I read with amusement your Eleganza column. Bruce Springsteen occasionally gets knocked by the British music papers, but it was a shock to find an American magazine falling into the same trap. The comments concerning Bruce's attire were not meant to be taken seriously (I imagine)—only the most fanatical fan could object to them.
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NOT BORN IN THE USA!
I read with amusement your Eleganza column. Bruce Springsteen occasionally gets knocked by the British music papers, but it was a shock to find an American magazine falling into the same trap. The comments concerning Bruce's attire were not meant to be taken seriously (I imagine)—only the most fanatical fan could object to them. However, I would like to put forward the opinion that it is refreshing to find a rock star who dresses normally.
The remarks about Bruce's work (especially his new LP) deserve to be contended. Admittedly Springsteen often reuses (and reinterprets) the same main themes. But there is a lot of variation within these "two-and-a-half pet themes." Take the second side of Born In The USA for exam ple: three of the songs-"No Surrender," "Bob by Jean" and "Glory Days"-are all about com ing to terms with middle age (or the opposite, fail ing to do so). I'm sure John Mendelssohn doesn't include this theme among Bruce's "Two-and-ahalf?" Two of these songs also act as a farewell to a friendship.
Many of Springsteen's songs may be about working-class people who are unemployed or trapped in dead-end jobs. But there is great subtle ty within this-each song has a different character and a new story to tell-and Springsteen remains one of the most important writers in America; with a single phrase he can convey the state of mind of a character or the atmosphere of a place. The realism of Nebraska is continued in Born In The USA; but many of the songs still retain a visual dream-like quality (for example, "Downbound Train").
The musical invention in the new LP is of the highest order. Well, that's my opinion.
Springsteen, like all artists of rare talent, has a distinctive style. This should be admired. The new songs are bound to sound similar to their predecessors-there would be something wrong if they didn't. Do you really want Springsteen to be a maverick-type performer like David Bowie?
Finally, I would like to thank Jeff Nesin for his excellent review of Bor~n In The USA.
Simon Trowbridge
Oxfordshire, England
MENDELSSOHN NO RATT!
This is to John Medelssohn. You know, that stupid jerk who writes Eleganza. What right does he have to cut down Ratt? I want to know! He thinks lead singer Stephen Pearcy is ugly!?! Well, I think he is just jealous because he is not as gorgeous and sexy as Stephen Pearcy is. John, you're probably so ugly yourself that you look like your mother beat you with an ugly stick (every day of your life!). I think the beatings affected your brain because you don't even know how to write your column. Now, how do you feel when someone is cutting you down? I haven’t finished yet, but as you can see, I can’t take up the whole magazine.
A faithful Rattette
Atlantic Mine, MI
OUR FIRST REASONABLE REQUEST!
I would like to own eyery record on Earth. So far I have 18 plus a single. Will you guys pleeze send me the rest?
Muchos gracios,
Roxanne
St. Louis, MO
(Would you settle for a rest?—Ed.)
LET’S TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL
I was reading the 45 Revelations thing in the November issue and out of the corner of my eye saw the words “Everything But The Girl” in bold type over in the last column on the page. O Boy, 1 thought, CREEM is finally going to say something about Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn. Up until now, only Letter From Britain had mentioned their existence, and that in about half a sentence. And this time it’s gonna be by good oT openminded Ken Barnes, who doesn’t like to pan nobody!
So what’s he say? “Lame cocktail jazz.” Oh NO! Listen again. CREEM, listen again. Required material: Ben Watt’s five-cut disc on Cherry Red Records, the Marine Girls’ Lazy Ways LP which features Tracey Thorn, and EBTG’s new LP, Eden. These musicians have given me a lot of pleasure through their records and I want CREEM to write more about them so more people will share in it. Watt and Thorn aren’t iame; their music and lyrics are very heartfelt and moving. And, although Watt especially shows a lot of jazz influence in his guitar playing, most of the music isn’t really jazz—and certainly not cocktail, as in unobtrusive background music. O, am I boring you? Beg pardon.
Jay Soule
San Francisco, CA
(Pardon you? You’ll have to ask the governor. —Ed.)
WE READ YOUR LETTERS,
MR. PRESIDENT
You know you’re getting old when you thought it was just yesterday you read that magazine that you saw today on “The CREEM Chronicle: Where Were You Five Years Ago?”
America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Kid,
San Gabriel, CA
P.S. Thanks for all the entertainment and brain damage!
CLASH CLASH CONTINUES
1 got a few things to say to you fools (’cause I have the right to free speech).
1. Your “magazine” sucks. You’re just a bunch of egotistical bigots voicing your opinions and we don’t really give a (bad word deleted).
2. About every four or five years you print an article on somebody good (like the Clash, Costello or Springsteen). Usually it’s on assholes like Motley Crue or Quiet Riot.
Now, let’s discuss the Clash. Alright, let’s give you guys a medal, ya finally did an article on the “new Clash,” but it was more like an attack on (the one and only) Mick Jones. So you guys, along with Joe Strummer, don’t like the guy. That’s pretty obvious, but why don’t you ask Mick to tell his side of the story? Nah, you wouldn’t ’cause you just pretend to comprehend the Clash, and if you ask Jones he’ll probably tell you something you wouldn’t understand or wouldn’t like. God, what did I expect?
TURN TO PAGE 61
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
And, really, the JACKSONS in your rag? That’s real taste. How can you call yourself civilized with the JACKSONS in the same magazine as R.E.M.?
Janie Jones, Tommy Gun, and Jimmy Jazz Southeastern, PA
(Could it be the same unbelievably low standard we use in printing letters?—Ed.)
“NEIL” THE MOST EXCITING HOMONYM EVER!
I have something to say that might shock some people. I am in love with Neil Peart. Yes, I am talking about the guy in Rush who plays the drums—and I might add that he plays them great. Anyway, I happen to think that he is very sexy. Whenever I see his braid it just gets me so excited. Do you know if he’s married? Also, I think that Geddy is really good-looking. My mom thinks that he is, too. Oh, well, I just thought that everyone shoujd know these things. I guess that I don’t have anything else to write now.
Mindi
St. Louis, MO
(What do you mean, ‘‘now?”—Ed.)
CHANGE IN EDITORIAL POLICY A-BREWIN’
I love your magazine! You guys have all the best articles and tell things like they really are. I only have one complaint. I’m sure I speak for all the guys when I say that your magazine needs more articles having to do with sex! That’s right. Sex!! Personally, that’s my favorite subject. So give us guys a break and give us a little of what we want.
Devoted Sex Maniac Marble Falls, TX
P.S. I sure would appreciate it if you would take my advice.
(You’d appreciate it!!?—Ed.)
