High Hopes

[Sebastian.]

Seeing as there's a few fans of Springsteen on here I'd thought I'd post.

So what are peoples thoughts on High Hopes the single released today?

rOPDhoZH91g

I like it, taken a couple of listens but I'm looking forward to the album!

The album is released January 14th and the track list is as follows:

1. High Hopes
2. Harry's Place
3. American Skin (41 Shots)
4. Just Like Fire Would
5. Down In The Hole
6. Heaven's Wall
7. Frankie Fell In Love
8. This Is Your Sword
9. Hunter Of Invisible Game
10. The Ghost of Tom Joad
11.The Wall
12. Dream Baby Dream

Dream Baby Dream is awesome.


06fCMfcMnqk

[Bubbles]

I like Dream Baby Dream alot too. It's really talking to me as a song and I love that.
I got curious and searched for the original song a while back and wasn't entirely sure I had found the right one - Springsteens version sounds so different! And much better in that.

High Hopes is nice to listen to, I love the rythmic nature of it and the horns too. But I personally would like Springsteens songs to stop being so much along the lines of "keep on doing good work, hold your head high, the world is bad, never forget that & don't back down". I'd love to hear him go back to character studies. He can pick any way of that -Ghost of Tom Joad, Nebraska, Darkness, Born in The USA, something new - I don't care, but his post-2000 albums are so much centered on the society and I don't connect too well with that.

[Julie in the rv mirror]

I have mixed feelings, I'll admit, but I'm going to reserve judgement until I hear the finished product. Most of the songs on here are either covers or new recordings of songs that were already released in some fashion (or both), and that's new for Bruce.

Having said that, I really like this version of "High Hopes"- Bruce always has been fantastic at making covers his own, and that bodes well for the rest of this album. I also like the fact that Tom Morello is on this album, too.

"Dream Baby Dream", on the other hand, works great in the "Thank You" video he released for the fans, but I think it's kind of boring otherwise, I hate to say. He released a live version a few years ago, and I think I played it once.

A few of the song titles are pretty intriguing- "Hunter of Invisible Game"? :cool:

But, as I said, open mind.

FYI for anyone looking to buy, Amazon has a limited edition for preorder that includes a live DVD of the "Born in the USA" performance from HRC.

[LucyK!]

Honestly, I never get excited about Bruce albums.

The live arrangements are so incredible that to me the albums always feel a bit pointless - they might be good but I almost hear his albums as the stripped-back demo versions of what the live shows will be.

I'd have no problem at all if he skipped the album release and went straight to the tours - cut out the middle man!

[Julie in the rv mirror]

But I personally would like Springsteens songs to stop being so much along the lines of "keep on doing good work, hold your head high, the world is bad, never forget that & don't back down". I'd love to hear him go back to character studies. He can pick any way of that -Ghost of Tom Joad, Nebraska, Darkness, Born in The USA, something new - I don't care, but his post-2000 albums are so much centered on the society and I don't connect too well with that.

Bruce's writing has moved from the personal to the political/society over the years, but the themes of redemption and hope have always been central. Look at the characters on Darkness, for example; they are beaten down, yet look at the lyrics of "Promised Land", or especially the title track:

"I'll be on that hill, cause I can't stop
I'll be on that hill with everything I've got."

The narrator is beaten down, but he has hope.
(I think the central character in Darkness is the same guy as the narrator of Racing in the Street and The Promise- the songs are connected)

Bruce made a parallel in "Storytellers" to Darkness (the song) when he talked about "Jesus Was an Only Son"; I think the hill in Darkness represents Calvary, in a sense.

"Thunder Road ends with, "It's a town full of losers, and we're pulling out of here to win."

Anyway, I digress. Continue on with the thread.;)

[AndyK]

High Hopes is in some ways the musical equivalent of the jar of bits you have left over when you've taken something apart then put it back together again.

Am intrigued by some of the songs (especially the "new" ones rather than the covers. But the recording of songs such as 41 Shots doesn't excite me too much, likewise Dream Baby Dream - a lovely tribute and thank you to the fans but otherwise a bit meh.

There's a strongly rumoured "new" studio album in the can for release later next year which is more interesting ... The cynical me sees this as Bruce (or more accurately Landau) rushing to get out of his Sony contract and into a new one, whilst having a new album to sell while he's down under in the new year.

[tonyloaf]

I'll be at the live shows what ever :) who's with me?????

[Sebastian.]

I'll be at the live shows what ever :) who's with me?????

Meeeee!

