The Boss

      Well, it's been a few days. Hope everyone is doing fine and dandy! I've had a good week/relaxing weekend, so can't really complain here! There's quite a lot to catch up on, so this is going to be a two part blog, the firs part going up now and the second going up later tonight! So for this blog, I'm going to concentrate on saying my final thoughts and review (for now) of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, as in my last post, we have reached his most recent album to date, Working On A Dream.

      First of all, I hope everyone enjoyed going though Bruce's studio album discography with me! It has been a blast going through his history again, and I hope I introduced you to a little bit of "The Boss", The E Street Band, and all their greatness!
     So for future reference, along with the other stuff I write on here, I'm going to go through studio album discography of bands and such, along with the music videos and all, and my reviews. Through my years, I have built up a pretty big CD collection (and it always grows) so I'll always have a band to talk about or feature. Of course, I take suggestions on what bands I should also check out, or albums! So recommend away! So yeah, for the previous few weeks, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have been the ones featured. But alas, until they come out with another album, we will end here for now!

      So why did I pick Bruce Springsteen to feature first? Well, one reason is the New Jersey connection. If you don't know that he is from New Jersey by now, then *slap*. Bruce was born in Long Branch, and grew up in the Freehold Borough, not too far from Asbury Park on the Jersey shore. He now lives in Rumson, New Jersey.
      I was also raised in New Jersey, so I can relate to his music. Even if you don't live/are not from New Jersey, you can listen to this music and get a feel for the culture there and such. And you also get a feel for something Bruce was very important for: The Jersey Shore Sound
     As far as I'm concerned, we have our own music scene in New Jersey. So who comes from New Jersey? Well, let's see, Bon Jovi, My Chemical Romance, of course Bruce, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Frankie Valli and the Four Season and more! Of course, some have more of a "jersey shore sound" than others, but it is still a very important part to the history of music.

     Bruce has always had a bit of Jersey in his music, but I think it's most prominent in his earlier work, such as Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.; The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle; Born To Run and Darkness On The Edge Of Town. What's important is that these show his roots, which, when you listen to later stuff, you can hear the sound still very much in the music. It's hard for me to explain really what the Jersey Shore sound, or the New Jersey sound, is in it, maybe it's the boardwalk style, the street style, the struggle style, but it always has that sound of old school rock and roll to it! Maybe that's it. Maybe it sounds like the roots of rock and roll. Actually while I look it up now, it says on wikipedia that it is "a mixing of pre-Beatles rock and roll, R&B, doo-wop, and the urban culture of the mid-Atlantic states". Now that I read that, it does make sense, good way to describe it, but I would also really emphizise "urban culture of the mid-Atlantic states". I think this may be another reason why I really like it so much, it does really ring a bell with the culture of what I grew up with, as I grew up and spent a lot of time around working class environments and suburbia. I also grew up ten miles outside of NYC, in North Jersey, and a lot of it is urban. All this comes out in Bruce's lyrics a lot, wheather it be about struggles of working class, walking along streets, or just being happy with the essentials of happiness: emotion, love, and hope. Even when we are stuggling to pay the bills or just to get through those endless shifts at work (like me at Holsten's at times haha), at least you have, well, you. It's about loving the little things, which I have come to realize makes life all the more great. Bruce's music is music that we can relate to and that can (and has) brought many people hope and a feeling of not being alone. It's done that for me as well. When I was having a down day and felt trapped in my little hometown in New Jersey, I could drive around, listen to Bruce, and get myself in a good mood. Many of the drives I took to work were drives with Bruce music blasting on my 20-25 minute commute, and I would always hum them while I cleaned dishes, or cooked food, or served people at the counter and I could say "yup, that's me right now" as I did it, refering to a Bruce song. Alas, working in a very "New Jersey"ish diner, I grew somewhat fond of it in my own way.

