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
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Uncut
    Jan 15, 2014
    90
    There's a sombre edge to almost all these songs, even when the Hammond organ is wailing and the backbeat is a mile wide.... Morello's presence is crucial to the tone of the album. [Feb 2014, p.65]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Rolling Stone
    Jan 6, 2014
    90
    The cumulative effect of this mass of old, borrowed, blue and renewed – covers, recent outtakes and redefining takes on two classics--is retrospect with a cutting edge, running like one of the singer's epic look-ma-no-set-list gigs: full of surprises, all with a reason for being there.
  3. Billboard.com
    Jan 6, 2014
    83
    [Morello's] contributions feel inventive, versatile and natural, like an extension of the direction Springsteen was already moving in.... Aniello's production work definitely enhances and does not distract from or obscure the tracks.
  5. Record Collector
    Feb 5, 2014
    80
    A bygone feel permeates a few of the songs; the joyful saloon rock of Frankie Fell In Love takes listeners back to The River, and Down In The Hole recalls the more reflective Bruce of Born In The USA and Tunnel Of Love.
  6. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Jan 13, 2014
    80
    For a stopgap release that no one expected, assembled from outtakes, B-sides, and covers that all but the most ardent Bruce followers would call inessential, High Hopes is still a remarkably cohesive and consistent record, and serves as a wonderful way to kick off 2014.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    Jan 13, 2014
    80
    There’s something about High Hopes’ slight incoherence that actually stands to its advantage--it’s a less homogenous, polished whole than Magic or The Rising and a fresher, more arresting listen.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jan 13, 2014
    80
    Still The Boss.
  9. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Jan 13, 2014
    80
    Even looking backwards, Springsteen finds ways to light the road ahead.
  10. musicOMH.com
    Jan 7, 2014
    80
    There’s a spirit of collaboration that is largely new, a genuine and warm-hearted celebration of past members’ contributions and a celebration of the rowdy, uplifting storm cooked up by the 18-strong modern incarnation of the group.
  11. The Independent (UK)
    Jan 3, 2014
    80
    Though lacking the thematic unity one expects from Springsteen albums, High Hopes has much to recommend it, particularly the way that Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello has re-invigorated old material like “American Skin (41 Shots)” and “The Ghost of Tom Joad”.
  12. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jan 2, 2014
    80
    It's a pleasing patchwork of echoes of the past. [Feb 2014, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Q Magazine
    Jan 2, 2014
    80
    A record that unfolds like a collection of short stories, occasionally hokey but more often affectingly vivid. [Feb 2014, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews
  14. Austin Chronicle
    Feb 20, 2014
    78
    Post 9/11 sessions for The Rising yield early continuity ("American Skin [41 Shots]"), but once Springsteen goes Stax with full-on gospel rock ("Heaven's Wall"), High Hopes reveals its soft brown underbelly.
  15. Entertainment Weekly
    Jan 6, 2014
    75
    Songs about decades-old social injustices should make him sound out of touch, but High Hopes still crackles with immediacy, despite the cobbled-together nature of the material.
  16. AllMusic
    Jan 8, 2014
    70
    Strictly speaking, these 12 songs don't cohere into a mood or narrative but after two decades of deliberate, purposeful albums, it's rather thrilling to hear Springsteen revel in a mess of contradictions.
  17. American Songwriter
    Jan 2, 2014
    70
    High Hopes plays very much like a sequel to Wrecking Ball, but Springsteen is less angry and blameful, more cheerfully weary this time around.
  18. Los Angeles Times
    Jan 9, 2014
    63
    When your Springsteen itch needs scratching, only a few of these even three months from now are going to pass muster. But it's not like you'll be starved for choices.

User Reviews

All reviews »
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 »
See all user reviews »