Anyone who gives Bruce Springsteen a guitar and a harmonica and expects the same results they'd get by giving Bob Dylan the same instruments is, well, not going to get what they expect. Dylan would craft something beautiful, melodic, eloquent, twisty, like "Simple Twist of Fate" or "Shelter from the Storm." On "Nebraska," Springsteen adheres to his "working-class hero" formula, minus the salvation, plotting ten tales of hopelessness brought to life through ghostly vocals, weepy harmonica, and stark guitar. The crown jewel is "Atlantic City." Other draws include "Johnny 99," a sharp homage to Chuck Berry, the bitterly sarcastic "Reason to Believe," and the expected "troubles with father" tune ("My Father's House"). Even if these pieces don't excite you--and they certainly strike me--this man certainly has stories to tell.