BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
GREETINGS FROM ASHBURY PARK, N.J.
I consider this to be bruce's best album, and although not a lot of people agree, it is none the less a great album and on eof my personal faves.
'Greetings' was released at the begining of 1973 and is still considered a great album today. Anyway, to the review....
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
This is a great song, i ecspeccially like the intro, which brings the song, (and the album) in nicely. As ever, Bruce's lyrics are clever and catchy, e.g. the chourus:
He was just blinded by the light,
cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night.
The song seemed slightly unsteady to me on the first listen but i can't hear any unsteadieness on this song anymore.
A great song and a good choice for a single
5/5
GROWIN UP
Another piece of brilliance, 'growin up' starts with just piano and vocals but the other instruments kick in just under 25 seconds. The song then turns into what can only be described as funky blues brilliance. The verses lead pretty nicely into the chourus and throughout the song the vocals are impressive. The keyboard solo seems slightly out of place but on second listen it isn't that bad. I will always prefer the acoustic version of this from 18 tracks but nevertheless, this is still a good song and one of my all time faves.
5/5
MARY QUEEN OF ARKANSAS
After two upbeat songs, 'Mary', slows the tempo down as Bruce picks up his acoustic for a ballad. I have to admit, when i first heard this song i didn't like it that much but i was quite young. Anyway, it's a refreshing change of pace from the first two tracks. Although it lacks the brilliance of 'blinded' or 'growin up' it remains to be a good, steady song with no real chourus' occaisionally the guitar will step up the pace which save the song from being boring and mediocre.
3.5/5
DOES THIS BUS STOP AT 82nd STREET?
Picking up the pace, does this bus stop at 82nd street is the shortest song on the album and left me wanting more from it. However, the lyrics and the music fit really well with each other which makes the song sound better and not quite so simple. Theres nothing wrong with simple songs but i'm just glad this one doesn't sound like something that was poorly done. The lyrics are upbeat and the song is pretty feel-good which in my opionion merits the song.
4/5
LOST IN THE FLOOD
This is my faveourite song on the album and possibly ever!it starts off with just Bruces vocals and a piano until about two minutes where the drums and other instruments kick in. The song then just gets better with hard pounding drums and out of control keyboards with Bruce's vocals over the top of everything. The lyrics are brilliant telling the story of Gunner and talking of warfare with the police and such. If buy albums to listen to one track, make it for this one.
6/5
THE ANGEL
After a brilliant song we get a slow and boring one. The angel isn't that good and doesn't do much to convince me otherwise. I don't have anything against slow songs, just that this on isn't up to scratch compared to the rest of the album. Definately the low point of the album. (Probably the only low point of the album) However, it does have some inventive lyrics about a car so i'll give it some credit.
2.5/5
FOR YOU
This was the second single from the album and you can hear why! Launching straight into the song, Bruce manages to keep the song intresting and good for four minutes and a half. I know that thats basicly expected of Bruce, but this song never has a dull moment and it could have easily have been the first single. The lyrics are great, the music is great and it is worthy of a five.
5/5
SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT
Spirit in the night is a great song with good linking verses and chourus'. It does drag on slightly too long for what it is at four minutes and fifty eight seconds but that hardly demerits it at all. I especcially like the main riff that plays through the whole song as it makes all of the parts of the song fit together perfectly. Clarence's sax is great here throughout the track and it adds to the mood of the song.
4.5/5
IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY
The last track on the album, this song is a great ending to a great album.
The guitar work is good here and the verses are constructed well and although to some, this track can be repetitive, i find it fine and it only lasts for three minutes and thirteen seconds so it isn't long to put up with. The lyrics are good here as they are throughout the album so i give this song four stars.
4/5
OVERALL
This is an excellent album with many good songs and great lyrics. I think that every musician out does himself here and although Clarence's sax isn't as heard as much as it is on other albums it is outstanding on Spirit in the night and Blinded by the light. This is my faveourite Bruce album and one ofmy all time faves so i'll be giving Greetings from Ashbury Park, N.J four stars
ALBUM RATING
4/5