      That's the other thing. Bruce and the band really make you appreciate the working class people. The people who do the jobs that we think aren't so glamourous. Well, SOMEBODY'S got to do them. It also makes you appreciate your life a little more. Some of us are so lucky to be able to have luxuries such as IPhones, fancy cars, fancy clothes and such. Yet, some of us are working a job/jobs for pretty long hours just to pay the bills, have food and a home, feed a family, and save up for other things and have the luxury of nothing but dreaming. A vacation may be walking around in the streets, which in all honesty, I enjoy doing as well. Now, I can't say that I don't have it good, because I do. I go to school, I'm not loaded but I'm comfortable (at least most of the time), and I have many oppurtunities. But I'm by no means rich and I grew up in a middle class house and my dad and I try to save money, but we are happy. I did, however, know and do now know many people who had to work for what they have, and that meant (in some cases) working three jobs. Yet, these people were happy. And it clicked with me, that their stories and Bruce's music and my own dreams are what made me appreciate where I am from and that's why I'm happy with where I am at right now. That's also why I like going on long walks, just sitting and watching (now) the Chicago skyline and (back in New Jersey) driving around New Jersey and occasionally driving into NYC (though I usually take the bus). It took me a long time to appreciate New Jersey, as I used to HATE it with a passion, as many people knew. But, as I was here in Chicago, and as I listened to more Bruce Springsteen and thought about it more, I have come to really appreciate it and like it. It's not my FAVORITE place in the world, but I'm actually quite excited to go back for a week or so this summer!

      So in conclusion of all this, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are lengendary and a big part of today's rock and roll and New Jersey culture! They are just amazing and are the definition of modern rock and roll! I hope you will go out on your own and listen to some of his music, as you can see a bit of what New Jersey is all about. And as I have said before, those who think New Jersey is just like "Jersey Shore", I'm afraid you are wrong. I think that's why I hate it so much (as do many people I have talked to in New Jersey), it's a misinterpretation of New Jersey and it's not what New Jersey it all about. Sure, we have quite a few guidos/guidettes that annoy the crap out of us, but not many of us go clubbing every night/have the time to do it and it fails to capture any of Jersey's working class culture or rock and roll history as well as the hope we have living there, wheather it be from faith, dreams, or music. Sorry Jersey Shore, but you are a fail. (p.s., I don't live too too far from where those idiots live on the shore, Seaside Heights).

    So I hope you enjoyed going through Bruce's history with me and I will feature another band very shortly. But I hope everyone enjoyed hangin with Bruce for awhile, and I hope you enjoyed some of the songs I posted! There is really none other like Bruce Springsteen and the Legendary E Street Band. I have seen them three times back home in NJ, and seeing them live is an experience! They all have such energy and character, it's a must see show at least once in your life. If you want to check out a recent concert video of his, check out London Calling: Live In Hyde Park which is from his most recent tour. It is pretty much a full concert video and it does a good job capturing their energy, though there is nothing like actually being at one of their concerts! But that should give you a good taste for them.
    Well, there is so much more I could say about Bruce, but I will leave it there for now! Here's to the Boss and the Legendary E Street Band! Baby, we were born to run!

  -AR

9/11 Memories

    What's up everyone?
    Well, yesterday I talked about the Bruce Springsteen album The Rising and how it was Springsteen's response to 9/11. This album brought hope to a country that needed it.
    Well, I have my own little story to tell about 9/11:
     I grew up about ten miles from NYC across the river in New Jersey, and you could see the city from many parts of my hometown.
    September 11th, 2001: I remember being in 6th grade at that time. It was second period and I had my math class. I remember going to my locker and getting my stuff and then going to the classroom and sitting down with my fellow classmates. One of my classmates informed me that something was going on. I wondered what and when the teacher got into the room, we asked her but she said "Don't worry about it", though she seemed a bit distraught. It was weird. So we went on with the class as usual, though everyone seemed distracted.
    After the class, I proceeded to go to the next class I had, which I believe was gym and on the way to the gym I passed the office and a bunch of people were peering into the tv. Something wasn't right here, I could tell. Something was going on.
     The day went on as usual, and during my last class, the teachers told us to go straight home. It was a very unusual thing for our teachers to say. So I walked to the bus, passing a lot of parents who came to pick their children up early from school. So I got on the bus and went home. When I got there, my dad was home! Now this wasn't right, because my dad was never home when I got home from school, as he didn't get out from work until later. Usually it was only my grandma. They greeted me at the door and I remember being excited my dad was home but at the same time wondered why he was home, so I asked him. I'm a child so of course I'm curious. We went to the living room, flipped on the tv, and were greeted with the news that the World Trade Center had been attacked by passenger jets and the buildings have collapsed and that also the Pentagon in Washington DC was attacked and another plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

