I've read a number of reviews on the somewhat monumental release of "Electric Nebraska," and they all basically say the same thing, "The right version was released in 1982."
I agree. But I also think you're picking nits if, as a Bruce fan, you are anything but thrilled by the music on this new release.
"Electric
Nebraska" was rumoured to exist for 40 years but vehemently denied by
Bruce, until one day back in June, when he apparently moved a stack
of old Popular Mechanics off his desk and found the tape box.
"Oh here it is!"
I'll
be honest, I am a tad skeptical about the
whole thing. But, I don't want that cynicism to get in the way of my
enjoyment. The stuff sounds
great and makes one terrific record. I actually prefer the versions
of both "Born In The U.S.A." and "Downbound Train" over the "BITU"
versions.
"Electric Nebraska" isn't better than the original by
any stretch of the imagination, but
it doesn't feel unnecessary either. It's a great companion and an
excellent stand alone record, better than almost everything in the
recent "Lost Tracks" box. I just hope
it's all truly from 1982 and nothing has been tweaked or rerecorded in the studio this
year.
As for the outtakes, that disc runs a little over 30 minutes. Most Bruce diehards will have heard most, if not all of it before, but probably not in this quality. No revelations, at least not for me, but I still enjoyed it the one time.
7 comments:
Totally agree from what I have heard so far. You worded it perfectly.
Looking forward to it. Something to enjoy this weekend.
- Paul in DK
I've never been a fan of the original, and what I'm hearing of the studio version has not changed my mind. https://powerpop.blogspot.com/2013/07/songs-for-new-depression_12.html
I recall you mentioning a number of times that you are a lapsed Bruce fan, but now I see you don't like "Darkness," "The River" and "Nebraska," and most of his output of the last 40 years. I don't understand.
I like "Magic" very much. 😎
This is the reverse of Nick Hornby's "Juliet Naked" (I'd actually love to know if he based his novel on NE). As a huge Bruce fan, I'm excited to listen to Electric NE but will it be the "Smile" people have been talking about? Probably not? Does this make this a "bad" album? Wrong question. Why are we always asking whether the "one that got away" is always the better release?
We live in a world where I have watched a movie about the making of Nebraska and listened to Electric Nebraska in the last 24 hours. Who had that on their 2025 bingo card? I am just delighted to have it available. Of course it isn't hugely revelatory, I never expected it to be, but man that version of Born In the USA is as hard driving and almost punk as anything Bruce ever did.
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