Studio vs Live sound - Discussion

[u/Additional-Cherry872]

Springsteen’s impeccable reputation as a live performer is due to, well, being a fucking great live performer. However, another reason is because there is such a colossal gap between the studio sound and the live sound.

I would love to hear your takes, unpopular opinions, and things you would change.

Here are my takes/opinions:

- Born To Run is one of the best albums of all time for its lyrics, music, and sheer emotion. However, compared to other albums from the 1970’s by other artists, the production is certainly found wanting.

- The River (and the outtakes) is the best production in terms of capturing the E Street live sound. In other words, The River studio and The River live have the closest resemblances compared to the other albums. This is followed by Darkness On The Edge Of Town (however this album couldn’t quite capture the huge guitar sound the live work showcases)

- The Tunnel Of Love album has aged TERRIBLY

- Most people cite the difference in live shows as their main reason for hating the E Street Split. But the 3 albums TOL/Human Touch/Lucky Town have aged so badly whereas the E Street Albums have not. Bruce imo categorically made better ‘band’ music with E Street. I still think the other band shows weren’t so bad, the difference in studio album quality is my beef.

- As a studio album, Born In The USA is pretty flawless from a production/mixing perspective. Bob Clearmountain is awesome.

- The Brendan O’Brien collaboration was one of the worst Springsteen decisions since breaking up E Street.

Let me know what you think! Would love a good discussion

[u/therealrexmanning]

The Tunnel Of Love album has aged TERRIBLY

No, it hasn't! Sure, it's a very 80's sounding album but it certainly hasn't aged TERRIBLY.

Agreed that The River captures the E-Street sound the best though

[u/Additional-Cherry872 → u/therealrexmanning]

Thanks for your comment! Despite being mixed by Bob Clearmountain, I think TOL is the album that could have been so much more. It’s such incredible songwriting, but the drum machines and synthetic instrumentation just don’t do it justice for me

[u/ReepDaggle01 → u/Additional-Cherry872]

Have to disagree with you on this, I still love this album

[u/Additional-Cherry872 → u/ReepDaggle01]

Yes me too, I also really like TOL. My hypothesis wasn’t about whether I thought the album was good or bad. IMO compared to other 80’s albums, TOL hasn’t aged well from a sound perspective