Magic - Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen's sixteenth album, "Magic", was released in October 2007. As a huge fan of "The Boss", I was expecting a solid album - if anyone knows how to churn out albums of a consistently high quality, it's Bruce - but even I was not expecting an album quite as good as this. Lead single and opening track "Radio Nowhere" is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the album's weakest tracks. Vaguely reminiscent of his earlier "57 Channels (And Nothin' On)" in its criticism of our increasingly vapid media, it's a solid rock song that will undoubtedly have your head bopping, but it's not outstanding - although the chorus ...  Read the complete review

I must admit first off that I am not a massive Bruce Springsteen fan. Of course I do like his hits - Born in the USA, Philadelphia and Born to Run amongst other - but I would not count myself as a huge follower of his music. However my brother is and he bought 'Magic' as soon as it was released. Not long after I was listening to it in his car and thought it sounded good. He lent it to me and since then I have listened to it over and over again - it is pure class. Maybe Magic does not have the stand out singles such as those mentioned above, but for me the album as a whole is excellent and a totally rounded sound throughout the whole album. Each song is ...  Read the complete review

Bruce is back with a more direct collection of songs than Devils and Dust. Whereas that album was a little one-paced and ponderous, Magic manages to mix it up a little with classic rockers alongside mid-paced ballads. Opener 'Radio Nowhere' is one of the hardest sounding songs that Springsteen has ever produced, his frustration with endless radio stations playing nothing of note evident 'I just want to hear some rhythm, I just want to hear some drums'. There is little evidence of the early funk backbeat that the E Street band once possessed, time seems to have dulled their edges a little. The album contains more light and shade than some of ...  Read the complete review

Following a hugely successful reunion with the E-Street Band on 'The Rising', and after a solo album (Devils & Dust) and side project (Seeger Sessions), Springsteen returned to his day job with 'Magic'. Comprising 11 songs plus the bonus track 'Terry's Song', Magic features Bruce taking strong political viewpoints on the state of his beloved America. 'Livin in the Future' references illegal wiretapping and extraordinary rendition, while Gypsy Biker tells the powerful story of a returning US soldier, killed in the Iraq war. Recapturing the sound from some of the earlier records with the E-Street Band, Magic debuted at #1 in the US charts, though fell sharply ...  Read the complete review

After the fun folky album and tour with the sessions band springsteen returns with the legendary e street band for another rock album he's first with them since the brilliant THE RISING in 2002. This album is a solid record and is up there with he's other most commercial material like born in the usa/the rising/ the river etc. it leads with the first single radio nowhere with its guitar riff and pounding drums the song kicks the door wide open on its first play. you'll be coming down is another good catchy rock track. followed by the fun and gloriously sung living in the future., youre own worst enemy is a mid tempo well sung ballad kind of track. ...  Read the complete review