     My eyes were glued to the tv for the rest of the day.
     Not too long ago I had been on top of those towers, looking out at the city below. They were amazing memories with my parents and I. We always passed the World Trade Center when we were in NYC, they always dazzled me. Let me tell you, those buildings were some of the coolest buildings I have ever seen.
     When I went to visit dad at his office, I would always see them. My dad worked in Jersey City in a building on the river, right across from where you could see the World Trade Center. It was really beautiful.
    I had all these memories of the place and, at that time, I was just confused about how all this could happen. As I grew up, I matured and, though still confused by it, I understood everything around that day, at least as best I could.
     My dad told me his boss saw the second plane hit. Everyone in his building left, because, I believe, NYC needed to clear the surrounding area to use for bases, bodies, equipment, and for people to go as Lower Manhattan was evacuated. Everything was a mess
    NYC shut down, and I had never seen more national chaos so close to home before. I was both curious and a bit frightened. I was young.
    I remember on the anniversary of it a year later, they had those huge two lights shine in the sky, and it was a sight to see. It was a memorial to the World Trade Center, and you could see it from my hometown.
    It's still slightly eerie to go to the lookout in my town and see the NYC skyline withouth the towers. I grew up around them, it's so crazy to know they are gone and to know I was up there once on top of the towers.
    There is a memorial at the lookout in my town for the 9/11 victims. It's a really nice memorial. I go there every time I visit, for that and the view.
    I remember, later, Dad mentioning he used to work in the World Trade Center before I was born, but left. I still sometimes tell myself how lucky I am that he wasn't working there when all this happened. I am lucky.
   It sucks that this happened, and it sucks that it did. I have visited ground zero a bunch of times, and it always does something to you, and makes you realize that you should never forget what happened. Looking back on it all, it's still so hard to believe it happened. I had never seen so many people hurt around me.
   Listening to The Rising now, it brings back memories of it all and it also makes me realize how important this album was in history and how it tells a story that I lived through, that I witnessed. It all still brings some tears. I've been tearing up a little writing this, no lie.
   I don't think I can ever forget what happened to me, this country, and the world around me that day, and I look back and I realize how far we have come since. Sure, the country has it's problems, but we have come a long way. And I still try to search for the beauty. Springsteen definitely had the right idea with this album, as it is hopeful and tragic at the same time, this album paints the country and it's people's response to the attacks very beautifully and caring. For me, this album is part of my history.
   Thanks for taking the time to read this and letting me share my memory, and I would be interested in hearing any stories you have of that day. I could go on and on and on, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
   Anyway, that's all I have for tonight, time to sleep and get back to classes tomorrow. I bid everyone a good night.
   And remember...never forget.

