Music review: Bruce Springsteen — ‘High Hopes’
After delivering the smashing 鈥淲recking Ball,鈥� Bruce Springsteen is now offering 鈥淗igh Hopes.鈥�
While 鈥淲recking Ball鈥� served as a symbol of America鈥檚 damaged economy and the millions of Americans struggling to find healing from the emotional and financial scars, Springsteen returns to paint yet another vivid portrait of today鈥檚 fragile social climate.
His 18th studio album features an unexpected collection of songs consisting of covers, outtakes and remakes. Joined by the E Street Band, Springsteen also teams up with guitarist Tom Morello (Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine) to assemble a flawless cast to breathe new life into the compelling combination of tracks.
The new album also contains posthumous appearances by saxophonist Clarence Clemons and keyboardist Danny Federici. First recorded by Springsteen on 鈥淏lood Brothers,鈥� the title track is an uptempo anthem powered by Morello鈥檚 cutting guitar leads and a stirring horn section.
A promising start quickly turns seedy with 鈥淗arry鈥檚 Place.鈥�
Originally left off 鈥淭he Rising,鈥� this tale of mobsters and corruption is graphically dark and sleazy as the unmistakable saxophone playing of Clemons serenades the ominous lyrics. A healthy shot of spiritual redemption is witnessed on 鈥淗eaven鈥檚 Wall鈥� and 鈥淭his Is Your Sword.鈥�
Both arrangements seemed destined to be part of a Springsteen gospel album, only to be discarded for what would become 鈥淲recking Ball.鈥� 鈥淛ust Like Fire Would鈥� serves as an infectious and spirited cover with a charming vibe that is pure British pop.
A youthful and playful energy is captured on the Springsteen-penned love song 鈥淔rankie Fell in Love.鈥� The album鈥檚 signature moment finds Springsteen and Morello offering up a powerful one-two punch on the transformed 鈥淭he Ghost of Tom Joad.鈥� Morello鈥檚 presence adds a renewed fire and anger to the original acoustic version.
While 鈥淗igh Hopes鈥� certainly has its share of memorable moments, it鈥檚 an album for only hardcore Springsteen fans to fully savor. My favorite Springsteen album remains the gritty 鈥淒arkness on the Edge of Town,鈥� while the uninspired 鈥淗uman Touch鈥� serves as my least favorable.
鈥淗igh Hopes鈥� falls somewhere in the middle of these two releases.