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Working On A Dream Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 104 Ratings

  • Summary: Springsteen's latest solo album is the fourth time he has worked with producer Brendan O'Brien.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 29
  2. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. Springsteen's topical concerns have subsided for now, washed away by a high tide of positive personal feelings.
  2. On his 24th album, Springsteen reaches for the simple power and unabashed romanticism of early pop.
  3. Although he has always shown a willingness to borrow from himself, Working On a Dream never feels overburdened by those Springsteen mannerisms that have become cliches.
  4. Working on a Dream crowns Springsteen & the E Street Band's most productive period since their first four LPs.
  5. Springsteen has trouble leaving well enough alone. No matter how small the song idea, he whips it up into a sweeping epic with lavish choral accompaniment and blustery solos all building to some grand final flourish.
  6. A large part of Springsteen's appeal has always been how the E Street Band has sounded as big and open as his heart, but Working on a Dream, like "Magic" before it, has a production that feels tiny and constrained even as it is layered with extraneous details.
  7. Yet despite O'Brien's anemic production, much of the blame for Working On a Dream undoubtedly lies with Springsteen himself; drained of his angry energy, he dribbles out material that's for the most part goofy and painfully bloodless.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 37
  2. Negative: 3 out of 37
  1. SteveB.
    Jan 27, 2009
    10
    I think this is a wonderful album, full of gorgeous lush melodies and great melodic singing. And the lyrics, though lighter on the surface I think this is a wonderful album, full of gorgeous lush melodies and great melodic singing. And the lyrics, though lighter on the surface than normal, are deeper and thematic upon inspection. This is not an album one expected from Springsteen, and it requires some outside the box thinking as it's more orchestral and less guitar oriented than one might expect. It rewards repeated spins and I think it's the best album Springsteen has made since at least 1987. Expand
  2. EasyGoer
    Feb 8, 2009
    10
    A pure pop gem. Wit and wisdom about love and life delivered with a smirk and a nod to AM pop radio. Those that don't like it, just A pure pop gem. Wit and wisdom about love and life delivered with a smirk and a nod to AM pop radio. Those that don't like it, just don't get it. "Queen of the Supermarket" is the litmus test; either you love or you don't. It's pure unadulterated pop perfection. "Kingdom of Days" provides a truly great moment in pop music as Bruce declares "I love you, I love you, I love you I do. She whispers then prove it, then prove it, then prove it to me Baby Blue" as the orchestration soars. In the quick of a knife we have brilliantly distilled the essential difference of the male/female perspective with an allusion to Springsteen's own music and that of Badfinger. The song then proceeeds to a Simon and Garfunkle reference captured in a minute of sublime pop bliss. More than this; there is nothing. Expand
  3. Aug 18, 2010
    10
    *Sniff,Sniff* So beatifull. Bruce Springsteen has outdone himself. Also the whole album was the best out of his whole career. I think that*Sniff,Sniff* So beatifull. Bruce Springsteen has outdone himself. Also the whole album was the best out of his whole career. I think that this album may be his best yet! The song "The Wrestler" is so pretty, I wanted to hear it again and again. A solid 10/10 Expand
  4. DimitrijeA.
    Jan 31, 2009
    9
    No comment. A nice music.
  5. Mar 22, 2018
    8
    Isn't on par with the albums of 1973-1980, 1984, 2002 & 2007. but stand at the best album after these ones better than Nebraska, Tunnel OfIsn't on par with the albums of 1973-1980, 1984, 2002 & 2007. but stand at the best album after these ones better than Nebraska, Tunnel Of Love, & Both 1992 albums.

    A solid 8 Points almost 9 Points. An great album of 2009

    Highlights: Kingdom of Days, Working on a Dream, Queen of the Supermarket, Life Itself, My Lucky Day, What Love Can Do, This Life, Surprise, Surprise.
    Expand
  6. paolor.
    Jan 27, 2009
    8
    maybe too much strings attached and a sad cover art, but there are at least 7 beautiful tracks, to be discovered trough repeated listenings.
  7. RaysaJ.
    Jan 27, 2009
    0
    Just doesn't make sense like he used to. The whole album sounds sluggish and empty and drained of any of the usual E Street band energy. Just doesn't make sense like he used to. The whole album sounds sluggish and empty and drained of any of the usual E Street band energy. Bruce Springsteen has succumbed to the rock star malaise where he really thinks anything he puts to paper is brilliant. joining the club with the Stones and U2. Expand

See all 37 User Reviews