[Mr. Happy]

I was a bit disappointed about the album when I first found it. Three covers (one which we already have a studio version of), plus American Skin and Tom Joad again sounds a bit iffy. I've warmed up to it heaps in the last day or so, though. Seven totally new songs (well...new to us, at least...) is still awesome, especially as Clarence and Danny are going to show up :D

Both High Hopes and Dream Baby Dream sound amazing, I've always liked both of them. I also really like the title "Frankie Fell in Love." Maybe that's just because I associate it with "Frankie" from Tracks, which I love, but I think I'm going to like that one either way. I have a good feeling about it :cool:

I have tickets for both of the Melbourne shows. Looking forward to it :D

[Julie in the rv mirror]

I was a bit disappointed about the album when I first found it.

What do you mean exactly by "found it"? :ninja: :whistle: :mrgreen: :lol:

I also really like the title "Frankie Fell in Love." Maybe that's just because I associate it with "Frankie" from Tracks, which I love, but I think I'm going to like that one either way. I have a good feeling about it :cool:

I like that title, too. Here's what Bruce has to say about it:

This is music I always felt needed to be released. From the gangsters of "Harry's Place," the ill-prepared roomies on "Frankie Fell In Love" (shades of Steve and I bumming together in our Asbury Park apartment)** the travelers in the wasteland of "Hunter Of Invisible Game," to the soldier and his visiting friend in "The Wall", I felt they all deserved a home and a hearing.


(Full Liner Notes:)
http://shorefire.com/index.php?a=pressrelease&o=6943


**I immediately thought of this story-starts about 4:00 mark: :lol:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGpdE4uWShk

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Better than "Wrecking Ball", IMO.

"Ghost of Tom Joad" is tremendous! :cool: :metal:

Kudos to Tom Morello for being Bruce's muse! :-)

Oh, and "Frankie Fell in Love" rocks!

[Sebastian.]

Better than "Wrecking Ball", IMO.

"Ghost of Tom Joad" is tremendous! :cool: :metal:

Kudos to Tom Morello for being Bruce's muse! :-)

Oh, and "Frankie Fell in Love" rocks!

Where did you get it????

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Amazon released it briefly for purchase- accident or on purpose, I don't know.

But it's around. ;)

[Sebastian.]

Thanks my contacts deep in Mexico have provided.

[Breeze]

I'm not a big Boss fan. He's had some songs I liked but they all sound similar to me. I really preferred John cougar meloncamp .
I liked "High Hopes" , it is ok. that is as good of a rating as I can give it. He is trying to pull off another song like " Another Day in Paradise" and it is just not that good. He is just playing on our fears of what the new year will bring. I guess we all have HIGH HOPES for peace.

[Sebastian.]

This album is fantastic. Honestly really surprised by how good this is.

Frankie fell in love is amazing - this needs to be done live.

Ghost of Tom Joad - much prefer this version again will be brilliant live.

Eager to hear a studio version of 41 shots. Again this didn't disappoint one bit. Also loved hearing some Clarence and Danny on it.

[Julie in the rv mirror]

This album is fantastic. Honestly really surprised by how good this is.

Frankie fell in love is amazing - this needs to be done live.

Ghost of Tom Joad - much prefer this version again will be brilliant live.

Eager to hear a studio version of 41 shots. Again this didn't disappoint one bit. Also loved hearing some Clarence and Danny on it.

I'm pleasantly surprised as well. 41 Shots was never one of my favorites, but this version is killer!

[Julie in the rv mirror]

I'm not a big Boss fan. He's had some songs I liked but they all sound similar to me. I really preferred John cougar meloncamp .
I liked "High Hopes" , it is ok. that is as good of a rating as I can give it. He is trying to pull off another song like " Another Day in Paradise" and it is just not that good. He is just playing on our fears of what the new year will bring. I guess we all have HIGH HOPES for peace.

Mellencamp? :doh: I won't touch that one! :twisted: ;)

You know "High Hopes" is a cover, right? Have you heard the rest of the album yet?

[stretch37]

I'm stoked for the album :D Springsteen's performances have been so strong, hoping there'll be some killer vocals and energy

[Breeze]

Julie, no I did not know it was a cover. who? I will try and listen to the album. It just seems like a " another day in paradise" type song, and that one is already done, and done very well.
OMG OMG, PINK FLOYD. I did not recall it.( say a prayer to the gods of R&R , Pink Floyd OMG)

I just find the Boss sort of boring. I thought Cougar was so cute. Loved Pink houses, Jackie and Diane, Hurts so Bad, Authority.

[Breeze]

I guess I will say a prayer to Dio as in Kickapoo video. he he

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Julie, no I did not know it was a cover. who?

