At first hearing this album blew me away, and still does. Its amazing how much Bruce constructs with so little. This album is superb in its simple, one man and his guitar approach. Such a format helps to create the cold and barren environment needed on songs like State Trooper, where the lack of the E Street Band's honking saxaphone helps to emphaise the darker mood of the song. Bruce is at his best when he's telling the stories of real people and this album is no exception with songs like Johnny 99 or Highway Patrolman. Despite its darker subject matters Nebraska throws up some up-beat acoustic rockers like the brilliant Open All Night.This album also contains the great, Springsteen classic, Atlantic City which is a such a complete sounding song - despite its simple structure - that it stands out a mile from anything else on this album. A must for all Springsteen fans.
Bought this one at my daughter's request. She tells me she used to go to bed at University listening to this every night !!! Gotta tell you, her 2 kids and I listened to it when it arrived, And nearly died laughing........... it really is "Music to slit your wrists by" !! I usually like Bruce, but this particular CD Ive lived without and can continue doing so, but Hey !! thank heavens we all have different tastes, eh !!