Artist: Bruce Springsteen Album: High Hopes

Year: 2014
Duration: 56:00

A Critical Review of the Album: High Hopes by Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen, AKA “The Boss,” has been one of the most revered and detailed music artists in the industry for well over four decades. It’s hard to find someone who has not heard of him yet. With a career spanning decades, Springsteen has released numerous albums, and each one has been a unique addition to his music catalog. One such album is High Hopes, that hit the music charts in 2014. In this blog post, we will take a deep dive into the album, exploring the best songs, the genre, and innovativeness, as well as sharing our thoughts on the album’s overall quality.

High Hopes is Bruce Springsteen’s eighteenth studio album. It follows his two previous albums Wrecking Ball and Magic, which he recorded with his long-time backup band, The E Street Band. As you delve into the album, you will realize that it has the same characteristics as his previous albums. The album features eleven tracks that blend both new songs and previously unreleased material from over the years. The album is a tribute to Clarence Clemons, who passed away in 2011.

The album comprises of two main genres; folk rock and rock. “American Skin (41 Shots)” is the most notable folk rock song on the album, touching on the shooting of Amadou Diallo, who was shot forty-one times by New York police in 1999. The song features Tom Morello, who has served as Springsteen's full-time guitar foil since Steven Van Zandt left the band in 1984. In contrast, “Frankie Fell in Love” is pure rock, highlighting the joy of new love.

The album is packed with some fantastic songs that any Springsteen fan won’t want to pass up. One of the best songs from the album is “Dream Baby Dream”. It's a rendition of the 1979 song by Suicide, with rolling drums and swirling synths that create a trance-like atmosphere. “American Skin (41 Shots)” is another gem from the album. Its catchy chorus invites the listener to sing along, and Morello's guitar solo is anything but overpowering. “Hunter of Invisible Game” is a symbolic song that reflects memories of dead relatives and dear friends, with a message that challenges us to acknowledge them. This song has an uplifting, upbeat tune that makes it all the more enjoyable to listen to.

High Hopes is an album characterized by its ability to captivate the listener's attention. The album has some of the most innovative parts, thanks to Tom Morello's contribution. His influence on the album, particularly his guitar work, brought a unique dimension to the album. His signature style of angular, computerized sounds added a layer of innovation to the traditional Springsteen sound. Another innovative aspect of the album is the addition of electronic elements to some of the tracks. The album is more experimental than most of Springsteen's previous work.

However, like any album, High Hopes is not without some critics. Some album critics point out that some of the songs on the album lack the raw energy and urgency that define Bruce Springsteen's unique sound. Some also argue that the extensive use of electronic sounds may alienate casual Springsteen fans, who may not appreciate this form of music.

In conclusion, High Hopes is an excellent album that is worth listening to more than once. It is a unique album that stays true to Bruce Springsteen's roots while still being innovative and experimental. It features some of the artist's signature political commentary, deep emotions, and the incredible instrumentals that his band is well-known for. While critics may have been understandably disappointed with some of the album's choices, it still remains a solid piece of work from one of the most significant artists in the business. It's no wonder that Bruce Springsteen is one of the most celebrated artists of our time, and this album is a testament to that.