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10.0
111774
10.0 |
The Irish Times
His most radical and arguably his best album for some time
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10.0
111906
10.0 |
The Independent
Sumptuous, cinematic album is nothing short of a late-period masterpiece
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10.0
111995
10.0 |
musicOMH
All things considered, Bruce is untouchable at this point – he knows what he likes, and he does what he wants. He just happens to do it better than 99% of writers who’ve ever picked up a pen
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9.1
111836
9.1 |
Consequence Of Sound
The Boss returns with a new sound and plenty more stories to spark our imaginations
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9.0
112009
9.0 |
God Is In The TV
Western Stars is simply a staggering record. One that few of us could have anticipated Springsteen was capable of, this late in his career
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8.0
112038
8.0 |
Record Collector
Western Stars feels like either the epilogue to a magnificent era or the discreet prologue to a more modest one
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8.0
111998
8.0 |
No Ripcord
He's often direct and political, but this time, his subjects are roving and circuitous — uncertain about their predicted fate
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8.0
111952
8.0 |
Evening Standard
The more understated material also hits home on a majestic album that combines lyrical richness with subdued orchestral arrangements
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8.0
111965
8.0 |
Under The Radar
Rest assured, Springsteen sounds confident and comfortable on Western Stars. His 1984 self that hoped to make different kinds of records would be proud, maybe even surprised
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8.0
111977
8.0 |
All Music
A collection of songs that are sweet, sad, and searching, songs that feel finely etched on their own terms but gather a deep, lasting resonance when collected on this enchanting album
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8.0
111981
8.0 |
The Observer
Springsteen sings brilliantly throughout, gritty on Hitch Hikin’, Orbison-operatic on the more elaborate pieces, and though the high notes can prove elusive, he retains the cadence of a born narrator. Brave and intriguing
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8.0
112152
8.0 |
Mojo
Like John Ford westerns, this romanticised vision of the big country has true grit in its soul. Print edition only
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8.0
111855
8.0 |
Clash
‘Western Stars’ is an understated triumph, righting the wrongs of his last few releases and more than emphasises the fact that Springsteen is still brilliant enough to be invested in
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8.0
111751
8.0 |
PopMatters
Deeply moving, inventive and even a bit risky, Western Stars will take its place among Bruce Springsteen's solo gems
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8.0
111752
8.0 |
Rolling Stone
A lushly orchestrated set of throwback, country-tinged folk pop that, despite some resemblance to previous works like Nebraska and The Ghost of Tom Joad, sounds like little else in his catalog
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8.0
111772
8.0 |
Q
It's a parade of wounded wanderers and broken romantics, marooned on dirt roads and in broken-down motels. Print edition only
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8.0
111775
8.0 |
The Guardian
Trailed as a break with tradition, the lush orchestrations and swooning vocals of this finely wrought album, in fact, chime beautifully with Springsteen’s history
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8.0
111806
8.0 |
The Arts Desk
The musical arrangements hark straight back to a golden age of orchestral pop
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8.0
111821
8.0 |
American Songwriter
Closing track “Moonlight Motel” represents that metaphorical stopover where youth and romance once flourished. It makes you wish that Springsteen could dash off an album full of such country songs. Until then, Western Stars will have to do, and it does just fine
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8.0
111891
8.0 |
The Music
He’s the greatest American singer-songwriter alive
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8.0
111901
8.0 |
NME
The Boss buckles up for his cowboy album, taking us in countless fascinating directions. It's the most charming and enjoyable he’s sounded in quite some time
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7.8
111949
7.8 |
Pitchfork
Bruce Springsteen returns with elegiac and wise songwriting conjuring the golden expanse of the American West; it’s his best studio album in years
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7.8
111867
7.8 |
Paste Magazine
Springsteen’s latest entry in such a storied catalog more than holds its own
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7.5
111940
7.5 |
The 405
Springsteen delivers a late period gem in Western Stars
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7.5
111946
7.5 |
The Line Of Best Fit
Western Stars is simply a classy record from a man growing increasingly comfortable with his status as an elder statesman of classic rock. And I absolutely cannot wait to listen to it in a car
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7.5
112062
7.5 |
Spectrum Culture
Western Stars places Springsteen in a series of guises that only sharpen one’s sense of the man behind them all
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7.0
111986
7.0 |
The Quietus
It’s a rewarding hour and he's earned the light relief.
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7.0
111896
7.0 |
Exclaim
The arrangements roll and soar while leaving room for more intimate revelations, which is where Western Stars really finds its stride
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6.7
111930
6.7 |
A.V. Club
The rough-around-the-edges element of his music has always been a highly calculated aspect of Springsteen’s perfectionist tendencies, but in crafting this record of genteel retro Americana, his smooth sound is missing some bite
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4.0
111985
4.0 |
The FT
This is familiar ground for Springsteen, although the album brings a degree of reinvention to him too
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