Comments on: WTF? Springsteen CD Exclusively at Wal-Mart?!

By: Cellar47

Cellar47 — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:18:25 +0000

Meet the new Boss same as the old Boss.

By: richeye

richeye — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 05:11:22 +0000

The Superbowl is completely separate from the Walmart deal and has everything to do with marketing the new “real” album. If one looks at his own website, there is no mention whatsoever of this Walmart deal. That, in itself, speaks volumes; particularly given how much other self promotion is on the news page. I’m with those who think Bruce has less than nothing to do with this. I do wish he would speak out against it himself, but silence is golden.

By: freethought

freethought — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:24:17 +0000

As several others have noted, Bruce probably has very little to do with this, although we can’t really know without knowing the specifications of his recording contract. “Greatest Hits” albums are almost always done to fulfill an artist’s obligation to a record company, and, depending on the specifics of the contract, are sometimes done without the artist’s permission or (sometimes) prior knowledge. It all depends on the relationship Springsteen has with his label. I’m not saying he definitely has nothing to do with it, but he very well may not. In any case, it’s things like this that are causing more and more artists to release their work directly over the internet with no middle man, or through ITunes et al as Bruce did recently (according to goldpearl @ #26).

The strength of record labels was always in their distribution/marketing power and their control of recording studios — but times are a’ changin. It’s quite easy now for musicians to release online, and that’s where more and more people are buying music anymore anyway. And with the advent of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Logic and Pro Tools, more and more people are able to record from the comfort of their own home, and with more creative control. I think these exclusive Walmart deals and such (I think Best Buy has done a few of these too) are a last-ditch marketing effort by the labels to stay profitable. If it works, it won’t be for very long. Marketing is all they’ve got left. Thus, the Super Bowl/Greatest Hits album/Wal-Mart thing.

By: SoFlaJet

SoFlaJet — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:56:40 +0000

From Backstreets.com

Another new album? Well, yeah, sorta — Bruce will be kicking off the new year not with Working on a Dream, but first following in AC/DC’s footsteps with a Wal-Mart exclusive Greatest Hits album. Scheduled for January 13, and at a low price point, it looks to serve as a Super Bowl primer for the big Half Time show a few weeks later. It’s distinguished from 1995’s Hits album by the artist: not Bruce Springsteen this time, but Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band. 12 tracks skip over the non-E Street records like Nebraska, Tunnel, Human Touch, Lucky Town, and Joad, to provide a broad career overview from “Rosalita” through “Radio Nowhere”:

1. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
2. Born to Run
3. Thunder Road
4. Darkness on the Edge of Town
5. Badlands
6. Hungry Heart
7. Glory Days
8. Dancing in the Dark
9. Born in the U.S.A.
10. The Rising
11. Lonesome Day
12. Radio Nowhere

By: Lisa Derrick

Lisa Derrick — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 21:18:39 +0000

The story just came out–and as soon as there’s a response form Bruce or his camp, I’ll be happy to post it.

By: mamazboy

mamazboy — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 20:26:08 +0000

Has anybody heard of Bruce making a statement about this? responding to the criticism? I wish he’d say something. Maybe we’re missing his reasoning. I know I’m confused!

By: sunshine

sunshine — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 20:12:31 +0000

Garth Brooks did this a couple of years ago. Love him but won’t step inside Walmart.

By: ratfood

ratfood — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:29:14 +0000

Plenty for everyone. Hold out your glass…

By: Ann in AZ

Ann in AZ — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:27:28 +0000

Mmmm…

By: ratfood

ratfood — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:21:21 +0000

Cheers!