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I am listening to "High Hopes" anew with open ears pursuant to LV's enthusiastic response to it. On the title track now -- similar to the 1995 EP version, but a bit grittier. Pretty good, but Tom Morello is rock guitar's equivalent to the Harlem Globetrotters.
"Harry's Place" -- cool groove, not much of a song on top though. The "don't fuck with Harry's money/Don't fuck Harry's girls" part is kind of funny, if only for how hilariously out of character Bruce sounds reciting those lines.
"American Skin" -- I like the core of this song but the "41 Shots" chant grates, though I understand what it's supposed to achieve. I guess I prefer this to the E Street version, if only marginally.
Last edited by Kevin Davis on Sun November 11, 2018 6:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Down in the Hole" -- this is superb, I don't remember this one at all. The female vocals really sell it -- is that Patti or Soozie Tyrell? Lovely, haunting folk song, with a rhythm similar to "I'm on Fire," but a totally different vibe.
"Heaven's Wall" -- there are things I like about this, but it doesn't really come off in the end. Gotta be Morello again with the digi-shredding.
As far as I'm concerned Bon Jovi still has the better "guy from New Jersey tells his audience to raise their hands" song.
"Frankie Fell in Love" -- sounds like a song from the "River" sessions that got passed over for the album, passed over for several archival releases, only to finally get released on a "complete sessions" set, where it was the best of the 5-6 still-unreleased tracks.
"This Is Your Sword" - somehow the Celtic instruments in this make it feel even more American. I could see a Republican political candidate using this in a TV ad.
"Hunter of Invisible Game" -- always liked this one. Lovely interplay between the violin and the vocal melody.
"Tom Joad" -- a hideous, unmitigated disaster. A devastating song of solitude and poverty turned into a garish stadium rocker with a guest vocalist and a bunch of police siren guitar effects. Tom Morello belongs in Las Vegas.
"The Wall" -- fantastic. The best protest songs are always personal. "I remember you in your marine uniform, laughing/Laughing at your ship-out party/I read Robert McNamara says he's sorry." Lump in throat. Another oldie I think -- wasn't this played in '05? I like the electric guitar picking.
High Hopes Just Like Fire Would Down in the Hole Hunter of Invisible Game The Wall
Plus a few others that I wouldn't rush to turn off. I suppose this is no worse a take than any number of supposedly better Springsteen albums, so I guess I'll call this a success. "Down in the Hole" was a nice surprise -- I'll be giving that a few more close listens. Thanks LV!
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Kevin Davis wrote:
"Just Like Fire Would" -- this is more like it. Fun, catchy rock song. It's a cover, isn't it?
It's from Aussie band The Saints fantastic 1986 album "All Fools Day". I used to spin that lots and lots back in the day. Heavily underrated band here.
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