How many artists can manage to create a five-star album when they weren’t actively trying to make an album in the first place?
I’m not going to reiterate the story behind Springsteen’s Nebraska. Aside from the fact that there’s already a film of the period in the works – honestly though; ‘man makes austere collection of songs on home four-track as guide for band, carries it around in pocket for so long it nearly gets absorbed by his denim before putting them out as is’ feels as thrillingly entertaining as watching Timothee Chalamet trying not to look like he knows what instragram is for long enough to finish singing ‘Like A Rolling Stone’ – it’s been told many a time.
My connection to Nebraska goes back to 1999, hearing ‘State Trooper’ played over the end credits of a Sopranos episode and – streaming services that mug off artists not being a thing yet – went out and picked up both my second and third (having picked up Greatest Hits in ’95) Springsteen albums in one hit as it came as double-cd combo with Darkness… Talk about an auspicious intro.
This, then, is the hardest one of these for me. There’s not a single song on Nebraska I don’t enjoy. These are ten songs that feel perfectly placed and without an ounce of fat on the whole joint. If I were to be picky, very, very, very picky – which is what I’d have to be to even think like this – I’d say that, possibly..
Least: Used Cars
But only because compared to everything else the lyrics sound a little slight. But then that’s not necessarily a bad thing because Springsteen was ‘high’ on Flannery O’Connor’s work and her ability to write pure narrative including from a child’s perspective and the songs simple yet pure dream of a greater life typified by the feeling that a lottery win would mean – of all things – the ability not to drive a used car is pitch perfect especially as it follows up ‘State Trooper.’ So this isn’t so much Least more like a Least (barely) but still fucking great….
Which leaves the trick of identifying the other end of the spectrum but for me that’s relatively straight forward…
Most: State Trooper
It has to be, for me: it’s the one that sent me spiralling deeper into Springsteen’s catalogue and still captivates me. That pulsating guitar line that emulates the monotonous, repetitive sound of the road.. the pleading ‘Please don’t stop me, PLEASE don’t stop me’… it’s perfect.
Mumbling About... 
I think Atlantic City wins for me, no idea what’s last!
For many years, “Nebraska” didn’t speak to me at all, and I just couldn’t understand why so many Springsteen fans loved that album and some even considered it Springsteen’s best. I’ve since began to warm to it, though it’s still not among my top 5.
In terms of “most”, like Graham, I might go with “Atlantic City.” Again, I’m struggling to pick my least favorite.
You’re right; picking a Least and Most for this masterwork is damn near impossible, but if I was ever demanded at gunpoint to give an answer, the Least would probably be “Reason to Believe”, and the Most would go to “Highway Patrolman.” That’s my answer today, anyway. It’s all brilliant.
Again the album is a continuous piece with all songs making up the whole. When this album was released some expert music guy on a local station gave a review by smashing the record to pieces. The record wasnt well received by some. I wasnt part of that some. He tapped into into a great vein here. Good stuff Tony. A “Brand new used car” was part of my upbringing. Speaking of Flannery. Ever watched or read ‘Wise Blood’. Great scene about the worlds biggest piece of shit car,
I haven’t yet, I’ll add to the fucking list for things I’d like wrapped up under a tree. I’m intrigued after reading a few descriptions.
The reaction to this one must have been strange at the time, SVZ claims in his book that Landau played the label what the next ‘Big Boss Rock’ album sounded like but ‘if you want that you gotta put out this quiet little folkie one first’ but I guess not every DJ was on board with the vision
At the time Bruce had read a book by Nanette Beaver called ‘Caril’. She was the girlfriend of Charlie Strarkweather who took Caril along on a killing spree in the Badlands (you probably know all this). Anyways the book had a big impact on Bruce and you can feel it in the record. ‘Wise Blood’ makes sense. The same stark crazy mid western religious slant. That’s all I fucking got.
Another one I really like, This is as close as I come to being a Bruce believer I think, State Trooper is just so stark and perfect.