Bruce Springsteen – High Hopes (Columbia)
NOT seen since rocking the Isle of Wight festival two years ago, following up his 2012 album Wrecking Ball was never going to be difficult for Bruce Springsteen, or The Boss.
This collection of covers, touched-up rejected album tracks and studio recordings of live exclusives really will please fans, both old and new.
The high-charged title opener of the 64-year-old’s 18th album introduces the record’s novelty: Rage Against The Machine (RATM) guitarist Tom Morello adding his distinctive solos.
Morello appears on eight of the 12 tracks, shining on gospel-tinged Heaven’s Wall and RATM favourite, The Ghost Of Tom Joad. Springsteen’s E Street Band is as delightful as ever, particularly the brass on Just Like Fire Would, while the inclusion of late Clarence Clemons on Harry’s Place brings a melancholy note soon counteracted by the cheesy-rock of Frankie Fell In Love. All great fun.
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