-The AR

~this post is dedicated to the victims and rescuers who died in the 9/11 attacks. RIP and may you find a peaceful light~

Meet Me Tonight In Atlantic City

      Hey everyone. Not much going on today, just relaxing trying to get better for my Argentina trip, which is now a week from today! I'm getting pumped! Otherwise, kind of a boring day.
      I got to listen to Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen, released in 1982. So in my previous post, I mentioned how Springsteen made a bit of a style change for The River, making it a bit more classic rock and roll. Well, this album again makes a style change for Springsteen, and bit more of a change at that.
      When I was living back in New Jersey when I was younger or whenever I'm home during certain breaks in college, I always like to go for a drive at night, just roaming around and exploring, wheather it be with a friend/friends or alone. As I drive around, I always noice wheather the New York skyline is visible from some parts of North Jersey (I live very close to NYC). When I had insomnia, I'd always go out for one of these drives and sometimes they'd go into the sunrise. I'd drive around the industrial areas, near the Hudson River, around some neighborhoods, on the turnpike, just exploring. I'd pass radio towers, swampland (the meadowlands), New York City across the Hudson, warehouses, working class neighborhoods, etc.
    Believe it or not, some of these drives were quite beautiful. I think it took three years at college and out of New Jersey to really appreciate New Jersey. It really does have it's own kind of working class history and culture the I respect. I regret not taking the oppurtunity to explore New Jersey a bit more, and it makes me happy to know I'll have a few more oppurtunities to explore. I think there can be a lot more to it then people think. I honestly never would imagine I'd ever sit here and write and defend New Jersey, but I must say there is something about it that has a hold on me. There are some things that will always bother me about it (like Jersey Shore and all it's wannabe's) but I can't say that I hate New Jersey anymore either. Maybe I CAN consider New Jersey a home of some sorts. I'll definitely say this: It's where I grew up and it does mean something to me....FINE, I guess it is a home to me. New Jersey: there's something about you...

    Anyway, why mention all this?? Well, when I had an off day and decided to drive around and it was late at night, or I just went for a night drive, spooky or not, Nebraska was always one of my favorites to play in my car during those times. Why? Because this album is perfect for such occasions. It's dark and soft, and of course, spooky. It is definitely acoustic, as Springsteen is the only one playing and it's mostly guitar and harmonica. This album was originally not going to be released, as it was suppose to be demos of songs for an album. He recorded these songs in his room on a casette player, which I think adds to the spooky sound of it, as it sounds very intimate. It's almost like sitting in a room with Springsteen and listening to him play. But anyway, he did record it with the E-Street after but everyone agreed that it didn't sound as good and lost a lot of it's spooky sound, so they decided to release the original demos instead, and hence this album was released. This album is dark, for sure, but it has some sort of soundtrack feel to it, as if it was meant for driving around New Jersey or any real dark place late at night. It does has a bit more of a folk acoustic sound to it, except "Open All Night", which is definitely more rock and roll-y and Chuck Berry like, which I love, as does "Reason To Believe" now that I think about it. But this album was always a great pleasure to listen to. This album also goes back to more of his story-telling lyrics than some of the previous albums, which I'm glad he did again. This is a great set of songs. It's haunting feeling will have you awed, and it's merkyness will have you in a atmosphere that seems vast and unknown. My favorite songs are: "Atlantic City", "State Trooper" (which was also one of the first Springsteen songs that got me more into him) and "Open All Night". Check those out at least, though I think the whole album needs to be heard to get "the experience". And hey, if you're ever driving around North Jersey late at night looking for something, but don't know what it is, listen to this album while you're doing it. It may help you find it.
    That's all I have for now. Have a good night everyone.

-AR

Everybody's Got A Hungry Heart

     What's up! Well, not too much going on here. Just survived midterm week (music theory midterm was killer but I think I did alright in it!) and got myself some kind of stomach bug as well : (  Grrr, I hate it. Oh well! Anyway, also this week, My good friend John and his boyfriend Matt came to visit, which was fuckin awesome!! So I had a great time hanging with them in the end of the week and, all and all, it's been a pretty good week! Hope everyone's doing well! Did anyone check out the St. Patrick's Day Parade today? Crazzzzy stuff!! And now the Chicago River is painted green, as usual for St. Patrick's Day. Funny it's not even the holiday yet, but I guess they still celebrate it this weekend because it falls on a weekend. It's cool!

