Western Stars
by Bruce Springsteen
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Jun 14, 2019
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 103 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 103
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 103
  3. Negative: 19 out of 103
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  1. Alcave
    Jun 14, 2019
    5
    A closing reminiscent of the spirit of The Ghost of Tom Joad, an album that is conscientiously sober and crude, but never sufficiently valued. There, in that record with a blurry picture on the cover and in which the American West was portrayed by the losers, there was a real atmosphere. The prints did not seem filmed by a superproducer disembarking with a preconceived idea but wereA closing reminiscent of the spirit of The Ghost of Tom Joad, an album that is conscientiously sober and crude, but never sufficiently valued. There, in that record with a blurry picture on the cover and in which the American West was portrayed by the losers, there was a real atmosphere. The prints did not seem filmed by a superproducer disembarking with a preconceived idea but were fragments and vivacious stories of a documentary filmmaker traveling through unknown territory for a boy from New Jersey but also for someone lost in his fame. Then, Springsteen's character was also blurred and he did not pretend to be a thoroughbred as if taken from a poster touched up by Photoshop. Then, the character had not finished devouring Springsteen, that magnificent musician and composer spoiled once more.… Expand
  2. MrSirGuy
    Jun 17, 2019
    6
    This album is ok. It felt pretty monotonous at times because of the orchestral arrangements lack variety and overall sound pretty "cheesy" throughout the album. There are some tracks with excellent storytelling like "Hitch Hikin'" but also some that are flat. I have to give credit to The Boss because hes 69 years old but that doesnt detract from the fact this album is average
  3. Sseliger
    Jun 16, 2019
    4
    This a well-written album, with a solid, although not perfect performance from Springsteen, ruined by some of the sappiest string arrangements ever laid on wax.

Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Best Album of 2019
55
#55 Most Discussed Album of 2019
43
#43 Most Shared Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Record Collector
    Jun 27, 2019
    80
    Western Stars is Springsteen at his most novelistic, scratching out pocket portraits that owe as much to the printed word of John Steinbeck, Raymond Carver or even Jack Kerouac as they do a lineage that would boast weather-beaten troubadours like Kris Kristofferson, Jimmy Webb, or his younger self.
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  2. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jun 26, 2019
    90
    It's getting late, but Springsteen's dusty art shows no sign of fading. [Summer 2019, p.84]
  3. Mojo
    Jun 25, 2019
    80
    Bruce Springsteen began making this album in 2010--like golden reflections late in the day, it's been worth the wait. [Aug 2019, p.88]
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