I wholeheartedly support getting Pedo Joe on the ballot.

Let's not give dims any excuses, understanding that Ohio is no longer a Swing State.

Classic Rock Album of the Day- Bruce Springsteen- Born to Run- (1975) ** 1/2

In before "The Baws" books his Australian immigration flight.  One  concept term hat I haven't used too much in these reviews is "Hype"  IMO, Bruce Springsteen is the most over rated rock act of all time.  It is funny after listening tonight, is that Born to Run, in its entirety sounds a whole lot like my last review from Meatloaf.  Joisey boy seems to be conveying one show tune after another that is propped up by some self imprtanced induced '70's street cred.  When, in essence, after watching this guy for 50 years, I am betting he consistently got his ass kicked back in the day.  Having a leather jacket back then, bending your lip and snearing  wasn't proof you were tough.

Tonight is probably the first time I have listened to this LP since prob.about 1982. And honestly, it isn't even as good as I remembered.  His songwriting isn't near a good as I reminisced .  Springsteen is an entity that was entirely created and perpetuated by Rock Critic hype and bias.  This is a good album, and it has some really good moments, but they aren't consistently conveyed here.  Is my accusation of hype wrong?  Take a moment and parse through his 21 studio albums.  Outside this one (good), two mediocre (Darkness..., and Nebraska), this rock career was 18 albums too long. And one other point to ponder?  I can't find the actual cost data, but at the time Born to Run had supposedly been given the biggest promotionial budget of any American rock album to that time.  There was a lot more corruption in the record industry than anyone realized.

Back to hype...  Bruce is the perfect example where and when factions of the rock critic punditry, convienenty place their  thumb on the scale to dupe the record buying kids. .  Rolling Stone, Creme, and others thought this guy was God.  Given, I know and understand that musical taste is subjective, but when all the cards are put on the table, I can't imagine many honestly who could put Springsteen anywhere near or among the top 100 of all time.  Rock artist through out time have ad political leanings.  A lot of what was said and sung during the Vietnam era is strong evidence of that.  But what just gave the critics an erection, was Springsteen taking that concept into the 1980's. He was the poster boy of waving the left wing flag. By Born (No.2-In the USA), he had gone full socialist slant I am certain this gave him that bias, and extra nudge to snooker the LP buying public that he was better than what he really was. And does anyone out there really think he'd a decent  voice? 

But as back to the subject at hand, Born to Run is (was) a good example of BS' work  It is really the one album when the other pieces of the puzzle, including Clemons and other supporting cast  were at their best.  And I do have to give the late Clarence Clemons props.  He was an excellent Saxophonist, and the reason I think why gave BS that extra intanglible nudge in stature.  When you think about it, not many mainstream bands were routinely adding Sax in most of their cuts. 

This album does have its share of filler, but there are some rocking and innovative moments that give it, it's deserving of purchase.   This is a good album.  Glad I didn't  contribute though,  and in my case, I think I got it cheap at the Pawn Shop.  None the less, I hope BS' next album is called "Kangaroo Shuffle"  Adios MOFO.

Fun Fact:  Bruce- Airfare tickets from LAX to SYD are running as low as $323 this week

Side 1-
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Thunder Road-  50 years later this song comes across as an overblown show tune.  And this is considered among the staples of the LP.  Decently written, and performed.  The problem?  There was 50 other albums in this era that were as good or better.  Like I said, BS doesn't have that great of a voice, and like Neil Young, it wears on you after a few minutes. 4

Tenth Avenue Freeze Out-  R&B focused that misses-  7

Night- Another example of filler.  Near histronic voicing is at least saved by some good Clemon sax runs. 6

Backstreets-   Pre-hashed Hungry Heart.   BS recycled a lot more of his material than people realized.  His ballads are criminally annoying 5

Side 2-
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Born to Run- Bruce Springsteen's greatest tune, but was always perplexed wby BS strangely placed the title track on Side 2-  Really good as anthem status, where all cylinders of the band are clicking.  This is an example of  not only good songwriting , but also has one of my favorite rock sax solos of all time   And it has that knack lyrically of believability that is absent in so much of the rest of his catalog.  This is the one song that made BS a star.  1

She's the One- Sleeper on the album.  I normally don't like his crooning, but the piano accompanyment does such a nice job of giving this heart. Again punctuated by Clemons yakity saxing it up in fine fashion.  Some added complexity added to, not normally seen in 4/4 Bruce. 3

Meeting Across the River- Wailing sorrowfull trumpet doesn't save this stinker.  Sucks. 8

Jungleland- Way back, I like this as much as Born to Run-  BS thinks that his storytelling makes him a poet laureate.  While it is quaint, 50 years later it seems damned dated.  Well hooked, but now it comes across like a cheap off broadway side number. OTOH, Has what I consider some of best guitar work.And Clemons?  He cooks.   Several pages back, a Briefer aptly menitoned how certain tunes are 3 minutes too long.  This is a perfect example. 2


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo4EoCqMvp4

Thanks, pookie!

My pleasure, as ever, Smokin Joe!

https://twitter.com/DonaldTNews/status/1793669837144965216

Isn't Diddy a pedo?

Even if Mr. Trump wins (50-50 at best)
and
Even if the Pubbies hold the House
and
Even if the Pubbies take the Senate...

...real progress will not be possible and WILL NOT HAPPEN unless the Senate Republicans take the bull by the horns and eliminate the filibuster.

Could not disagree more.  We don't need Congress to act.  We need to stop Congress from acting.  The only effective course of action is to block Congress from spending money.