High Hopes

Sebastian. · 25 Nov 2013, 16:54

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?

YouTube Video

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.

YouTube Video

Bubbles · 25 Nov 2013, 19:05

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 · 25 Nov 2013, 19:19

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"?

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! · 25 Nov 2013, 19:28

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 · 25 Nov 2013, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbles

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* · 25 Nov 2013, 19:56

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 · 25 Nov 2013, 21:56

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

Sebastian. · 25 Nov 2013, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonyloaf

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

Meeeee!

Mr. Happy · 26 Nov 2013, 09:26

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

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

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

Julie in the rv mirror · 26 Nov 2013, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Happy

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

What do you mean exactly by "found it"?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Happy

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

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:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGpdE4uWShk

Julie in the rv mirror · 28 Dec 2013, 23:48

Better than "Wrecking Ball", IMO.

"Ghost of Tom Joad" is tremendous!

Kudos to Tom Morello for being Bruce's muse!

Oh, and "Frankie Fell in Love" rocks!

Sebastian. · 28 Dec 2013, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie in the rv mirror

Better than "Wrecking Ball", IMO.

"Ghost of Tom Joad" is tremendous!

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 · 29 Dec 2013, 00:31

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

But it's around.

Sebastian. · 29 Dec 2013, 00:37

Thanks my contacts deep in Mexico have provided.

Breeze · 29 Dec 2013, 01:01

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. · 29 Dec 2013, 01:05

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 · 29 Dec 2013, 01:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Julie in the rv mirror · 29 Dec 2013, 01:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Mellencamp?

I won't touch that one!

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

stretch37 · 29 Dec 2013, 01:35

I'm stoked for the album

Springsteen's performances have been so strong, hoping there'll be some killer vocals and energy

Breeze · 29 Dec 2013, 05:00

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 · 29 Dec 2013, 05:39

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

Julie in the rv mirror · 29 Dec 2013, 09:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breeze

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

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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)

Quote:

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 · 29 Dec 2013, 23:21

"Accidentally"...suuuuuuuuure.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/ne...moved-20131229

Mr. Happy · 31 Dec 2013, 11:53

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

I'm not to keen on Raise Your Hands (

) 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

Julie in the rv mirror · 31 Dec 2013, 12:06

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.

29 Dec 2013, 05:00	#20
Breeze Miss Inclined Join Date: 24.07.2010 Location: Posts: 448	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. Last edited by Breeze; 29 Dec 2013 at 05:07.

31 Dec 2013, 11:53	#24
Mr. Happy Guest Join Date: 13.02.2010 Location: Posts: 736	Both The Wall and Hunter of Invisible Game are absolute masterpieces. Two of the best songs I've heard in a long while I'm not to keen on Raise Your Hands () 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

25 Nov 2013, 19:05	#2
Bubbles Senior Loafer Join Date: 05.05.2006 Location: good ol' Germany, rather westwards Posts: 169	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.

25 Nov 2013, 19:19	#3
Julie in the rv mirror Spirit in the Night Join Date: 23.07.2008 Location: On the edge of town (in the Darkness...) Posts: 1,559	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"? 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.

25 Nov 2013, 19:28	#4
LucyK! The Monster Is Luce Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Posts: 7,547	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!

25 Nov 2013, 19:56	#6
AndyK Relentless Join Date: 21.11.2003 Location: Over the top..... seeing what's on the other side Posts: 18,694	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.

25 Nov 2013, 21:56	#7
tonyloaf Metal Head Join Date: 15.05.2006 Location: Brighton Posts: 2,398	I'll be at the live shows what ever :) who's with me?????

26 Nov 2013, 09:26	#9
Mr. Happy Guest Join Date: 13.02.2010 Location: Posts: 736	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 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 I have tickets for both of the Melbourne shows. Looking forward to it

28 Dec 2013, 23:48	#11
Julie in the rv mirror Spirit in the Night Join Date: 23.07.2008 Location: On the edge of town (in the Darkness...) Posts: 1,559	Better than "Wrecking Ball", IMO. "Ghost of Tom Joad" is tremendous! Kudos to Tom Morello for being Bruce's muse! Oh, and "Frankie Fell in Love" rocks!

29 Dec 2013, 00:31	#13
Julie in the rv mirror Spirit in the Night Join Date: 23.07.2008 Location: On the edge of town (in the Darkness...) Posts: 1,559	Amazon released it briefly for purchase- accident or on purpose, I don't know. But it's around.

29 Dec 2013, 00:37	#14
Sebastian. Biggles Join Date: 15.02.2011 Location: Texas Posts: 2,027	Thanks my contacts deep in Mexico have provided.

29 Dec 2013, 01:01	#15
Breeze Miss Inclined Join Date: 24.07.2010 Location: Posts: 448	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.

29 Dec 2013, 01:05	#16
Sebastian. Biggles Join Date: 15.02.2011 Location: Texas Posts: 2,027	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.

29 Dec 2013, 01:35	#19
stretch37 Mega Loafer Join Date: 28.06.2008 Location: Posts: 2,119	I'm stoked for the album Springsteen's performances have been so strong, hoping there'll be some killer vocals and energy

29 Dec 2013, 05:39	#21
Breeze Miss Inclined Join Date: 24.07.2010 Location: Posts: 448	I guess I will say a prayer to Dio as in Kickapoo video. he he

29 Dec 2013, 23:21	#23
Julie in the rv mirror Spirit in the Night Join Date: 23.07.2008 Location: On the edge of town (in the Darkness...) Posts: 1,559	"Accidentally"...suuuuuuuuure. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/ne...moved-20131229

31 Dec 2013, 12:06	#25
Julie in the rv mirror Spirit in the Night Join Date: 23.07.2008 Location: On the edge of town (in the Darkness...) Posts: 1,559	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.