     Anyway, got to listen to The River by Bruce Springsteen last night and I forgot how awesome that album is. Probably, in my eyes, one of the most perfect rock and roll albums to date. This is definitely a rock and roll album (double album actually!) and has something for everyone. Whenever I listen to this album, I feel like I'm back in an old rock and roll club or restaurant or something, as long as there's the old sixty's dancing. This album definitely has the feeling of that time period, even though it was released in 1980. Still, I love that old nostalgic rock and roll sound! This album is definitely more lighthearted than previous release, Darkness On The Edge Of Town, but still has some darkness to it with songs like "Independence Day" and "Wreck On The Highway". But there are plenty others that make you want to dance. Some of my favorites: "Sherry Darling", "Two Hearts", "Hungry Heart", "Out On The Street", "Crush On You", "You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)", "Cadillac Ranch", "I'm A Rocker", "Ramrod", and "Drive All Night". Yeah, a lot of them I really like haha!! I can guaruntee you that you have heard at least "Hungry Heart" and "Cadillac Ranch" at one point in your life. I think it's safe to say that those are the most popular ones. Anyway, this album still is a "working class rock" album at it's fullest and I love the style Springsteen is using in this album. This is probably one of my favorite rock and roll albums to date, just because it goes back to the old style of rock and roll and bringing it to a new generation (even though, as I said, it was released in the 80's, it still stands the test of time in my eyes). And it is most certainly a feel good album, especially after a hard week at work (or school). Surprisingly enough, Springsteen always get me to miss New Jersey just a little bit.
     Anyway, that's all I have for now. I'm gonna go rest up for a bit and who knows what else. Spring Break is getting closer (thank god) and I can't wait. Well, peace out for now!

-AR

Hungry Heart:

Darkness

      What's up homies!!
      It's been a few days since I have written here. In those few days, I've been busy with school work and having crazy times with friends. It's been good, though we have reached midterm week and that means...Music Theory cramming. At least I'm getting stuff done today. My friend Gladys and I went to Evanston to have a homework intensive, and it proved (actually) pretty damn productive. Caught up with some music theory and such, so that was good and read a bit of Les Miserables. Great book so far, but just long as hell. I'm on page 114 out of, what, 1430 pages I believe. I plan on finishing it though. At LEAST before the semester ends. I wish I had more time to work on personal projects and reading leisurely and such instead of worrying about homework. It's starting to get really frustrating...oh well.

      In the mist of all this, I finally got to see the movie "Black Swan", directed by Darren Aronofsky, and starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, and Barbara Hershey. If you didn't know, Natalie Portman recently won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in this film, and I believe she deserved it. I've wanted to see this film for awhile, and am glad I finally got the chance to see it. The film is about a dancer, Nina (Natalie Portman) who is a dancer who lives with her overbearing mother (Barbara Hershey). She is offered the role of the white swan in the ballet Swan Lake, being directed to the hardcore ballet director Thomas (played by Vincent Cassel). Though Nina is perfect for the White Swan, she also has to play the Black Swan, which she has a hard time tapping into, since the part is more of a darker side than she appears to have. Yet throughout the film, we witness how she goes about preparing for the role and her competition between the other dancer perfect for the Black Swan, Lily (played by Mila Kunis). The acting in this film is superb and the whole film is dark and gets pretty creepy, which I like. The dancing and the way Nina's state of mind is shown is really awesome, and it has a real surreal feeling to it that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is also beautifully shot, and the tone is very fitting to the story. Certainly a film to see if you have yet to see it!

