
Just read the AARP feature. Very beautiful. I am so ready for 10/23.
It's been four days since I last listened to this, so I expect to make up for that with about 16 plays tonight.
Oh look, on my TV right now...
I go to a singing group, part of the natural voice network, which is just singing for pleasure. We haven't been able to meet up much recently, but on Sunday we sang in a garden. During the break we were asked to say something we were looking forward to, so you can guess my answer!
I am really excited about this album.
@Mario Brega ”They've absolutely nailed the Springsteen and E Street sound here.”
😂