E Street Band back to light up the Boss (Magic - Bruce Springsteen)

Member Name: navidson

Product:	Magic - Bruce Springsteen
Date:	09/02/09 (10 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Consistently melodic, an improvement on Devils and Dust

Disadvantages: Not as fiery or funky as previous E Street recordings

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 Bruce's most recent work, particularly evident in 'girls in their Summer Clothes', the breezy, cheery little number that splits the album in two. Similar in musical tone to 'Waitin on a Sunny Day' its the most upbeat thing on offer here.

An effective return to form for the Boss

Summary: Springsteen still alive and kicking with the help of some old friends