       Speaking of dark, I also got to listen to the darker Bruce Springsteen album, Darkness On The Edge of Town, released in 1978. This is know to be both lyrically and musically darker then his previous three albums. It tells of many struggles of the working class struggles, each side beginning with working class anthems and ending in pretty sad situations. I feel that this is his darkest album to date in terms of message as well, being very gritty and blunt, and I really enjoyed it. The songs here are amazing, my favorites being "Adam Raised A Cain", "Candy's Room", "The Promised Land", and "Streets of Fire" (which I'm currently listening too!). If anything, take a listen to these songs. Now that I think about it, during one of the last Bruce Springsteen concert I attended, they played this album in it's entirety and THAT was really cool and made me appreciate the album a bit more! It's consided a classic now, and has just been re-released as a box set and included a double album of outtakes, called "The Promise" (which also has a one disc version sold seperately). I've yet to listen to the album, except for a select few songs, but I heard it's amazing! Once I get a chance to listen to it, I'll tell you more about it. I hear it's amazing!
     Also, on this album, Springsteen's lyrics don't exactly tell a story straight out, the lyrics more emotional than narrative, even though I believe all songs tell stories wheather you realize it or not. But this is a great album and deserves a listen. At least check out the songs I mentioned. I'll leave a video of one below this post!
      Well, that's all I got for now! Gonna watch Slumdog Millionare with the roommates tonight, so expect to hear about that soon, as well as a few other things! Time to go work out and do a little more school work. Peace out!

-AR


Black Swan trailer


"Adam Raised A Cain" by Bruce Springsteen (I was there!!):

Born To Run

    Another relaxing monday. My sleep scheduale, from the weekend, messed up. Been up til at least five watching True Blood with friends, and as much as I love the show, I'm not sure if I was to have the same sleeping pattern as a vampire!
   Anyway, I found out today that my grandmother, who they thought would not be able to really walk that well again without any support, can amazingly walk on her own without much trouble again!! It was the strangest thing, as my father called me telling me she can walk again, and I was a bit taken aback and speechless! I couldn't believe it. So that has put me in a great mood, despite all the homework I have to work on tonight.

   So, as in my last post, I listened through another album...
 Bruce Springsteen's Born To Run, released in 1975. Ok, who HASN'T listened to at least the song "Born To Run"?? If not, you best get to it right now! I put the video at the end of this post.
    This album was Bruce Springsteen's real breakthrough album, and let me say, this album is genius. There is not one mediocere song on this album. They are all filled with heart, spirit, struggle and pride, and the fight to be a working class romantic. Even all these words won't do it justice.
    Of course, there is always the New Jersey sound in it that Bruce Springsteen always seems to hit right on the nail, and the imagery and narration is still there. I've read a few places that this album happens to be a concept album, telling a story from beginning to end. I'm still not sure if this is fact or not, but I can see the story within it. As an LP, each side beings with songs of escape, Side A being the hopeful "Thunder Road" and Side B being the infamous "Born To Run". Of course, these are two of my favorite songs, as I could relate to them whenever I wanted a release from living in New Jersey and singing them with close friends from high school, wheather it be at a Bruce concert, driving around in my legendary White Solara, or just chillin. This album brings back great memories.
    My two other favorite songs, even though they are all really good and should not be missed, are "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" and "Jungleland"
   With "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", it is such a fun song, I wonder how could anyone not want to get up and dance? It just always gets me in a good mood, because I think it's a really feel-good song. The saxaphone in this song (played by the legendary "Big Man", Clarence Clemmons) is really awesome! I love listening to this song when I'm driving through the Lincoln Tunnel to NYC. It's worth a listen!
    And with "Jungleland", well this is just an epic song! Lasting about 10 minutes, it's the last song on the album and a great way to close it! The shifts in tempo and the different parts of the songs are awesome and it has some upbeat parts and some slow, "foggy", mysterious parts. It's really quite amazing! One of the best songs I've ever heard! It's like a little mini opera, much like Green Day's "Homecoming" but different. It's just one of the most epic songs to ever be played!
   Well, that's all for now folks! I best get to my homework! Thanks for reading, listening, etc. and I will see you later.