The Havalinas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V65TfaiYaw

And, it's not the first time Bruce recorded/released it.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7V7d3l_eg

It just seems like a " another day in paradise" type song, and that one is already done, and done very well.

IMO, that song is just OK. Not a fan of Phil Collins. :shrug:

OMG OMG, PINK FLOYD.I did not recall it.( say a prayer to the gods of R&R , Pink Floyd OMG)

No, the Pink Floyd song is totally different: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGBM5vWiBLo

Besides, I can't image Bruce would ever cover Pink Floyd (though "This Depression" came close. lol)

I thought Cougar was so cute. Loved Pink houses, Jackie and Diane, Hurts so Bad, Authority.

Johnny Cougar cute? I guess we have different definitions of "cute", then. ;) lol

[Julie in the rv mirror]

"Accidentally"...suuuuuuuuure. ;)

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bruce-springsteens-new-album-accidentally-released-and-removed-20131229

[Mr. Happy]

Both The Wall and Hunter of Invisible Game are absolute masterpieces. Two of the best songs I've heard in a long while :D

I'm not to keen on Raise Your Hands (:zzz:) or This Is Your Sword, but it's a great album. I personally prefer Wrecking Ball still, but it's an exceptional body of music :D

[Julie in the rv mirror]

The Wall is growing on me, but I like Hunter a lot.

By "Raise Your Hands", do you mean Heaven's Wall? That's my favorite song on the record! lol To each their own, I guess. ;)

This Is Your Sword is a skipper for me.

This record is unlike anything Bruce has done before. I'm really enjoying some of the effects- I think the distorted vocal on American Skin is perfect. I also love that this is a real rock record again.

[Mr. Happy]

By "Raise Your Hands", do you mean Heaven's Wall? That's my favorite song on the record! lol To each their own, I guess. ;) This Is Your Sword is a skipper for me.

Ahahahaha, yes. It got mindnumbing after a few listens to me :lol: I do think This Is Your Sword is a pretty good song, but it hasn't grown on me yet. It sounds like a not-quite-so-good version of American Land, to my ears. I'm sure I'll like it much more after a few more listens.

This record is unlike anything Bruce has done before. I'm really enjoying some of the effects- I think the distorted vocal on American Skin is perfect. I also love that this is a real rock record again.

I agree with all of this :up: :D

[Sebastian.]

Pre-ordered mine today - complete with Born in the USA DVD from my 1st Bruce concert!

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Pre-ordered mine today - complete with Born in the USA DVD from my 1st Bruce concert!

I preordered the set, too; I'm going to get the vinyl as well. How cool that you get a DVD as a souvenir of your first show! :-)

Ahahahaha, yes. It got mindnumbing after a few listens to me :lol: I do think This Is Your Sword is a pretty good song, but it hasn't grown on me yet. It sounds like a not-quite-so-good version of American Land, to my ears. I'm sure I'll like it much more after a few more listens.

Lol Yeah, it is rather repetitive, but I have always been a "music first" person, and this song just grabbed me- can't explain it. It has me dancing. :-) (reminds me of one of my all-time faves- Miss Me Blind) I think it's going to be tremendous live.:cool:

This Is Your Sword does sound like something from the Seeger Sessions (would have fit on Wrecking Ball), and I'm pretty tired of American Land, so maybe that's why I'm not so big on the tune. Lots of people seem to like it, though.

[tonyloaf]

Pre-ordered mine today - complete with Born in the USA DVD from my 1st Bruce concert!

Done

[Julie in the rv mirror]

If anybody's still waiting to hear it, the album will be streaming starting this Sunday night: http://www.cbs.com/shows/the_good_wife/the_good_look_of_the_good_wife/1001731/

[Julie in the rv mirror]

The stream has gone live: :cool:

http://www.cbs.com/shows/the_good_wife/springsteen

[Sebastian.]

For UK fans you can listen here:

http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/jan/06/bruce-springsteen-high-hopes-album-stream

[tonyloaf]

thanking you

[AndrewG]

I had low hopes for High Hopes but some of it is really good I have to say. Love the studio version of American Skin, in fact it's excellent, maybe it should have been the title and opening track. Frankie Fell in Love is great fun. Just Like Fire Would sounds like it's an outtake from the late 70s. New Tom Joad version is great and I prefer it. Dream Baby Dream was always good. Hate Harry's Place. Awful. Sorry.

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Dream Baby Dream kind of puts me to sleep. :zzz: ;)

Harry's Place has some cool lyrics:

Your blood and money spit-shines Harry's crown...

