Nebraska- An example of what an Artist can do when you leave
ZaphodEpicurus | 08/05/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You will find many things in this experience - as he would say "dark and hard things here", but important things that touch to the soul of Man. Have fun counting the place names in all of these songs. It is a tour of the Mid-Atlantic states and the Old Northwest. This album is a voice from America."
Tales of woe
Pieter | Johannesburg | 05/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In my mind this album will always be associated with a chilling 1970s movie called Badlands. The opening track Nebraska reflects the plot of the film and refers to the "Badlands of Wyoming." This gloomy album must the blueprint of what later became known as "Americana" and even Alt Folk. Just a cursory glance at the lyrics reveals the following place names: Lincoln, Philly, Atlantic City, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, Johnstown, Perrinneville, Mahwah, Wyoming and Linden Town, enough to make Sufjan Stevens envious.
The melodious Atlantic City has a lilt to it whilst Nebraska and Mansion On The Hill are slow, stately and melancholy, but the tempo changes on the edgy Johnny 99 with its nervous guitar riffs, also present on State Trooper which connects thematically with Highway Patrolman, a moving tale of family troubles in slow tempo with a poignant chorus. An interesting observation on State Trooper is that it contains some of those yelps that Alan Vega of the psychobilly band Suicide made his trademark.
The gentle Used Cars and the fast-paced Open All Night, the only real rock song, contain vivid car and road imagery. The line "radios jammed up with gospel stations, lost souls callin' lost distance salvation" reminded me of a tongue-in-cheek country song by the Stones called Far Away Eyes on the Some Girls album. The haunting masterpiece My Father's House with its oneiric imagery explores youthful memories, a lament for what is lost and a yearning for love and reconciliation.
Reason To Believe concludes this bleak and grim exploration of the heartland on an optimistic, even spiritual note with the observation that ultimately people do find a reason to go on, echoing a similar sentiment on Atlantic City, that perhaps everything that dies someday comes back. This brooding album Nebraska is a gem created by an inspired blend of voice, guitars and harmonica. Plus the most gripping imagery and memorable poetic lyrics of course.
"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1