Rolling Stone (p.66) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "Springsteen has mastered the key sounds of rock's golden age, and he deploys them at will on this album, diving deep into influences that he's only hinted at before on record."

Spin (p.77) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "The classic pop- and folk-derived melodies of 'Life Itself' and the title track sound almost sacred when borne aloft by the E Street Band's majestic thrust."

Entertainment Weekly (p.96) - "[T]he warm, bright music blasting away behind him reminds fans what they've know for ages: It's hard to stay downbeat for very long when the E Street Band is playing." -- Grade: A

Mojo (Publisher) (p.102) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[A] spontaneous-sounding yet painstakingly arranged Springsteen album with flashes of rococo strings and no little positivity. Take hear and enjoy The Boss's galvanizing newie -- Mr. Motivator is back."

Blender (Magazine) (p.62) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "The best songs are pledges in the style of '60s rock that draw from Springsteen's 18-year marriage to singer Patti Scialfa."

Paste (magazine) (p.63) - "Bruce Springsteen's latest is a grab bag of everything we've come to love about The Boss -- anthemic rock, exhausted Americana, raunchy blues shuffles, orchestral ballads, testifying gospel rave-ups and gripping lyrical narratives about working-class America."

Clash (magazine) (p.100) - "While not sentimental, WORKING ON A DREAM does draw attention to the romantic side of Springsteen, and rays of optimism shine through across the record."

Record Collector (magazine) (p.103) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t's certainly his most positive and uplifting album for some time....A celebration of the history of great American popular music."