[Sebastian.]

I love Dream Baby Dream. I found myself singing it on my fitness test for the RAF.... I got a few funny looks from the corporals.

[Sebastian.]

Mines in the post!

[AndyK]

Mines in the post!

So is mine. But I was sent an amazon download code by email last night so gave it a run this morning. Not sure if it's the near 6 hour drive I endured this morning but I wasn't vastly impressed on first listen. The title track is ok and Tom Joad and 41 Shots are reasonable studio versions of songs that I've really enjoyed hearing live plenty of times (especially Tom Joad). Franklie Fell In Love is the only other really memorable track right now... London to Liverpool tomorrow so that'd a few more listens to judge it.

[Sebastian.]

It's here, Born in the USA time!

[Julie in the rv mirror]

I have my DVD on now- Downbound Train just ended. I freaking love that song! :-)

The audio mix on this thing is outstanding. :cool: :up:

No Surrender now...:-)

[Julie in the rv mirror]

I'm Going Down...Jake killing the sax solo! :cool:

Bruce's vocals are fantastic thus far. :-)

[Sebastian.]

My hometown is my highlight. Amazing song with the sunset just superb.

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Live versions from the Jimmy Fallon show the other night:

Heaven's Wall:
http://vimeo.com/84362492

High Hopes:
http://vimeo.com/84362680

[duke knooby]

10th uk no.1 album for mr springsteen it would appear

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25802202

[LucyK!]

*Lead balloon warning*

Bored. Bored, bored out of my mind!

Radio 2 had High Hopes as Album Of The Week before it was released (they play one song each day from an upcoming album) and not one of them excited me, I was at work so not properly listening but they really didn't grab me at all.

Now got the album and sorry to say the boredom hasn't improved! I found almost every song to be completely lifeless, and on a good selection of them I can sing other Bruce songs over the top as they're re-works of existing songs.

I can only hope that the tour ends up being like the Working On A Dream tour, during which Bruce dropped I think all but one songs from the album and went back to just playing songs and requests from his back catalogue.

Sorry Bruce :(

[chairboys]

Radio 2 had High Hopes as Album Of The Week before it was released (they play one song each day from an upcoming album) (

Technically, they play two! If you listen to the Alex Lester show he plays one and then they play a different one later. However, over the course of the week, both shows play the same five. Nitpicking, but worth mentioning. Ok, it wasn't worth it. :-)

But, judging by your comments, one would have been plenty.

[Julie in the rv mirror]

*Lead balloon warning*

Bored. Bored, bored out of my mind!

Radio 2 had High Hopes as Album Of The Week before it was released (they play one song each day from an upcoming album) and not one of them excited me, I was at work so not properly listening but they really didn't grab me at all.

Now got the album and sorry to say the boredom hasn't improved! I found almost every song to be completely lifeless, and on a good selection of them I can sing other Bruce songs over the top as they're re-works of existing songs.

I can only hope that the tour ends up being like the Working On A Dream tour, during which Bruce dropped I think all but one songs from the album and went back to just playing songs and requests from his back catalogue.

Sorry Bruce :(

Sorry you feel that way, Lucy, but I don't agree. (Except for Dream Baby Dream)

Yes, some of the songs are re-worked (Joad, 41 Shots), but of the ones we haven't heard before, I think there are some really good lyrics. Maybe because I love The Rising so much, but I really like Down in the Hole, Frankie Fell in Love is fun, and I love Heaven's Wall.

I guess we'll be seeing very soon how the new tunes work out live.

I wasn't really crazy about the Dream tour (though I saw a couple of amazing shows near the end of the tour) compared to the Magic tour. The requests were fun, but I think the dedicated section in the middle of the show kind of disrupted the flow; I liked it better on the WB tour when he just picked one here and there. The last tour where I really loved the new songs was Magic.

As much as I love the shows, I'm ready for something new.

[Adje]

8 minute Video from Dutch News about Bruce in Africa:

http://nos.nl/video/606376-bruce-springsteen-in-zuidafrika.html

Partial in Dutch and English.

[Julie in the rv mirror]

I found this thread while I was looking for something else, and I thought it might be interesting to revisit it now that we've heard most of the songs in their live incarnations. IMO, the standout song, by far, turned out to be The Wall:

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Having seen it live a couple of times, I can attest that it was a very moving experience, and when he followed it immediately with Born in the U.S.A., it was just a stunning two-pack.

[melon]

High hopes, 41 shots and tom joad are my favourites so far. Just like fire would makes me feel happy... whether its supposed to or not.

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