From Backstreets Magazine: “With the No. 1 debut [of ‘High Hopes’], Springsteen pulls ahead of Elvis Presley to stand alone as the act with the third-most No. 1s in the history of the Billboard 200. Ahead of both acts on the all-time list are the Beatles (with 19 No. 1s) and Jay Z (with 13).”

To read the Billboard Magazine article, click HERE.

Per Backstreets Magazine: Download problem solved!

Backstreets has just confirmed that, in addition to the USB wristband sales model, Springsteen will also be offering direct audio downloads through his official Live Nation online store following each show on the upcoming leg, with no physical purchase required. There will be two options for audio formats: MP3 (320 kbps) or FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec). Pricing will match Pearl Jam’s, at $9.99 for MP3 or $14.99 for FLAC. Hard to say fairer than that.

Click HERE is some additional info from Rolling Stone.

The band My Morning Jacket is also getting into the concert download business. Click HERE for more info.

1. High Hopes by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band with Tom Morello (CD/DVD; 2014)
2. Sweet Summer Sun: Hyde Park Live by the Rolling Stones (2 CDs/1 DVD; 2014)
3. Modern Vampires of the City by Vampire Weekend (2013)
4. The Bones of What You Believe by Chvrches (2013—and, yes, that’s the way the band’s name is spelled!)
5. Hearts and Bones by Paul Simon (1983)
6. All-Time Original Hits by the Everly Brothers {compilation} (1999)
7. Creedence Clearwater Revival: Box Set by Creedence Clearwater Revival {collects all of their albums plus all of the pre-CCR singles when they were called the Golliwogs} (6 CDs; 2001)
8. One Soul Now by the Cowboy Junkies (2004)
9. Young Professionals by Stargazer Lily (2004)
10. Celebration Rock by Japandroids (2012)

What are you listening to?

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band with Tom Morello, “High Hopes”

Stargazer Lily, “The Train Song” (live)

1. Kidnapped by Neptune by Scout Niblett (2005)
2. Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary {compilation} (5CDs; 1997)
3. Raw Power by Iggy & the Stooges (1973)
4. Odds & Sods {rarities compilation} (1974)
5. Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man / Mongrel by the Bob Seger System{twofer bootleg of 2 out of print albums} (originally released 1969/1970)
6. Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie by Alanis Morissette (1998)
7. Gems by Aerosmith {compilation} (1988)
8. Wheels of Fire by Cream (2CDs; 1969)
9. One Thing Leads to Another: Greatest Hits by the Fixx {compilation} (1989)
10. Fair Warning by Van Halen (1981)

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?

The Fixx, “One Thing Leads to Another”

I am so excited. On March 25, the Hold Steady will release a new album. Click here to read more!

“Your Little Hoodrat Friend” – love this song – it inspired the novella “Damn Right You’ll Rise Again” in my upcoming book, Sweater Girl and Other Tales of Mondauk County,

1. No Guru, No Method, No Teacher by Van Morrison (1986)
2. One Beat by Sleater-Kinney (2002)
3. Nitro Burnin’ Funny Daddy by Brian Setzer (CD + cd single;2003)
4. Doolittle by the Pixies (1989)
5. Direction Reaction Creation by the Jam {compilation: complete recordings} (5CDs; 1997)
6. Rattle and Hum by U2 (1988)
7. Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy by the Who {compilation} (1971)
8. The Best of Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes by Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes {compilation} (1992)
9. Blown to Smithereens by the Smithereens {compilation} (1995)
10. Fade by Yo La Tengo (2013)

What are you listening to?

Southside Johnny Johnny & the Asbury Jukes w/ Little Steven Van Zandt & Bruce Springsteen, “The Fever” (live; composed by Bruce)

The Smithereens, “A Girl Like You”

1. Duran Duran  by Duran Duran (1981)
2. Misfits by the Kinks (1978)
3. Shine a Light by the Rolling Stones (2CDs; live soundtrack to Martin Scorsese film; 2008)
4. Shields by Grizzly Bear (2012)
5. Cheap Trick by Cheap Trick (1977)
6. Slanted and Enchanted: Luxe and Deluxe by Pavement (2CDs; originally released 1992; deluxe 2CD edition released 2002)
7. The River in Reverse by Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint & the Imposters (CD/DVD; 2006)
8. Buzz Me In by Jack Logan (1999)
9. The Brian Setzer Orchestra by the Brian Setzer Orchestra (1994)
10. Basher: The Best of Nick Lowe by Nick Lowe {compilation} (1989)

What are you listening to?

