High Hopes
by Bruce Springsteen
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Jan 14, 2014
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 42
  3. Negative: 1 out of 42
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  1. Paste Magazine
    Jan 14, 2014
    39
    While Springsteen is notorious for painstakingly sequencing his albums, High Hopes was a losing battle--a puzzle with pieces that, more often than not, just don’t interlock.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 59
  3. Negative: 10 out of 59
  1. heisenbergrs
    Jan 15, 2014
    10
    I was sceptical at first, but when it comes to listen to a new Springsteen album you can always have a surprise. This has been one of thoseI was sceptical at first, but when it comes to listen to a new Springsteen album you can always have a surprise. This has been one of those times. The new record seems to be very very solid, similar, somehow, to other works of the artist (it actually sounds more like Magic and The Rising, than Wrecking Ball). Ron Aniello did an amazing job, even though we can't say the same about Brendan O'Brien: while Aniello makes the songs sound fresh and new, O'Brien seems to stop the energy of the E Street Band, making the tracks sound a little bit static. But after all, only details can be criticized: like that awful guitar solo on "Heaven's Wall", an unusual gospel and biblical song, written to be very light. Morello is way too heavy playing on that, and that makes a contrast which is not good for hears, not good at all. The title track, "High Hopes" does not sound very inspired, talking about arrangements, but Bruce's voice keeps the song at a great level. "Harry's Place" may not be a classic Springsteen songs (it reminds a lot the nineties) but that groove and that sax really work. "The Wall", on the other hand, is a real classic Springsteen song, with amazing and moving lyrics, and a melody that recalls Fields Of Gold. Very impressive are "Down In The Hole" (a ballad with the rhythm of "I'm On Fire" and the atmosphere of "Paradise"), "This Is Your Sword" (an Irish rock song with a hopeful text), "Hunter Of Invisible Game" (another ballad very similar to "Jack Of All Trades" and with an apocalyptic text). This album really deserves to be listened. It's fresh, unusual, something about the new generation, but even about the Bruce Springsteen we all know. It deserves to be listened. Because The Boss has always something to say.… Full Review »
  2. shadow47
    Sep 29, 2014
    10
    It is rare for me to like every single song on an album, but such is the case with High Hopes for me. From the hard-rocking "Ghost of TomIt is rare for me to like every single song on an album, but such is the case with High Hopes for me. From the hard-rocking "Ghost of Tom Joad" to the slow and soulful "Hunter of Invisible Game", you will go through a range of emotions with this wonderful collection.… Full Review »
  3. Ricko
    Sep 15, 2014
    7
    After a glorious hot streak following his comeback with 2002's "The Rising", "High Hopes" marks the first underwhelming Springsteen release inAfter a glorious hot streak following his comeback with 2002's "The Rising", "High Hopes" marks the first underwhelming Springsteen release in over a decade. Cobbled together from left over tracks that "didn't fit" with the albums put out, this record is a strange one. It's got some fine moments on it, the title track, along with the live favourite "American Skin" and "Hunter of Invisible Game" are all Springsteen at his best. Unfortunately there are some uncharacteristically plodding tracks in the records middle which hark back to the bosses' early 90's output (not his best period). Then you have the great song "Ghost of Tom Joad" getting revisited with Tom Morello - this should not have been touched. There is an obvious lack of coherence on the album and this is clearly due to the fact that the tracks are coming from different periods over the last 15 years.

    Springsteen himself seemed unsure of how to push this album and gave mixed messages on whether it was a proper new album or not. If it had been marketed differently as an outtakes collected then my expectations would have been managed but as he has put this out there as something that is essentially a new record, I feel a bit short changed. It is nice to have some of these songs in recorded form but not all of them and overall a new album wasn't necessarily the right way to do it.    … Full Review »
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