New Springsteen Album "Western Stars" June 14*

I do like Somewhere North of Nashville, but can understand why others would prefer it to be omitted

 

If I were to whittle this album to an EP, I’d definitely keep Somewhere North of Nashville... it’s the lone fragment of old style Bruce on WS and at the two-minute mark it certainly doesn’t overstay its welcome.

 

Totally agree. It could actually be from Nebraska. I love the Bruce and an acoustic guitar tracks. Stripped down, intimate

 

I agree. Those two along with There Goes My Miracle round up the rear.

 

But I like "Miracle!"

 

Where did you get this figure?

 

This is very unlikely. Can you provide where this came from?

 

Current sequence:

Western Stars
The Wayfarer
Sundown
Moonlight Motel
Hitch Hikin'
Tucson Train
Stones
Chasin' Wild Horses
Drive Fast (The Stuntman)
Hello Sunshine

 

Madonna Achieves Ninth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Madame X'

Madame X’s debut week was comprised of 90,000 in album sales, which is the fourth-largest sales week for an album in 2019 by a woman. The album’s sales were bolstered by a concert ticket/album sale redemption offer with the Queen of Pop’s upcoming theater tour (starting on Sept. 12 in New York at Brooklyn's Howard Gilman Opera House), as well as an array of merchandise/album bundles sold via her official website.

 

Came straight from Billboard's Chart Beat.

"Overall, Madame X’s debut sum of 95,000 equivalent album units is comprised of 90,000 in album sales, 1,000 in TEA units and 4,000 in SEA units."

 

Oh. I get it. It’s 90,000 that INCLUDES albums sold with concert tickets. Thank you for the info.

 

The lyrics to "Somewhere North Of Nashville" are quite moving and bittersweet. The story of someone who gave up a love for a chance to be a songwriter and went to Nashville to try their luck and ended up failing. Now they're left without their love and a long list of regrets and they're lost.
It's quite moving and such a short song that I think it fits well within the album at just the right place.

 

What a shame that Madonna beat out Bruce for the Number One album on Billboard.
I doubt her album is anywhere near as deep...

 

I think the observation that this album does not work in a crowd is pretty on point. If you try and have a conversation with it in the background, you lose it pretty quickly. As a body of song-writing and performance it is first class. Also agree that Stones and Drive Fast are real growers. There is a very strong parallel lyrically between the characters in Racing and Drive Fast as you previously noted.

 

I heard this album in full twice more over the weekend and it's rewards deepen with each listen.
There is not a wasted moment on this as far as I'm concerned.
My friend and I played it before dinner on Saturday night and she remarked that she heard a real "Los Lobos" influence and feel in "Sleepy Joe's Café". I have to agree. The next day I woke up with that song in my head and realized that it shares a similar feel and vibe (and tempo) with the song "Ricky Wants A Man Of Her Own" from the "Tracks" box set. Think about that the next time you hear it and you might get a chuckle...

I've also come to a realization about the possible double meaning ending of "Moonlight Motel"
I think that the character just pours a shot of "Jack" on the ground of the parking lot in a 'toast' to what was and that's it. "One more shot poured out onto the parking lot" makes a case for this (as in pouring one on the floor)
It was easy before for me to think of the "suicide" ending, but I really think it just means the character takes two shots of "Jack" for himself and pours one on the ground before moving on with just his memories and regrets...

Brilliant album. I think I'm bumpin' it to ****1/2 stars out of 5

 

This album is meant to be savored in a quiet environment with a nice cocktail and one's rapt attention.

 

Doesn't work as background music.

I've only heard it at a party but it kept dragging my attention away from the conversation.

 

I still find the meaning ambiguous - its in the phrasing more than the written lyric. And, unlike many, I am happy with it being ambiguous and do not need to solve the puzzle. Either ending serves the song.

 

Remind me not to try and speak to you at a social event.

 

I can't help feel that it's like the ending of The Sopranos. It's up to the listener to interpret it the way they see it.

 

You guys could talk about the album I guess...

 

Beautiful pressing, great sound. Mastered by Chris Bellman.

 

This seems like a quiet release in terms of promotion. Have there been any interviews? The film that was mentioned has not been announced.

 

Crap i knew there'd be a vinyl release. I'll have to buy a 2nd copy!!

 

I don't understand why this state of affairs is a shame. Who cares? Its like people getting all exercised because their favorite artist was not inducted into the Rock Hall. Meaningless. That this is an incredible collection of new music, available to enjoy, is all that matters.