High Hopes
by Bruce Springsteen
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Jan 14, 2014
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
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  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 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 BrendanI 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.… Expand
  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 Tom Joad" to the slow and soulful "Hunter of Invisible Game", you will go through a range of emotions with this wonderful collection.
  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 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 InvisibleAfter 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.    … Expand
  4. MES
    Apr 7, 2014
    9
    This may not be Bruce's best, but it is a very compelling set of songs. He's done a great job with covers of High Hopes and Just Like Fire Would as well as some of his own compositions (Frankie Fell in Love, Hunter of Invisible Game). And his Morello-fueled versions of Tom Joad and American Skin are worth the price of the album itself. Springsteen is a very talented songwriter andThis may not be Bruce's best, but it is a very compelling set of songs. He's done a great job with covers of High Hopes and Just Like Fire Would as well as some of his own compositions (Frankie Fell in Love, Hunter of Invisible Game). And his Morello-fueled versions of Tom Joad and American Skin are worth the price of the album itself. Springsteen is a very talented songwriter and unquestionably great entertainer, but this album shows his willingness to change his sound and incorporate the energy of a younger music generation. High Hopes documents the evolution of an artist at the top of his game who is continuing to grow and evolve. It may not have the killer hits of some previous albums, it is a very important installment in the Springsteen catalog. Want to see how a master builds on his legacy? Buy High Hopes.… Expand
  5. cdog
    Jan 15, 2014
    7
    Pretty good, but not especially cohesive. "This is Your Sword" and "Heaven's Wall" are both iffy and probably shouldn't have been included. As for the covers, only Dream Baby Dream does anything for me. On the flipside, 41 shots is pretty great (finally a studio version) and Down in the Hole, the wall and Harry's Place also impress. The remade Ghost of Tom Joad has been...divisive, but IPretty good, but not especially cohesive. "This is Your Sword" and "Heaven's Wall" are both iffy and probably shouldn't have been included. As for the covers, only Dream Baby Dream does anything for me. On the flipside, 41 shots is pretty great (finally a studio version) and Down in the Hole, the wall and Harry's Place also impress. The remade Ghost of Tom Joad has been...divisive, but I personally like it. No, it isn't as good as an original, but imo it's interesting to see the rock song that it started life as. Still a good song, and if you dislike it you are welcome to listen to the original.… Expand
  6. Mab_987
    Jan 27, 2014
    7
    Coming from a pretty big Springsteen fan, I liked this album, but feel it's the weakest of his post-comeback output. It's great musically all across the board but I can't help but feel like Bruce is getting stale lyrically.

    Top 5 tracks: American Skin, Frankie Fell in Love, Heaven't Wall, Dream Baby Dream, The Ghost of Tom Joad Score: 71/100 (I elaborate much more on this in my    Coming from a pretty big Springsteen fan, I liked this album, but feel it's the weakest of his post-comeback output. It's great musically all across the board but I can't help but feel like Bruce is getting stale lyrically.

    Top 5 tracks: American Skin, Frankie Fell in Love, Heaven't Wall, Dream Baby Dream, The Ghost of Tom Joad
    Score: 71/100

    (I elaborate much more on this in my YouTube review. Just search for Spin It! Reviews.)    … Expand
  7. MondayMike
    Jan 14, 2014
    8
    Anything Bruce Springsteen does is worth serious attention and is liable to be better than at least 3/4 of anything else that is out there. This album is no exception. Tight and emminently listenable. If you don't get Bruce Springsteen, you don't get rock and roll.
  8. GlendenningL15
    Jan 17, 2014
    8
    Overall a pretty great Boss record! Has some real high points (i.e. High Hopes, American Skin 41 Shots, Just Like Fire Would, Frankie Fell in Love, Hunter of Invisible Game, The Ghost of Tom Joad and The Wall) which are classic Springsteen! I loved the all in E-Street Band sound of the record and as someone who saw the band play live on their recent Wrecking Ball tour I think the recordOverall a pretty great Boss record! Has some real high points (i.e. High Hopes, American Skin 41 Shots, Just Like Fire Would, Frankie Fell in Love, Hunter of Invisible Game, The Ghost of Tom Joad and The Wall) which are classic Springsteen! I loved the all in E-Street Band sound of the record and as someone who saw the band play live on their recent Wrecking Ball tour I think the record really captures the sound and energy of a band at its best (especially on High Hopes and Just Like Fire Would). I can't wait to see tracks like Heaven's Wall and Frankie Fell In Love live when Bruce comes to town next month. I was also pleasantly surprised by Tom Morello's efforts on the record which are far more tasteful than I had anticipated and help lift tracks like American Skin and Tom Joad to another epic level. All in all this isn't Bruce's all time best record but is far from bad, if anything it probably suffers from a few cohesion issues which is to be expected in a pieced together album such as this. That said this is still a great record! Well worth a listen and an essential for every Springsteen collection.… Expand
  9. smudgeandy
    Mar 20, 2014
    8
    I've always been a fan of Springsteen, and although High Hopes isn't my personal favorite of his albums, it is still a fantastic album. But the best way to experience the album is to listen to it and decide for yourself whether you like it. Don't just read a review and assume it's good or bad. Everyone has personal tastes in music, just because I gave this album a high score doesn't meanI've always been a fan of Springsteen, and although High Hopes isn't my personal favorite of his albums, it is still a fantastic album. But the best way to experience the album is to listen to it and decide for yourself whether you like it. Don't just read a review and assume it's good or bad. Everyone has personal tastes in music, just because I gave this album a high score doesn't mean everyone will think the same.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. 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.
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  2. 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.
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  3. Clash Music
    Jan 24, 2014
    50
    With its sharply defined highs and curiously odd misses, there’s more than enough here for dedicated fans to sift through, to extrapolate new shades of Springsteen from. For the rest of us, though, there isn’t quite enough to hold our attention.
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