Greatest Hits
by Bruce Springsteen

Great rockers

I understand what M42KO is saying, but although Springsteen chose the tracks, he was limited to a 1 disc album, and also unlike George Michael, Bruce Springsteen is more of an album artist, he won't want to give too many songs away on one release, he wants you to buy his 'proper' LP's. Most Bruce Springsteen records have their own themes, sounds, and feels, and he won't want to break them up because then you lose the real listening experience. As far as i'm concerned, I know Springsteen music so well, that it seems natural to me, when i'm listening to a Springsteen compilation, that after I hear the 'born to run' songs, I then expect to hear the 'darkness on the edge of town's songs, maybe i've just done that subconsciously. What Springsteen could have done to satisfy your tastes is to not put the songs in chronological order, Queen did this on their greatest hits album, in order for it to be a more 'even' listen, and it worked brilliantly, although Queen are not as album orientated as Bruce Springsteen is. As for me, I hardly even listen to greatest hits album albums as I prefer to listen to the 'real' records, the only reason Bruce's greatest hits is worth listening to is the last four 'new' songs, else I'd rather listen to the 'essential Bruce Springsteen', if I wanted to listen to a compilation album . Each to his own, I suppose, but in this day and age anyway people can make their own compilation CD's.

There are always going to 'mood Changes' on compilations, what do you expect? They're always going to be uneven listens. Greatest hits;etc. we're always originally intended for casual fans only, until record companies hit on the idea of adding 'new tracks' to intice people who already have the older tracks to also buy the album. What other songs would you expect on this album, Bruce Springsteen himself chose the tracks, he isn't going to let anyone else mess with his art, so if it has 'mood changes', it's because Springsteen wants it that way. Greatest hits records aren't ultimately made to listen to in order, they're designed so you can play any track you want, if you want a 'real' listening experience, you need the 'proper' studio albums. Anyway, what are you going to leave out? Thunder road? Badlands? The river? Atlantic city? Dancing in the dark? Brilliant disguise? Streets of Philadelphia? Any boss fanatics will tell you all those tracks are essential for a Bruce Springsteen greatest hits album.

An enjoyable compilation, but essential for Springsteen fanatics as it includes four new songs. Best of the new tracks is, this hard land, a stunning recording. Murder incorporated, is good, as is the atmospheric, secret garden. Blood brothers, I must admit, is a bit dull. Back in my arms, was a fantastic track recorded at these reunion sessions with the E street band, but it was inexplicably left off. The rest of the album is about right in it's choices of tracks, although I would have picked, I'm on fire, ahead of, my hometown. Anyway, still a good LP.

From MrRetardization 02/27/2014 08:18 | #104669

It's great, but I'd rather listen to Born to Run.