Nick Lowe, “Cruel to Be Kind”

Duran Duran, “Girls on Film”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jMMHHdVJb0

TOP 25 ALBUMS of 2013

1. The Next Day by David Bowie
2. In Time by the Mavericks
3. Run Fast by the Julie Ruin
4. The Worse Things Get, the Harder I Fight, the Harder I Fight, the More I Love You by Neko Case
5. Lightning Bolt by Pearl Jam
6. The Last Ship by Sting (2CDs)
7. Silence Yourself by Savages
8. Wise Up Ghost by Elvis Costello & the Roots (deluxe edition)
9. The Low Highway by Steve Earle
10. New by Paul McCartney
11. From the Hills Below the City by Houndmouth
12. Push the Sky Away by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
13. 13 by Black Sabbath
14. Days Are Gone by Haim
15. Defend Yourself by Sebadoh
16. Hesitation Marks by Nine Inch Nails
17. Artpop by Lady Gaga
18. I Hate Music by Superchunk
19. Mechanical Bull by Kings of Leon
20. Wrote a Song for Everyone by John Fogerty
21. Fade by Yo La Tengo
22. Amok by Atoms for Peace
23. Unvarnished by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
24. Volume 3 by She & Him
25. The Silver Gymnasium by Okkervil River

TOP VARIOUS ARTISTS ALBUM of 2013

1. Ghost Brothers of Darkland County by John Mellencamp, Stephen King, & T-Bone Burnett

TOP LIVE ALBUMS of 2013

1. 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief by various artists (2CDs)
2. Through the Never by Metallica (2CDs)
3. Live at KCRW by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
4. On Air: Live at the BBC 2 by the Beatles (2CDs)

David Boiwe, “Valentine’s Day”

The Mavericks, “Back in Your Arms”

trailer for The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band with Jon Bon Jovi, “Born to Run”

1. Run Fast by the Julie Ruin (2013)
2. Live at the Gorge 05/06 by Pearl Jam (7CDs; 2007)
3. Days are Gone by HAIM (2013)
4. Mind Games by John Lennon (1973)
5. Hey Ho Let’s Go!: Anthology by the Ramones {compilation} (2CDs; 1999)
6. Too Far to Care by the Old 97’s (1997)
7. Tales of a Librarian: A Tori Amos Collection {compilation} (CD/DVD; 2003)
8. Bat Out of Hell by Meat Loaf (1977)
9. Symphony No. 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven; performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Muti (1988)
10. The Sounds of Science: Anthology by the Beastie Boys {compilation} (2CDs; 1999)

What are you listening to?

The Old 97’s, “Timebomb,” an audio video; listen & enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnw3wHMdJMU

1. Live at the Gorge 05/06 by Pearl Jam (7CDs; 2007)
2. Get Your Ya-Ya’s Out by the Rolling Stones (1970)
3. New by Paul McCartney (2013)
4. Days are Gone by HAIM (2013)
5. Run Fast by the Julie Ruin (2013)
6. Sinners & Saints by Raul Malo (2010)
7. Phrenology by the Roots (CD/DVD; 2002)
8. The Essential Hank Snow by Hank Snow {compilation} (1997)
9. Nirvana by Nirvana {compilation} (2002)
10. Electric Ladyland by the Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968)

What are you listening to?

Nirvana, “All Apologies” from MTV Unplugged, which took place 5 months before Kurt died. There is some footage at the end that obviously didn’t make the final cut. Look how young Dave Grohl looks, playing the drums as softly as he can. Look how fragile Kurt looks.

http://vimeo.com/43974032

Hank Snow, “I’m Moving On” {live}