Working On A Dream
by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Jan 27, 2009
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    Springsteen's topical concerns have subsided for now, washed away by a high tide of positive personal feelings.
  2. Rolling Stone
    100
    Working on a Dream is the richest of the three great rock albums Springsteen has made this decade with the E Street Band--and moment for moment, song for song, there are more musical surprises than on any Bruce album you could name.
  3. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    This isn’t a tired old pro knocking one more out but rather, a superb song-craftsmen and musician in control; Working on a Dream is one of Bruce Springsteen’s best albums, period.
  5. The Guardian
    80
    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.
  6. Hartford Courant
    80
    Never has grocery shopping seemed more promising, and if there weren't plenty of other reasons why Working on a Dream is a keeper, that one would be enough.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Hs 16th (16th!) studio album, sees him eschew such stylings and instead go for broke on telling tales and flashing his soul
  8. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    On his 24th album, Springsteen reaches for the simple power and unabashed romanticism of early pop.
  9. Mojo
    80
    Tke heart and enjoy The Boss's galvanising newie--Mr. Motivator is back. [Mar 2009, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. Uncut
    80
    His 16th full-length recording is by some distance, Springsteen's weirdest, and most constantly startling to date. [Mar 2009, p.76]
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  11. Billboard
    70
    Fans will note a lack of Bruceness here: big-sounding proclamations about faith and dreams are few and far between, replaced by sneakily complex love stories all washed down with sudsy pop.
  12. musicOMH.com
    70
    There is no pandering here, with Springsteen and the trusty E Street Band rocking and rolling with free abandon and sounding like they thoroughly enjoyed every single moment recording the album.
  13. Prefix Magazine
    70
    When the proudly worn tropes – the irascible low-life characters, the working-class heroes – show up to break up the life-affirming stuff on Dream, they're an afterthought (the jokey “Outlaw Pete”) or worse (heretofore never to be mentiond again "Queen of the Supermarket" is, well, really fucking terrible). That's why the finest moment of the album is "The Wrestler."
  14. Dot Music
    70
    Ultimately, Working On A Dream feels like Bruce Springsteen taking stock.
  15. The A.V. Club
    67
    Working On A Dream is arguably the best-sounding album Springsteen has made since "Born To Run." Just don't look too hard at the lyric sheet. As the album's prosaic title suggests, Working On A Dream is weighed down by lines.
  16. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Working on a Dream crowns Springsteen & the E Street Band's most productive period since their first four LPs.
  17. Los Angeles Times
    63
    Only a great artist could make an album that's at once so stirring and so slight.

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Most Discussed Album of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 104 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 104
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 104
  3. Negative: 10 out of 104
  1. Thenewone
    May 18, 2018
    9
    bueno álbum de Bruce Springsteen, not good as The Rising or Magic, on par with Devils & Dust but way better than Wrecking Ball.

    Highlight    bueno álbum de Bruce Springsteen, not good as The Rising or Magic, on par with Devils & Dust but way better than Wrecking Ball.

    Highlight

    Kingdom of days
    This Life
    Working on a Dream
    What love can do
    My Lucky day
    Life Itself    … Full Review »
  2. raciocinio
    Apr 29, 2018
    8
    Not Great as the first five albums (1973-1980) or Born In The U.S.A, The Rising (2002) and Magic (2007).

    But way better than    Not Great as the first five albums (1973-1980) or Born In The U.S.A, The Rising (2002) and Magic (2007).

    But way better than Nebraska,Tunnel of Love, Human Touch and Lucky Town also better than sucessor Wrecking Ball (2012).

    Highlight Tracks:
    Kingdom Of Days
    Working On A Dream
    This Life
    What Love Can Do
    My Lucky Day
    Queen Of The Supermarket    … Full Review »
  3. sicrano
    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.    … Full Review »
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