High Hopes, Bruce Springsteen, 2014, :56
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Hailed as a masterpiece by "Rolling Stone," panned as a dud by "Pitchfork" (counterpoint: Pitchfork only raves about albums by women or rap artists), this album of castoffs, covers and re-recordings of old material is perforce a mixed bag. The Boss fills these odds and ends with Bono-like passion, sincerity, and what would be characterized as righteous anger if you're charitable and melodrama if you're not. I hadn't ever heard the three covers (including the title track), so can't speak to how Bruce might have elevated or desecrated them. I mostly found the album overblown and tiresome, even though I admire the rockstar power Springsteen put into it. Favorite tracks: "Frankie Fell in Love," "This is Your Sword."
