Earlier this month, a few choice artists quietly put out a spectacular tribute album for Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A. in the form of Dead Man's Town.
The track-for-track recreation of The Boss's 1984 classic features acts like Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires, Apache Relay, Blitzen Trapper, Trampled by Turtles, Nicole Atkins and Justin Townes Earle. Most songs are complete reinterpretations like Isbell and Shires' acoustic take on the title track that transforms the arena anthem into a subtle protest song. "'Born In The U.S.A.' is one of my favorites because so many people have seemingly misunderstood the lyrical content and the song's overall tone," Isbell, who recently cleaned up at the Americana Honors & Awards ceremony, told American Songwriter. "When you listen to the demo, the dark, minor key arrangement makes it clear that this is not strictly a song of celebration. We wanted to stay true to that version."
Other standout tracks include the folksy cut of "I'm Goin' Down" by Trampled by Turtles, the restrained hush of Nicole Atkins' "Dancing in the Dark," and the Justin Townes Earle acoustic reworking of "Glory Days." "Considering the hit or miss variables of other such tributes, Dead Man's Town is remarkably focused and consistent," American Songwriter wrote about the album. "More high profile names would have brought increased attention and gravitas to what is clearly a labor of love, especially since it includes such far under-the-radar acts like Apache Relay ('Cover Me'), Ryan Culwell ('Bobby Jean') and Quaker City Nighthawks ('Darlington County'). That in no way lessens the quality of their contributions, all of which fit snugly into the format of increasing the attention to Springsteen's words by stripping away the instrumental layers that often obscured them."
Dead Man's Town: A Tribute to Born in the U.S.A. Tracklist
01. "Born In The U.S.A" - Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires
02. "Cover Me" - Apache Relay
03. "Darlington County" - Quaker City Nighthawks
04. "Working On The Highway" - Blitzen Trapper
05. "Downbound Train" - Joe Pug
06. "I'm On Fire" - Low
07. "No Surrender" - Holly Williams
08. "Bobby Jean" - Ryan Culwell
09. "I'm Goin' Down" - Trampled By Turtles
10. "Glory Days" - Justin Townes Earle
11. "Dancing In The Dark" - Nicole Atkins
12. "My Hometown" - North Mississippi Allstars
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