Letter to You
by Bruce Springsteen
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Oct 23, 2020
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 64
  3. Negative: 4 out of 64
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  1. Craigdimas
    Oct 26, 2020
    6
    There are 2 distinct Springsteen periods - everything up to and including his masterpiece ‘Tunnel Of Love’, then everything else. The release of ‘Human Touch’ trashed his reputation and set the bar down to the floor. In hindsight, the accompanying ‘Lucky Town’ was the blueprint for his second period. It’s a fine modern rock record, with a more contemporary sound though sounded pretty muchThere are 2 distinct Springsteen periods - everything up to and including his masterpiece ‘Tunnel Of Love’, then everything else. The release of ‘Human Touch’ trashed his reputation and set the bar down to the floor. In hindsight, the accompanying ‘Lucky Town’ was the blueprint for his second period. It’s a fine modern rock record, with a more contemporary sound though sounded pretty much nothing like first period Springsteen. Since then, Bruce has continued to release middling albums. Mostly not terrible, but none amazing. How many tracks since would make a ‘Best Of’? ‘Youngstown’, ‘The Rising’, ‘We Take Care Of Our Own’? Arguably none. Letter To You is another middling record. There’s little inspiration here, no truly great lyrics, no really catchy songs. It’s like a late period Stones album - just enough to remind you why you loved him in the first place. Oh, and is there really no one confident enough to point out to Bruce that no one sends letters any more?… Expand

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best Album of 2020
95
#95 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Variety
    Oct 30, 2020
    88
    You can say he’s written more consistently great albums this century, but the crispness of the recording as well as the performances ensures that “Letter to You” is the best-sounding album he’s made since the 1980s.
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  2. No Ripcord
    Oct 29, 2020
    70
    While this is one of Springsteen’s most genuinely energetic and exciting releases in ages, it isn’t constantly uptempo.
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  3. Boston Globe
    Oct 29, 2020
    80
    The record is a celebration of life and a reminder of how rock ’n’ roll can help transcend grief and loss. The E Street Band sounds rejuvenated with Roy Bittan’s piano work and Charlie Giordano’s resounding organ swirls and swells driving the songs and echoing early E Street magic.
    Read full review
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