We cannot say that Bruce Springsteen is at it again because, honestly, the man never stopped. On January 14th, 2014, the Boss released his 18th studio album. It was his 11th #1 album in the U.S., putting him in third place for most hit albums ever. Previously, Springsteen had success with albums such as Born to Run (1975), The River (1980), Born in the U.S.A. (1984), and The Rising (2002) to name a few. Springsteen is famous for his immensely poetic song lyrics, for representing the “working man,” and for performing concerts upwards of four hours without once stopping to take a break.
But for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, it is not just about making hit albums and staying afloat. With so many old rock bands attempting to revive themselves these days, it is easy to write him off as just another nostalgic, fuddy-duddy who should put his guitar away and enjoy his wealth and fame. No, for Springsteen, new music is about spreading his gospel. In an interview with Jon Stewart in Rolling Stone, Springsteen said, “It’s never going to be wrapped up. You’re never going to hear anything called an E Street Band farewell tour – that’s never going to exist. It just goes until it stops, and then it keeps going.” For Springsteen, it is about the music, the message of hope it represents, and the joy it delivers.
High Hopes does not shy away from its heritage. If you listen to it alongside Born to Run (1975), you will notice some major differences. First of all, the folk sound that Springsteen adopted during The Seeger Sessions (2006), has continued to influence his work in subsequent albums. Wrecking Ball (2012) is probably the best example of this. Another major difference is that the E Street Band has sadly had to replace the legendary sax-player Clarence Clemons who passed away just before Wrecking Ball was released. Although the loss of Clemons is noticeable, Springsteen chose his replacement well: Clarence’s nephew, Jake Clemons. In addition, the E Street Band has added the legendary skills of Tom Morello, guitarist from Rage Against the Machine, to its inventory.
The album High Hopes is a conglomeration of songs that Springsteen has been writing since the turn of the century. Most of the songs are ones that did not make the cut on previous albums, and a few are songs that have been revamped for this album specifically. “The Ghost of Tom Joad” and “American Skin (41 Shots)” are songs that have been revamped, taking their original acoustic sound and transforming them into proper hard rock ‘n’ roll. “Tom Joad” specifically features solos from Tom Morello, and vocals from producer and songwriter, Phil Spector.
Other songs that previously did not make the cut are the rock ballad, “Frankie Fell in Love,” the jumpy “Just Like Fire Would,” and the stark, grimy, ode to the mafia, “Harry’s Place.” “The Wall,” which features organ music from another deceased band member, Danny Federici, depicts the grief of one standing at the Vietnam War Memorial. “This is Your Sword,” and “Heaven’s Wall” take on the feel of gospel tunes and reflect the message of hope found there, while “Down in the Hole” and “Hunter of Invisible Game,” are heavy laden with sorrow and nostalgia.
Most notably, High Hopes starts and ends with two cover songs, something never before heard on a Springsteen studio album. The Havelinas’ full-blast “High Hopes,” and Suicide’s restrained “Dream Baby Dream” reflect the E Street Band’s ethos: hope in the face of adversity, faith in the face of doubt, and acceptance for all who struggle through this life.
High Hopes is by no means Springsteen’s best work, and with his band on tour so often, it is not hard to see why. Bruce and the E Street band have come to focus more on their performances and less on their recordings. Ultimately, nothing will ever live up to Born to Run, or Born in the U.S.A., but what the Boss has created here with High Hopes is something special. It is a reminder of hope in hard times, and it is, for all intents and purposes, just some really great music. For a man his age and a career that long, it is a marvel that he can continue to produce such high quality music. And for that I say, keep the albums coming, and keep the shows long!