Peace Out!- AR

Greetings From Chicago (I'm Back)

     So my computer broke quite awhile ago is FINALLY being fixed, so I've just been trying to find some time at the computer labs on campus and I guess, for now, I'll be writing out of here for the next month or so. So it's been awhile since I wrote on this blog....yeah...well I'm back for now!
     Well, I decided to go back and listen to some albums I haven't listened to in awhile, and I decided "Why not write a blogpost about it?". So, I'm gonna write some posts about albums that I am going back and listening to! And I'm going to start with none other that the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen!!
     I sat down and listened to his first album he released back in 1973, Greeteings From Asbury Park, NJ and here's what I have to say about it!

    First of all, let me make it clear: ELO did not write "Blinded By The Light", one of their popular songs. Nope, it's a Springsteen song and it's the first track on this album! Now, which version do I prefer? Well they are kind of different from each other and I do like ELO but I really do love the Springsteen version a lot, and it might be my favorite version, no offense to ELO. They have plenty of other great stuff!
   My other two favorite songs from this album are "Growin' Up" and "For You". I think, for "Growin' Up", it's a perfect song to transition into after the first song ("Blinded By The Light"), which sets the scene for the album, as a whole. "For You" is just a fun song that I could see breaking into song to in my life, hahaha!
   The reason why I like this album so much is the way it paints a picture of the world Springsteen wants to tell about. You can see examples from the previous three songs I mentioned earlier, which I think are a must listen to. I'm sure you can find them on youtube and I will post one here for your enjoyment.
    The imagery in this album is something I really love, it's kind of Bob Dylan-y but still original in it's own way! Coming from New Jersey, I can really appreciate this picture. I love the Springsteen's New Jersey, and I think it tells about stugggle and working class people and just living life, you know? I hate the "Jersey Shore" New Jersey of today that gets all the attention. I don't think that's really Jersey, just some bullshit that is giving us a bad name. If you go back to older NJ, the one where the working class hero was the story that was told, I think it has a lot of heart to it. Even "The Sopranos" gives off an interesting Jersey vibe. Why go to Jersey Shore to hang with Snooki or The Situation (unless it's to curbstomp them). You can find them ANYWHERE you go. It's nothing special, no worries.
    The New Jersey betrayed in this album is something I really like though and I think is worth a listen! At least the three songs mentioned! The whole album paints a good picture and puts me in the scene of the album. Below is an acoustic version of "Blinded By The Light", not the original. But still, take a listen!
    That's all for now! PEACE!!

-Your 21 Century American Reject

BBBBRRRRUUUUCCCCEEEE!!!!!!

Hi all!!

     Well, still under the weather today : ( Didn't get to sleep til about six a.m. last night. I had to skip my class at 8:30am because with the lack of sleep along with the coughing and runny nose and just feeling kind of crappy, I don't think I would have made it.
     Chilled around the apartment and went to Caribou for a bit (Caribou is a coffee place if ya'll didn't know) and read and then went to my Arabic tutor and then that's as exciting as my day got today.
     But...what was exciting was late last night!

The Boss

     That's right...The Boss was on Jimmy Fallon last night...the man himself. Mr. Bruce Springsteen!!! And boy was it a show.
     He appeared to play a song with Fallon, who was dressed up as Neil Young, which was hilarious. I'm sure you can find it on Youtube, it's worth a watch.
     Bruce was there to promote both his new box set of "Darkness On The Edge Of Town", filled with demos, unreleased songs from the sessions, the documentary about the recording/writing process, a notebook filled with hand written notes from the Boss himself, and he was also there to promote "The Promise", a 2 CD compilation of other unreleased tracks from "Darkness...". Both are now on sale, and I saw that at FYE if you buy "The Promise", you get a free poster as well, so check it out!

