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9.0
61583
9.0 |
Uncut
If High Hopes is about anything, it's the failure of conventional belief systems and the blight of spiritual poverty experienced as a result
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9.0
61618
9.0 |
Rolling Stone
The cumulative effect of this mass of old, borrowed, blue and renewed – covers, recent outtakes and redefining takes on two classics – is retrospect with a cutting edge
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8.3
61629
8.3 |
Billboard
In a first for the artist, the record is a collection of cover songs previously performed live, originals never recorded in the studio and older songs dusted off and reanimated
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8.0
61636
8.0 |
musicOMH
There’s a spirit of collaboration that is largely new, a genuine and warm-hearted celebration of past members’ contributions and a celebration of the rowdy, uplifting storm cooked up by the 18-strong modern incarnation of the group
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8.0
61591
8.0 |
The Independent
Though lacking the thematic unity one expects from Springsteen albums, High Hopes has much to recommend it
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8.0
61562
8.0 |
Q
An album on which he plunges forward even as he draws on the past. Print edition only
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8.0
61703
8.0 |
Independent on Sunday
Even looking backwards, Springsteen finds ways to light the road ahead
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8.0
61709
8.0 |
Drowned In Sound
He’s a bit more rock than usual, a bit more rough than usual, he gives a bit less of a shit than usual – it’s hipster Bruce, un-MOR Bruce
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8.0
61762
8.0 |
NME
Still The Boss
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7.0
61738
7.0 |
All Music
Strictly speaking, these 12 songs don't cohere into a mood or narrative but after two decades of deliberate, purposeful albums, it's rather thrilling to hear Springsteen revel in a mess of contradictions
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6.0
61759
6.0 |
PopMatters
High Hopes, by contrast, is precisely as good as its best material and as bad as its worst, nothing more and nothing less
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6.0
61761
6.0 |
A.V. Club
With High Hopes, Springsteen splashes his brightest colours against a canvas, crosses his fingers, and hopes they mesh
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6.0
61718
6.0 |
Slant Magazine
Covers a fair bit of ground while remaining generally consistent in quality, ranging from dark, moody pieces like "Down in the Hole"—which is menaced, but never overtaken, by saccharine children's vocals—to the infectiously goofy title track
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6.0
61731
6.0 |
The Arts Desk
Listeners may not find the experience especially consistent, but, still, there are some real nuggets here
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6.0
61806
6.0 |
Under The Radar
A cynical mind would wonder if High Hopes is just a rushed product to fulfill contract obligations with the label, or an excuse for lucrative touring—or both
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6.0
62408
6.0 |
Crack
Unlikely to be lauded as a milestone in Springsteen’s 40-year (and counting) career, but there’s enough here to be convinced the Boss isn’t ready to be put out to pasture quite yet
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6.0
62539
6.0 |
The Skinny
See it as a spring clean of the archives, and, perhaps, an adieu to the big man Clarence Clemons, whose unmistakeable playing features here
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6.0
61708
6.0 |
The Observer
The overall impression is of a record playing with playfulness
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6.0
61696
6.0 |
The Quietus
Despite Bruce's high standards, not many of these songs sound really rare
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6.0
61698
6.0 |
Evening Standard
The simpler moments, such as Frankie Fell in Love’s glorious melody and the rollicking Just Like Fire Would, have the greatest appeal
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6.0
61680
6.0 |
The Guardian
High Hopes may be a stopgap, but it is one assembled with tender, loving care
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6.0
61560
6.0 |
Daily Telegraph
Morello is the album’s guiding spirit. But while his agit-pop sensibility is a good fit with Springsteen’s socio-political conscience, his effects-laden guitar playing operates at odd angles to the deep roots sensibility of the E Street sound
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6.0
61561
6.0 |
Mojo
High Hopes is a good song collection rather than a great album. Print edition only
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6.0
61639
6.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
Will tide fans over until the next bona fide LP
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5.0
61683
5.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
High Hopes is a standstill album, momentous for being the first effort in a long time where The Boss appears speechless at the podium
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5.0
61667
5.0 |
Spin
The decade-spanning covers, outtakes, and remakes here — all these disparate moods and eras — make for an unwieldy mish-mash of an album with its seams apparent
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5.0
61873
5.0 |
No Ripcord
In summary, it's a grave disappointment. There was never a need to dress up some of these tracks as they have been
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5.0
62003
5.0 |
Clash
Too often ‘High Hopes’ falls beneath the songwriter’s own lofty standards
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4.0
61712
4.0 |
Pitchfork
An album that often sounds salvageable but continually trips over its own ambitions and good intentions
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4.0
61648
4.0 |
Time Out
Feels like the Boss on autopilot: big chords, big band, lashings of religious imagery but no real soul
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3.9
61781
3.9 |
Paste Magazine
High Hopes itself feels like an enigmatic, disjointed dream—one you ponder and ponder before deciding, “best not think too deeply on this one"
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