Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen

We have fascinating news for fans of “The Boss”, as a new biopic about singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen has been announced to be in the making. Based on biographer Warren Zanes’ book Deliver Me From Nowhere, this upcoming film will focus on Springsteen’s journey in making the album Nebraska. It will star Jeremy Allen White from the awarded comedy-drama series The Bear as the lead role of Springsteen. The biopic’s release date is yet to be announced, but in the meantime, let’s dig into the album that has inspired this upcoming film.

Released in 1982, Nebraska stands out as a sombre record in Springsteen’s discography. After releasing the acclaimed album The River two years prior, the singer-songwriter felt exhausted from touring and managing his fortunate success. As a result, he spent the following years writing and recording songs in a four-track cassette recorder at home. Despite it being a very dark moment for the musician, it was one of the most prolific eras in Springsteen’s musical career. A collection of raw and organic songs were later recorded in a professional studio and gave birth to Nebraska as we know it. Full of raspy guitars, gritty vocals and highlighted harmonicas, the album is considered to be the outsider of Springsteen’s discography, mainly because of the lack of touring after its release. The isolation that Springsteen was experiencing at that time can be seen through the songs, as they appear to be candid reflections of Springsteen’s hopes and fears. The blunt sound of the album seems to also capture the darker side of American life, going from topics such as desperation in “Atlantic City”, betrayal in “Highway Patrolman”, and even moral ambiguity in “Johnny 99”. This musical journey ends with a glimpse of hope in “Reason to Believe”, the perfect soundtrack for a car journey at the end of a long day.

Nebraska may not be the most commercially accessible album in Springsteen’s discography, especially when compared to the massive hit that the following album Born in the U.S.A. was. However, thanks to its rawness, it is considered a cult favourite among fans and critics alike. If you’re willing to delve into the shadows and explore the complexities of the human spirit, Nebraska is an essential listen. To experience more of Springsteen’s music, have a look at the upcoming dates of the ‘Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band 2024 World Tour’ in Ireland as “The Boss” will be performing in Kilkenny, Cork and Dublin on 12 May, 16 May, and 19 May respectively. Get your tickets here!