     During the interview, Bruce talked about the release and the days he recorded the album. Along with him for the interview was Steven Van Zandt, guitarist for the E-Street Band, and radio host of Little Steven's Underground Garage, which I highly recommend you check out. It is by far my favorite radio show to hit the airwaves. All you New Jerseyians can listen to it on Q104.3 at 10pm-12pm on Sundays, and everyone who doesn't live in NJ (Or have Sirius Radio, which houses it's own Channel for the Underground Garage I believe), check it out online, where their archived shows are. Check it out here: http://www.littlestevensundergroundgarage.com/ 

    Anyway, after the interview, Bruce, Steven, along with keyboardist "Professor" Roy Bittan of the E Street Band, and The Roots, all performed two songs from the new compilations. And what a performance it was!!
He performed "Because The Night" (which was made famous by Patti Smith) and "Save My Love", which was previously unreleased. Check them out! They are worth the watch, and they also happen to be the Video's of the Day. Two videos in one day. Lordy lord.
   
   Being from NJ, this was very exciting to watch. I have the priviledge to be able to see him in concert three times at Giant's Stadium, and boy does he put on a show. This is a concert that everyone should see at least once in their life. His shows have an energy that is so unique and so powerful, that it becomes not only a concert, but an experience.
   Being a big Bruce fan, I have all his albums and have been honored to be able to hear them all in their glory. So tonight, I am putting together....

   THE BOSS'S MUST LISTEN LIST

I have picked one song from each of his albums that I feel is a must from the album. Feel free to agree or disagree, but I think you should check them out on Youtube when you have the time. I'm sure they are there. So check out these Bruce Springsteen classics and enjoy this list!!

THE BOSS"S MUST LISTEN LIST
1. "Growin' Up"- from Greetings From Asbury Park (1973)
2. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)"- from The Wild, The Innocent, and the E-Street Shuffle (1973)
3. "Born To Run"- from Born To Run (1975)
4. "Adam Raised A Cain" - from Darkness On The Edge Of Town (1978)
5. "Crush On You"- from The River (1980)
6. "State Trooper"- from Nebraska (1982)
7. "Dancing In The Dark"- from Born In The USA (1984)
8. "Brilliant Disguise"- from Tunnel of Love (1987)
9. "All Or Nothin' At All"- from Human Touch (1992)
10. "Souls Of The Departed"- from Lucky Town (1992)
11. "The Ghost Of Tom Joad"- from The Ghost Of Tom Joad (1995)
12. "Lonesome Day"- from The Rising (2002)
13. "Long Time Comin'"- from Devils and Dust (2005)
14. "Jesse James"- from We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006)
15. "Long Walk Home"- from Magic (2007)
16. "The Wrestler"- from Working On A Dream (2009)

And there you have it folks!! Hope you enjoy the list. Check the songs out! I'm sure you can find them on youtube.

Obviously, this blog post goes out to The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, and also the the legendary E-Street Band. But now, it's time for:

THE LOST POEMS part 2!!

I have a feeling I was listening to some of Bruce's more western songs when I was writing this. It seems inspired by them. That and westerns in general. Maybe even Billy Joel's "The Ballad of Billy The Kid". But here you go, the second lost poem!

Ol' Bobby by Dave Karp

Bobby walked around the streets at night
with a .32 in his hand
promised he'd do justice to
whoever fouled the land

An outlaw, he was, of our own time
doin' deeds no one dared to do
Vigilante of this broken town
lookin' out for me and you

One day, Bobby came across a man
who'd gotten away with a crime
A man who killed a dozen men
and never served his time

Bobby pulled the trigger as fast as lightning
the man had nothing he could do
He knew this always happens
when Ol' Bobby catches you

Yes, that was Bobby and his taste of justice
Now Bobby is dead and gone
The town waits quietly for a time
another hero will come along

and that's THE LOST POEMS part 2. The final poem will be listed tomorrow!

Song of the Day: "Outlaw Pete" by Bruce Springsteen
Check out this 8 minute epic. It's amazing!! BBBBRRRRUUUUCCCCEEEE

Well, that's all I have for now. I have dinner and a night class to get to!! Don't forget to check out the Video(s) of the day below, which are the Bruce performances I talked about earlier from Late Night With Jimmy Fallon! I'll "meet you furthur along up the road"...

: )

-Your American Reject